Region 7-6A Preview: Top prospects on each team

In an offseason like none we’ve ever seen, the new GHSA realignment seems to have slipped beyond the front page. The new regions could set a new landscape for the football powers within the state. The newly aligned Region 7-6A has paired up Cherokee and Fulton counties and multiple programs within the eight-team region are coming off historic seasons. There are plenty of high-level college recruits and a number of players who are on the brink of breakout recognition. The region includes a few up-and-coming coaches to watch as well. Here’s a look at the key players to watch on each team in Region 7-6A. <em>Players to watch for each team:</em> <em>Cambridge</em> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="33984" first="Zach" last="Harris"], QB (6’1” and 175 lbs.), Class of 2022</strong></span> Harris was a breakout performer as a sophomore in 2019. Arguably the best deep-ball passer in the region, Harris will have multiple weapons surrounding him again this year and should prove a test for each defense on the schedule. Harris made headlines last year with this last-second Hail Mary to win the game at Woodstock. https://twitter.com/Patrick_J_OShea/status/1170157166721941504 <em>Centennial</em> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="33664" first="Julian" last="Nixon"], WR (6’4” and 230 pounds), Class of 2021</span></strong> [caption id="attachment_39703" align="alignnone" width="200"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-39703" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/07/GA-Julian-Nixon-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> Photo: PrepRedzone[/caption] The University of Tennessee commit will be the best receiver and top prospect in the region this year beyond a doubt. The No. 14 overall prospect in the state in PrepRedzone’s 2021 rankings, Nixon will be a threat on each and every possession for the Knights. Centennial suffered through an 0-10 season in 2019 and I’d expect Nixon to do his best to go out on a more positive note. Nixon could possibly bulk up in college and make the move to tight end but regardless, his ball skills and pure athleticism leave little room to doubt why he was one of the most sought after prospects in the state. <em>Chattahoochee</em> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="33803" first="Jordan" last="Palmer"], WR (6’3” and 190 lbs), Class of 2021</strong></span> After a solid sophomore season, Palmer enjoyed a breakout junior campaign racking up 57 receptions for 921 yards (16.2 average) while adding 12 touchdowns. As a result, he currently holds eight offers including Appalachian State, Georgia State and Cincinnati among others. Chattahoochee has other offensive weapons as well but Palmer should be the primary threat. https://twitter.com/JordanNewtonP/status/1285693164423188487 <em>Creekview</em> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Brody Rhodes, QB (6’1” and 192 lbs), Class of 2021</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_36546" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-36546" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/07/BrodyRhodes1-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Photo: Amber Cloy Amber Cloy Photography[/caption] Creekview will go as far as Rhodes will take them in 2020. A three-year starter for Creekview, Rhodes will be arguably the best dual-threat quarterback in the region this year. He earned second-team All-Region and All-County honors as a junior and finished fifth in county in rushing yards (432). He has seen a recent uptick in college attention as of late with an offer from Kennesaw State to go along with his offer from Army West Point. <em>Johns Creek</em> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="33753" first="Cole" last="Nelson"], SDE (6’3” and 230 lbs), Class of 2021</span></strong> Nelson could push Anderson and Nixon as the top prospect in the region. Finished his junior season with 57 tackles (37 solo and 20 assists) while adding 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. Rated a three-star by the 247Composite and already committed to Virginia Tech, Nelson should be in the top few names for this region’s Defensive Player of the Year. https://twitter.com/Col3DN_03/status/1289230810680373248 <em>River Ridge</em> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Brian Bradley, DE (6’3” and 214 pounds), Class of 2022</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_36971" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-36971" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/07/Brian-Bradley-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> Photo: Prepredzone[/caption] One of the most productive defensive linemen in Cherokee County last year, Bradley flew under my radar until late in the season. As a sophomore Bradley regularly blew up the oppositions run game and finished the year with 38 tackles (19 solo and 19 assisted) and three sacks. He earned second-team All-County and All-Region honors and I’d expect him to be one of the better front seven defensive playmakers in Cherokee County this season. <em>Riverwood</em> <strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="33693" first="Khalil" last="Anderson"], DB, Class of 2021</span></strong> Anderson is among the top two or three players in the region. The No. 44 overall prospect in the state on Prepredzone’s 2021 rankings, this elite cornerback prospect made a commitment to Pittsburgh earlier this summer. He chose Pitt over nearly 20 other schools including South Carolina, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Michigan State. I’d imagine quarterbacks will look to attack the other side of the field but regardless, Anderson should be one the best playmakers in the region. The matchup between Anderson and Nixon will be a must-see. https://twitter.com/_KhalilAnderson/status/1269078197947285504 <em>Sequoyah</em> <span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>Jaden Mitchell, RB (5’10” and 180 pounds), Class of 2021</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_40627" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-40627" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/08/JadenMitchell1.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> Photo: Greg Spell G-Roxphotos[/caption] Mitchell finished third in Cherokee County in rushing yards as a junior tallying 768 yards on 149 carries (5.2 average) while adding five touchdowns. He’ll be the primary ball carrier in Sequoyah’s Wing-T offense and also play safety on defense. An excellent athlete who takes contact well, Mitchell currently holds one offer from Trine University (IN).