The highest-rated defensive back in Georgia is Peachtree Ridge free safety Nigel Warrior, a transfer from Westlake who is a consensus top-100 national recruit. Warrior is not the clear-cut best player in his own secondary, though. Teammates DeAngelo Gibbs, Chad Clay and Baylen Buchanan also are blue-chip recruits.
Another pretty good secondary should be Archer's, which placed two players on this list of 10 of the best in Georgia. It's based primarily on their high school production.
*CB Essang Bassey, Columbus (5-9, 175) - Bassey broke up 10 passes, intercepted five, blocked two kicks and forced two fumbles in just seven games of an injury-shortened season for a 3-7 team. He has 16 career interceptions, partly thanks to a 41-inch vertical leap. Bassey is committed to Duke.
*CB Ronnie Blackmon, Westlake (5-10, 175) - Blackmon was the top cornerback on Westlake's Region 2-AAAAAA championship team last season. He also was an explosive return man with four touchdowns on special teams. Blackmon is committed to Colorado.
*CB Marquez Callaway, Warner Robins (6-1, 170) - A terrific athlete who also is a star basketball player, Callaway has made all-state as a sophomore and junior. His statistics didn't stand out last season as opponents avoided him. Rated the No. 11 senior recruit in Georgia, Callaway reportedly favors Georgia and Notre Dame.
*S Stuart Head, Etowah (6-4, 190) - Head was a first-team all-Region 5-AAAAAA performer last season, when as a sophomore he made 138 tackles for a state semifinal team. He has offers from Duke, North Carolina, Clemson and reported favorite California.
*S Richard LeCounte, Liberty County (5-11, 175) - As a sophomore, LaCounte had 100 tackles, nine for losses, in only nine games for a 4-7 team. He also intercepted four passes and forced three fumbles. He's rated the consensus No. 3 player in Georgia among juniors. LeCounte reportedly favors Ohio State (where former Liberty County teammate and AJC Super 11 linebacker Raekwon McMillan now plays) and Georgia.
*S Jordan Mack, Wesleyan (6-2, 190) -Mack made first-team all-region in strong 6-AA as a junior despite a shoulder injury that required a special brace that made his right arm almost immobile. Mack has committed to Virginia.
*S/CB Dylan Singleton, Archer (5-11, 180) -Singleton was Class AAAAAA runner-up Archer's leading tackler with 141 combined stops. Perhaps also the team's best all-around player, he intercepted four passes and had more than 1,000 all-purpose yards. He was the Gwinnett Daily Post county defensive player of the year. Georgia is the reported leader for Singleton, rated the No. 23 senior prospect in the state.
*S Javontay Smith, Carver-Columbus (6-2, 200) -Smith, a pledge to North Carolina, had 50 tackles, five interceptions and two forced fumbles for an 8-3 team last season. He was honorable mention all-state in Class AAAAA.
*FS Nigel Warrior, Peachtree Ridge (6-0, 190) - Warrior had 56 first hits and five interceptions last season on a 9-2 region championship team. Rated the No. 9 senior prospect in Georgia, Warrior has no reported college leader.
*CB Jamyest Williams, Archer (5-9, 170) - Williams is in the mold of teammate Singleton (aka versatile), but he's a cornerback. He also had more than 1,000 yards in all-purpose yards, made 44 tackles, intercepted two passes and broke up 24 more. Only a sophomore last year, Williams saw his stock rise more in the offseason, flashing sub-4.3 speed. He's the consensus No. 8 prospect among juniors. Clemson and Florida State are his reported leaders.
Coming Wednesday: Special teams players
Produced by Georgia High School Football Daily, a free e-mail newsletter. To join the mailing list, click here.
About the Author
