By: Kenneth Harrison

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Georgia has always produced great football players and this year is no different. Let’s take a look at some of the top players in the class of 2026.

LB Xavier Griffin, Gainesville: He’s a five-star recruit and the top ranked player in the state. He’s 6’3, 200 pounds and he has committed to Alabama. He’s an outside linebacker with speed to rush the passer and he can also play the run.

Last season he played in 8 games and had 43 total tackles, 29 solo, 13 tackles for loss and 6 sacks. The Red Elephants were 7-4 in 2024 and they are looking to make a state title run in 5A this season.

CB Jorden Edmonds, Sprayberry (Marietta): Edmonds is the second ranked player in the state and a five-star player. He has also committed to the Crimson Tide. He’s 6’2, 175 so he’s a tall corner back.

In 2025 he had 35 catches, 670 yards and 4 touchdowns. On defense he had 35 total tackles, 24 solo, 1 TFL and 3 pass deflections. The Yellow Jackets aren’t a traditional powerhouse but they were 11-2 last season. They should make a deep playoff run in 2025.

LB Tyler Atkinson, Grayson: Atkinson is a five-star recruit and a Georgia commit. He’s a 6’2, 210 lbs. tackling machine. He helped lead the Rams to a 14-1 record and 6A state championship last year.

In 2024 he had 166 total tackles, 77 solo, 32 TFL, 13 sacks, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.

As you see, he was all over the field. I’m not sure how he can top that as a senior but he will try his best to lead Grayson to repeat as state champs.

Edge Tristian Givens, Carver (Columbus): Givens is a five-star player and he’s committed to Texas A&M.

He’s 6’4, 215 lbs. and he wreaks havoc in the backfield. Last season he had 29 TFL and 12 sacks. He helped lead the Tigers to the AA state championship in 2024.

He also plays basketball and his team reached the AA Final Four. He averaged 8.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg.

DL Bryce Perry-Wright, Buford: We have another five-star player and Texas A&M commit. As a junior he had 57 total tackles, 30 solo, 13 TFL and 9 sacks. Perry-Wright is 6’2, 250 pounds and he can play defensive tackle or defensive end.

The Wolves are always state title contenders so I expect them to compete for the 6A championship in 2025. Last year they finished 12-2.

S Jordan Smith, Houston County: Smith is a four-star recruit and he’s committed to UGA.

Last season he had 85 total tackles, 69 solo, 3 TFL, 2 interceptions, 7 pass deflections and 1 forced fumble. He’s 6’2, 185 lbs. and he’s a hard hitter.

The Bears were 8-5 in 2024 and they are looking to make a deep playoff run in 5A.

Edge Jordan Carter, Douglas County: Carter is committed to Texas A&M. The Aggies are raiding some talent out of Georgia.

He’s 6’4, 235 pounds so he has the prototypical size for a defensive end. As a junior he had 62 total tackles, 35 solo, 17 TFL and 13 sacks.

The Tigers were 11-3 last season and came within one game of reaching the state championship. They lost to Grayson 35-28 in 6A the state semifinal.

Carter has another four-star teammate, WR Aaron Gregory that is also committed to A&M.