Top 10 Georgia HS football players in Class of 2023
THOMASTON, Ga. (BVM) — In the Class of 2022, Georgia was the home of the No. 1 player in the country in Travis Hunter. While it may not have the top player in the nation in 2023, the Peach State is still loaded with Division I talent like usual.
Here are the top 10 players for the Class of 2023 in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA):
10. Avieon Terrell, CB, Westlake
The brother of Atlanta Falcons’ cornerback A.J. Terrell, Avieon is quite a player himself. The Clemson recruit stands at 6-foot, 170 pounds and is a lockdown corner for Westlake High School. Avieon’s talent was obvious early on, becoming a starter as a freshman. If all goes well, he will be able to carve out a similar career to his brother.
Textbook coverage from four-star Avieon Terrell. @On3Recruits @JosephAHastings pic.twitter.com/h0oNTyFCjv
— Jeremy Johnson (@JeremyO_Johnson) February 27, 2022
9. Kayin Lee, CB, Cedar Grove
Lee put his name on the map when he finished his sophomore season with three interceptions in one of the toughest regions in the country. He finished the year winning the Region 5-AAA Defensive Player of the Year. As an encore, Lee picked off seven passes as a junior last season. The Ohio State pledge should continue his dominance for Cedar Grove this fall.
https://twitter.com/buckeyesinsider/status/1541582025961897987
8. Raul Aguirre, LB, Whitewater
Aguirre is the heartbeat of the Whitewater High School defense and looks to lead them going into his senior year. The linebacker stands at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds and committed to Miami on July 12. Following the season, Aguirre will compete in the Polynesian Bowl held in Honolulu on Jan. 21, 2023.
The moment four-star LB Raul Aguirre picked Miami. #GoCanes pic.twitter.com/YjdkpF1b6s
— Jeremy Johnson (@JeremyO_Johnson) July 12, 2022
7. Jelani Thurman, TE, Langston Hughes
His father Odell Thurman played in the NFL and his mother Kara Braxton played in the WNBA, so it was a surprise to nobody when Jelani emerged as a four-star tight end and an Ohio State recruit. In 2021, Thurman had 31 receptions, 479 yards and seven touchdowns. Thurman will continue to make an impact on both sides of the ball at Langston Hughes where he also plays defensive end.
Committed to THE OHIO STATE!!!!! @OhioStateFB @OhioStateHoops pic.twitter.com/w6M0J4FbH3
— Jelani Thurman (@jelani3345) July 18, 2022
6. Madden Sanker, IOL, South Paulding
Sanker has emerged as the best offensive lineman in one of the most talented states in the country. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound senior committed to Louisville on July 11. Sanker primarily plays tackle for South Paulding, but is projected to move inside when he gets to the collegiate level.
Madden Sanker @MaddenSanker locking up DT all day. pic.twitter.com/Qa4vMwcAJw
— Ryan Wright (@RyanWrightRNG) May 22, 2022
5. Justice Haynes, RB, Buford
Despite his father Verron starring at the University of Georgia in the early 2000s, Justice pledged to Alabama on July 17. Outside of being one of the top running backs in the country, Haynes also is a vital piece to the Buford baseball team, pumping his fastball in the mid-80s from the mound.
Here's a glimpse of 5-Star Alabama RB commit Justice Haynes and his workout regimen 😯
(🎥 via @SeedmanJoel) pic.twitter.com/FliwilWxJE
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) July 18, 2022
4. Dylan Lonergan, QB, Brookwood
Dylan’s father, Dan, was a part of a national championship team at Penn State in the 1980s. Dylan hopes to accomplish the same thing at Alabama. Lonergan stands at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds and is ranked as a top ten QB in the country according to 247Sports. Lonergan led Brookwood to the quarterfinals last year and hopes to go further as a senior.
#BREAKING: 4⭐️ 2023 QB Dylan Lonergan has committed to Nick Saban and @AlabamaFTBL 🐘
Lonergan is the No. 9-ranked QB in the class of 2023 🔥@_dylanlonergan x @BamaOnLine247 pic.twitter.com/coAt7B1bfr
— 247Sports (@247Sports) July 11, 2022
3. Ethan Davis, TE, Collins Hill
Ethan Davis was a big part of Collins Hill’s state championship run in 2022 with 61 receptions, 755 yards and eight touchdowns. Now with the Class of 2022 QB and Missouri pledge Sam Horn gone, Davis will be even more important as a safety blanket for his new quarterback. Davis is committed to the University of Tennessee.
Top 100 TE and #Vols commit Ethan Davis showcasing soft hands. Has added some size in the off-season. https://t.co/OHu5QaNXfA pic.twitter.com/ufhw1s8ZMS
— Jeremy Johnson (@JeremyO_Johnson) May 4, 2022
2. Vic Burley, DL, Warner Robins
Burley contributes on both sides of the ball as a tight end and a defensive lineman. But at the next level, it is pretty clear that the 6-foot-5, 276–pound Clemson recruit will play defense at the next level. He finished 2021 with 54 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and five sacks. The Warner Robins standout is currently ranked as the No. 21 player in the country according to 247Sports, but it would not shock anyone if he boosts his stock in 2022 and receives five-star status.
BREAKING: 4⭐️ defensive lineman Vic Burley has committed to Dabo Swinney and @ClemsonFB 🐅
The Tigers are now at No. 4 in the 247Sports recruiting rankings 🔥@Clemson247 x @VictorBurley2 pic.twitter.com/WhvMDclGZ9
— 247Sports (@247Sports) June 15, 2022
1. Caleb Downs, S, Mill Creek
Caleb’s brother, Josh, could very well be selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of North Carolina. In a few years, Caleb could be in the same situation. Downs can do just about anything for Mill Creek High School, but he will likely play safety at the next level. He finished his junior year with 77 tackles and five interceptions, taking home the Region 8-AAAAAAA Defensive Player of the Year. Downs will be heading to the University of Alabama after his high school career.
“Shot out of a cannon,” is the proper term here.. @caleb_downs2 closing in the alley… @MCFootballCoach . pic.twitter.com/AOe7GdQHRZ
— Rusty Mansell (@RustyMansell_) May 4, 2022