Southern Sports Edition
Tall Texans
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The past two seasons at NRG Stadium in Houston have been electric under Head Coach DeMeco Ryans who took over the reigns of the franchise in January of 2023.
When Ryans took over, the Texans had just completed a 3-13 season in 2022 (with one tie as well).
Since taking charge of the team, Ryans has led the Texans to back-to-back 10-7 seasons while securing the NFC South Division titles in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
With that said, all the praise can’t be directed at DeMeco Ryans (although a lot of it should be). Houston also secured the number two and three overall picks of the 2023 draft to bring in franchise quarterback CJ Stroud from Ohio State and former Alabama linebacker Will Anderson to answer many questions that had been around the organization for the previous years.
While the past two years have been great for Texans fans with Stroud taking the NFL by storm with almost 8,000 passing yards in his 1st two seasons in the NFL, the brass within the organization believes that the best is just coming to fruition.
That’s some pretty tall words with Stroud and Ryans becoming the first quarterback/head coach duo in NFL history to win the division in each of their first two years together, but the organization made some key moves in the offseason to firm up some soft areas of the depth chart going into the 2025 campaign.
A familiar name around the Georgia area is headed to strap on the navy and red as the most recent transaction on the list for Houston is the free agent signing of Nick Chubb, the former Georgia Bulldog.
Chub was drafted in 2018 to the Cleveland Browns and over the last seven seasons with Cleveland, Chubb has accumulated 6,843 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns.
The question mark around Chubb is health. Chubb has only played 10 games combined over the previous two years with the Browns with only 130 carries in two seasons because of various injuries.
That said, if Chubb can get his legs back underneath him (and healthy legs after battling knee and foot injuries) he is still an elite back in the NFL. Chubb is just one of ten active running backs with at least 6,500 yards and had 30 games of 100+ yards in the first 6 years before being hampered by injuries.
The Texans didn’t pull the trigger on any huge names coming out of the 2025 NFL Draft, but it was a busy few days for the front office.
General Manager Nick Caserio made seven trades of picks including trading away the 25th overall selection to pick up an additional 2nd round pick.
Caserio has made 20 trades of straight draft picks which is the most of all active GMs in the NFL. The Texans picked up a pair of second, third, sixth and seventh round selections to go along with a singular fourth rounder in this years first year player draft bringing in a couple of wide outs with a second and third round pick.
The last two seasons have been a renaissance of football in Houston that hasn’t been seen in the NFL in quite some time and the job that DeMeco Ryans, CJ Stroud and company have done is phenomenal, but that group isn’t satisfied with the quick success, they have eyes sighted for a deep playoff run, and they believe it’s coming much sooner than once thought.
Carolina Respect
By: Cameron Miller
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Carolina Panthers are entering the 2025 NFL season coming off a mediocre 7-9 season and panthers fans seem to be filled with disappointment from recent failures, yet excited with a positive outlook in hopes they can change things around with what the team has done this offseason.
Since 2017, they’d stumbled through coaching swaps, heartbreaking finishes, and morale‑sapping losses, but as spring arrived in Charlotte, there was an unmistakable shift: young voices building chemistry on the practice fields, defensive reinforcements arriving in waves, and a confident quarterback ready to prove he belongs.
Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick back in 2023, now stands at the heart of this team. Year 3 isn’t just another chapter, it’s pivotal to the confidence of Young and this Panthers’ team.
After a sophomore year that saw flashes of brilliance towards the end with three straight weeks of 20+ fantasy points and some late‑season magic—Young earned another opportunity at getting the starting job back.
Front office whispers have now confirmed young would be their guy going forward and that there would be no QB controversy in 2025.
Still despite the growth from Young, most have to believe the 2025 season is the make-or-break year for him. If he doesn’t perform this year, I think the Panthers may have to once again become a team back on the market for a new starting quarterback.
The offense the Panthers have constructed around him is very compelling. The front office added a plethora of new playmakers like Tetairoa McMillan, who they drafted in Round 1 of this past draft.
McMillan is believed to be a go‑to receiving target for Young right out of the gate. I’m excited to see how McMillan and Xavier Legette are going to pair up together and if they challenge each other to work harder for that #1 spot.
