2024 Sack Leaders in Georgia
If there’s one thing every defense needs in this era of high school football, it’s a proven pass rusher. With offenses throwing the ball more and more, defenses needs one of two guys who can get after the passer if…
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Continue ReadingIf there’s one thing every defense needs in this era of high school football, it’s a proven pass rusher. With offenses throwing the ball more and more, defenses needs one of two guys who can get after the passer if they want to be successful. We saw plenty of young players get after the QB this year, proving that the state has plenty of upcoming talent on the rise for the future.
Here are some top 2024 pass rushers across Georgia…
Clark Jackson – Aquinas
A do-it-all player and one of the region’s best tacklers, Jackson made his presence known early and often last fall. He’s not the biggest linebacker at 6-foot-0 190-pounds, but he’s instinctive, runs well, and knows how to wrap up and tackle with the best of them. He’s also excellent on the blitz and proved over and over again that he can get to the QB, earning 17 sacks on the season. The private-school defender dominated at times this season as a sophomore and will only get better this offseason. He’s smart, loves to hit, and can get after the QB as well as any sophomore across the state.
Kamren Reese – Stockbridge
One of the top pass-rushing DE prospects south of Atlanta, Reese is a natural off the edge and consistently finds a way to get off blocks and get after the QB. He has decent size at 6-foot-2 210-pounds and can over power smaller offensive tackles in the region. He bends well, uses his strength to push opposing lineman backwards, and found a way to wreak havoc in the backfield all season long. He made 12 sacks on the season which was one of the best in the meto-Atlanta region for the sophomore class last fall.
Eric Brantley, Jr – Defensive Line – Valdosta
There’s a new 2024 defensive lineman to know about in South Georgia, and it’s the big sophomore from Valdosta. An absolute wrecking ball this season, Brantley Jr was in the backfield all season long, making 66 total tackles and 40 TFLs as a sophomore. He’s not a giant at 6-foot-2 250-pounds, but he’s lightning quick off the blow and can blow up any particular play. He’s a natural when getting off blocks and knows how to deliver a big hit when he gets to the ball carrier. He’s been as productive as it gets and he’s doing it as a sophomore. He was unstoppable this year and found the QB 11 times. Look for him to continue dominating offensive linemen for the next two years. He’s already becoming one of the top defensive linemen in all of South Georgia with this monster regular season.
Darion Smith – Appling County
Like his older brother in the 2022 class, Smith is an excellent pass rusher in the small town of Baxley with his long frame and natural athleticism. Smith got to the QB 11 times last fall, doing it with with great effort and the ability to shake off blocks. He consistently made plays in the backfield and dominated in one-on-one situations against the pass. He was too much to handle for opposing tackles in his SouthEast Georgia town and it will likely lead to some D1 offers down the road.