Player of The Year Watchlist – Week 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Players across the state are putting up big stats and impressive field performances each week since the start of the season. I'm compiling a watchlist of players that are candidates for Player of The Year after mid-season performances. The listed players are leading the state in the specific categories along with their nationally ranking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='203888' first='Mason' last='Fortune'] - QB, 6'1" 190 (No. 3 QB, No. 12 Overall), Millbrook HS</strong>. Mason has completed 84 of 122 passes for 1,733 yards and 20 TDs. He is completing 68 percent of passes for a QBR of 144. <strong>Mason is currently in 6th place nationally in passing yards</strong>. The recruiting interest is expected to increase for the 2024 prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='50901' first='Luke' last='Bailey'] - RB, 5'11" 195 (No. 6 ATH, No. 63 Overall), Providence HS</strong>. Luke has 1,121 rushing yards on 106 carries and 16 TDs for a 280.2 yards per game average. <strong>He is currently in 11th place nationally in rushing yards</strong>. The recruiting interest is expected to increase for the 2023 prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='154602' first='Nathan' last='Leacock'] - WR, 6'4" 185 (No. 2 WR, No. 6 Overall), Millbrook HS</strong>. Nathan has 38 receptions for 840 yards and 13 TDs for a 168.0 receiving yards per game average. <strong>He is currently in 4th place nationally in receiving yards</strong>. The Tennessee recruit is expected to continue his high-level of play throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='297899' first='Payton' last='Wright'] - MLB, 5'10" 185 (No. 21 LB, No. 156 Overall), Eastern Alamance HS</strong>. Payton has 76 total tackles, 2 of the tackles were for losses. He is averaging 19.0 tackles per game. <strong>Payton is currently in 15th place nationally in total tackles</strong>. The recruiting interest is expected to increase for the 2024 prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='44971' first='KJ' last='Sampson'] - DT, 6'4" 285 (No. 1 DL, No. 2 Overall), New Bern HS</strong>. KJ has 12 sacks and 22 hurries for a 2.4 sacks per game average. <strong>He is currently in 7th place nationally in total sacks</strong>. The Florida State recruit is expected to continue his high-level of play throughout the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='144933' first='Nigel' last='Lucas'] - CB, 6'1" 175 (No. 9 DB, No. 113 Overall), Wake Forest HS</strong>. Nigel has 5 interceptions for a 1.2 interceptions per game average. <strong>He is currently in 35th place nationally in interceptions</strong>. The recruiting interest is expected to increase for the 2023 prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->