Southern Sports Edition
Jason Bishop Show May 29 2026
The New GHSA Playoff Formula
By: Ron Reagin
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Starting in 2026, GHSA football playoffs will use the Post-Season Ranking Formula (PSRF): 35% team winning percentage, 35% opponents’ winning percentage, and 30% opponents’ opponents’ winning percentage.
Just statewide, data-driven seeding.
The formula is straightforward: PSRF = (Your Winning Percentage × 0.35) + (Opponents’ Winning Percentage × 0.35) + (Opponents’ Opponents’ Winning Percentage × 0.30)
This system replaces the old region-only qualification model, ending the era of weak-region champions advancing easily while statistically stronger teams from stacked regions were left out.
Now, a 7–3 team with elite opponents can outrank a 10–0 team that plays lower ranked and lower classification teams. Region champions still earn automatic bids and favorable top-16 seeds, preserving motivation for region play.
PSRF shines in its fairness and predictive power. Simulations suggest it offers 15–20% better playoff forecasting than the previous system.
For example, Colquitt County’s 2025 8–2 regular season with several national-level games would have earned a No. 1 seed under PSRF — something that was impossible before as they were not region champs, but they defeated the region champs.
The main fallacies with this method are easy to identify but harder to measure: ignoring margin of victory (a one-point win counts the same as a 50-point blowout and close losses to top teams earn no credit), assuming all games are played on a neutral field, inconsistent data from some programs, and the reality that high school teams rarely stay the same strength throughout an entire season.
Also, late season upsets could cause wild swings in rankings mainly due to a chain reaction of all aspects of the formula with few games to recover.
For 2027-2028 and beyond, GHSA should consider refinements: a capped margin of victory (up to 24 points), a simple home/away factor (road win = 1.1× credit), and a slight boost to OOWP weight.
These tweaks would better reward dominance and the courage to play top tier teams without sacrificing simplicity and transparency as suggested by Loren Maxwell.
Whatever modifications GHSA makes, the loudest protests will come from programs most negatively affected.
The best way to judge PSRF’s real impact in its first season is to examine the schedules of the teams complaining the most and the teams they are complaining about.
Coaches and athletic directors will now need to incorporate statistical formulas into their scheduling strategies to avoid being penalized for weak non-region slates and avoiding upsets.
The 2026 PSRF is a bold, objective, and merit-based upgrade. No method is flawless, but with smart refinements, Georgia has a chance to lead the nation in the playoff ranking system ecosystem.
Georgia Diamond Dawgs National Title Contenders
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
There is a different feeling surrounding University of Georgia baseball right now. Not just excitement. Not just optimism. Expectation.
For the first time in program history, the Bulldogs enter the NCAA Tournament as the No. 3 overall national seed, and honestly, it feels like this program has finally positioned itself as a legitimate national title contender again.
After years of inconsistency and postseason frustration, Georgia baseball suddenly looks built to make a serious run back to Omaha. The numbers speak for themselves.
Georgia enters the postseason at 46-12, earned a top eight national seed for the third straight season under head coach Wes Johnson, and will once again host a regional at Foley Field.
This is not some surprise Cinderella story. The Bulldogs have been one of the best teams in the country all season long. And if you are a Georgia fan, this year’s bracket feels especially intriguing.
Last season’s national champion, LSU Tigers did not even make the tournament field, guaranteeing there will be a new national champion crowned this summer.
Meanwhile, the SEC once again dominates the national landscape with seven regional hosts, including Georgia, Auburn, Texas, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi State, and Texas A&M.
That is what makes college baseball in the SEC so brutal. Simply surviving the regular season already feels like postseason preparation.
Still, Georgia’s path is far from easy. The Bulldogs will open regional play Friday night against Long Island University, a team many casual fans will immediately dismiss because of the name on the jersey. That would be a mistake.
Johnson himself pointed out that LIU has experience competing against major programs and will not be intimidated by coming to Athens.
The Sharks run aggressively, steal bases constantly, and attack offensively. In fact, this same LIU program beat Georgia 1 to 0 in Athens back in 2019.
Then there is Liberty, and honestly, the Flames may be one of the more dangerous No. 3 regional seeds anywhere in the tournament. They have power throughout the lineup and a legitimate Friday night ace capable of matching up with almost anyone in the country.
Boston College also arrives after a strong ACC season, meaning this regional is much deeper than some fans may initially realize.
