New Small-Town Rising Seniors To Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These small-town rising seniors are in store for giant 2026 seasons...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2197309"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f3785666d6c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A sure-tackling defender to know in the small town of McDonough, Nowell brings plenty of size and tackles with authority at 6-foot-3 225-pounds. He strikes hard and fights off blocks consistently on his way to securing the ball-carrier. He can set the edge against the run and is one of the top returning 2027 linebackers in the region. As a junior last season, Nowell made 75 tackles and recorded at least 12 tackles in three different games. His recruitment is picking up and he added recent offers last week from Wofford and Ohio. Look for Nowell to be added to the summer addition of the 2027 Prep Redzone rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2197355"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f3785666de7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An explosive wideout from Conyers who knows how to stretch the field and make plays vertically, Thomas may be on the smaller side, but his quick, twitchy, and has enough speed to blow by defenders with ease. He shows dependable hands and is dangerous after the catch, making him a strong option in the return game as well. Like Nowell, Thomas should expect to be added to the next 2027 Prep Redzone update after an impressive junior season where he caught 42 passes for 785 yards and two touchdowns. Look for those numbers to only increase during the 2026 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2197375"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f3785666e60"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An impressive 2027 defensive back flying under the radar in Snellville, Booth is a rangy defender who covers a lot of ground and has the ability to leap and make a play on the football. He reacts quicks, shows quick change of direction, and does a good job of making quarterbacks pay for their mistakes. Not only is he dependable in coverage, picking off three passes, but he also showed he can make a strong, secure tackle on the ball-carrier with 15 tackles. Like many others, Booth will be added to the next Prep Redzone rankings and could push for All-Region status this fall as a senior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1660212"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f3785666edc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A fantastic do-it-all athlete who shined all over the field last season, Washington is an impactful athlete who made play after play on offense, defense, and special teams. A gifted player with a feel for the game, Washington brings easy Power Four size and potential at 6-foot-1 215-pounds. He plays hard, brings above-average speed, and was consistently one of the best players on the field last fall ams a junior. The Woodstock, Georgia native ran for 406 yards, had 274 yards receiving, and scored seven total touchdowns. Defensively, Washington made 51 tackles and recovered two fumbles. He's one of the top returning players in the region who will be tough to stop no matter where he's lined up in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2198902"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69f89e0a8e00d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A max-effort, hard-hitting defensive back from Griffin, Hastings is a lengthy defensive back who roams the field and takes good angles to the ball-carrier. The quick-reacting 5-foot-11 170-pounder can play on the outside at cornerback or in the middle of the field, giving the Bears a consistently weapon in the secondary. Hastings wraps up properly and showed he can make plays in coverage last season as a junior. He's tough to fool down the field and tracks the ball well when it comes his way. He's one of the top returning defensive backs in the region with easy D1-caliber potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->