7A Region 4 Preview: Grayson With A Chip On Their Shoulder?

*Use code "jackson30" for 30% off your PRZ subscription*   The obvious threat to win this region is, yet again, Grayson. You can't argue with the talent here, and a playoff loss followed by a coaching change should put a chip on the shoulder of those who return. 4 of the 5 returning teams in this region finished with a winning record, and the only team that didn't still made the playoffs. From top to bottom, here is what to expect out of 7A Region 4 in 2026.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Standings</h2>   Grayson 12-1 (6-0)   Newton 8-3 (5-1)   Archer 6-5 (4-2)   South Gwinnett 5-6 (3-3)   Rockdale County 5-4 (2-4)   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Returners</h2>   Archer    Dunn is a well-rounded receiver prospect who will enter his junior season with FBS recruiting attention under his belt. He hovers around 5'10 and has the twitch, explosiveness, and COD to break down defenders and make plays with the ball in his hand. At his size, he is better than most shorter receivers vertically. He can stack moves, track the ball through contact, and has tape littered with impressive grabs in congested areas. He plays hard, aiming to strain the most out of each rep. He is the top playmaker and center of attention for Archer offensively.     Addo is one of the leading returning tacklers on defense for Addo. Last fall, he was a havoc maker at his LB spot for Archer, living in the backfield for 10 TFLs. He is listed around 5'11 215 and plays in the manner he needs to play in order to compensate for his height. He is quick to react, aggressive downhill, and plays through the whistle. He is an energetic defender who can swing momentum. I expect Addo to tack on some small school attention at least over the next year.    Grayson    Agbanoma, now committed to Nebraska, has been on a rocket ship over the last year or so in his recruitment. He is a premier OL prospect in Georgia. Here is a recent write-up from when I reset the board back in January. He is well-covered by everyone at this point. The one word I use to describe him is "steady". He has the size, the power, and the traits, but he is fundamentally sound and reliable at the point of attack. I think he has a strong chance to develop into a starter up front for Nebraska.     Harris has been overlooked in the middle of a loaded defense and LB group over the last few years, and it finally seems like the buzz is starting to come around. For us at PRZ, he has long been at the center of our attention. Harris is disruptive, strong, instinctual, all the sounding alarms of an FBS LB prospect. The major offers are starting to roll in, and I think there's a chance Harris absolutely explodes this fall, and P4 programs agree.    Newton    Hartsfield, a well-covered prospect by us here at PRZ and nationally, is ranked as a premier player in GA, and he has produced like it. Hartsfield is speedy and a big-play threat from any spot on the field, evidenced by over 12 yards per carry as a sophomore. He is tough and fights for yards as well, looking the part of a complete back and an obvious projection to the highest level of CFB.     Newton has plenty of talent on the defensive side of the ball, possibly headlined by [player_tooltip player_id='755889' first='Omarion' last='Wallace']. Wallace is a box checker at safety, coming in at all of 6'2 175, and playing even bigger thanks to his length. He has space to fill out, which will help him consistently come downhill and play in the box. He is already hard enough to drop the ball over, but his instincts keep him around the ball and consistently give him a chance to make a play on it. Not much to overthink here. He checks all of the boxes.    Rockdale County    [player_tooltip player_id='2197355' first='Jaylen' last='Thomas'] is the center of attention offensively for Rockdale County and is deserving of more attention than he is getting. He is a smaller, true slot projection who can absolutely fly. He is a standout in the 100M with a PR under 100 seconds. He is quick to his top gear, helping him eliminate cushion, and he maintains that speed to lift off and separate, both before and after the catch. D1 programs need to pay attention here, because he can absolutely roll.     Lang is a versatile defender who has been on my radar since 2024. He plays a few different spots in the secondary, but I like his upside as a true corner. He is long, fluid in the hips, and a really physical player at the point of attack. He can come downhill and upend receivers in space, as well. Lang has the traits, but plays with the physical temperament and edge needed to fully tie everything together.    South Gwinnett    Morris is the leading returning rusher for South Gwinnett, but I still think there's a world where he doubles his production from a year ago. He is a shorter, stouter back who played leggy as a sophomore, so there is plenty of room to bulk up even more and become more of a bowling ball. He has decent speed and explosiveness, but his game is set on his patience and vision. He gets squared to running lanes, rides his blocks to the second level, and throws subtle head nods to create hesitation in defenders. Morris is a fundamentally sound back who should start to see his traits catch up with his nuance.     Shivers got after it last year to the tune of 5.5 sacks and over 21 TFL's as a sophomore, and he did it all under 200 pounds. With more time in the weight room, his size should come along, and he will surely play bigger as a junior. Some of that burst you want in a pass rusher is still coming along as he fills in, but his hand usage, motor, and ability to get blockers off-platform are evident and stick out on tape. There is plenty of upside here to continue tracking.