But this is also where Georgia fans should feel confident about this team. The Bulldogs are not built around one star player or one hot streak. They have depth. They have power. They have experience.
And maybe most importantly, they have the kind of pitching staff capable of surviving tournament baseball.
There’s also something different about the confidence level surrounding the program right now. For years, Georgia baseball has carried the weight of history without consistently matching it on the field. This is a program with six College World Series appearances and a national championship in 1990, but too often the Bulldogs felt like a sleeping giant in the SEC baseball world. That no longer feels true.
Wes Johnson has clearly elevated the standard of the program. Hosting regionals has now become expected instead of celebrated. National seeding is no longer viewed as some once in a generation achievement. And for the first time in a long time, Georgia fans are not simply hoping to survive the first weekend of the tournament.
They are talking openly about Omaha. Of course, that is easier said than done. Winning a regional is difficult. Winning a super regional is even harder. And once teams arrive at the College World Series, anything can happen over a short stretch of games.
But this Georgia team absolutely looks capable of getting there.
And with Foley Field set to host postseason baseball once again, the atmosphere in Athens should be electric all weekend long.
For Georgia baseball fans, this is the kind of June that reminds you exactly why college baseball is so special.
Why Georgia Bulldogs Can Never Let Kirby Smart Leave For NFL
By: Capers Childs
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For decades, University of Georgia fans waited for someone who could finally bring the Bulldogs back to the apex of college football. Then, Kirby Smart arrived.
What Smart has built in Athens is more than just a winning football program. He has changed the standard of Georgia football in its entirety.
Before Smart, University of Georgia was a consistently-successful program, but the Bulldogs struggled to break through and become a national championship winning program.
Under previous head coach, Mark Richt (2001-15), Georgia posted a 145-51 record (.740) and remained nationally relevant, but could never reach the top of the college football landscape.
Smart took over as Georgia’s head coach in 2015 and has since built one of the most dominant stretches in college football history.
He currently has an impressive record of 117-21 with a .848 winning percentage. His accomplishments include back-to-back College Football National Championships in 2021 and 2022, a 2017 CFP title game appearance, SEC Championships in 2017, 2022 and 2024, six SEC Eastern Division titles, and eight New Year’s Six bowl appearances. In just his second season, he had the Bulldogs playing for the national championship for the first time in three decades.
What makes Smart so valuable to Georgia goes beyond his records. He took the job at his alma mater and a place he and his family love. His passion for the program has helped create a standard that Georgia fans had been waiting decades to see.
That impact is also reflected in the atmosphere surrounding the program. Georgia football has become one of the most iconic environments in all of college sports. The Dawg Walk, tailgates, and the packed Sanford Stadium is what defines a Saturday in Athens and under Kirby Smart, Georgia is expected to maintain greatness every season.
Smart’s dominance is also shown in recruiting. Before this year, the Bulldogs hadn’t signed fewer than three five-star recruits since 2017, and they have consistently been top 10 in the 247Sports Composite rankings.
That talent has translated directly to the next level. Under Smart, Georgia has produced 21 first-round NFL Draft picks – the same number as his total losses as head coach.
In that span, he has also had 84 players selected in the NFL Draft, including a modern-era record 15 players taken in the 2022 NFL Draft, the most from a single school in the seven-round draft format. Smart has turned Georgia football into one of the strongest NFL pipelines in college football.
Smart’s commitment to the program is also reflected in the investment Georgia has made in him. He is currently on a $130-million dollar contract through the year 2033. He’s making roughly $13 million dollars a year. In fact, only five NFL coaches are making more than Smart is at UGA. So, why would he leave the SEC?
Speculation about Smart eventually leaving for the NFL continues to surface. However, he already has a background coaching in the NFL. In 2006, he was the safeties coach for the Miami Dolphins for just one season under Nick Saban.
During his lone year in the league, the Dolphins finished with an overall record of 6-10-0. After a subpar year, he returned to college football, where his career has reached a whole new level of success
The reality is that Georgia Football is built around Kirby Smart. Every part of the program. If he were to leave for the NFL, Georgia would be losing the foundation of what the Bulldogs have spent decades trying to build.
For Georgia, the question is what the program would look like without Kirby Smart – and for a team built entirely around his standard, that answer is exactly why Georgia cannot afford to let him go.
Glynn Academy Red Terrors Positional Breakdown
By: Joe Delaney
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
With one of the best overall sports programs around, the Glynn Academy Red Terrors are a force in spring sports.
