2023 Superlatives: Top Two-Way Players

A true athlete is one who can not only play multiple sports, but can play both on both sides of the ball on the gridiron. It’s not easy to find someone who can make a big impact and play both ways all game, but for some, it can absolutely be done. Whether they are catching passes on grinding it out in the trenches, there are multiple players in the 2023 class who made a big impact on both sides of the ball last season. &nbsp; <div dir="auto"><strong><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jalon-kilgore/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="34039" first="Jalon" last="Kilgore"]</span></a> – Putnam County </strong></div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto">An explosive small-town athlete who can make an impact as a receiver and defensive back, Kilgore was a big-play threat all season in 2021 and made just about very catch matter on offense. The 6-foot-2 190-pounder from Eatonton is an outstanding safety prospect who made 88 tackles and caused four fumbles. He’s a hard-hitting, physical defender in the run game, but he has excellent hands as well, consistently coming down with the football. As a receiver, Kilgore caught 37 passes for 921 yards and 11 touchdowns. His ball skills, size, and overall athleticism are why he’s one of the top overall prospects in his regions. He’s a dynamic player and it’s led to D1 offers from Florida, Vanderbilt, Troy, Louisville, UCONN, Indiana, and Eastern Michigan. He was one of the most productive two-way players in the entire classification, and he’s expected to do more of the same as a senior in 2022.</div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto"></div> <div dir="auto"> <strong><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/dee-crayton/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="94017" first="Dee" last="Crayton"]</span></a>  – Denmark</strong> One of the most dynamic players in his 7A region, Crayton is an impressive two-way player who was a tackling machine last fall. The 6-foot-2 215-pounder is extremely versatile and can line up at middle linebacker, outside linebacker, and blitz from anywhere eon the field.  He has a nose for the football and has enough speed to go sideline to sideline to get to the ball carrier. He’s great at getting after the passer but is reliable when dropping back into coverage as well.  The 7A Region 6 Defensive Player of the Year made 91 tackles, 14 TFLs, and made four sacks on the season, leading a Danes defense that was one of the state’s best among all classifications. He was a superstar running back in middle school, and can always be counted on to get tough yards at running back. He’s a physical runner between the tackles and a consistent option on short-down scenarios and around the goal-line. He’s someone who can absolutely play on both sides of the ball, and he could do more of that as a senior. </div> &nbsp; <strong><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nathan-efobi/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="124923" first="Nathan" last="Efobi"]</span></a>  – South Forsyth</strong> One of the top 2023 defensive/offensive line prospects in the state, the 6-foot-3 285-pounder was tough to handle this season for opponents, using his raw strength and overall size to dominate the middle of the trenches last fall. Defensively, he was double-teamed often but has still managed to make a giant impact and lead a strong South Forsyth defense all season. He’s strong at the point of attack and can closes those running lanes in a hurry. He’s big, active, and he’s only getting better in both positions. He’s using his hands better and becoming more fundamentally and technically sound the more he plays. His best football is ahead of him, and that’s a very good thing for the South Forsyth in 2022. Efobi recently earned an offers from Louisville and East Carolina and Miami. They won’t be the last offers he reels in soon. He can open a lot of holes up the middle as he showed he can be an impact interior lineman at the next level. Some college coaches like him on defense, others on offense, but it’s clear he can handle his own on both sides of the line of scrimmage. &nbsp; <strong><a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ethan-nation/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="97098" first="Ethan" last="Nation"]</span></a> – Roswell</strong> Another two-way player at receiver and defensive back, the Roswell standout did it all last season, showing why he’s one of the top two-way prospects in the 2023 class. Ranked as one of the top CB prospects in the state, Nation has excellent ball skills which translates well on offense as a receiver. Nation was one of the state’s leading INT leaders in 2020 as a sophomore when he came down with 8 INTs. He only picked off one pass last season as a junior, but that’s because QBs decided not to throw his way. When the ball is in the area, Nation is going to make a play. His elite ball skills gave him an opportunity to make plays at wideout, catching 45 passes for 565 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. He’s great in the screen game but has strong enough hands to make a catch in traffic down the field as well. Look for him to show off his hands even more as a senior next fall. &nbsp;