Tackles Leaders From 7A (Including Playoffs)

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Georgia homes so many great defensive prospects. 7A football was full of dominant lineman and linebackers. These players flew all over the field for their teams. Today we are going to look at the leading tacklers from 7A Georgia football. Every player on the list made it to the final four of the playoffs.</span> <hr /> <b>James Smith, Class of 2021, Collins Hill </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Smith is a great defensive end who led 7A in total tackles this year. In 15 games, he finished with 180 total tackles, 168 solo tackles, and 61 tackles for a loss. He was a part of a strong defensive front that filled running holes and got after the quarterback. He is a little undersized and it’s fair to view him as a tweener. He makes great use of his hands when pass rushing. Smith has a reliable swim that helped him live in the backfield this season. Smith is a sound tackler, he makes sure to wrap up players consistently. As of January 4th, he is verbally committed to Tennessee Tech.</span> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/3168921/5fdb67a29677730ab0874970" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <b>Logan Birdsong, Class of 2021, Collins Hill </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Collins Hill’s defense was full of talent, and also included the second leading tackler, Birdsong. In 15 games, he totaled 162 total tackles, 132 solo tackles, and 5 tackles for a loss. Birdsong was a key staple on a defense that held its opponents to an average of 17.1 points. He’s a coverage linebacker who can help in run support. Birdsong plays smart, fast, and physical. Quickly recognized plays and tracked down ball carriers. He had a great senior year and has the skill set to help a college program.</span> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9644623/5f9f772eb3c87803c4d844e2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <b>Rich Dorsey, Class of 2022, Collins Hill </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Smith and Birdsong were not the only players to ball out for Collins Hill. The third leading tackler from this season, Dorsey, also played for Collins Hill. Dorsey racked up 162 total tackles, 150 solo tackles, and 16 tackles for a loss. Dorsey showed up and showed out while playing alongside Birdsong. Good football IQ, he showed a good understanding of pursuit angles this season. Good hands, he is able to break away from blockers as ball carriers approached. I look forward to watching him develop and fill out his frame throughout this offseason.</span> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9630352/5fdbafd1f56a280708f5feb1" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="101788" first="Zakye" last="Barker"], Class of 2022, Norcross </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">The fourth leading tackler this season was Barker, he ended the season with 149 total tackles. In 13 games he had 100 solo tackles and 36 tackles for a loss. He’s an outside linebacker that’s used a lot to edge rush and blitz. Barker is an energizer bunny, he flies across the field and is not afraid to lay a big hit. He does not give up on plays, multiple times this season he chased down ball carriers before they could break off to the endzone. Barker is an under the radar prospect I expect to get more attention this offseason and next season.</span> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11077815/5f68cda85b47c703f804eafb" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <b>[player_tooltip player_id="33755" first="Jalen" last="Garner"], Class of 2021, Norcross </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Norcross also had the fifth leading tackler this season in middle linebacker Garner. He played 14 games and finished with 142 tackles, 95 solo tackles, and 28 tackles for a loss. Garner was a playmaker for a great Norcross defense this season. He is a smart player, he tries to force fumbles when applicable. Garner forced 5 fumbles this season. He is fast, quickly filling running lanes, and can switch lanes to track down ball carriers. His speed makes it hard for linemen to respond quickly enough to block him. Love the physicality he plays with, runs through contact. I can’t wait to see what he adds to the Houston Cougars.</span> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9815436/5f659f736e81c6080cf6613a" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>