Did you get Dirty Birds Dispatch this morning?
If you forgot to sign up, you still can — and if you send me proof, I’ll personally forward the inaugural edition and all of its Falcon-y goodness to your inbox. (Really! But only this once.)
Now. On to today’s other big launch.
Quick links: Braves lose 5-4 | United routs Atlas | Gunner the gunslinger
FOOTBALL SUPER FRIENDS
Credit: Jason Getz/AJC
Forty years ago, a local newspaper had a fantastic idea.
“Say,” someone said. “Our readers love high school football. Why not pick a handful of the best players, group ‘em together and publish it?”
Simple but effective. And what eventually became the AJC’s Super 11 is still chugging along.
In fact, the 2025 edition just hit the internet.
Spend some time with that impressive presentation (stories! photos! videos!). I’ll give you the names later on, too.
But first: fun facts.
⭐ South Georgia shutout: This year’s edition is the very first time every honoree is from North Georgia. The furthest south you’re gonna get is Clayton County.
That’s a significant departure from 2024’s list, when only two metro Atlanta players made the cut.
⭐ No quarterbacks?! Nope. Nary a one. That hasn’t happened since 2018. And there are usually at least two!
There aren’t any offensive linemen, either — but there’s plenty of big-time talent on that front too.
⭐ The rich get richer: Tyriq Green, the two-way player from Buford High pictured above, made this year’s list. That makes 11 Wolves all-time, all since 2000 — and the most of any school, period. (Peach County is now second, with 10.)
That’s one way to fill the seats of a $62 million stadium … though winning 4,000 state titles helps, too.
⭐ New guys: On the other end of the spectrum, four members of this year’s class represent the first in the history of their respective schools.
Bowdon, Cambridge, Jonesboro and Sprayberry, stand up!
⭐ One more wild one: Since the inaugural offering in 1985, two Super 11 selections have gone on to win the Heisman Trophy: Collins Hill’s Travis Hunter (Colorado) and Thomas County Central’s Charlie Ward (Florida State).
The only Peach State Heisman winner that (somehow) didn’t make the Super 11 cut? Westlake High’s Cam Newton.
Now, without further ado, here are this year’s Super 11 superstars. Story or bio links included, but again — you should check out the main page, too. It’s very cool.
- LB Tyler Atkinson, Grayson
- EDGE Khamari Brooks, North Oconee
- WR Craig Dandridge, Cambridge
- CB Jorden Edmonds, Sprayberry
- DL Deuce Geralds, Collins Hill
- ATH Tyriq Green, Buford
- WR Aaron Gregory, Douglas County
- EDGE Xavier Griffin, Gainesville
- TE/WR Kaiden Prothro, Bowdon
- RB Jonaz Walton, Central-Carrollton
- ATH Jontavius Wyman, Jonesboro
Happy reading. Six days until the on-field action begins.
QUICK NEWSY THINGS
⚡ The Braves got swept by the Brewers. Late homers from Jurickson Profar and Michael Harris II weren’t enough to catch up. They start a rare five-game home set with the Marlins tonight, and the series will also bring a bit of history — which we’ll discuss momentarily.
⚡ Atlanta United scored four goals and beat Atlas in a Leagues Cup match. Technically meaningless, but the squad’s first win since late May is something. Back to regular old MLS action Saturday in Montreal.
⚡ The Dream visit the struggling Sky tonight (8 p.m. on Peachtree TV). Chicago will be without star Angel Reese for the fourth straight game, while Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard is listed as doubtful. Also of note: The WNBA trade deadline hits at 3 p.m.
⚡ The Falcons say first-round draft pick and former Georgia Bulldog Jalon Walker is ready to go for Friday night’s preseason opener against the Lions. He’d been limited by a hamstring issue. Here are five other things to watch for during the game.
GREAT CALL, BASEBALL
Credit: Jeff Roberson/AP
No woman has ever umpired an MLB game. That changes Saturday.
The league announced plans to summon Jen Pawol — a former college softball player and nine-year minor league official — for Saturday’s doubleheader at Truist Park. She’ll work the bases for those games before calling balls and strikes Sunday.
Pawol, 48, also umpired during major league spring training the last two seasons.
- As The Associated Press points out, her regular season debut will arrive years after women got their shot to officiate in the NBA (1997) and NFL (2015).
Better late than never, I guess. Still waiting on you, NHL.
📝 Pawol is scheduled to speak to reporters this afternoon. We’ll have all the deets at ajc.com/braves.
A COLLEGE FOOTBALL FANTASY
The best *hypothetical* news of the day comes from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who suggested the league’s massive new deal with ESPN could ultimately lead to a college football version of the RedZone channel (video proof).
Including anything other than games on ESPN/Disney properties would likely take some work, of course. But, uh … yes please. Now.
As far as more local news:
- Georgia Tech’s linebacker corps goes well beyond Kyle Efford. And receiver Eric Rivers is already getting big props.
- Georgia coordinator Mike Bobo says quarterback Gunner Stockton has a gunslinger’s mentality. He’s digging it.
- Georgia State QB Christian Veilleux hopes a trip to the Manning Passing Camp (yeah, those Mannings) helps him keep his job.
FREE TEDDY BRIDGEWATER
Feels like a good day to mention Teddy Bridgewater, who’s back in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — after being suspended from coaching the same Miami-area high school team he attended as a youngster.
The offending act? Using his own money to help the kids out. Pregame meals. New uniforms. Uber rides.
“When I decided to coach, those players became my sons and I wanted to make sure that I just protect them in the best way that I can,” Bridgewater told reporters Wednesday. “Miami Northwestern is in a tough neighborhood, and sometimes things can happen when kids are walking home and different things like that. So I just tried to protect them, give them a ride home instead of them having to take those dangerous walks.”
The horror.
Rules are rules, I guess. But that man deserves a medal, not excommunication.
PHOTO OF THE DAY
Credit: Jason Getz/AJC
OK, one more Super 11 photo. Because they’re rad. And Jonaz Walton, the Central-Carrollton running back, seems like a good dude.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
I mean, honestly, I just want them to remember me as a humble person that always did what he was supposed to do. Just a nice kid who you could talk to, not even about being maybe the best football player, just being humble and being a great person.
Thanks for reading to the very bottom of Sports Daily. Questions, comments, ideas? Contact me at tyler.estep@ajc.com.
Until next time.
About the Author
Before taking over the AJC's Sports Daily newsletter, Tyler Estep spent two years writing the A.M. ATL newsletter. A Gwinnett County native and University of Georgia graduate, he has been with the AJC since 2015 and previously worked as a reporter on the breaking news, hyperlocal and local government teams.
