*Best player: Jahmyr Gibbs, Dalton. "Unbelievable talent, best back I've coached in 26 years at Dalton," head coach Matt Land said. Gibbs rushed for 1,431 yards on just 163 carries last season. Also dangerous catching passes and returning kicks, Gibbs is committed to Georgia Tech.
*Best position: Linebacker. The chosen ones - Tyson Meiguez of Creekside, Kameron Wilson of Mount Zion, Wesley Steiner of Houston County and Phillip Webb of Lanier - will play major Division I football, and each made first-team all-region as juniors. It was a case of senior-privilege that made no room for Baron Hopson, who was state-champion Lee County's leading tackler last season as a sophomore. He's a major D-I recruit also.
*Highly recruited: Webb, an outside linebacker who stands 6 feet, 4 inches, is the No.6 overall senior prospect in Georgia, according to the 247Sports Composite. His reported favorites are Alabama and Auburn. Webb had 20 tackles for losses and 10.5 sacks for a state semifinalist last season.
*That's interesting: Steiner achieved the highest rating last month at The Opening Finals in Texas, an annual showcase for the nation's best senior college prospects. Steiner's rating, a 148.17, gave him the title of most athletic football player in the country. Steiner's measurables included a 4.51-second 40-yard dash and a 40.2-inch vertical leap. Steiner won the discus throw at the Class AAAAAA meet and recently power-cleaned 405 pounds, which produced a social media video that went viral. He has committed to Auburn.
*Snubbed? Kyle Toole passed for more than 3,000 yards while completing 65 percent of his passes for state champion Lee County last season. He made first-team all-Region 1 last season, but Valdosta's Tate Rodemaker was the region's offensive player of the year.
*What else is new? Valdosta has the most players, three. All are passers and catchers, and that's despite the Wildcats' leading 2018 wide receiver transferring. Aalah Brown, a junior with several Power Five offers, is now at Valwood. Rodemaker passed for 3,518 yards and 31 touchdowns as a junior. Expect those numbers to go higher.
OFFENSE
QB - Tate Rodemaker, Valdosta, Sr.
RB - Jahmyr Gibbs, Dalton, Sr.
RB - Derionte Kemp, Drew, Sr.
WR - Chauncey Magwood, Lee County, Jr.
WR - Tarrell Roberts, Valdosta, Sr.
TE - Jaheim Bell, Valdosta, Sr.
OL - Parker Rogers, Lee County, Sr.
OL - De'Leon Madria, Bradwell Institute, Sr.
OL - Nick Lundeberg, Allatoona, Sr.
OL - John Williams, Creekview, Sr.
OL - Jordan Williams, Gainesville, Sr.
ATH - Raheem Gaines, Mundy's Mill, Sr.
PK - Jude Kelley, Allatoona, Sr.
DEFENSE
DL - Simeon Barrow, Grovetown, Sr.
DL - Marlon Krakue, Sprayberry, Sr.
DL - Makius Scott, Gainesville, Sr.
DL - JaQuari Wiggles, Mays, Sr.
LB - Tyson Meiguez, Creekside, Sr.
LB - Wesley Steiner, Houston County, Sr.
LB - Phillip Webb, Lanier, Sr.
LB - Kameron Wilson, Mount Zion (Jonesboro), Sr.
DB - Rashad Battle, Creekside, Sr.
DB - Isaiah Dunson, Tucker, Sr.
DB - Javier Morton, Stephenson, Sr.
DB - Victor Pless, Harrison, Sr.
P - Diego Huerta, Douglas County, Sr.
Coming Monday: Class AAAAA
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