Breakout Players From 7A Region 5

Photo: Greg Spell Prep Redzone

Matt DeBary February 4, 2021 @ 09:50 AM

In North Fulton and Cherokee County is where you’ll find some of the state’s top talent. The metro-Atlanta area is home to one of the top athletic programs in the country in Milton High School, and the Eagles once again dominated the region as they went undefeated in region play in 2020. It wasn’t easy as multiple teams in the region played well and came into the 2020 season with full of talent. Here are a few breakout stars from the region last season... Debron Gatling - Milton The Eagles had one of the best rushing attacks in the state last year thanks to junior tailback [player_tooltip player_id="95164" first="Jordan" last="McDonald"], but they had one freshman playmaker emerge as impact player as well in Debron Gatling. The ball was distributed evenly in the passing game so he didn’t exactly light up the stat sheet with 333 yards and two touchdowns, but he really showed that he can play with the big boys as a freshman with his quickness and reliable hands. The ceiling is extremely high for this 2024 wideout who is expected to have an outstanding career in Milton over the next three season. The 6-foot-1 170-pounder already holds offers from Georgia, Texas A&M, Duke, and Tennessee. [player_tooltip player_id="33903" first="Keith" last="Adams Jr."] - Cherokee If there’s one giant breakout running back from across the state last year, it was Adams Jr. He was a tackle-breaking machine for the Warriors last year as he rushed for 1,313 yards and 14 touchdowns in just 10 games. He rushed for over 100 yards in seven games and had a true nose for the end-zone. He was productive as it gets and played his best football as the games went on. He showed great balance, vision, and has great speed for a 200-pound back. He showed big play ability who can take it the distance on any particular play. Adams is one of the top 2022 running backs in the state and could potentially see some Power 5 offers come his way down the road. [player_tooltip player_id="97098" first="Ethan" last="Nation"] - Roswell Arguably the hottest prospect in the nation, Nation himself had a monster sophomore season where he intercepted 8 passes in just 8 games. The ball-hawking Roswell Hornet has recently picked up offers from Georgia, Auburn, USC, Miami, South Carolina, Oregon, among others. The 6-foot-0 170-pounder has exceptional ball skills and knows how to locate the football in the air as well as anyone in the Atlanta area. He has good speed and closes well when the ball is in the air. Nation is full of potential and extremely coachable. If he continues to add weight while developing his craft, Nation has a chance to be one of the top 2023 CB prospects in the country.