Rankings Breakdown: 2024 Small-town Prospects Making Noise

Connor Jackson March 14, 2023 @ 11:14 PM

The Prep Redzone Georgia rankings have just been updated. The big-name schools are well represented, but some small-town schools are also making some noise. Here, we take a look at some 2024 prospects from smaller schools that have cracked our recent rankings updates.   [player_tooltip player_id='137439' first='Zion' last='Ragins'] - WR - Jones County   Ragins ranks at 6th in the state in our recent 2024 rankings, good enough for our highest-rated small-school prospect. Recruiting services across the country are all on the same page, [player_tooltip player_id='137439' first='Zion' last='Ragins'] is a bonafide blue-chip WR prospect. Ragins has elite speed and change of direction. He can put his foot in the ground and be gone in the blink of an eye. He plays with outstanding body control as well, maintaining balance as he pieces his way through each level of the defense. He also showcases some versatility with the ability to catch passes at all levels of the field. Ragins is one of the most dangerous players in the country after the catch and will get a shot at major P5 football as a result. Expect him to continue generating some buzz over the next several months.   [player_tooltip player_id='321423' first='Jalewis' last='Solomon'] - WR - Schley County   Schley County has been a factory for P5 programs over the years, and their upcoming classes have a crazy amount of talent. [player_tooltip player_id='321423' first='Jalewis' last='Solomon'] is among the headliners for the Wildcats and is another blue-chipper on the trail. Solomon has effortless speed and acceleration which allows him to glide all over the field. He is a physical prospect with an RB-like build, is not afraid to get involved as a blocker and lower his shoulder to pick up extra yards. Projects at WR but also spends time at DB, where his aggressiveness and physicality are on full display. Solomon is a great athlete, but he has a great feel for the game and is a natural on the gridiron. He can play a lot of positions at the next level and should be a name you will continue to hear about over the years.   [player_tooltip player_id='321433' first='BJ' last='Gibson'] - WR - Wilcox County   Gibson, a former Tennessee baseball commit, is one of the best athletes in the state and has seen his stock on the gridiron soar in recent months. Gibson is yet another receiver that can make plays in all three levels of the field. Gibson is incredibly quick and light on his feet, showing great separation skills and the ability to kick things into another gear. Whether as a returner or as a runner or receiver, Gibson is elite with the ball in his hands and has the skillset to be targeted early and often at the next level. His recruitment will be one that fans are going to want to keep track of over the next few months. His stock is rising and it doesn't appear like it will stop anytime soon.   [player_tooltip player_id='627638' first='Demello' last='Jones'] - ATH - Swainsboro   Jones is an elite two-way player that has seen his stock blow up nationally since the last few weeks of last season. After a strong showing in the playoffs, Jones has solidified himself as one of the most highly touted athletes in the southeast. Jones has a good frame and is continuing to grow. At receiver, he can change directions quickly and can rise above defenders to bring down the ball, showcasing good ball skills. His change of direction and ball skills also translate to DB, where he can get down the field in a hurry and make big hits on receivers. Whether he plays WR or DB, Jones checks all the boxes of a bonafide SEC skill player and will be a solid member of any signing class.   [player_tooltip player_id='321425' first='Walter' last='Matthews'] - TE - Hiram   Super unique prospect that is generating tons of attention on the trail thanks to his combination of size and athleticism. Matthews stands at 6'7 245 and shows good separation skills for a player of his size. With his size and strength alone, Matthews will likely play attached to the OL a lot at the next level, but he shows more than enough ability to be a serious threat in the downfield passing game. His long legs eat up grass and get him down the field in a hurry and he has enough speed to make some noise after the catch. Matthews deserves more attention nationally as he is one of the most physically impressive prospects that I have evaluated.

The Prep Redzone Georgia rankings have just been updated. The big-name schools are well represented, but some small-town schools are also making some noise. Here, we take a look at some 2024 prospects from smaller schools that have cracked our recent rankings updates.