7-2A 2023 Breakout Players (Part 2 of 2)
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We selected to players from each team that were not on the 1st Team All Region team in ’22 but we think could be there after the ’23 season. We will pick up where we left off, in alphabetical order,…
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Continue ReadingWe selected to players from each team that were not on the 1st Team All Region team in ’22 but we think could be there after the ’23 season. We will pick up where we left off, in alphabetical order, with the second player from the Model Blue Devils.
Model Blue Devils
A quick shout out to Blue Devil QB Jake Sanders and DL Jeremias Heard who were not on the 1st Team last year but I feel they have already “Broke Out” and will have good seasons this Fall.
Javon Samples
Javon Samples
’24 5’9 205 LB: This kid loves to play football. He every local camp he could this Summer and is constantly training and working on his game. Fierce competitor that loves to hit. Best words I can use to describe his build is “fire-hydrant”. Not as tall as some of the other LB’s in the Region, and that may make the RB’s think they can run through him but hitting him is like a brick wall. Good family, brother is an incoming Freshman at Cumberland University. Big Fall coming for this young man.
Murray County Indians
The Indians lost a lot of experience to graduation. I’ve had the opportunity to see them in several 7 on 7’s this Summer and there are a few guys that stood out to me. A quick mention to QB Judah Woodall. He didn’t make my list of two but he throws a good ball and can make all the passes.
Braxton Vineyard
Braxton Vineyard
2024 6’2 SS/TE: No football film available on this guy, maybe a newcomer to gridiron this season for the Indians. I had a chance to see him a couple of times in 7v7 this Summer. Looks the part at SS. He has an athletic build and stands 6’2 with good hands. Will be good downfield target at TE. Plays basketball and is a very good baseball player. He is one to watch this Fall when the pads come on to see how he transitions from the 7v7.
No football clip so I added a little baseball clip.
Aiden Johnson
Aiden Johnson
’24 5’11 160 DB/WR: One of the more experienced players returning for the Indians. He was HM All Region last season at the DB spot. Looked good over the Summer in 7v7 in coverage and has decent hands at the WR spot. Not a lot of varsity film out there but he did return kickoffs for the Indians last Fall. Murray Co will rely on Johnson to step up this year and be a leader with all the young guys he will have around him.
North Murray Mountaineers
The Mountaineers return one of the best overall best players in 7AA in WR/DB Judson Petty Judson Petty 5'10" | 175 lbs | WR North Murray | 2024 State GA . He will be surrounded by a couple of underclassmen that I think will have big seasons this Fall.
Skyler Williams
Skyler Williams
’25 6’2 190 QB/DB: This may be the “Breakout” player overall in Region 7AA. Williams is already on the radar at WR, making 2nd Team All Region in ’22, but QB is where he will shine in ’23. He will move into the QB1 role this season, taking over for the NWGA POY Seth Griffin. Long athletic guy that has a strong arm. If the play breaks down his has the wheels to get outside and quickness to make you miss. Williams accounted for 353 yards total offense in their Spring game in May. He will have a real good group of receivers to throw to as he gets adjusted to the starting role. The Mountaineers are in good hands for the next couple of seasons.
Austin Newton
Austin Newton
’24 6’2 275: If you are going to have a breakout QB you are going to need some big guys up front to protect him. Austin is a big bodied aggressive center who gets up and into his stance quick. Pass blocked last season for the #1 QB in NWGA. Maxed out at 305 on PC , bench press 300 and squats 585. Recently picked up an offer from Reinhardt after attending their recruit camp. Highly recommended by his coaches and sports a 3.70 GPA.
Rockmart Yellow Jackets
It’s hard to nail down just two Yellow Jackets. The 6x defending Region champs seem to get the young guys on the field early in their high school careers but here are two that I think will have outstanding 2023 seasons.
Nahzir Turner
Nahzir Turner
’14 5’10 180 ATH: I was really impressed with Turner when I saw him at the Rockmart padded camp earlier this Summer. He is one of those kids that make you Google the HUDL roster to find out who he is. Outstanding athlete with a solid build and speed. He was matched up against larger competition at Camp and held his own. Has speed out of the backfield with good hands and not afraid to catch the ball in traffic. Was excellent in coverage in the defensive secondary. He was a 2nd Team All Region selection last year as an athlete.
Tristan Anderson Tristan Anderson 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Rockmart | 2025 State GA
Tristan Anderson Tristan Anderson 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Rockmart | 2025 State GA
’25 6’3 180 WR/DB: The Yellow Jackets don’t have to throw the ball much but if they do they have a good target here in rising Junior Tristan Anderson Tristan Anderson 6’3″ | 180 lbs | WR Rockmart | 2025 State GA . Tall and skinny with long arms but don’t let the slim build fool you. This guy has the strength and power to run through smaller DB’s. He has good hands and with his speed he can stretch the field quickly. College recruiters like his potential, picking up offers this offseason from UTC, App St and Troy among others.