Whether it’s Soccer, Baseball, Tennis, Golf, etc etc. The Red and White excel. And while we could spend hours on those accomplishments, today were going to look at Spring Football and preparations for the upcoming 2026 season.
The 2025 edition of Rocky Hidalgo’s Red Terrors is in the books. A winning season and a spot in the playoffs for the umpteenth time highlighted the 2025 team. They carried the Terror tradition well. The 2026 team looks to improve on that.
Back are a dozen or so starters from last year. Add in some solid up and comers and a couple of new players and the Terrors have a chance to be good. Let’s take an early look at what the Red and White might look like come the Fall.
At QB the Red Terrors return Junior Max Noonan. As a solid starter as a sophomore, Noonan proved he belonged. The next chapter for him is work and improvement. He has the ability and moxie to be great. A very good athlete with smarts…… the sky is the limit for Noonan.
The running backs look to be by committee instead of one or two. Caden Robinson, Ayden Wilson, Ian Pomiechowski, and Brock Wilson should all see totes for the Terrors this fall. And let’s add Cooper Reiss in here when they need someone to come in and run over people. The only thing missing here is a real game breaker. The Terrors will look to pound people in 2026.
And they may be able to do that with a great returning group of linemen. While the Terrors will miss 3-year starter Josh Baker, they return some very good football players.
Grant Ferrell is back along with Sam Ricks, Cam Cleghorn, and Aaden Ward. Andrew Gleaton has moved in nicely to the center position. Add in Grayson Forsyth, and Zach Cox at the tight end position and this should be a team strength.
The wide receivers are a position of need with the loss of DaSean Howard, Sean Wallace and T Y Chisholm. Look for someone to step up and take this. Whoever they are they will have a great chance to shine with Noonan in the backfield throwing darts.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Terrors should be stout. Especially in the front seven, with Baron Hayes Cobie Cutler, Zamir Bell, Amahry Moore, Zach Cox and Grant Ferrell all back.
The Red Terrors should be solid and this could be a team strength especially when adding in Cooper Reiss. Reiss is one of the better players in the region and was almost unstoppable in the spring from his linebacker position.
The defensive backs will be led by Ja’Kori Roman, Brock Wilson, and the Cox brothers Aaron and Charlie. There is room here for younger players to step up.
The kicking and punting will be handled by returning starter Patrick Coyle. With a great leg, Coyle will be instrumental in this team’s mode of operation and success. Long punts and kickoffs into the endzone will back teams up which fits the Glynn gameplan.
I don’t see the 2026 Red Terrors outfit as being a real flashy team. With returners all over they should be very solid.
More ground and pound than throw and go. Coach Hidalgo sees this team that way also. Physicality was the trademark of the spring and Rocky was very happy with the effort and results. Coach said, “we don’t just spend time here, we invest in ourselves and in the team”.
That seems to be the theme of this edition of the Red Terrors. I expect well start seeing the dividends this fall.
Glynn Academy Red Terrors Spring Questions
By: Garrison Ryfun
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Head coach Rocky Hidalgo is entering his 13th season as head coach of the Glynn Academy Red Terrors, and just wrapped up spring practice on Thursday, May 14, with the annual spring game.
For Hidalgo, the biggest takeaway from the spring was that the Terrors were able to get quality work in, stay healthy, and evaluate some of the younger players on the roster.
“You know, I thought we had a really good spring for the most part,” Hidalgo said.
“Got in there with no injuries, that’s the most important thing. It was very competitive. The spring game was very physical. Our line of scrimmage play, we have a lot of potential up there. We’ve got to get better on the offensive line from the spring game, which isn’t uncommon. I feel like working on some depth pieces is a big chunk of what we’re going to do. And we had a chance to really work on our young kids, which is why I like spring. You get a chance to coach your young kids when there’s no bullets flying. But all in all, I was pleased with the effort with our kids.”
Hidalgo pointed to several players who stood out during spring practice, beginning with Ayden Wilson, a dynamic player on both sides of the ball.
“I think Ayden Wilson had a really good spring,” Hidalgo said. “Max Noonan wasn’t here for the majority of it because he was playing baseball. But Ayden had a really good spring at quarterback. He got some time at fullback when Max came back, some linebacker. He’s a kid that could play a number of positions for us and go out there and do a good job. I think he was one that had a good spring. Zach Cox is another kid on the D-line and at tight end, he had a really good spring. Mikey Tyler also had a good spring at linebacker. He’s a young kid that’s really found a position and ran around well and did some really good things.”
