Knee-jerk reaction: Future of the trenches strong in the state of Georgia
ROME, Ga. – Georgia has produced football talent at a lot of different positions over the last few decades.
The No. 1 player in the On3 Consensus for the class of 2022, Travis Hunter, is a Georgia prep star. The No. 2 overall prospect in the 2023 On3 Consensus rankings is Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton Five-Star Plus+ edge Lebbeus Overton.
Wednesday, the ninth annual Georgia Elite Classic gave a glimpse at the future of talent coming through the state of Georgia. The Sophomore vs. Freshman game featured a lot of names that will be heard from in the state for years to come.
Jefferson (Ga.) linebacker Sammy Brown took part in the event and he is already considered the No. 5 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus for the class of 2024.
Brown ran for a 67-yard touchdown.
His name was called a lot throughout the evening in the Sophomore vs. Freshman game.
Brown lived up to his early rankings. He also added to his offer list prior to the game as Oklahoma extended an offer.
The Sophomore team was led in receiving by the No. 49 overall prospect in the 2024 Consensus rankings Joseph Stone. Stone caught six passes for 95 yards. He also added a 70-yard touchdown pass to open the game.
Atlanta (Ga.) Woodward Academy freshman Josiah Abdullah exploded for 6 catches and 141 yards and two touchdowns. Abdullah has been offered by Texas, North Carolina State, Pittsburgh, Arkansas, Purdue, Duke, Liberty, UNC Charlotte, Middle Tennessee State, Kentucky and Georgia Tech.
The offensive lines provided some major size
The Sophomore team got off the bus with 6-foot-5, 330-pound offensive tackle Daniel Calhoun leading the charge.
Calhoun flashed his Georgia and Alabama gloves in pre-game warm-ups. The two SEC powers are both early contenders for the massive offensive tackle.
The size matched the play on Wednesday. Calhoun mauled and flattened defenders whenever he wanted on Wednesday.
For a man his size, Calhoun appears to have adequate mobility.
Even still, Calhoun was not the largest offensive lineman on the field on Wednesday. Coincidently, that award belonged to a freshman.
Alpharetta (Ga.) St. Francis freshman offensive lineman Nicolai Brooks. The 15-year-old is already listed at 6-foot-8, 330-pounds.
As a result, he will be a name to watch as he develops. The freshman team featured another potentially explosive offensive lineman.
Evans (Ga.) Mason Short stood out as a tackle at 6-foot-6, 280-pound freshman.
All three linemen will be ones to watch in the coming years.