Top players by position: Linebacker class loaded with top-200 recruits

Milton running back Scott Moskowitz (22) is tackled by Grayson defensive back CJ Clements (9) and defensive end Tyler Atkinson (16) as he makes a gain in yardage during the first half of play in a 7A quarterfinal game Friday Nov. 25, 2022 at Milton High School. (Daniel Varnado/For the AJC)

Credit: Daniel Varnado

Credit: Daniel Varnado

Milton running back Scott Moskowitz (22) is tackled by Grayson defensive back CJ Clements (9) and defensive end Tyler Atkinson (16) as he makes a gain in yardage during the first half of play in a 7A quarterfinal game Friday Nov. 25, 2022 at Milton High School. (Daniel Varnado/For the AJC)

GHSF Daily’s rollout of the Georgia Power 100 continues today with linebackers The Georgia Power 100 is chosen primarily on high school production, though college potential is considered.

*Tyler Atkinson, Grayson, Jr.: Atkinson (6-2, 205) is the consensus No. 9 junior prospect nationally. He’s the second-highest-rated Grayson player in history after Robert Nkemdiche. He had 25 tackles for losses as a sophomore on an 11-3 Class 7A team and 22 as a freshman. He was a unanimous first-team all-state player last season.

*C.J. Crite, Lincoln County, Sr.: Crite (6-1, 195) had 112 solo tackles, 17 for losses, for a 7-5 Class A team last season and was unanimous first-team all-state. He had 25 receptions for 600 yards and eight touchdowns. Crite is the highest-rated Lincoln County prospect this century. He committed to Cincinnati in June.

*Christian Gass, Eastside. Sr.: Gass (6-3, 215) is a consensus top-250 national prospect and the highest-rated Eastside recruit in history. NFL cornerback Eric Stokes is second. Gass had 11 tackles for losses last season and is a three-year starter. He committed to Tennessee in July.

*Xavier Griffin, Gainesville, Jr.: Griffin (6-4, 210) is the state’s consensus No. 5 junior recruit (No. 1 by 247Sports) and Gainesville’s highest prospect this century ahead of Deshaun Watson. He is 247′s No. 1 LB prospect. As a sophomore, he had 20 tackles for losses and nine sacks for a 12-1 Class 6A team. He was first-team GACA all-state. Griffin committed to Southern Cal in July.

*Jaedon Harmon, Rome, Sr.: Harmon (6-1, 215) is a consensus top-175 national prospect. He had 87 tackles and 10 tackles for losses last season for an 11-2 Class 6A team and made first-team AJC and GACA all-state. He committed to Alabama in April.

*Anthony Kruah, Marietta, Sr.: Kruah (6-2, 220) had seven sacks, 11 tackles for losses and 71 other tackles for a 3-8 Class 7A team last season. He committed to North Carolina.

*Jadon Perlotte, Buford, Sr.: Perlotte (6-4, 215) is a consensus top-200 national prospect. He had 33 solo tackles, 10 tackles for losses and four sacks in Buford’s strict scoring last season. He made first-team AJC all-state. Perlotte committed to Southern Cal, flipping from Georgia, in July.

*Herbert Scroggins III, Benedictine, Sr.: Scroggins (6-3, 233) is a consensus top-400 national prospect. Scoggins had 11 sacks and 10 other tackles for losses last season on a 13-1 Class 4A team. Viewed as an edge rusher at the next level, he committed to Miami in June.

*Tavion Wallace, Wayne County, Sr.: Wallace (6-1, 210) is a consensus top-75 national prospect. He is the highest-rated Wayne County prospect this century ahead of his brother, Carolina Panthers linebacker Trevin Wallace. He is a three-year starter and was the team’s third-leading tackler last season. He committed to Arkansas in July.

*Zayden Walker, Schley County, Sr.: Walker (6-3, 230) is the consensus No. 24 player nationally. He’s the highest-rated Schley County prospect in history, beating out Auburn player Zykeivous Walker, his brother. A four-year starter and two-time first-team all-state, Walker has 44.5 tackles for losses in his career. He has scored 51 touchdowns and put up 2,475 all-purpose yards in his career playing running back and receiver. Walker committed to Georgia in June.

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