Last season, the Terrors switched to a flexbone option offense. This new offense not only fit the personnel for Glynn Academy, but also led to them averaging 29.6 points per game which is eighth-best in school history and second best under Rocky Hidalgo.
Speaking about the flexbone offense going into year two, Hidalgo pointed to the returning experience Glynn has in the backfield as a reason for optimism.
“I think we’ve got our quarterback back, Caiden Robinson back, Cooper Reiss, Ayden Wilson to run the football. Ian Pomiechowski back and Brock Wilson who played a bunch for us at halfback.” Head Coach Rocky Hidalgo said.
“So we’ve got some pieces in there to go out there and hand the ball to. We’ve got to develop some kids at wide receiver a little bit to be able to block and catch the football, but other than that, I like our personnel. We’ve got a chance to be a pretty good offensive football team.”
One of those key returning pieces is Max Noonan, the Terrors starting quarterback, who led the offense with impressive poise as a sophomore last season. Although Noonan did not get much practice time this spring due to Glynn Academy baseball’s deep playoff run, Hidalgo said his performance in limited action was still encouraging.
“Yeah, he did some really good things in the scrimmage for only practicing two days,” Hidalgo said.
“I feel really good about the two quarterbacks that we have. We have two really, really good quarterbacks that I feel like we can go and compete with either one of them. That’s a good problem to have. Max is a tough kid. He’s got a lot of moxie. All those intangibles you want, on top of being a really talented player.”
While spring practice gave Hidalgo a chance to evaluate the physicality of his team, the focus now shifts to what Glynn needs to improve over the summer. For the Terrors, that starts with developing the passing game and improving conditioning.
“We’ve got to work on throwing the football,” Hidalgo said. “The spring for us is about running the ball, physicality, and run defense. The summer is about pass defense, working on our passing game, and all those perimeter aspects. I want to see us get better at those things. That’s a big part of it. Our conditioning’s got to get better. We’re going to have a lot of guys who are going to be playing on both sides of the football, so we’ve got to be prepared to play 80 snaps week one or two of the season,” Hidalgo said.
Glynn will also have several position battles to sort out before the season begins, with Hidalgo pointing first to the secondary.
“I think we’ve got to find a free safety. That’s the biggest thing,” Hidalgo said. “Trying to figure out who that guy is going to be in the secondary. We’ve got some guys competing at the other quarterback position. And then who’s going to go out there and do the things necessary to get on the field at halfback? We’ve got about six or seven kids that have a chance to go out there and play. See which of those guys are going to go out there and earn some playing time.”
Glynn Academy opens the season against the Calvary Day Cavaliers on August 20, 2026.
Starting Point For Camden County Wildcats
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Spring football under new head coach Tucker Pruitt has looked exactly like most people probably expected at Camden County High School.
It has been promising at times, frustrating at others, and very much still a work in progress.
Over the last few weeks, the Wildcats wrapped up spring practice with both their annual Blue White scrimmage at Chris Gilman Stadium, and then a spring matchup against Columbia High School in Lake City, Florida.
While the results were mixed, the overall picture that emerged was clear. Camden is still in the early stages of a major transition after an offseason filled with uncertainty and change.
Pruitt arrived late in the offseason following the unexpected departure of Jon Lindsey before ever coaching a regular season game.
Since then, the new staff has been working to install entirely new offensive and defensive systems while also evaluating personnel, rebuilding confidence, and establishing a new culture throughout the program.
The Blue White scrimmage offered fans their first look at what the new era may eventually become.
There were plenty of mistakes but also flashes of athleticism and playmaking ability that gave reason for optimism.
Quarterbacks Xavier Collins and Jammie Williams both showed mobility, while Jesse Newsome scored twice on touchdown runs.
Malakhi Poole broke off a long run from the Wildcat formation, and Collins later connected on several explosive passing plays, including a touchdown throw to Quan Mercer.
Still, Pruitt made it clear afterward that the Wildcats remain deep in the learning phase.
Penalties, turnovers, bad snaps, and missed blocking assignments repeatedly slowed the offense during spring workouts and continued to appear during Camden’s 26 to 7 loss at Columbia last Friday.
Against a physical Tigers team coming off a 9 and 3 season, the Wildcats struggled to consistently move the football and turned the ball over three times. But even during the difficult moments, there were signs of progress.
