Power Scores: X Factors, Buford Wolves

Buford is scored as the number 2 team in the 6A rankings in Georgia, according to our power score computer model. Here are some of the X factors up to this point in the season for the Wolves.    Raiola is building off a breakout junior season with an efficient first half of his senior year. If he plays at this pace the rest of the year, he will finish with his most productive season yet as a passer. Raiola is well built from the ground up with a stout, strong frame. I wouldn't consider him a runner, but he is athletic enough to evade pressure and handle roll/sprint out opportunities. Raiola has smooth, calm mechanics with easy arm strength. The ball arrives loud. He does a good job of mixing up trajectories to make different throws. He reminds me slightly of Bo Nix.     Here is what fellow PRZ Scout Lawrence Morgan had to say about [player_tooltip player_id='418495' first='Dylan' last='McCoy'] back in March:   "The Wolves will be looking for new leaders in the backfield and at the receiver spot this Fall but their roster has no shortage of talent. [player_tooltip player_id='418495' first='Dylan' last='McCoy']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/dylan-mccoy-2/"></a> ('26) and [player_tooltip player_id='283918' first='Tyriq' last='Green']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tyriq-green/"></a> ('26) look as if they could be a two-headed monster next Fall touting the rock."   McCoy is a clear P4 RB prospect and has taken strides forward physically as a senior.     Green, a UGA DB commit, is versatile and makes plays on both sides of the ball for Buford. He is built strong into his 6'0 195 frame and would be ready to go today at the next level. He makes a lot of plays at RB, where he is a clear dynamic size/speed threat who can play on every down. As a DB, he is physical downhill and offers plenty as a run defender. His combination of size, athleticism, and downhill physicality is what sets the intrigue for him as an S prospect, which is where he projects at UGA.     Costin is a breakout senior for Buford and their leading receiver through the first half of the season. Costin is a smaller slot projection and is averaging close to 20 yards per reception this year. Costin makes plays at each level of the field, but he projects as a gadgety playmaker, where he can take screens, sweeps, and endarounds and turn them into big gains with his fluidity as an athlete. He is a bit of a late bloomer, but he is a clear D1 player, especially when specifically projected as a slot, YAC option.     Nuckles is in the midst of a breakout junior season, where he has emerged as the best DB against the ball for Buford. He projects as a corner and has adequate size to play that position at any level. He is light on his feet, has fluid hips, and does an excellent job of locating and playing the ball. Nuckles can match at the top of his routes and runs the routes for receivers when he does so. Reps on offense and with the ball in his hand add more context to his speed and athleticism profile. Nuckles has a P4 grade for me, and his list of D1/FBS offers leads me to believe that's the next step in his recruitment.     Joshua Echols has emerged as one of the best 2027 LB prospects in Georgia, and his production is backing that up. He is extremely well-developed physique wise, packed with muscle and definition into his low center of gravity. His size and pad level lead me to believe he can thump between the C gaps, but he is active as well in the form of pass rush, coverage, and special teams. Echols has FBS and P4 offers under his belt and projects as a contributor.     Bryce Perry Wright has dominated from start to finish in his HS career, and is capping off his prolific career with another productive senior season. He is a shorter, stout DL prospect with the ultimate compensators for his size, which is strength and disruptiveness at the point of attack. He is also versatile and can be a searcher along the defensive front. Wright can generate pressure from different spots and can wreck the game for opposing offenses. He has 5 stars next to his name for a reason. He is currently committed to play at TAMU.     [player_tooltip player_id='1258730' first='Dre' last='Quinn'], a Clemson commit, caught my eye with his play last year at GAC. Now, at Buford, he adds to the disruptiveness of a loaded Buford defensive front. Here is what I said on Quinn back in October 2024:   "Quinn clearly has the bend and speed profile to win as a pass rusher consistently, but he made his mark known in the passing game by getting his long arms up to bat down and deflect several passes. Quinn has several FBS offers under his belt. He is long, athletic, and is an active tackler. Not to mention, there is plenty of physical upside left."   Since then, Quinn has gotten bigger and is starting to turn his speed into power. He is also battle-tested against even stronger competition.     Simmons might be overshadowed in a massively talented defense, but he is a good prospect in his own right and is disruptive. He is listed at around 6'3 245, and his long, thinner limbs lead me to believe he isn't done adding to his frame. Simmons does an excellent job of using his hands, creating extension at the chest and giving himself room to shed and operate. He is an active pursuer, frequently chasing the ball across the formation and even the field to get involved. He has room to fill out, but even as he gets bigger, I think he projects as a 4 tech who can slide up and down the line.     [player_tooltip player_id='1576103' first='Deion' last='Miller'] is currently committed to Army, and after watching his tape, I would consider that a massive steal if he holds. He is on the shorter side at 6'0, but is well filled out. He leverages the ball beautifully, tracks it well, and comes downhill with some energy. He is strong enough at the point of attack to fight through blocks and stun ball carriers. While he is headed to Miami, he has FBS and P4 offers under his belt, so plenty of people are impressed with his instincts and pursuit skills.     [player_tooltip player_id='1577581' first='Graham' last='Houston'], a UGA commit, is ranked as one of the best 2026 offensive linemen in Georgia and is tone setter up front for Buford. Houston is a really well-rounded player with a high floor. He is strong with his hands, stays connected on blocks while driving, and finishes blocks through the turf. He plays LT for Buford, and has the requisite size and athletic traits to mirror and hold his own at that spot, but I wouldn't be shocked to see him slide inside or over to RT. His floor is higher than many OL prospects in the 2026 class, which is what makes me the most intrigued with him.     Mubenga, an Arkansas commit, is a high-ceiling player with exciting physical traits. He has stacked natural physical growth over the last few years, and is now listed close to 300 pounds. His long arms, fleet movement skills, and room for physical maturity make him a strong prototype to play tackle at the next level. He will need some seasoning to continue developing play strength, but the upside is high ,and he comes from a football family.

Buford is scored as the number 2 team in the 6A rankings in Georgia, according to our power score computer model. Here are some of the X factors up to this point in the season for the Wolves.