Derrick Brown is the consensus No. 1 senior recruit in Georgia. The 275-pound defensive tackle played like it last week with six tackles behind the line of scrimmage against Lambert.
Brown is the new front-runner on GHSF Daily's Player of the Year Watch.
"We moved him around a good bit Friday night from inside to outside, which helped him make plays from different spots up front," Lanier coach Korey Mobbs said. "Derrick continues to elevate his game and lead our defense. He is a force to deal with on every play as his motor is constantly on go."
New to the POY Watch this week are Archer RB Jamyest Williams, Roswell LB Tre Lamar and Colquitt County WR Kiel Pollard.
*1. DT Derrick Brown, Lanier: Brown opened the season with a monster game of eight tackles - six for losses, two sacks - three assists, five QB hurries and a recovered fumble in a 17-7 victory over Lambert. Brown is the consensus No. 1 recruit in Georgia and No. 9 player in the country. He had 17.5 sacks and 26 tackles for losses and forced six fumbles last season for a team that won its first region title.
*2. RB/DB Jamyest Williams, Archer: Williams scored five touchdowns while rushing for 172 yards on 16 carries in a 49-21 victory over North Paulding. He also made four solo tackles, one for a loss, and broke up a pass. Projected as a cornerback or wide receiver in college, Williams is rated the No. 4 prospect in the state among juniors by 247Sports, which rates him No. 1 nationally among athletes and No. 39 overall.
*3. QB Bailey Hockman, McEachern: Hockman was 5-for-12 passing for 101 yards and a touchdown in a 50-14 victory over Tucker. In 2014, Hockman passed for 3,551 yards passing and 42 touchdowns while leading his team to the Class AAAAAA semifinals. He is rated the No. 2 pro-style quarterback nationally among juniors. Hockman is committed to Georgia.
*4. QB Trevor Lawrence, Cartersville: Lawrence opens his season Friday at Cass. In 2014, Lawrence passed for 3,042 yards and 26 touchdowns for a Class AAAA semifinal team. Lawrence is rated by 247Sports as the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the country among sophomores.
*5. LB Tre Lamar, Roswell: Lamar had 11 solo tackles - four for losses, three sacks - and seven assists in a 35-8 victory over Lowndes. Lamar is the first AJC Super 11 player in Roswell history. He is rated the No. 8 inside linebacker prospect nationally by 247Sports' composite rankings.
*6. QB Jake Fromm, Houston County: Fromm opens his season Thursday against Veterans. In 2014, Fromm passed for 3,629 yards and 31 touchdowns and was the Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAAAA offensive player of the year. He is rated the consensus No. 8 pro-style quarterback prospect nationally among juniors.
*7. QB Mecole Hardman, Elbert County: Hardman opens his season Friday against Cedar Shoals. In 2014, he rushed for 983 yards and 14 touchdowns and passed for 414 yards in only five games. When fully healthy, he rushed for 1,672 yards as a sophomore. Hardman is the No. 1-rated athlete recruit in the nation, according to 247Sports' composite rankings.
*8. RB Elijah Holyfield, Woodward Academy: Holyfield opens his season Friday at Decatur. In 2014, Holyfield rushed for 1,753 yards and scored 31 touchdowns for a AAAA semifinal team. Holyfield is rated the consensus No. 5 running back prospect nationally.
*9. QB Kaelan Riley, Calhoun: Riley opens his season Friday against Dalton. In 2014, he was the GSWA's AAA offensive player of the year and led Calhoun to a state title. Riley passed for 2,463 yards and 23 touchdowns and rushed for 775 yards and 14 touchdowns. Riley is committed to Mercer.
*10. WR Kiel Pollard, Colquitt County: Pollard caught seven passes for 124 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 45-14 victory over North Gwinnett. Pollard is the best all-around player for the defending Class AAAAAA champion. He has 15 reported Division I offers, including one from Georgia Tech.
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