Top 2024 Returning Tacklers in 7A

Everyone you look in the peach state, there's someone ready to dish out a big hit. Whether you're in the North Georgia mountains or down by the coast, the state always produces hard-hitting defenders on an annual basis.   Here are some of the top returning tackles in North Georgia heading into the 2022 season...     [player_tooltip player_id='137459' first='Ashton' last='Woods']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ashton-woods/"></a> – Walton   One of the most talented and productive defenders in all of Cobb County, Woods tackled everything in sight last year, leading the team with 105 stops, 10 TFLs, 3 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 INTs. He was excellent in coverage but was a reliable run-stopper as well. He has great size at 6-foot-3 210-pounds and has a high football IQ. Just a rising junior, Woods knows the game and shows great instincts for his age. Even against 7A competition, Woods reacted quickly against the run, shows toughness, and knows how to tackle. His raw strength allows him to shed blocks, and if he's not blocked properly, he's going to make a big play. Woods is a versatile linebacker who can run, allowing to play inside or outside for the upcoming season. He's one of the top overall 2024 linebackers in the state and holds offers from Boston College, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, among others. He's currently ranked as the No. 4 LB prospect and the No. 49 overall prospect in the state in the latest rankings update.     [player_tooltip player_id='334929' first='Chase' last='Morrison']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/chase-morrison/"></a><a></a> – Roswell   One of the most productive EDGE defenders in Fulton County last year, Morrison is a tough defender with a solid frame at 6-foot-4 240-pounds. He has D1 size and was a force for the Hornet's defense last year as a sophomore, and now he's one of the leading tackles coming back in the 2024 class. He was all over the field as a sophomore last year, making 86 tackles, 11 TFLs, 2 sacks, 6 QB hurries, and deflected two passes. He's smart, instinctive, and plays the game the right way. He gets into the backfield with ease and has no problem plowing through blocks to make a play on the ball carrier. He's only getting better and better, and he's bound for a giant junior season for the Hornet this fall, hoping to lead them back to the 7A playoffs.     <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/ethan-maddox/EDOwbcTigEGIW9wjn1TzUw/football/stats.htm">Ethan Maddox</a> - North Paulding   One of the top defenders in a very talented area of Paulding County, Maddox showed big-play ability in his 1st year as a starter last year as a sophomore, making 70 tackles, 6 TFLs, and 3 sacks on the season last year. An tough, physical linebacker, Maddox gets to the ball carrier in a hurry and does a good job of not letting the ball carrier get to the edge. His versatility allows him to play inside and outside linebacker, and he reacts quickly in the run game. He sneaks through the line of scrimmage consistently and knows how to make a tackle behind the backfield. He's one of the more underrated linebackers in the 2024 class and he has a chance to lead the region in tackles as a junior.     [player_tooltip player_id='325242' first='Kendall' last='Farmer']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kendall-farmer/"></a><a></a> – Westlake   One of the top 2024 defensive linemen in the Atlanta area, Farmer was also of the more productive interior defensive linemen across the 2024 class last fall. The Westlake standout lived in the backfield all season last year for the Lions, showing why he holds multiple D1 offers. He's quick off the ball and knows how to blow up a play in the backfield before it can really get going. He's strong, instinctive, and can be tough for many to opposing linemen in the region to handle. His 90 total tackles last season were among the most across the state for sophomore defensive linemen, and he did a lot of his damage from the interior. He's excellent against the run, and while he isn't the tallest or longest defensive linemen in the Atlanta area, he certainly plays bigger than his size. If he continues to add more mass and develop his craft as a pass rusher from the inside, Farmer could be one his way to a breakout senior season in 2022.

Everyone you look in the peach state, there's someone ready to dish out a big hit. Whether you're in the North Georgia mountains or down by the coast, the state always produces hard-hitting defenders on an annual basis.