Prospects To Know In 6A Region 1

It may just be made up of only 4 teams, but it's tough to find a region with more history in Georgia high school football than 6A Region 1. Led by the Valdosta Wildcats, the most historic program in Georgia, the region also includes powerhouse Northside, Houston County, and the always impressive Lee County. The region is made up of two middle Georgia teams (Northside/Houston County) and two south Georgia teams (Valdosta/Lee County). Here are a few prospects to know in the region... &nbsp; <strong>Jaron Willis - DB/LB - Lee County - Class of 2022</strong> Lee County produced UGA signee Otis Reese back in the 2018 class, and Willis is a similar type of defensive back. He’s a hard-hitting defender who excels in run support. As a prospect, Willis shows outstanding instincts in the run game. He does a great job of coming downhill from his safety position to make a play at or behind the line of scrimmage. He’s got good size and build for a safety, he’s physical, and most importantly, he knows how to tackle. Currently listed at 6-foot-2 210-pounds, Willis could play linebacker at the next level as he continues to put on weight. Overall, he’s a versatile defender who will bring a physical presence wherever he ends up. Willis recently picked up offers from Florida, Auburn, Ole Miss, and Virginia Tech. &nbsp; <strong>Jake Garcia - QB - Valdosta - Class of 2021</strong> One of the nation's top quarterbacks, formerly of La Habra (CA), Garcia made his way to south Georgia for his final year of high school football. The 6-foot-3 195-pound USC commit has a very accurate arm and displays great footwork and presence in the pocket. He's mobile enough to make plays with his feet, but it's his natural instincts, high football IQ, and overall consistency that makes him one of the nation's best. He doesn't have an absolute cannon, but he has enough arm strength to push the ball down the field. He may not light up the stat sheet, but it could be a different story this year in a high-powered Valdosta offense. Look for Garcia to put up big number this fall and show the state of Georgia what he's capable of. &nbsp; <b></b><strong>JaDarian Rhym - CB - Valdosta - Class of 2022</strong> At Valdosta, cornerback JaDarian Rhym could be the next great defensive back for the Wildcats. At 6-foot-2 170-pounds, Rhym is a long, rangy corner with great instincts. He is very good against the run, and for someone his age, he shows great natural instincts. He dissects plays well and can disrupt plays on the outside. He’s improving his cover skills, and he already brings a physical presence from his cornerback spot. As he continues to work and develop his craft in coverage, Rhym should be able to see more offers come his way. The early instincts are there, now he just has to put all the pieces of his game together. Not only is he becoming a standout on the football field, the two-sport athlete also holds his own in the classroom, sporting a 3.5 GPA. &nbsp; <strong>Micah Thurman - LB - Northside - Class of 2022</strong> One of the more underrated prospects in the state, Thurman is a track star who can really run. He started at Northside playing running back due to his speed and natural running ability, but after having to move to linebacker to help the team as a sophomore, the 6-foot-1 200-pounder thrived made a name for himself on defense. Not only is he an outstanding student, but he's a leader on the team and is expected to be a star player on both offense and defense for Eagles in 2020. He's a natural athlete who has found his home at linebacker, and teams like Wake Forest and Kansas State have noticed and extended an offer.