The position of "athlete" is the next in our series of Georgia's best high school players. They are dual-threat quarterbacks, such as LaGrange's LaPerion Perry, who had nearly 1,500 yards both rushing and passing; or two-way starters such Grayson's Jamyest Williams, who could've made all-state last year as a running back or cornerback.
*Dominick Blaylock, Walton (6-0, 175): Blaylock had 41 receptions for 795 yards and eight touchdowns. A terrific return man, he had another 412 all-purpose yards. Blaylock is rated the consensus No. 11 overall prospect nationally in the class of 2019.
*Deejay Dallas (5-11, 190): Dallas didn't start at quarterback until the sixth game, but he was 54-of-102 passing for 694 yards and eight touchdowns and rushed for 1,161 yards and 14 TDs in leading his team to the Class AAAAA final. He also had 10 catches for 131 yards at wide receiver. Glynn Academy finished 12-3, its most victories since 1936.
*Kyler Eldridge, Model (6-0, 195): Eldridge is not a major college prospect yet, but it's hard to imagine a player meaning more to his team. He passed for 1,013 yards and rushed for 927 and 17 touchdowns. At linebacker, he had 124 tackles, five for losses, and returned an interception for a touchdown. He also was his team's punter. Model has had back-to-back nine-win seasons for the first time since 1953-54.
*Grant Holloman, St. Pius (5-11, 170): St. Pius has averaged more than 10 wins the past 10 seasons with relatively few blue-chip players but several versatile difference-makers such as Hollomon. In 2015, he rushed for 674 yards (8.3 per carry), had 405 yards receiving, averaged 29.5 yards on kick returns and made 52 tackles in the secondary. A cornerback at the next level, Hollomon has several mid-major offers. Army is one.
*Richard LeCounte, Liberty County (6-1, 175): No Georgia player has been more productive in so many aspects of the game as LeCounte. He's had at least 99 tackles each of the past three seasons at safety. He has rushed for 1,358 yards, passed for 688 and put up 883 receiving yards in his career. He has 4,004 all-purpose yards. He's intercepted 11 passes. He's even punted and kicked off. The consensus No. 2 recruit in Georgia is committed to Georgia.
*LaPerion Perry, LaGrange (5-8, 165): Perry is the most balanced and prolific dual-threat QB in Georgia high schools. He passed for 1,465 yards, rushed for 1,456 and had a hand in 25 touchdowns last season. Perry is committed to Purdue.
*Zebulon Johnson, Clinch County (5-7, 150): Though he might be small, Johnson is the classic all-around good player that rules Class A football. In helping Clinch to the Class A public-school championship, Johnson rushed for 809 yards on just 49 carries, scored 12 touchdowns, caught five passes for 107 yards, made 29 tackles and had three interceptions, one run back for a TD. His teammates Trezman Marshall and Charles McClelland are cut in the same mold as multi-threat players.
*Braylon Sanders, Callaway (6-0, 170): Sanders, star of Callaway's 10-2 season in 2015, is a bit like former Callaway star Terry Godwin. You're not sure where he'll line up, but the first job of the opposing team is to find him. It appears he'll move from QB to WR this season. But don't be surprised to see him behind center at a moment's notice. He is rated the No. 58 prospect in Georgia.
*Baylon Spector, Calhoun (6-2, 190): Spector roamed in Calhoun's secondary last season and made 70 tackles. Now, he's the Yellow Jackets' quarterback, although he will continue to play on defense. He is rated the No. 62 prospect in Georgia. He is committed to Clemson. He is a cousin of former University of Georgia WR Kris Durham.
*Jamyest Williams, Grayson (5-9, 170): Williams was not the state's best running back last season, when he rushed for 1,339, nor yet the best cornerback, from which he made 20 tackles, broke up nine passes and intercepted two, returning one for a touchdown. It's just that there was no better two-way player in the highest classification, where staying on the field the whole game is no small task. Williams did that for Archer last season. He has transferred. A likely cornerback at the next level, Williams is one of the state's 10 top prospects.
Coming Friday: Special-teams players
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