Tackling Machines: Top Returning Players for Each Class

Last season, the state of Georgia witnessed a great season of high school football. Not only did plenty of prospects set themselves apart from players across the country in other states, but some of them even took it a step further, making themselves some of the best players in the state. Specifically, in each class, there were defensive players that stood the test of time as the season progressed, as they racked up plenty of tackles, creating game-changing stops, and high levels of production that largely contributed to their team's defensive success. 2025:[player_tooltip player_id='321495' first='Tyler' last='Scott'] (DE)- Savannah Country Day As a true freshman, Tyler already stepped up for his team last season, as he saw a great amount of action on the defensive side of the ball during each of his team's 11 games. In these 11 games, Scott led his entire class in tackles, by over 10 tackles, with 85 total tackles by the end of the year. Because of these gaudy statistics, he managed to average 7.7 tackles by the end of the season, which is impressive for such a young player who is still developing in overall frame, speed, and technique. With this, Scott also proved to be a tackling machine for his team, as 67 of these 85 tackles happened to be solo tackles. This means that only 18 of the tackles were assists. With this, it should also be noted that he had 4.5 tackles for a loss during the duration of the season. 2024: [player_tooltip player_id='335442' first='Clark' last='Jackson'] (LB)- Aquinas During his sophomore year, [player_tooltip player_id='335442' first='Clark' last='Jackson'] was single handedly the most productive defensive player for his team, as his final season total of tackles not only led his team, but the entire state by 10 tackles. By the end of the year, Jackson had about 158 tackles, with 90 of them being solo tackles. Even more impressive, Jackson accumulated these numbers in an 11 game span, causing him to finish the year with an average of 14.4 tackles a game. With this, Jackson also saw himself finish the year with 19 tackles for a loss, which most definitely boosted the team's overall defensive performance, while also making him an even more impressive prospect to each of the college programs who have taken notice of him. Look for him to continue to grow and develop in his movement skills, and strength, making him an even more fun prospect to track next season. 2023: [player_tooltip player_id='34013' first='Shakai' last='Woods'] (LB)- Douglas County While this should not come as a surprise, Woods not only excelled at the LB position last year, but he led the state in total tackles, with 180 tackles. This was only 7 tackles more than the second place tackler in his class, which happened to be Grayson's Jalen Smith, who had 173 tackles. During his team's 12 game season, Woods averaged around 15 tackles a game, with 110 solo tackles. This means that 70 of his tackles were assists. There is no shame in this though, as this still produced results for his defense, helping them to make it to the playoffs. In addition to this success, Woods also finished the year with 2 sacks. 2023: Jalen Smith (LB)- Grayson Not only did Jalen Smith finish the season with 173 tackles, as listed below, but he was highly productive in sacks for his team within a 14 game span. He finished the year with 10 sacks, and an average of 12.4 tackles a game- making him one of the more dominant players in the state. Not only is he a productive prospect, but he is very polished in his movement skills, and the way that he brings players to the ground. This can be seen in the 107 solo tackles that he had last year, compared to 66 of his tackles with assists. With this, his speed, and ability to read the ball carrier also sets him apart greatly, as he had a total of 14.5 tackles for a loss by the end of the season.

Last season, the state of Georgia witnessed a great season of high school football. Not only did plenty of prospects set themselves apart from players across the country in other states, but some of them even took it a step further, making themselves some of the best players in the state. Specifically, in each class, there were defensive players that stood the test of time as the season progressed, as they racked up plenty of tackles, creating game-changing stops, and high levels of production that largely contributed to their team's defensive success.
2025: Tyler Scott Tyler Scott 6'2" | 180 lbs | DL Savannah Country Day | 2025 State GA (DE)- Savannah Country Day
As a true freshman, Tyler already stepped up for his team last season, as he saw a great amount of action on the defensive side of the ball during each of his team's 11 games. In these 11 games, Scott led his entire class in tackles, by over 10 tackles, with 85 total tackles by the end of the year. Because of these gaudy statistics, he managed to average 7.7 tackles by the end of the season, which is impressive for such a young player who is still developing in overall frame, speed, and technique. With this, Scott also proved to be a tackling machine for his team, as 67 of these 85 tackles happened to be solo tackles. This means that only 18 of the tackles were assists. With this, it should also be noted that he had 4.5 tackles for a loss during the duration of the season.
2024: Clark Jackson Clark Jackson 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Aquinas | 2024 State GA (LB)- Aquinas
During his sophomore year, Clark Jackson Clark Jackson 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Aquinas | 2024 State GA was single handedly the most productive defensive player for his team, as his final season total of tackles not only led his team, but the entire state by 10 tackles. By the end of the year, Jackson had about 158 tackles, with 90 of them being solo tackles. Even more impressive, Jackson accumulated these numbers in an 11 game span, causing him to finish the year with an average of 14.4 tackles a game. With this, Jackson also saw himself finish the year with 19 tackles for a loss, which most definitely boosted the team's overall defensive performance, while also making him an even more impressive prospect to each of the college programs who have taken notice of him. Look for him to continue to grow and develop in his movement skills, and strength, making him an even more fun prospect to track next season.
2023: Shakai Woods Shakai Woods 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB Douglas County | 2023 State GA (LB)- Douglas County
While this should not come as a surprise, Woods not only excelled at the LB position last year, but he led the state in total tackles, with 180 tackles. This was only 7 tackles more than the second place tackler in his class, which happened to be Grayson's Jalen Smith, who had 173 tackles. During his team's 12 game season, Woods averaged around 15 tackles a game, with 110 solo tackles. This means that 70 of his tackles were assists. There is no shame in this though, as this still produced results for his defense, helping them to make it to the playoffs. In addition to this success, Woods also finished the year with 2 sacks.
2023: Jalen Smith (LB)- Grayson
Not only did Jalen Smith finish the season with 173 tackles, as listed below, but he was highly productive in sacks for his team within a 14 game span. He finished the year with 10 sacks, and an average of 12.4 tackles a game- making him one of the more dominant players in the state. Not only is he a productive prospect, but he is very polished in his movement skills, and the way that he brings players to the ground. This can be seen in the 107 solo tackles that he had last year, compared to 66 of his tackles with assists. With this, his speed, and ability to read the ball carrier also sets him apart greatly, as he had a total of 14.5 tackles for a loss by the end of the season.