They also grabbed former Colorado Buffalo, Jimmy Horn Jr in the 6th round and signed former Las Vegas Raider Hunter Renfrow.
In the backfield they added Rico Dowdle and Trevor Etienne for some quality extra depth behind starter Chuba Hubbard .
Switching over to the defensive side of the ball, they had a tragic story of their own. The Panthers defense had a disastrous 2024 season, surrendering 534 points over the season, which was bad enough to put them as the worst in the NFL.
So, the Panthers went in and added some much needed muscle and skill to their defensive unit.
They brought in Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III to fill up the interior of the D-Line, Patrick Jones II and rookie edge rusher Nic Scourton to bring some pressure off the edge, and brought in safety Tre’von Moehrig
They were able to extend Jaycee Horn with a four-year $100 Million contract, which made him the highest paid defensive back in NFL history, while Mike Jackson also earned a contract extension of his own.
Even though they have these two guys locked down for some time now, there are still some voices out there saying their cornerback depth is still too “thin” especially in the nickel and strong safety spots.
But on a more positive note, Sharp Football Analysis ranked the Panthers 2025 schedule as the 7th easier in the entire NFL. So maybe they can take advantage of the lack of difficult opponents and try to get some early season momentum started up.
Now with the preseason quickly approaching, the story almost feels cinematic.
They had a young promising QB with a statement to make, along with some new weapons to help him, a defense that was eager to shake off its embarrassment from last season, and a schedule that leaves fans to have a more optimistic outlook.
It seems like for this 2025 Panthers squad it isn’t just about the statistics but about getting redemption and giving the Carolina faithful with what they’ve been waiting for.
When September 7 comes around and the Panthers take a trip down to Jacksonville for the season opener, I’m sure you can expect to see eager Panthers fans lined up to see how this 2025 season will kick off.
They’re not there chanting for a Super Bowl banner, they just want to see stability, and competitive games to give them real hope at their first winning season since 2017.
Jason Bishop Show June 12
Swash-Buc-Ling
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare for their 50th season in the NFL, there’s more than nostalgia in the air—there’s anticipation.
Following a 2024 campaign that saw them clinch their third straight NFC South title, the Bucs are eyeing another playoff push behind a retooled roster, a familiar core, and one of the most intriguing schedules in the league.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield enters the season with a renewed contract and growing confidence as the leader of Tampa Bay’s offense. Last season, Mayfield silenced critics after a 10-win season and a playoff victory.
He returns with trusted weapons in wideouts Mike Evans—still among the league’s elite—and Chris Godwin, while dynamic second-year back Bucky Irving is poised to become a focal point in both running and passing.
Evans, chasing his 12th straight 1,000-yard season, could tie Jerry Rice for the most in NFL history— one of the many potential milestones in this golden-anniversary campaign.
The Bucs stayed busy in the offseason, aiming to solidify a defense that was inconsistent in 2024.
The headliner additions include linebacker Haason Reddick and rookie cornerback Benjamin Morrison, who are expected to boost the Buc’s pass rushing and secondary coverage.
On offense, Tampa drafted wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, giving Mayfield another explosive option.
One big change: offensive coordinator Liam Coen departed for a head coaching job and his replacement, Dave Canales, returns to Tampa after a stint in Seattle.
Canales’ history with Mayfield from 2022 in Carolina could help smooth his transition.
The Bucs’ 2025 schedule is balanced in terms of home and road games with a challenging midseason stretch that will define their season.
They open on the road against division rival Atlanta—a team with a new quarterback and playoff ambitions—followed by a Monday Night Football clash with the Houston Texans in Week 2.
The first big test comes in Weeks 4 through 7, when Tampa faces the Eagles, Seahawks, 49ers, and Lions—all playoff teams in 2024. This brutal gauntlet will test the depth and resilience of the roster.
Back-to-back road games late in the year at Buffalo and Los Angeles, followed by a short-week Thursday night matchup at home against the Falcons, make for a tricky stretch in Weeks 11–13. Fortunately, the Bucs enjoy a Week 9 bye that lands perfectly in the middle of the season, allowing recovery and strategic recalibration.
