Class 7A Final Four: Players To Know

It’s the week of the Final 4 in Georgia and we have some of the state’s top programs battling it out this weekend in 7A. We have the reigning state champion Grayson Rams taking on an incredibly talented and undefeated Collins Hill in one game as the powerful Milton Eagles host a Walton squad playing their best football of the season right now. Here are some top players to know about in these big-time 7A games... &nbsp; <strong>Milton (12-1)</strong> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="71313" first="Lebbeus" last="Overton"] - DL</em> One of the top overall defenders across the country, [player_tooltip player_id="71313" first="Lebbeus" last="Overton"] is an elite EDGE defender in the 2023 class who can get after the passer with the best of them. The 6-foot-5 260-pounder is a great athlete who can turn around and make plays on offense as well. He’s a game-wrecker as a defender and a great option carrying the ball on the goal-line. He’s a five-star for a reason and he’s expected be tough to handle for the Walton offensive tackles. &nbsp; <em>[player_tooltip player_id="95164" first="Jordan" last="McDonald"] - RB</em> One of the top senior backs in the state, the Central Florida commitment is a big, powerful back with deceptive speed. He’s a big play waiting to happen every time he touches the ball and knows how to break tackles as well as anyone in the area. He’s tough, physical, and has really impressed so far in the playoffs, rushing for over 400 yards and 5 TDs through the first two rounds. He will get plenty of opportunities to run the ball on Friday night. &nbsp; <em>[player_tooltip player_id="34033" first="Bryce" last="Thornton"] - ATH</em> One of the top athletes in the region, the standout defensive back in one of the best across Georgia in the 2023 class. He’s quick, shifty, and showed great ball skills throughout the season. He’s an impact defender in the secondary, but he’s a reliable option on offense as well as a running back and receiver. Only a junior, Thornton is one of the biggest playmakers on the team and will be involved often against Walton in multiple ways. &nbsp; <strong>Collins Hill (13-0)</strong> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="33861" first="Travis" last="Hunter"] - ATH</em> The No. 1 overall high school player in the country, Hunter is healthy and ready to make an impact again at both receiver and defensive back. Hunter has elite ball skills, speed, and big-play ability. He’s a lockdown defensive back with his natural instincts and lean frame. At receiver, his body control, strong hands, and overall athleticism make him an easy five-star. The Florida State commitment can do it all, and he does it all well. Look for him to prove why he’s the nation’s top prospect on Friday night against Grayson. &nbsp; <em>[player_tooltip player_id="33893" first="Sam" last="Horn"] - QB </em> One of the top 2022 QBs in the South, the long, athletic passer and Missouri commitment has had a great senior season so far, throwing for over 3,200 yards and over 30 touchdown passes. A top baseball player as well, Horn can also make plays with his feet, rushing for over 400 yards and 5 touchdowns. He’s playing at an extremely high level and should be on his "A" game Friday night. &nbsp; <em>Asani Redwood - EDGE </em> One of the breakout players across the state, Redwood has been dominant off the edge and has been on of the top overall pass rushers across the state this year. A big-time defender, Redwood has great burst off the snap and is still fairly new to the game. He’s progressed each week and had been unstoppable for most of this season. The senior has made over 95 tackles, over 35 TFLs and has 17 sacks. Look for him to continue disrupting the QB on Friday night. &nbsp; <strong>Grayson (10-3)</strong> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="33940" first="Griffin" last="Scroggs"] - OL</em> One of the top interior lineman in all of Georgia, Scroggs is a big, nasty center/guard with good size and strength. The Georgia Bulldog commitment is coming off a big regular season as a senior where he helped anchor an outstanding Grayson offensive line once again.. One of the best interior linemen in the state, Scroggs is extremely physical and opened up a lot of holes between the tackles this season. He was a pancake machine this year and is expected to continue that effort this weekend. The Gwinnett County standout plays hard to the whistle and doesn’t need help from another lineman to take on big, powerful defensive tackles in the middle of the trenches. &nbsp; <em>JoJo Stone - ATH</em> One of the best players on the entire roster, Jone is an elite athlete who has been dynamic with the ball in his hands this season as a sophomore. The 5-foot-11 180-pounder will likely play defensive back at the next level, but he can play DB, WR, RB and QB if needed. Even as a rising sophomore, Stone had a BIG impact for the Rams this fall. He has five-star potential and could be one of the highest-ranked athletes in the country for the 2024 class. He’s going to touch the ball often on Friday night. &nbsp; <em>Jalen Smith - Linebacker</em> Just a junior, Smith has tackled just about everything in sight this season, making 157 tackles, leading the team by a mile. He’s a quick-reacting linebacker who closes well on the ball carrier. He’s instinctive and has a true nose for the football. He roams the field at middle linebacker and shows quickness and burst to the ball. He’s a sure tackler and can by physical in the run game. He’s also reliable in coverage, giving him an opportunity to make plays in a number of different ways. In addition to his 157 tackles, Smith has 13.5 TFLs, 10 sacks, and 11 QB hurries. &nbsp; <strong>Walton (9-3)</strong> <em>[player_tooltip player_id="137483" first="Jeremy" last="Hecklinski"] - Quarterback</em> The Walton Raiders appear to be playing their best football right now and they got a breakout playoff performance last week from Hecklinski, their impressive sophomore QB. With starter Zak Rozsman out, the 2024 gunslinger proved that he has a bright future, leading Walton to an impressive 52-35 victory. Hecklinski was outstanding all game, showing a big arm and the ability to push the ball down the field. He ended the game 13/23 for 269 yards and 4 TDs, winning “Player of the Game” honors in the victory. &nbsp; <em>[player_tooltip player_id="165699" first="Sutton" last="Smith"] - Running Back</em> At 5-foot-11 180-pounds, Smith is a dynamic athlete who can line up anywhere offensively and is an excellent option in the return game. He’s a one-cut slasher who can get upfield in a hurry, but he also runs with some power behind his pads. He’s a big weapon around the goal-line, scoring 18 touchdowns on the season. Between rushing, receiving, and special teams, Smith totaled over 1,100 total yards this season as a senior. &nbsp; <em>[player_tooltip player_id="33900" first="Marcus" last="Allen"] - Defensive Back</em> Arguably the top player on the team, Allen is a long, athletic defensive back who can turn around and play receiver as well. The North Carolina commitment is a tough, hard-hitting defender in the secondary with receiver-like ball skills. As a receiver, Allen has caught 12 passes for 343 yards and 6 touchdowns. On defense, Allen has made 40 tackles and locked down receivers in the pass game all season.