2023 Breakout Candidates in 7A

<p>With the 2023 season just weeks away, it's time to start predicting which players will break out this year. Here are some prospects that we expect to raise their stock on the recruiting trail or have productive seasons, and maybe both. We will start with 7A. </p>   <p><strong><em>Nick Grimstead</em></strong> - QB - 2025 - North Cobb</p>   <p>Grimstead filled in for an injured Malachi Singleton last year for North Cobb and rose to the occasion. Given the circumstances, he produced at a high level and now has valuable experience under his belt. To describe his play style as simply as possible, Grimstead is a strong-armed, crafty QB prospect that plays with grittiness. Grimstead is a drive-ball passer with the arm strength to reach all levels of the field. He has a fluid, baseball-style release and excels at fitting the ball in tight windows between the seams. If Grimstead can continue to add more touch to his game, he will be capable of making all throws on the field. In the pocket, Grimstead is crafty and can weave away from rushers to keep the play alive. As mentioned, Grimstead is a dangerous runner who has experience in the designed run game. He runs with good vision, accelerates well, and is not afraid of contact. Grimstead doesn't hesitate to lower his shoulder and will only develop into more of a physical runner in the future. Grimstead is a projectable QB prospect who can stay ahead of the chains. He will remain under the radar nationally, but he has the traits to wow some people on Saturdays once he starts to reach his full potential. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/GrimsteadNick/status/1602149537916899330?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1566845' first='TJ' last='Lester']</em></strong> - 2025 - RB - Milton</p>   <p>Lester is transferring to Milton where he will have a chance to prove himself against a higher level of competition. After a good showing in the spring game and more solid work this offseason, Lester certainly seems up to the challenge. Lester is a sturdy 5'11 195 and already looks like he could handle a workload at the next level from a physical standpoint. His low center of gravity and balance allows him to absorb contact well and stay on his feet. He relies on his elusiveness as a runner to piece his way through the first level and weave around tacklers in the next two levels. He doesn't have elite speed, but he has enough to exploit running lanes downfield, he also has enough suddenness to get defenders off-balance. He also has a good understanding of when to bounce plays outside vs when to get north and south. Lester is the type of prospect that will perform underneath the spotlight for a few years before ultimately making a name for himself on Saturday.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/tjlester_/status/1452435725107007489?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong><em>Devon Donaldson</em></strong> - 2025 - DB - Archer</p>   <p>In my opinion, Donaldson is one of the best 2025 DB prospects in Georgia that most people aren't aware of. He has started to come into his own this offseason and is a prime candidate to break onto the varsity scene during his junior season. After getting a look at Donaldson in person, he has the measureables that coaches desire in corners. He is 6'0 170 with long arms and has started filling out his frame recently. If you compare his most recent film to his freshman year film, he almost looks like a completely different player. Donaldson is an exceptionally fluid athlete with outstanding footwork. He has the speed to stick downfield with receivers and can also play off the ball and jump routes. I fully expect Donaldson to make some plays in coverage this year. It will be interesting to see where he sticks long term. Regardless, he can play himself onto the recruiting radar with a big year in 2023. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DevonDonaldsonn/status/1682411613507158017?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1195773' first='Devin' last='Ancrum']</em></strong> - 2025 - DT - Mill Creek</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1195773' first='Devin' last='Ancrum'] was the anchor up front last year for the Mill Creek defense, helping lead them to a state championship victory. With another big season, his recruitment should take off. Ancrum spends most of his time at NT, where he exhibits skillsets that we don't see often in typical players at that position. He is incredibly explosive off the snap, is gifted with plus lateral mobility for his size, and is able to free himself up with his arms. He does a good job of working the inside and outside shoulders off defenders, attacking with an arm-over or arm-under move to loosen up the arms of blockers. Basically, he isn't just reliant on his power. He is disciplined in the run game, keeping his eyes locked on the ball carrier and showing the ability to split blockers + sit in gaps. Ancrum brings that immediate pass rushing presence in the face of the QB and is also an agile IDL that can take advantage of the stiffer offensive linemen in the middle. Ancrum is a true FBS talent that seems to be on the verge of a huge recruiting uptick. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DevinAncrum/status/1609690740837294080?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong><em>Alexander Sanchez</em></strong> - 2025 - WR - Grayson</p>   <p>Sanchez simply has all the tools to develop into a dominant WR prospect in the not-too-distant future. Sanchez is already an incredible athlete, getting things done on the baseball diamond for Grayson. He also clocked a 21 MPH sprint time earlier this offseason. When you watch his game tape, his explosiveness is on full display. He has solid footwork at the line and can blast right past defenders downfield. He has the ability to stack routes as well, deceiving DBs and slipping underneath for big gains. He looks natural with the ball after the catch and is not afraid to take on contact downfield. Sanchez has all the projectables when it comes to athleticism and traits. He already holds a handful of P5 offers, and that's before he's even made a huge impact at the varsity level. I expect Sanchez to emerge as a serious weapon for Grayson this year and generate plenty of recruiting attention as a result. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Alex0Sanchez/status/1669114301376868352?s=20 </div></figure>

With the 2023 season just weeks away, it's time to start predicting which players will break out this year. Here are some prospects that we expect to raise their stock on the recruiting trail or have productive seasons, and maybe both. We will start with 7A.