Defensively, Camden competed well throughout much of the Columbia scrimmage. The Wildcats forced turnovers with interceptions from Demetrius ‘Demi’ Coleman and Quan Mercer, while also making several key stops early in the game. Pruitt later called the defense the bright spot of the evening.
The offense also showed occasional flashes of what it could become down the road. Camden put together an impressive 10 play drive early in the second half against Columbia before another mishandled snap ended the possession inside the 10 yard line.
Later in the fourth quarter, Christian Jackson provided one of the biggest highlights of the spring with an explosive 80-yard touchdown run.
Perhaps more important than any score or statistic, however, has been the effort to reshape the overall culture of the program.
Pruitt has consistently emphasized accountability, physicality, and buy in since taking over, and he noted after the Columbia scrimmage that the team’s attitude and overall atmosphere have already improved significantly during the spring.
While the football itself still needs work, the coaching staff believes the foundation is beginning to take shape.
That process extends beyond the varsity level. Camden’s new systems are now being implemented throughout the entire football pipeline, including both middle schools, with the goal of creating continuity as players move through the program.
The Wildcats are also still waiting for additional pieces to fully come together. Collins, the transfer quarterback from Columbia High School in Florida, did not play against his former team because he had only recently joined the program and was still learning the offense.
Pruitt expects him to become a larger part of the team once summer workouts begin.
For now, Camden football remains under construction.
But after a chaotic offseason, spring practice provided something the Wildcats desperately needed: a starting point. And while there is clearly still plenty of work ahead before the regular season opener at Brunswick on August 21, there are also signs that the foundation of the Tucker Pruitt era is beginning to form.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Buzzing Into ACC Baseball Tournament
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Some (me included) would argue that Postseason Baseball is some of the best times of the year, and it begins this week.
This week the ACC flocks to Charlotte for the 2026 ACC Tournament at Truist Field, the home of the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox Charlotte Knights.
The 1-seed for the ACC is the back-to-back ACC Regular Season champions in the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. First-year Head Coach James Ramsey opened his head coaching career by bringing home the ACC Coach of the Year award and a 45-9 overall mark and 25-5 conference record.
Georgia Tech tied a program record with 5 First Team All-ACC selections when the postseason awards were handed out by the league office Monday afternoon including Ramsey as Coach of the Year along with catcher Vahn Lackey taking home the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
The Jackets tied the ACC record with 25 conference wins after sweeping 6 ACC Series throughout the year.
The white and gold have been laser focused on team goals that they’ve written on the bathroom mirror in the clubhouse with the top reading the word “Omaha,” but the team-minded squad has raked in the individual accolades in 2026.
Shortstop Carson Kerce reset the GT record for single season doubles with 28. Second baseman Jarren Advincula recorded 100 base hits for the first Jacket since 2005 to do so. Drew Burress sits tied for the program record for career homers with Jason Varitek with 57 career long balls.
While the regular season has been historic for the Ramblin Wreck, the time this team has been waiting for is just beginning. The regular season title was just the first milestone to check off the to-do list, and now each weekend provides an opportunity for another which begins this week with the ACC Tournament.
With the single-elimination format for the bracket in the ACC, the top four teams in the tourney earning double-byes straight to the quarterfinals as 1-seed Georgia Tech, 2-seed North Carolina, 3-seed Florida State and 4-seed Boston College will watch the first two days of the action in Charlotte until Thursday and Friday for the quarters.
Of the teams not in the top four, in my mind, there are only 2 additional teams that could make a push for a title with the 7-seed Virginia Tech that won their final four ACC series to wrap the regular season. The other would be the 8-seed Virginia under first year Chris Pollard that comes over from Duke prior to the season and have looked good down the back stretch of the season.
Obviously, Georgia Tech and North Carolina are the two leaders in the clubhouse to leave Charlotte with a trophy, and it’s been those two that have stood above the rest by a considerable margin. Those two have jockeyed back and forth all season. Carolina was the only team to beat Georgia Tech in a series all season. That said Georgia Tech won the ACC regular season by three full games.
Charlotte is a phenomenal location for the ACC Tournament. Flawless ballpark, elite surroundings around the park all to go along with high level baseball all week. While the SEC gets touted by the national media as the best league in the country, the ACC is very much in the conversation too.
Postseason baseball is the best. It’s the marathon from the beginning of February to now turning into a sprint for the next month for the lucky teams that make a run deep into June, but it begins with conference tournaments this week.
2027 College Football Breakout Players
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
I want to take a look at some of the top prospects around the South that should be drafted high in the 2027 NFL Draft.
