Top Defensive Performances From Week One

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 season is underway, and we saw plenty of top defenders across the state step up and make a statement in week one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are they?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1085373' first='Everett' last='Currie'] - Sprayberry</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more underrated linebackers in Cobb County, Currie was a tackling machine to start the 2023 season. Just a junior, Curries decided to step up and become a leader on the Yellow Jacket defense. He was all over the field for Sprayberry, helping lead them to a 31-30 victory over Campbell. Currie, a thick, instinctual defender at 5-foot-11 205-pounds, made an almost impossible 23 tackles. He's a true football magnet who consistently found his way to the ball-carrier. Whether he had to shed blocks to get there or fly to the edge, Currie was always in a position to make a play. He's a sure-tackler and will only get better as the season moves along. He's a tough linebacker to know about this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/gainesville/north-hall-trojans/athletes/zeke-harris/football/stats/?careerid=fottvkhs6kbp9">Zeke Harris</a> - North Hall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A versatile linebacker who has no problem playing in space, Harris is also a sure-tackler and one of the very best in the area. He brings plenty of size and toughness at 6-foot-2 195-pounds and brings natural playmaking ability. He reads the play well and gets down-hill in a runner, lowering his pads and delivering a big him on the ball-carrier. During North Hall's 49-34 win over White County, Hall recorded 19 big tackles with one coming behind the line of scrimmage. He's incredibly tough to block and has a natural feel for the position, constantly getting off blocks and getting after the back. He wraps up well and does his job each and every play. He made 120 tackles last year, and he's started his senior season in a big way with this season-opening performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/jessie-washington-iii/shKkf5IMEeqAzqREozo6lw/football/stats.htm">[player_tooltip player_id='407054' first='Jessie' last='Washington III']</a>&nbsp;– Georgia Military College</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An excellent two-way prospect in Middle Georgia, Washington is a thumper at linebacker who can also really run the football. A compact athlete at 5-foot-9 200-pounds, Washington plays fast and physical no matter what position he plays. He gives maximum effort and it was easy to notice in his box score to open the 2023 season. The Milledgeville native made 17 total tackles in their loss to Wheeler County, but Washington still really impressed. He's quick to the ball-carrier and knows how to make a sound tackle in the open field and towards the sideline. He may be on the smaller side, but it's clear he plays bigger than his size. He's playing as hard as he can to start his final season, and he could be one of the more productive linebackers in Middle Georgia this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/toccoa/stephens-county-indians/athletes/jonah-swinton/football/stats/?careerid=3ghep2d4s9855">[player_tooltip player_id='1568687' first='Jonah' last='Swinton']</a> - Stephens County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A playmaking two-way athlete, Swinton is a promising athlete bound for a big junior season on both sides of the ball. A natural defender with a lengthy frame, the North Georgia defensive back covers a lot of ground down the field on coverage, but showed in the season opener that he knows how to tackle. He does a great job of knocking the ball-carrier off balance and tackling them around the feet. He moves in quickly against the run and can make an impact tackle in space. He's only going to get stronger and faster, so it's easy to see the potential he brings to the table. Helping lead Stephens County to a 31-29 win over Habersham Central, Swinton made 17 tackles, proving to be one of the most impactful players on either sideline. He's a gifted defensive back to keep an eye on in Northeast Georgia for the 2023 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->