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">X Factors</h2>   Archer    A team leading 60 solo tackles, 1 INT, and 6 PBUs, according to MaxPreps, sets Gwibuka as the leading returner on defense for Archer. He is a true safety prospect with size that gives him the opportunity to slide inside and play nickel at the next level. He is a physical tone setter, both in coverage and as a tackler. He is best coming downhill, quickly shifting his momentum and closing hard on the ball. He strikes with good pad-level and brings his feet to continue driving ball carriers. He is always around the ball and makes physical plays on it, which is why he is a true X factor.    Grayson    David Smith was thrown into the fire last year for Grayson. He played well and handled business, but there is still another step he can take. Everything about Smith is better than you would expect, from his arm, touch, and timing. I am impressed with how calm he operates after his first read and when on the move. A year of being thrown into the fire and a normal offseason as QB1 should tie his game together and provide growth as a decision maker.    Newton    It was an extremely productive fall for Horne, who committed to App State earlier this spring. I ID'd this kid back in January as someone to watch out for as a riser. He is a shorter, stout prospect who is an obvious IDL projection. He is a really active pursuer with feisty hands and an impressive first step. He is the natural low-man up front, and his short bursts of explosiveness and hand-fighting skills tie everything together. This is teach tape for shorter IDL prospects. He is the lead disruptor up front for Newton, making him an X factor.    Rockdale County    Similar to Horne, being able to disrupt up front will be a requirement in this region, especially if anybody wants to challenge Grayson. Jones was a chess piece for Rockdale County, playing several different spots in the front seven, but he will project as a true EDGE defender. He is a stout, cut prospect with the physique and strength to thump against blockers and ball carriers. He is an active, athletic player with an explosive first step to shoot gaps. He has the motor to pair with his speed, offering him range and the ability to chase the ball. Again, like Horne, if you're going to play on the LOS at 6'1, this is what you need to look and play like.    South Gwinnett    At this point, it's fair to consider Peoples as a premier QB prospect in GA. Still, he has more to give and is the X factor for South Gwinnett this fall. He has a baseball background, evident in his ability to easily rifle the ball out of his hands. His delivery is explosive and he gets the ball out quickly. He is a good athlete who is still growing into himself, so there is plenty of upside offered here. Peoples is one of my favorite QB prospects in GA and has a very real chance to explode this fall.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region Risers</h2>    Gray somewhat quietly had a productive sophomore season and is a top returning rusher for Grayson. He is a one-cut, explosive runner who keeps his feet active as he searches for and creates yards. There is still more burst he can add here, especially as he fills out. As those traits continue to develop, more college attention should follow here. But regardless, if he continues to produce against good competition, that buzz will likely develop anyway. He holds FBS offers.     Booker has had a breakout this spring as a prospect, but is still someone creeping onto the radar of many people who follow recruiting in GA. Booker is a versatile DB who will project out as a safety. He is listed at 5'11, but noticeable length allows him to play even bigger. He is an active, instinctual player who flies around the field, especially when coming downhill. For a lighter prospect, he closes violently on the ball and has some thump at the point of attack. Booker is a good athlete, has instincts, and isn't afraid to get physical.     Pittman is the sleeper of this group, but someone I was intrigued with when watching. He is a long, raw athlete with his best ball ahead of him. He is a loose athlete who navigates around the secondary. From any spot, he mirrors and leverages the ball well, both in coverage and as a tackler. He is patient when tracking the ball in the air and has the vertical to climb the ladder and play above the rim. Again, he will only improve, and he is someone I will be keeping an eye on over the next two years.     Newton is absolutely loaded at RB, and even if Lumpkin is a year away from truly elite production, he is absolutely someone to track, as he has already emerged as a premier 2029 rusher in GA. Lumpkin is an obvious standout athletically, but he has the vision and power to tie his game together. In a reserve role, he offers a change of pace and can generate a cloud of dust as a runner. He is an obvious P4 RB prospect and is too good to leave off the field this fall, regardless of the FBS and P4 talent ahead of him in the RB room.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Contender</h2>   Grayson   Grayson has an absolute embarrassment of riches on both sides of the ball and across every class. At this point, it would be harder to find even a rotational player on their roster without a D1 offer. [player_tooltip player_id='1654199' first='Ashton' last='Turner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='970537' first='Brandon' last='Gray'] return as the top two leading rushers for Grayson. They get to run behind a stout OL anchored by Nebraska commits [player_tooltip player_id='1671936' first='Jordan' last='Agbanoma'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1790380' first='Kendrayis' last='Jones']. Deuce Smith returns at QB, and young receivers will have to step up to support Saif Bin Wahad, but there is no shortage of rising P4/FBS skill players ready to take on that responsibility.   