GHSF Daily is publishing its 10 best at each position over the first nine issues. The players' status as recruits is a factor, but the choices are made largely on their production as high school players. The series continues today with two-way starters, dual-threat quarterbacks and other versatile athletes.
*Aaron Beasley, Heard County (6-0, 220): Beasley rushed for 1,749 yards and 29 touchdowns while also starting as his team's free safety. He had 66 tackles, three interceptions, two recovered fumbles and one fumble-return score. Beasley, a consensus three-star recruit, committed to Tennessee this summer.
*Chandler Byron, Monroe Area (6-0, 160): Byron was the Region 8-AAA player of the year last season, when he rushed for 1,902 yards and 25 touchdowns and passed for 1,784 yards and 24 touchdowns. He's the state's only returning quarterback (and part of a small group in history) with more than 1,500 yards rushing and passing in one season. Yet he has no scholarship offers. "He reminds me of Taylor Heinicke," said Monroe Area coach Kevin Reach, who coached Heinicke, now an NFL quarterback, at Collins Hill, where he was an overlooked prospect. "Whoever gets him will thank me for a long time. One of the best athletes I've ever coached."
*Steele Chambers, Blessed Trinity (6-2, 215): Chambers rushed for 1,301 yards and 23 touchdowns for the Class AAAA champions last season while playing only 70 percent of the offensive snaps. He played every down on defense and had 37 solo tackles and 33 assists at his linebacker post. Chambers, a top-250 national recruit, is committed to Ohio State as a running back.
*Da'Quan Jackson, Montgomery County (5-11, 170): Jackson had more than 1,000 all-purpose yards last season and scored touchdowns of at least 70 yards four ways - rushing (long of 76), receiving (71), punt return (75) and kickoff return (88). Jackson also played defensive back and had 57 tackles, an interception and three recovered fumbles.
*Nick Jackson, Lovett (6-1, 220): Jackson is a two-way starter who's just as good on either side. He had 47 tackles as a linebacker and 23 receptions for 367 yards as a tight end for a top-10 Class AAA team. Jackson is a consensus three-star OLB recruit whose reported leaders are Duke, Northwestern and Vanderbilt.
*B.J. Ojulari, Marietta (6-4, 215): Ojulari, destined to be a four-year starter, was Marietta's best offensive lineman last season as a sophomore, when he allowed only two sacks. He never comes off the field, which is rare for a lineman in the highest class. As a defensive end, Ojulari had 101 tackles, 19 for losses, and nine sacks. He's the consensus No. 5 weak-side DE prospect nationally among juniors.
*Zion Puckett, Spalding (6-0, 200): Puckett is a consensus four-star recruit whose college position could be receiver, cornerback or safety. He had 752 yards receiving last season and could line up for the Jaguars at receiver, running back or quarterback on offense. He'll start in the secondary.
*Jammie Robinson, Lee County (5-11, 190): Robinson, an uncommitted consensus four-star cornerback recruit who transferred this summer from Crisp County, rushed for 1,056 yards and had another 361 yards receiving in just 11 games last year. He had 2,027 all-purpose yards. On defense, Robinson had 47 solo tackles, seven for losses, and two interceptions. He returned two kickoffs and one punt for touchdowns.
*Brannon Spector, Calhoun (6-1, 185): Spector, a three-star recruit who committed to Clemson last October, caught 43 passes for 671 yards and five touchdowns for the Class AA champions. Clemson sees him as a wide receiver, but Spector was equally good for Calhoun in the secondary. He had 74 tackles, eight for losses, forced two fumbles and intercepted two passes.
*Damekus Taylor, Thomson (6-0, 160): Taylor passed for 1,441 yards and rushed for 1,455 last season at Evans and was the Region 3-AAAAAA offensive player of the year. He has transferred back to Thomson, where he played as a sophomore.
Coming Monday: Special-teams players
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