Top Returning 2023 Defenders in 7A Region 8
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As we head closer to spring ball, one of the top regions to keep a close eye on in 7A is Region 8. It’s a region full of history, state championships, and exceptional talent. Peachtree Ridge has a rich history…
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Continue ReadingAs we head closer to spring ball, one of the top regions to keep a close eye on in 7A is Region 8. It’s a region full of history, state championships, and exceptional talent. Peachtree Ridge has a rich history and has produced multiple NFL defenders in the last decade. The North Gwinnett Bulldogs are a consistent 7A power and have a recent state title in their trophy case. Collins Hill ran away with the region last year and made it all the way to the 7A state championship.
So the talent is there, especially on defense.
Here are a few top returning defenders from the region to know for the 2021 season….
Dion Crawford – Collins Hill
It would be easy to put 5-star Travis Hunter Travis Hunter 6'1" | 165 lbs | ATH Collins Hill | 2022 State GA on this list, and he probably should be seeing he’s one of the top athletes in the country, but the Eagles defense this year will be led by Crawford. The 6-foot-2 215-pounder is coming off a breakout sophomore season where he made 124 total tackles and 23 TFLs. He also added 11 sacks, forced two fumbles, and intercepted one pass from his outside linebacker spot. He’s smart, long, athletic, and has a knack for making plays. His big season has led to offers from Michigan, FSU, Minnesota, Virginia, Georgia Tech, among others. He was named 1s-Team All Region last year and the staff at Collins Hill expects even more from him in 2021. His heart and passion make him a special player as Crawford is willing to put his body on the line to win each play. Look for Crawford to be one of the state’s leading tacklers as a junior this fall.
Caleb Downs Caleb Downs 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Mill Creek | 2023 State GA – Mill Creek
One of the top 2023 Db prospects in the entire country, Downs checks every box you look for in a cover safety at the next level. He’s long, lean, holds his weight extremely well, and has a high football IQ. He was dominant in the Mill Creek secondary last year as a sophomore, recording 57 tackles, picking off 4 passes, and breaking up 14 more. The 6-foot-0 180-pounder had a lot of hype around him going into the 2020 season and Downs more than lived up to the hype. He’s athletic in the back end and showed great ball skills in big moments. Downs had the game-winning INT against West Forsyth and had a knack for making big tackles all season. He runs well and covers a lot of ground quickly when attacking the ball carrier. He’s great in coverage, but Downs also has the ability to come down into the box and help against the run. Downs already holds offers from Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, among others.
Kaden McDonald – North Gwinnett
Looking for the next great interior lineman in Georgia? That has to be McDonald. As a sophomore last season, the North Gwinnett Bulldog was an absolute force and dominated opponents on a weekly basis. Already a big, strong guy at 6-foot-3 325-pounds, the four-star defensive tackle is extremely quick and agile for his size, catching opposing offensive linemen off guard. He plays with great leverage and is extremely strong in his lower body. He’s a guy who needs to be double-teamed on every play or else he’s going to blow it up. He was extremely productive last year and lived in the backfield, making 56 total tackles, 29 TFLs, and tied the team lead in sacks with 12. He did it all from the interior, and that has led to offers from Georgia, Michigan State, and Tennessee. Look for McDonald to be one of the top interior defensive line prospects across the South for the 2023 class.