Pre Spring: Morgan’s Class 5A Top 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With graduation hitting the Top teams hard this offseason, 2025 is shaping up to a very competitive season. Any of the below 5 teams, maybe any team in the Top 10, could walk away with the hardware at the Benz in December.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(1) Milton Eagles</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On paper it looks like Milton is in a rebuilding season. They lose their leading QB, RB and WR to graduation as well as their leading tacker. To be the Champs you have to beat the Champs and the Eagles have a lot of talent waiting to step up and contribute. St Thomas Aquinas (Fl) QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409921' first='Derrick' last='Baker'] </strong>('27) has made the move to Milton and will compete for the QB1 job this Spring. The rising Junior holds 19 D1 offers and is highly touted. The Eagles lose most of their production at the the WR spot with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='662267' first='Jordan' last='Carrasquillo']</strong> ('27) at WR and highly touted TE prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='416494' first='Grant' last='Haviland']</strong> ('27) looking to play big roles for the defending Champs. The Eagles graduated a very experienced group of RB and it will be interesting this offseason who steps up into that RB1 role. The defense was Senior heavy also. Rising Senior and Top 150 prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283792' first='Billy' last='Weivoda']</strong> ('26) returns at LB and should be the leader on a very young but talented defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(2) Lee County Trojans </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trojans lost in the SF round last season to Milton and are another team that will be looking to replace super star caliber players in the offensive backfield. QB1 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1560860' first='Weston' last='Bryan'] </strong>is on his way to Georgia Southern after graduation. Rising Senior <strong>Josh Cabatit </strong>('26) got a few snaps last season in relief and will be competing for the starting role this Spring. Lee County loses 2900 yards in the backfield with Bryan and FSU signee <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='321475' first='Ousmane' last='Kromah']</strong> graduating. Rising Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1576146' first='Canton' last='Williams']</strong> ('26) had 70 attempts last season averaging 9 ypc with 11 TDs and looks like a player that could have a breakout season in '25. Whoever steps in at QB1 will have a good downfield target in 6'2 Top 25 WR prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378394' first='Jaden' last='Upshaw'] </strong>('27). The rising Junior had 63 catches for over 800 yards in '24. If the Trojans get to the State Title game their defense will be the reason. They are lead by a couple of Juniors,<strong> Greg Batson </strong>('27) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='378408' first='Jace' last='Murray']</strong> ('27) who combined last season for over 50 TFL. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(3) Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A year removed from winning the State Title, the Yellow Jackets are my dark horse team to hoist the hardware in Atlanta in December. They were upset last year in the QF round by Langston Hughes in a great ball game and bring back a ton of talent off that '24 roster. The 6'3 dual threat QB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1089005' first='Jaylen' last='Johnson'] </strong>('26) returns after accounting for 2600 yards and 31 TDs last Fall. 1000 yard rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1576060' first='Christian' last='Lawrence'] </strong>('26) returns in the backfield and maybe one of the most underrated RBs in the State. Tons of production downfield returns for Johnson to throw at. Lawrence has good hands out of the backfield and the top two WRs return in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='487904' first='Jabari' last='Watkins']</strong> ('27) and <strong>Rodney Dunbar</strong> ('26) who combined for 55 catches and over 1000 yards. The Yellow Jackets bring back just about all their production on defense. The Lee County v TCC matchup this Fall should be a classic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(4) Langston Hughes Panthers </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of people probably expect a drop off at Langston Hughes after their run to the State Title game last Fall but that changed with the addition of QB, and highly recruited, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283826' first='Darnell' last='Kelly']</strong> from Peachtree Ridge. Kelly has a dude to hand the ball to in 6'2 200 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='908951' first='Carsyn' last='Baker'] </strong>('26) who has put up a 10.63 100m at his size. Baker rushed for over 1000 yards in '24 and will be a highly sought after RB this cycle. The Panthers graduated most of their production at the WR spot but 4-star TE 6'5 219 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='910360' first='Xavier' last='Tiller']</strong> returns after catching 25 passes last Fall. An understatement but the Panthers are BIG on offense, if you don't like to get physical this may not be the team for you. If there is any kink in the amor it maybe on the defense where they graduated most of their production. Rising Senior LB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1616554' first='Kijohn' last='Braxton'] </strong>is a name to watch this Fall. He led the team with 14 TFLs and 11 sacks in '24. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(5) Gainesville Red Elephants</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Elephants got bounced in the 1st Rd last year in a surprising upset at Sequoyah. I think that loss and a great group of young returning talent will fuel them this Fall. One of my favorites from the Prep Red Zone combines,<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='885409' first='Kharim' last='Hughley']</strong> ('27), returns at QB after a breakout season in 2024. The Sophomore passed for over 2500 yards and has popped on every college radar in the country. Fans will be watching this Spring to see who steps up in the RB1 role. The Elephants lose about 70% of their RB production with<strong> Jordan Brown</strong> ('27) being the most experienced returner. Receiver is another spot where the Gainesville staff will be looking for someone to step up this off season as they graduate 100 catches and 2000 yds from their receiving core. Like Lee County, Gainesville might have to rely heavily on their defense if they are going to get to the Benz in December. Rising Senior<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='681180' first='Xavier' last='Griffin']</strong> and Junior <strong>Darryn Williams</strong> return after combining for 21 TFL in '24. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->