RB Nate Frazier, Georgia: The junior was a four-star recruit and attended national powerhouse Mater Dei Catholic High School in Santa Ana, Ca. He was on the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2024.
Last season he played in 14 games and he started 10 of them. He rushed for 861 yards with 6 touchdowns and averaged 5.4 yards per carry. He also had 13 receptions for 74 yards and a TD.
Frazier re-aggravated an ankle injury in the G-Day Spring Game but it’s reported as a minor injury. As a feature back in 2026 he should have a big year.
OT Jordan Seaton, LSU: The 6’5, 307 pound Seaton spent his last two seasons with Colorado. He was a five-star recruit coming out of IMG Academy (Florida). He was Second-team All-Big 12 in 2025. His season ended due to injury after nine starts.
He’s great at pass blocking. He’s given up 5 sacks in 940 career pass blocking snaps. He’s a very good athlete that needs to improve his run blocking.
S Keon Sabb, Alabama: He played at Michigan his first two years before transferring to Alabama. The redshirt senior is 6’1, 208 pounds. He started all 15 games in 2025 and had 54 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 3 pass breakups and 1 interception.
WR T.J. Moore, Clemson: He’s 6’3, 205 lbs. so he’s a big, physical receiver. He was the only Clemson receiver that started all 13 games in 2025. He had 52 catches for a team-high 837 receiving yards and 4 scores. If he gets more consistent quarterback play, he should have a breakout year in 2026.
S KJ Bolden, Georgia: Bolden attended Buford (GA) High School, which is an elite program in Georgia. He started all 14 games last season and made 76 tackles, 32 solo, 2.5 TFL, 5 PBU, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery and a blocked punt. He made the Coaches All-SEC Second Team.
He’s a great player that can do everything.
LB/Edge Suntarine Perkins: He’s a bit undersized at 6’1, 220 pounds. In 2024 he had 10.5 sacks, 2 FR and an interception. Last season he had 81 tackles, 41 solo, 4.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 FR and 1 pick.
He has good coverage for a linebacker. I think he’d be good at the next level for a defensive coordinator that will primarily use him at linebacker.
WR Ryan Williams, Alabama: He was great as a freshman. He’s most known for the game against #2 Georgia when he had 6 catches, 177 yards and a score. In 2024 he had 48 receptions, 865 yards and 8 touchdowns. He also had 2 rushing touchdowns. He was a Freshman All-American and First-team All-SEC.
Last season he regressed. He had 49 catches, 689 yards and 4 TD’s. I’m expecting him to bounce back this season.
CB Zabien Brown, Alabama: He’s 6’0, 194 pounds, so he’s a bigger corner. He recorded two pick-sixes that were 99 and 50 yards. He also had 39 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 FF and a team-high 6 PBU.
He’s a press-man corner that has good speed and length.
New Camden Wildcat QB Transfers In
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
There is suddenly a whole lot more intrigue surrounding the 2026 season for the Camden County Wildcats.
Just days before the 2026 Spring Game against Columbia High School, Columbia’s starting quarterback is reportedly making the move to Camden County.
According to reports out of Lake City, Class of 2027 quarterback Xavier Collins is transferring from Columbia High School to Camden County and participated in his final practice with the Tigers in the middle of May.
That is a significant pickup for the Wildcats. Collins has been a three-year starter at Columbia and has already put together an impressive high school résumé.
Over the last three seasons, he has thrown for more than 3,500 yards and 35 touchdowns while becoming one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the region.
The 6 foot 2, 185 pound signal caller is coming off the best season of his career. Last year at Columbia, Collins completed 140 of 249 passes for 2,033 yards and 16 touchdowns.
He also currently holds a college offer from Ave Maria University in southwest Florida.
The move also fills a major need for Camden County after the Wildcats lost quarterback William Jackson during the offseason.
Jackson transferred to Evans High School after putting together a strong junior campaign for Camden in 2025.
Last season, Jackson completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,923 yards, 24 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions. He also added more than 250 rushing yards and 3 scores on the ground.
So now, Camden enters the Tucker Pruitt era with a new quarterback under center and a player who already brings extensive varsity experience to the offense.
For Camden County fans, it is another fascinating storyline as the Wildcats continue adjusting to a new coaching staff, new systems, and now a new quarterback leading the offense into the 2026 season.
And based on the numbers Collins put up at Columbia, Camden may have landed a player capable of making an immediate impact.
