Five Georgia Playmakers You Need to Know

When you talk about Georgia high school football, you're talking about a culture that breeds grit, speed, and that “it” factor you just can't coach. These five athletes — [player_tooltip player_id='283798' first='Bryce' last='Green'], [player_tooltip player_id='891880' first='Mason' last='Stephens'], [player_tooltip player_id='950809' first='Kevin' last='Hartsfield'], [player_tooltip player_id='1780140' first='Jordan' last='Wiggins'], and [player_tooltip player_id='681161' first='Denzell' last='Watkins'] — aren't just playing football. They're redefining it.    Some receivers catch the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='891880' first='Mason' last='Stephens'] steals it from the air. Long, rangy, and smooth, he's the type of wideout who turns 50/50 balls into 90/10 in his favor. Mary Persons has themselves a legitimate deep threat who can also beat you with sharp routes underneath. Mason's footwork is clinic-worthy, and his ability to track the ball over his shoulder is pure art. Defensive backs can stick to him all they want — he's still going to make the grab. Big plays follow him like shadows.     When you talk about a running back who runs with both vision and venom, you're talking about [player_tooltip player_id='283798' first='Bryce' last='Green']. At 5'10" and 185 pounds of solid muscle, he's got the frame to take punishment and the speed to make defenders disappear in the open field. Green's cutback ability is so sudden it leaves linebackers grasping at air, and his balance after contact is a coach's dream. When he plants his foot, it's over — he's exploding into daylight with speed that makes angles disappear. He's not just elusive; he's violent in his runs, lowering his pads to send a message on contact. Defensive coordinators know: one missed tackle on Bryce, and you're staring at the back of his jersey in the end zone. Now committed to ETSU (East Tennessee State University), Green will soon be bringing that same workhorse mentality to the next level. Every carry is personal for him — it's not just about yards, it's about setting a tone.     [player_tooltip player_id='950809' first='Kevin' last='Hartsfield'] is truly a man on a mission, he's if you've ever seen him play then you know he's electric. This Newton running back runs with a downhill style that makes defenders question their life choices. At 6'0”, 205, Kevin brings the kind of physicality that wears down defenses in the third and fourth quarters. But don't get it twisted — this isn't just a bruiser. Kevin has surprising top-end speed, enough to turn the corner and take it to the house. He's the heartbeat of Newton's offense, and when he's rolling, the whole team feeds off his energy.     Every great team needs a general, and [player_tooltip player_id='1780140' first='Jordan' last='Wiggins'] commands the huddle like he's been there for years. The Northeast quarterback is as cool as the other side of the pillow under pressure, reading defenses pre-snap and adjusting on the fly. His arm talent allows him to hit tight windows, and his mobility forces defenses to account for him outside the pocket. Jordan doesn't just throw to open receivers — he throws them open. Expect him to light up box scores and raise a few eyebrows from college recruiters this season.     [player_tooltip player_id='681161' first='Denzell' last='Watkins'] is that rare athlete who can dominate on both sides of the ball. As a quarterback, he's a dual-threat problem — calm in the pocket but lethal when he decides to take off. His leadership is steady, his decision-making is sharp, and his competitiveness is unmatched. Flip the field, and he's a cornerback with lockdown instincts, physicality at the line, and the speed to erase separation in a heartbeat. Army's getting a warrior who plays every snap like it's the fourth quarter of a championship game.    These five athletes aren't just names on a roster — they're difference-makers. Each of them has that combination of talent, work ethic, and hunger that turns potential into production. Georgia football is in good hands, and the rest of the country better be paying attention.