The NFC South remains wide open. The Saints, Falcons, and Panthers all made moves to improve in the offseason. The Bucs’ path to another division crown will hinge on winning these three key matchups. They face all three rivals at least once in the season’s final six weeks, including a season finale at home against Carolina that may carry major playoff implications.
Tampa Bay is scheduled for multiple prime-time games, including a Monday night at Detroit and a Thursday night against the Falcons. These nationally televised games reflect the team’s rising reputation and offer a chance to showcase their stars to a broader national audience.
With nine to ten wins projected by most analysts, the Bucs are considered slight favorites in the NFC South. But if their offense gels under Canales, and the revamped defense can create turnovers- this team has the pieces to make a deeper postseason run.
As the Bucs celebrate their 50th year in the league, expectations are high. With Mayfield entrenched as the leader, Evans chasing history, and a hungry defense, the 2025 season promises fireworks in Tampa Bay.
If they survive the midseason and maintain divisional dominance, a fourth straight playoff appearance (possibly more) could cap off this golden anniversary in fitting fashion.
Who-Dat
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The New Orleans Saints head into the 2025 season hoping to turn the page after a rough 5-12 finish last year.
The “Who Dats” had their worst record since 2005, and their first time at the bottom of the NFC South since 2008.
With that in the rearview, the franchise is kicking off a new chapter under former Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who takes over as head coach after Dennis Allen was let go midway through last season.
Moore steps into a situation full of question marks. The Saints actually started 2024 hot, going 2-0 while putting up over 40 points in both games, but things quickly unraveled with a seven-game skid.
Quarterback Derek Carr showed some progress in his second year but missed seven games with injuries and decided to retire this offseason.
Rookie Spencer Rattler didn’t do much to steady the ship, and the team turned around and spent a second-round pick on Tyler Shough, a talented but injury-prone QB out of Louisville who will have a shot to start Week 1.
Alvin Kamara is still the focal point on offense, but he’s heading into his ninth season and starting to show signs of wear, even if his efficiency ticked up slightly.
The Saints added rookie Devin Neal and veteran Clyde Edwards-Helaire to the backfield, though neither seems like a long-term answer.
Chris Olave, who missed half the season with concussions, is still the go-to receiver. They added some veteran help with Brandin Cooks and Donovan Peoples-Jones, and tight ends Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau are back to give the passing game some stability.
Taysom Hill, meanwhile, is recovering from a torn ACL and turns 35 this year, so it’s unclear how much more he can give in his trademark utility role.
The offensive line was a big problem last year. With Ryan Ramczyk now retired, first-round pick Kelvin Banks Jr. will have to step into a key role right away. Erik McCoy is back at center and still a bright spot, but the rest of the line is a patchwork with injury concerns and question marks. Former Charger Will Clapp moves to left guard, and Banks is going to be tested from the start
Defensively, things can only improve. The Saints were 30th in total defense, and near the bottom against the run.
Cameron Jordan is clearly past his prime, and while Bryan Bresee (7.5 sacks) and Chase Young (5.5 sacks) had moments, the team still doesn’t have a true difference-maker off the edge. Demario Davis continues to produce, but at 36, he can’t be counted on forever.
At linebacker, Pete Werner continues to be a steady presence and rookie Danny Stutsman brings size, but needs improvement in pass coverage.
The secondary took some serious hits with the exits of Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo. Kool-Aid McKinstry, a promising pick from 2024, and Alontae Taylor are the likely starters at corner, but there’s not much depth behind them.
Safety help comes in the form of veterans Justin Reid and Terrell Burgess, plus rookie Jonas Sanker, who’s smart but not the most athletic.
The Saints have one of the weakest strengths of schedule for 2025, and they have new leadership in place, so maybe there’s a chance for some improvement.
Major questions remain, especially at QB, on the offensive line, and in the pass rush.
Kellen Moore’s first season feels more like a building year than a playoff push. At this point, New Orleans looks closer to competing for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft than challenging for the NFC South crown.
As much as it pains this Saints fan to say it, 5-12 may be the best New Orleans can hope for.
Tech’s NIL Buzz
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Georgia Tech Athletic Director J Batt is being proactive about the changes going on across the NCAA landscape.
