7-2A (7AA): Preseason OPOY Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are getting close. Only 38 days until we kick off the 2023 Season. We look at a few players returning that could win the OPY in Region 7AA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>The Favorites</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1078822' first='Judson' last='Petty']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024`","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"North Murray","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"2024 5'11 180 Ath: Is one of the top returning yards per game WR in North Georgia for 2023. Accounted for 2000 all purpose yards and 24 touchdowns last season. Had at least 1 TD receiving, running, returning, and even threw a TD pass. Fearless route runner that will catch the ball across the middle. Reads defense well and knows how to find the open spots on the field. Hard nosed kid that will do whatever it takes to win. Excels in the weightroom with 300 PC. Was deemed u0022uncoverableu0022 this Summer at the UGA 7v7 competition. Definitely would make a good edition to a College program.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b0d94e45348"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/petty_judson/status/1593303557523980288","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/petty_judson/status/1593303557523980288 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"JD Davis","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Rockmart","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"2024 5'9 185 QB: A true competitor. This will be the 3rd year as the starting QB for the Yellow Jackets. Already has two Region Titles under his belt and the Rockmart enters the season ranked #4 and looking for a State Title in his final campaign. Efficient passer with only 1 INT in 191 pass attempts over the last two seasons. Has accounted for 2900 total yards with almost 900 of that coming on the ground where he is averaging 6.6 yards per carry. I saw this guy at camp this Summer and he has a good compact build with strong legs. Able to avoid pass rush with quick feet and makes good throws on the run. Excellent student with a 3.8 GPA.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b0d94e453f6"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JD_Davis5/status/1600609255136043019","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JD_Davis5/status/1600609255136043019 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ellijah Weaver","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Fannin County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"2025 5'9 140 QB: Weaver had a good sophomore season and is the returning passer in 7AA from last year. The multisport athlete passed for over 1200 yards last season with 16 touchdowns and only threw 1 interception in 124 attempts. Surrounded by an outstanding coaching staff and a solid core of underclassmen coming back. He should be in the hunt for the Region passing Title once again this Fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b0d94e4548d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jake Sanders","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Model ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"2024 6'2 184 QB: Sanders returns as the Blue Devils signal caller this year after taking over early in the 2022 season and helped led Model to the playoffs. Good game manager with the ability to get the ball accurately downfield. He is not afraid to stand in the pocket and take a lick, releasing the ball at the last second. Was 2nd Team All Region selection last year. Has a very athletic group of skill guys coming back around him this Fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b0d94e4551a"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jakob_sanderss/status/1602327194222878722","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jakob_sanderss/status/1602327194222878722 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Brent Washington","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Rockmart","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"2024 6'0 228 RB/LB: A bruiser. I lean more towards the DPOY with Washington as he is one of the top LB prospects in Northwest Georgia. He is an absolute load to bring down out of the backfield at close to 230 pounds. A good north south runner that would much rather run over you than around you. Only had 65 touches last season but scored 10 touchdowns and averaged over 7 yards per carry. Rockmart is in a good situation in that they have plenty of options on offense and don't have to overuse Washington on that side of the ball. If his carries do increase this season, he could go well over the 1000 yard/ 20 TD mark.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b0d94e455b0"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BrentWasington/status/1600500628207403008","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BrentWasington/status/1600500628207403008 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Darkhorse Candidates </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1293270' first='Skyler' last='Williams']: '25 6'3 QB North Murray: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Would be on the favorites list but hasn't taking his first official start yet. Showed his potential in the Spring game going 13 for 20 for 210 yards and 2 TDs while rushing for 143 yards on 10 carries and a score. Tall, long, athletic kid that was an All Region DB selection last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1637205' first='Carson' last='Callihan']: '25 5'11 RB Fannin County</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another guy that could see his workload increase in '23. Had 65 carries last season and averaged 6 yards per carry. Tough kid that runs hard. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Nahzir Turner: '24 5'10 ATH Rockmart</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This guy is set for a breakout year in '23. Was RB5 for the Yellow Jackets in '22. He had only 30 touches but averaged over 12 yards per carry with 3 scores. Saw this kid in the Summer and was impressed with his overall athleticism. Rockmart will have a good 1-2 punch in the backfield this season with him and Washington. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->