Grayson will have to replace elite defender Tyler Atkinson and fellow LB Anthony Davis on defense, but [player_tooltip player_id='378419' first='Eli' last='Harris'] has emerged as a legit P4 talent at LB to help fill that void, and he had a good year last year in his own right. [player_tooltip player_id='416603' first='Waylon' last='Wooten'] is a mauler in the middle of the defensive front for Grayson. This 2029 class is loaded for the Rams, and perhaps no position is deeper in that class than DL. [player_tooltip player_id='866483' first='Kaiden' last='Graves'], PJ Wilson, and [player_tooltip player_id='1398456' first='Rome' last='Samuels'] are all future P4 talents.   DB is also loaded, as you guessed. [player_tooltip player_id='416419' first='Rilee' last='Drew'], [player_tooltip player_id='942227' first='Joreal' last='Ellinger'], [player_tooltip player_id='437659' first='London' last='Goggans'], [player_tooltip player_id='2129959' first='Jalen' last='Welch'], [player_tooltip player_id='416407' first='Preston' last='Glasco'], [player_tooltip player_id='580087' first='Aaron' last='Black'], [player_tooltip player_id='476094' first='Jett' last='Watson'], and several younger prospects make up an embarrassment of riches on the back end.   Simply put, this team is loaded, as usual, and several names I didn't even mention here will emerge. A coaching change and an exit in the playoffs last year should put a chip on this team's shoulder, as I would consider them a true contender to win the state championship yet again this fall.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Darkhorse</h2>   Newton   Newton, who finished second in this region a year ago, is who I am expecting to emerge as the top threat against Grayson yet again this fall. [player_tooltip player_id='950809' first='Kevin' last='Hartsfield'], [player_tooltip player_id='378415' first='Darius' last='White'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1307309' first='Karter' last='Lumpkin'] create what I believe is a real argument as the best RB room in GA. As of now, it certainly is the deepest I have seen and is a contender to Valdosta. They will basically have to recreate their passing game, which is something to watch out for as the fall progresses.   Defensively, they have two of my favorite 2027 prospects in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='2075142' first='Cameron' last='Horne'] and [player_tooltip player_id='942225' first='Landes' last='English']. Both of those guys make up what I think of when I think of Newton football. Fast, physical, and violent. Young talent, like D'Marion Pittman, is surely set to step up as well.   Newton handled business in the region with their only loss coming to Grayson, so they are the obvious team to circle as a potential challenger.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Rest</h2>   Archer   Archer, perhaps quietly, finished 4-2 in the region with a trip booked to the playoffs. Offensively, there's a lot to replace. Jordan Do was as reliable as it gets at QB. He was also their leading rusher. Gone are their top 2 rushers and 4 of their 5 top receivers from a year ago. Fortunately, Ronnie Dunn returns as the team's leading receiver. He is an impact player and will help steady the ship as others step up and emerge.   Fortunately, plenty of production returns on defense, anchored by Kevin Gwibuka, [player_tooltip player_id='1202060' first='Nigel' last='Addo'], [player_tooltip player_id='970095' first='Josh' last='Booker'], Jamaury Hoilett, and Ricky Reynoso. Keenan Collins returns after finishing with 5.5 sacks as a sophomore, and is set to take a step forward as an upperclassman. DB Theo Collins also returns after a productive junior season against the ball.   The offense might take a few weeks to take shape as new names emerge, but they have the defense to keep them in the game and steer the wheel.   South Gwinnett   South Gwinnett was a playoff team a year ago, and I am expecting them to be just as good, if not better than they were a year ago. It was a strong showing defensively for South Gwinnett last fall, especially the first half of the season. They lose plenty of seniors to graduation, but return their most disruptive player in [player_tooltip player_id='1880684' first='Khalil' last='Shivers'], who I think can take a step forward as one of the most productive pass rushers in GA, period.   Pay attention to this team offensively. [player_tooltip player_id='1683966' first='CJ' last='Peoples'], Thomas Morris, and [player_tooltip player_id='2113193' first='Jayden' last='Juniors'] are all back from a year ago. [player_tooltip player_id='1717161' first='Neal' last='Roberts'] provides some size and FBS talent on the OL. [player_tooltip player_id='1158111' first='Cohl' last='Hendon'] is another name I am watching at receiver. With a year under their belt, I am expecting better production from this side of the ball.   Returning young and rising senior talent has me confident in their ability to surpass the 5-win total from a year ago.   Rockdale County   Rockdale County is the underdog in the region, but they still were able to grind their way to a winning season. Their defense is what sets the tone here. [player_tooltip player_id='1567290' first='Braelan' last='Lang'] is one of the best 2027 DBs in the region, and he has been someone on my radar for nearly 2 years now. [player_tooltip player_id='1893372' first='Jakobi' last='Jones'] is a key disruptor in the front seven, playing a really valuable role for a team that needs to make a push to get into the playoffs.   The offense should take a step forward this fall with an efficient returner at QB, 3/4 leading rushers returning, and a legit playmaker in [player_tooltip player_id='2197355' first='Jaylen' last='Thomas'], who can really go.   The bottom of this region will be scrapping for playoff spots, and Rockdale County has the returning talent to compete better in region play if their guys can take a step forward.

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