There is an expected $2.8 billion settlement of House v. NCAA this summer. It is expected to afford schools $20.5 million to give to its athletes.
This figure is for athlete compensation across all varsity sports, not just those that generate revenue.
The number represents approximately 22% of average athletic department revenue across power conference athletic departments. The cost could rise to nearly $33 million per school in the next decade.
Batt is part of the settlement implementation committee and he gave an interview about the potential implications.
“From a macro perspective, we’re gonna get a system that’s fair, that’s transparent. We’re gonna get a system that is much more, I would think, kind of balanced across the board,” Batt said. “I think that if we zoom all the way out, that’s what everyone wants to look for, something that is sustainable over time that certainly drives more revenue for student-athletes.
“That, at the end of the day, is a goal we’ve all been working toward and feel like this would put it into place, but also creates some of that structure, some of that transparency, some of that systematic approach to the NIL and revenue sharing going forward.”
The House v. NCAA settlement was officially ratified recently, clearing the way for universities to directly pay athletes starting in 2025.
The settlement is expected to formally take effect on July 1, 2025, after it was approved by Judge Claudia Wilken of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
This is truly the biggest shift ever in college athletics. College is officially pay-for-play for the first time ever. The NCAA cleared several rules banning the practice in the lead-up to the settlement, and the new reality is now here.
Each school is expected to handle the settlement money differently.
“I would tell you that we’re really transparent with our coaches. We’ve got great buy-in across the board. We’ve been planning on how does this happen, what does it look like, for well over a year at this point in time,” Batt continued. “We’ve been working toward not only how we might fund it, how we might deploy it, what internal resources you need. We just did up a whole different vertical with our de facto general manager and enhanced legal team (and) finance to take care of rev share payments. All those sorts of things. It’s a huge shift for everybody in college athletics.”
The expectation is that more than 70% of these funds will be spent on football at power-conference schools. For a school like UConn, they may spend 50% of their budget on men’s basketball.
It still remains unclear how Title IX will factor into the model, though at least some funds will likely be directed toward women’s sports.
Players are being compensated directly but they still will not be classified as employees. They will probably be looked at as independent contractors.
Let Me Re-Introduce Myself
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Well, the Atlanta Braves made some noise and it wasn’t the kind anyone really saw coming.
In a pretty rare midseason move, they’ve shaken up the coaching staff, reassigning third base coach Matt Tuiasosopo and bringing in an old, familiar face. Braves fans, please meet Fredi Gonzalez.
Yeah, that Fredi Gonzalez. The same guy who once managed the Braves, got fired, and was replaced by Brian Snitker is now joining Snit’s staff as the new third base coach.
So, what happened?
Tuiasosopo isn’t being kicked to the curb entirely. He’s moving into a new role as the team’s minor league infield coordinator. The change stems from one big issue, which has been a growing number of overly aggressive sends at third base that cost the Braves runs in close games.
There is no denying that with Atlanta finding itself in more than a few nail biters lately, every base, and every possible run, counts.
What makes this move especially interesting is that General Manager Alex Anthopoulos had never made an in-season coaching change before. Not in Atlanta, not in Toronto, not ever.
He said this was something he’d been thinking about for a while. It wasn’t a snap decision, and it wasn’t just about frustration. It all came down to one thing, and that was the availability of the right guy.
When Fredi Gonzalez’s name came up, everything clicked. He’s got tons of big-league experience, including time as a third base coach under Bobby Cox before managing the Braves and Marlins.
Most recently, he coached with the Orioles and even spent time evaluating umpires and working at a small college in Pennsylvania.
But more than his resumé, Anthopoulos said it had to be someone who could step in right away and be effective.
No guesswork, no experiments. And with Fredi, the reviews around the league were glowing. Add in the fact that he and Snitker are longtime friends who just worked together recently in Philly, and the decision became a lot easier.
Tuiasosopo, to his credit, handled the move like a pro. Anthopoulos said they gave him the option to stay in the organization or move on, and Tui wanted to stay.
He’s still well liked in the clubhouse, and his work with the Braves’ infielders has been a huge part of the team’s defensive success. Now, he’ll continue that impact at the minor league level.
