POY Watch: Lowndes' small NG making big impact

Lowndes senior Corveon White is proving that it doesn't take monster size to have a monster season.

White is 5 feet, 10 inches and 195 pounds - and he's a nose guard.

Lowndes is 5-0, and White is the team's leading tackler with 21 solo stops, one more than Florida State-bound linebacker Brian Bell. But the impact of White's stops can't be overstated. He has White has 17 tackles behind the line of scrimmage - 10 of them sacks - for 104 yards in losses.

White and Creekside RB Bricen Terry are the newest members of GHSF Daily's Player of the Year Watch. Washington County QB A.J. Gray keeps the top spot after a 261-yard rushing game.

1. QB/DB A.J. Gray, Washington County:Gray rushed for 261 yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries and was 5-of-11 passing for 154 yards and two touchdowns and an interception. On the season, Gray is 32-of-45 passing for 676 yards and seven touchdowns. He has rushed for 525 yards. On defense, he has returned two interceptions for touchdowns. Washington County (4-0) is ranked No. 1 in Class AAA. Gray is committed to Georgia Tech.

2. DL Trent Thompson, Westover:Thompson had nine tackles, four for losses, in a 20-19 overtime loss to Cairo. For the season, Thompson has 39 tackles, 16 behind the line, and three sacks for a 2-2 team. Thompson, an AJC Super 11 pick, is the consensus No. 2 recruit in the nation. He is committed to Georgia.

3. RB Eric Swinney, Sandy Creek:Swinney's team did not play last week. For the season, Swinney has 614 yards rushing and seven touchdowns on 83 attempts (7.4 ypc). Sandy Creek (4-0) is ranked No. 2 in Class AAAA. Rated the consensus No. 10 running-back prospect in the nation, Swinney is committed to Ole Miss.

4. RB/DB Ruben Garnett, Aquinas:Garnett rushed for 238 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-27 victory over Stratford Academy. He also made a season-high eight solo tackles. For the season, Garnett has rushed for 833 yards and 11 touchdowns on 101 carries (8.2 ypc) and has two TD receptions. He has made 21 tackles in the secondary. Aquinas (4-0) is ranked No. 1 in Class A. Duke reportedly leads to sign Garnett among 15 Division I offers.

5. WR Darius Slayton, Greater Atlanta Christian:Slayton caught only two passes for 17 yards because GAC's quarterback was injured and the team relied on the run game, but he did return an interception 104 yards for a touchdown in a 41-0 victory over Hapeville Charter. For the season, Slayton has 16 catches for 302 yards and six touchdowns - two that were highlight-reel game-winners - for the No. 1-ranked team (4-0) in Class AA. Auburn and Georgia are the reported leaders for Slayton, the consensus No. 19 wide receiver prospect in the country.

6. WR Preston Williams, Lovejoy:Williams had four catches for 70 yards in a 7-3 loss to McEachern. For the season, Williams has 20 receptions for 459 yards and six touchdowns. Lovejoy is 3-1 and ranked No. 10 in Class AAAAAA. Rated the No. 3 wide-receiver prospect in the nation, Williams is committed to Tennessee.

7. RB/QB/DB Deshawn Waller, B.E.S.T. Academy:Waller rushed for 261 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-28 loss to fifth-ranked Lovett in a Class AA game. On the season, Waller has rushed for 803 yards and five touchdowns on 84 carries (9.6 ypc). Sometimes a quarterback, Waller is 13-of-23 passing for 238 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. He has made 14 tackles and intercepted a pass. B.E.S.T. (2-2) is ranked No. 9 in AA. Waller has offers from Georgia State and Indiana.

8. RB/LB Tra Minter, Schley County:Minter rushed for 297 yards and four touchdowns on 32 carries in a 33-27 victory over Taylor County. In three games, Minter has rushed for 858 yards (286 per game) and 12 TDs and returned a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown. On defense, he has made 23 solo tackles and 18 assists and caused two fumbles. Schley County (2-1) has won only five games during Minter's sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Minter (5-9, 190) has offers from Appalachian State and Troy.

9. NG Corveon White, Lowndes: White had four sacks and six tackles for losses in a 17-13 victory over Newton. For the season, White has 21 solo tackles, six assists, 17 tackles for losses totaling 104 yards and 10 sacks. White (5-10, 195) has no reported scholarship offers.

10. RB Bricen Terry, Creekside: Terry rushed for 215 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries in a 28-14 victory over seventh-ranked Stephenson in a Class AAAAA game. On the season, Terry has 745 yards rushing and eight touchdowns on 125 carries (5.97 ypc). Creekside (4-1) is ranked No. 3 in AAAAA. Terry (5-9, 210) has only one reported offer, from Ohio.

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