7 Freshmen To Know Entering 2023

<p>The 2026 class in Georgia lit up Friday nights in 2022. In fact, the 2026 class looks like one of the best classes in recent GAHSFB history. With the season just weeks away, we turn our attention to the 2027 class and highlight several players who could turn some heads this fall. </p>   <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='243535' first='Mikel' last='Stephen']</em></strong> - RB - Gainesville</p>   <p>Georgia is full of talented 2027 RBs, but Stephen might be the best of the group. Stephen absolutely passes the eye test with his well-built 5'10 180 frame. Once he is fully grown, he could easily be one of the most physically impressive prospects in the state. To go along with his frame, Stephen is an electric athlete with next-level burst and explosion. In fact, he won the fastest man competition at our PRZNext showcase earlier this year. When you turn on the tape, it's clear that he should be able to handle his own on the varsity level, and more than just physically. He is a fluid runner, showing the ability to move with little to no wasted movement. He has good enough vision right now to make simple reads and he can shed off tacklers as he lumbers downfield. Stephen will get better with experience and could pop on the P5 radar very soon into his HS career. Don't be shocked to see Stephen play a big role on varsity this fall. </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/mikelgohard/status/1596938628466253826?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='415080' first='Christian' last='Hunter']</em></strong> - DL - Milton</p>   <p>Hunter is yet another physical force who could play a huge role immediately on the varsity scene. He isn't built like your normal freshman defensive lineman. He is listed as a stout 6'1 250, and might play even bigger than that. He also holds his weight well and doesn't sacrifice any explosiveness and twitchiness. With his power and presence alone, he should be able to clog up running lanes and dent the pocket from the interior. However, he has also shown the ability to attack with his hands and slip right off the shoulder of blockers. There is also a chance that Hunter lines up on the offensive side of the ball in short-yardage and goalline situations. He plays with good pad level, which allows him to create leverage as a defender and on the offensive side of the ball. Once Hunter adjusts to the speed of the varsity game, he has a real chance to develop into a star. </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/CHunter2027/status/1678128417462534145?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='364938' first='Drew' last='Keller']</em></strong> - LB - Warner Robins</p>   <p>Keller is an athletic LB prospect with a lot of range. He has impressed on the camp setting this past offseason and has put up some impressive numbers during testing. In fact, he has measured catapult speeds around 23 MPH. His speed gifts him with the ability to chase after the football. Once he is in full stride, he is able to close the gap in a hurry. With his range, you would have to imagine that he is able to stick in man coverage against receivers and patrol the middle of the field. Right now, his varsity production will probably come from a spot where he can run sideline to sideline and play in more space. He could also be dangerous on special teams. However, once he grows physically and adjusts to varsity, he could slide back to that MLB spot where he would have rare athleticism for that spot. Keller is also an impressive track athlete, and his speed translates. </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/IamDrewKeller/status/1659718375868702722?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='262739' first='JR' last='Harris'] </em></strong>- QB - Central</p>   <p>Harris was recently named the starter for Central, and it's clear to see why. Harris won't scare you off the bus coming in at 5'9 165, but he still has plenty of physical growth ahead of him and has the physical tools to make his size an afterthought. Harris is a fundamentally sound passer with little to no wasted movement in his drop and in his throwing motion. He has clean footwork and passing mechanics, throwing in sync from head to toe with a quick, tight delivery. He plays with a good feel for the game, showing the ability to snap from one progression to another. He also sells the zone read and RPO game well, which gives him a lot of room to operate. Athletically, Harris is extremely dangerous with his legs. He is a master when the play breaks down, showing the ability to create and make plays in the passing game while on the run. He is a willing runner who can create in space and isn't afraid to take on contact. He has surprising arm strength and good ball placement. He can rip the ball while on the move and make cross-body throws. He is also able to layer the ball under the safeties and delivers a catchable ball. Harris has the ability to develop into one of the most complete GA QBs in the 2027 class, and a productive freshman season is a good place to start. </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/JRobHarris2/status/1623874460234178566?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='561578' first='LaDamion' last='Guyton']</em></strong> - ATH - Savannah Christian Prep </p>   <p>Whenever you have the stamp of approval from the UGA staff before you even walk through a high school hallway, you're the real deal. Guyton is arguably the most physically impressive 2027 prospect in Georgia, and it shows on tape. He comes in at a long 6'3 225. He's also a freak in the weight room. Above all else, he can hold his own from a physical standpoint at the varsity level. However, he is also a gifted athlete. In fact, most of his recent game tape is with the ball in his hands, where he breaks off numerous long TD runs. On those runs, you can see his pure athleticism on full display. He absorbs contact well in space and more importantly, he shows horizontal mobility and suddenness, which is important as he projects as an EDGE guy. As more coaches get eyes on Guyton this fall, they should fall in love with his upside and enter the sweepstakes. </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/DamionGuyton/status/1664354452147453954?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong><em>Corey Hadley Jr</em></strong> - ATH - Sandy Creek</p>   <p>Hadley is a big-bodied WR prospect who has physical mismatch written all over him. At 6'1 172, he is already on the bigger side when it comes to high school WRs, and he is absolutely going to continue to get bigger. Hadley is a long, fluid athlete who runs like a deer. He can gradually create separation downfield with his long strides and generates the power from those strides to separate once he has the ball in his hands. Once he adds more twitchiness and suddenness to his game, he will become even more dangerous as a playmaker. Hadley isn't afraid to get physical as he can rise over defenders and highpoint the football. He is also a willing blocker who is capable of leveling defenders. Hadley absolutely projects long-term at WR, but I would expect him to play some DB as well. Hadley holds several FBS offers, making him one of the most highly recruited prospects in the state for the 2027 class. </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/coreyhadleyjr_/status/1655759645959417858?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='210402' first='Izak' last='Koep']</em></strong> - ATH - Cass</p>   <p>Cass already has an impressive young core, and Koep should add to their talent this fall. Koep's 8th-grade film shows a prospect that could play on both sides of the ball. At 6'0 170, he is likely best suited to play as a receiver initially. However, he is a good enough tackler and is physical enough to make an impact on defense. Koep is a long strider who can get downfield fairly quickly. He has a large catch radius and is able to contour his body to make acrobatic grabs in uncomfortable spots. As you could expect, Koep shows natural hands and does a good job of catching the ball away from his body. Koep's future development will be fun to watch as he has drawn a lot of praise out of Cass. He could play himself onto the radar this fall. </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/IKoep84/status/1670610515758809089?s=20 </div></figure>

The 2026 class in Georgia lit up Friday nights in 2022. In fact, the 2026 class looks like one of the best classes in recent GAHSFB history. With the season just weeks away, we turn our attention to the 2027 class and highlight several players who could turn some heads this fall.