And let’s be real, third base coach is one of the most pressure packed spots on a staff. You’re making split second decisions that can literally swing games.
So, it’s not a knock on Tuiasosopo as a coach or as a person, it just wasn’t the right fit in that role right now. Anthopoulos even said they wouldn’t have made a change unless someone with Fredi’s experience was available. That’s how rare this move was.
There were no other changes considered. Snitker and Anthopoulos both still believe in the rest of the coaching staff. But with the team grinding through so many close games this year, this was a move they felt could make a real difference.
At the end of the day, it’s about getting better wherever you can, even if the change is tough.
Gonzalez brings stability, credibility, and a fresh set of eyes to a spot where the Braves really needed it. Time will tell if it pays off, but if you’re looking for a spark that could turn one-run losses into one-run wins, this might be it.
I’ll Be Back
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Alex Condon will return to Florida for his junior season.
The Florida men’s basketball program’s roster for the 2025-26 season, as of today, is essentially complete: with one starting roster spot available for a development-focused player.
What started out as a slow transfer portal turned into a masterclass by Florida’s newly equipped coaching staff.
It’s readily apparent the Gators have the pieces in place to make a second run for a national championship under head coach Todd Golden, mirroring his predecessor Billy Donovan. As difficult of a feat as it is to accomplish, they are once again a serious contender coming off a National Championship.
As for replacing Walter Clayton Jr., Florida brought in a mid-major transfer, Princeton’s Xaivian Lee, giving the Gators a crafty and explosive guard who excels with the ball in his hands.
Lee has an impressive first step, with the speed to blow by his defender and the court vision to attempt a high-percentage look or find the open man when the defense collapses.
While some may question his ability to succeed at a similar rate in the nation’s toughest conference, Lee consistently dominated Power Four competition when given the opportunity, and he stood out in 2024 at the G League Combine. He proved that he can play and succeed against the country’s best.
Continuing to target the backcourt, Florida keyed in on Ohio University transfer AJ Brown, who will presumably fill a role similar to Will Richard’s: a lights-out shooter from long-range who provides impressive defense and the ability to battle on the boards in the low post.
Brown is projected to begin the season as Florida’s 6th man, followed by center Micah Handlogten, giving the Gators a polished, experienced scorer in the second unit.
Although Brown may not start from the jump in Gainesville, the Gators intend to spend the summer evaluating their rotation. It’s possible Thomas Haugh returns to a bench role, with Brown sliding into the three spot for the Gators.
Only time will tell how Brown fits into UF’s rotation, though it’s in my opinion an impressive addition, one which will benefit his younger brother, Isaiah Brown, too.
Speaking of Isaiah, anyone who is underestimating the Orlando native: it would not be a surprise to see Isaiah Brown play a notably increased role during his sophomore season.
He’s an impressive outside scorer and he’s physical, yet quick enough to defend one through three although he did not display his full potential last season. The coaching staff thinks highly of Isaiah Brown, and that extra regard and attention goes a long way.
Meanwhile, Florida prepared contingency in late April. The Gators’ coaching staff recruited and acquired one of the nation’s top freshmen during 2024-25.
You know, the one who pulled out of the 2025 NBA Draft and will return to college for one more year, but not at Arkansas.
As critical as retention was, it’s the additions that may put Florida firmly back in contention for a title, and not just via the transfer.
After retaining, reconstructing, and retooling, the Gators managed the previous two months as well as any program could hope for, and expectations will undoubtedly be enormous.
Florida should be a preseason top 10, if not a top five team, in the months ahead, and it’s because the Gators are coming off their third national championship in program history AND Florida dominated this spring.
The schedule will be daunting throughout the upcoming season. The non-conference slate should be more challenging than it was during the 2024-25 campaign, and Southeastern Conference play will consistently challenge each of the league’s 16 member schools.
If the Gators stay healthy they will handle the weight of expectation. Perhaps if they keep their underdog mentality from last season, Florida will contend for a second-straight national championship following Condon’s decision to return to Florida.
A Flat(s) Legend
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For the last three baseball seasons, I’ve had the unquestionable privilege of calling Georgia Tech Baseball games on the radio for the Georgia Tech Sports Network.
