Power Scores: X Factors, McEachern Indians

McEachern is one of the best teams in the state through the first half of the season, according to our new Power Scores. Here are some of the X factors on their squad turning the most heads.    Pullen is the leader of a potent McEachern rushing attack and is on pace to shatter 1000 yards this fall. I really like what I see on the senior tape. He is built strongly into his 5'11 205 frame. He is a chore to bring down, shedding off tackle attempts and racking up impressive yards after contact. For his size, his short-area quickness is impressive, and he has flashed the long speed at times to just outlast DBs for explosive gains. Pullen has bell-cow qualities. I don't know how he is so underrated, but I think he is a clear FBS graded RB prospect and have a hard time envisioning a world where he doesn't ultimately end up at that level.     Since he first broke onto the high school scene last fall, Barner has set the standard for the 2029 class in Georgia, and he is playing elite-level ball on both sides for McEachern. Barner is cut from rare cloth athletically, and at a well-developed 6'0 190, he is capable of doing anything on the field. As a DB, he plays with a physical edge, violently flying downhill, attacking the trunk of ball carriers, and proving strong enough to lift and drive them. Barner combines elite athletic traits with a violent edge, making him an easy eval and flashing superstar potential well beyond his high school years.     Shockley has emerged as an early candidate to end up as the top 2029 receiver prospect in Georgia, and he is currently the leading receiver for McEachern. Here is a recent write up on Shockley from me:   "Shockley is proving himself as one of the premier 2029 prospects in Georgia through his first two HS games. Shockley comes in around 6'2 185 with a lot of body to grow into. Long arms, big paws, and a physical outmatch on the outside. He is still growing into himself as an athlete and refining as a mover, but his big frame already causes DBs discomfort, which should be a consistent trend throughout the course of his career."     Here is a previous note on Rivers:   "[player_tooltip player_id='283827' first='Darryl' last='Rivers']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/darryl-rivers/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/darryl-rivers/"></a> is a big-body DL prospect who will likely slide inside at the next level. He is listed around 250, but looks even bigger, so if that weight is accurate, he holds his mass very well. Rivers wins with his sheer presence and strength alone. Rivers proves impossible to move and using his length to keep his chest clean. He is still raw and growing as a block destructor, but he checks ideal boxes from a measurable standpoint and has his best ball ahead of him. Rivers holds an offer from Georgia State and I imagine he will add some offers this offseason once college coaches see him in person.”     I watched McEachern play Kell in the spring game, and I walked away extremely impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='401536' first='Kiyante' last='Ingram'] at DB. I love his size, coming in around 6'0 185, and well-built into that frame. He is both patient and aggressive coming downhill, whether he is playing the ball or rallying as a tackler. He is still nationally underrated and someone I believe should get a crack at the D1 level, where he can contribute pretty quickly.     Johnson is a prototype corner who has emerged strongly on the recruiting scene. He comes in at 6'1 175 with ideal length for a P4 corner prospect. He does an excellent job of tying up receivers at the line and at the top of his routes. He is both instinctual and fluid enough in the hips to turn and run, click off one receiver to another in zone, and float around the catch point. Johnson projects as a man corner, where he can use his length and physicality to disrupt route timing, re-direct, and mix it up with receivers throughout the route. Johnson has several P4 offers and is due a massive rankings boost from us.     I wrote up Michai Rowe last month. For his size, he compensates with his patience and pursuit skills. Here is that write-up:   "Short, but extremely athletic LB prospect. Explosive and twitchy enough to shoot gaps and knife into the backfield. Flexible enough athlete to bend around blockers and keep his chest clean. Has the speed and motor to chase the ball sideline to sideline. Size will limit recruiting buzz, but he is juiced up."     Matthews, similar to Rowe, is on the smaller side for LB prospect, but I absolutely love his athleticism and pursuit skills in the second level. If he were 6'2, I'd be confident in saying he is a clear P4 LB prospect. Regardless of height, he is making plays all over the field, including wreaking havoc as a pass rusher. His pursuit skills and athleticism give him early special teams value, so I don't think it would be long before he found the field in college.     Pettaway swings LT/LG for McEachern, but absolutely projects as a power scheme IOL at the next level. He is well-developed, packed into his 6'4 310 frame. He is a mountain in the middle of the offensive line, proving difficult to create push against and using his elite play strength to knock defenders off their feet and displace them. Pettaway has several offers and will gift a college program elite power play.     [player_tooltip player_id='1608878' first='Zakir' last='Abdul-Salaam'] is an overlooked, but productive player in his own right for McEachern. Here is a recent note from PRZ Scout Matt DeBary:   "A disruptive EDGE defender in Cobb County who plays with big-time effort, Abdul-Salaam is a big defender with a strong 6-foot-3 220-pound frame. He shows quick hands, plays with leverage, and does a good job of chasing down the ball-carrier. He play hard, brings lots of energy and knows how to set the edge against the run. He plays his gaps correctly and found a way to redirect running backs on a consistent basis. He's one of the region's top EDGE defenders and is in store for a giant season final season this fall. He flashed D1-potential and could be tough to stop this fall if he continues to progress and plays with max-effort."     Hackney is another active, productive McEachern DB. He too was someone who impressed me back in May:   "'26 DB Jachai Hackney had his name called a few times. I thought this guy pursued the ball really well and was always around piles, if not the first hat in. He is a smaller guy, but his ability to leverage the ball and act as a willing pursuer raises the floor of his game and allows him to compensate."

McEachern is one of the best teams in the state through the first half of the season, according to our new Power Scores. Here are some of the X factors on their squad turning the most heads.