Along with that, I’ve been welcomed into the program by so many people, but especially (now) 32nd year Head Coach Danny Hall.
On March 27th, just before welcoming in Clemson in for a big ACC weekend, Coach Hall announced that 2025 would be his final season leading the Georgia Tech Baseball program and is retiring at the end of the season.
Georgia Tech has been a fixture in the College Baseball fabric for many years and much of that comes from Head Coach Danny Hall that took over the Jackets in 1994 after a six-year stint as the head coach for the Kent State Golden Flash.
Since leading the Ramblin’ Wreck, Coach Hall just locked up his 4th ACC Coach of the Year award that was announced just after Georgia Tech secured the 2025 regular season ACC Championship.
Danny Hall has come from a widely branched coaching tree that begins close to home.
Coach Hall’s dad first instilled the love of sports in him and was his head coach in high school for both baseball and football in Coolville, Ohio.
Hall would then take his talents to Miami (OH) where he played for the (then known as) Redskins (now referred to as RedHawks).
At Miami (Ohio), Hall would learn under the tutelage of legendary member of the Miami (OH) “Cradle of Coaches” Bud Middaugh. After playing for Coach Middaugh, Hall would immediately start his coaching career in 1978 as a graduate assistant under Middaugh at Miami (Ohio). “DH” graduated from Miami (Ohio) for the second time with a masters in 1979 and would make his way to Ann Arbor to be an assistant for the Michigan Wolverines under…you guessed it…Bud Middaugh. Hall spent eight years on staff for Michigan before his first opportunity to lead a program came in 1988 to lead Kent State.
There are so many accolades that you could rattle off under Coach Danny Hall’s name in his 38-year head coaching career.
He moved into the 9th all-time winningest head coach in D1 College Baseball history this year with over 1,400 career wins and is second active only to now South Carolina’s Paul Mainieri who came out of retirement this past offseason.
He has taken Georgia Tech to three appearances in the College World Series in 1994, 2002 and 2006, so the accolades speak for themselves.
That said, there’s one accolade that you won’t find on a stat sheet but is the one that means the most to the skipper. It’s the family environment and culture he has established at Georgia Tech.
Each game you can find Coach Hall’s wife, Mrs. Kara, hosting numerous alumni in the Home Plate Club that are dying to get back to their next game at Mac Nease Baseball Park and Russ Chandler Stadium.
The family of Georgia Tech Baseball is widespread from Major League Baseball former superstars of Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Varitek, or Mark Texeira, to current big-league studs like Chandler Simpson, Kristian Campbell and more.
The Tech Baseball alumni success doesn’t only translate to professional baseball as it includes names like Ben King who graduated from Georgia Tech in 2024 and is now in medical school.
Doctors, lawyers, and financial experts are found frequently coming back to visit the program and the coach that brought them to the Flats. It doesn’t stop there however, because currently, you’ll see the current staff’s family and kids throughout the facility and wanting to be part of the program now and for a long time.
So while, you can look at a Hall of Fame sheet and know that Danny Hall has had an unquestioned impact on not only Georgia Tech Baseball but College Baseball as a whole on the field, rest assured that the impact that 17 has had beyond the diamond is profound, and that’s as much of a reason why the number was retired by Georgia Tech Baseball at the end of the regular season and 17 will forever only have “Hall” on top of it on a Jacket’s Jersey, and hopefully will be worn for the last time in College Baseball’s Heaven…Omaha.
Pirates Prepping for 2025
By: Cameron Miller
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
High School football season for the Brunswick High Pirates is right around the corner and with the Pirates coming off a great season with a team loaded with talent, I can’t wait to see how Reigning 2024 All Region 1-AAAAA Coach of the Year Garrett Grady is leading his team into this season.
Brunswick finished up last year with 6 Offensive All-Region 1st Team selections, which were QB Grant Moore, TE Heze Kent, WR Waseem Murray, OL Chase Richardson, OL Kasiyah Charlton, and WR Jamarious Towns.
The Pirates also had 6 Defensive All-Region 1st Team selections, which were DL Lance Brown, LB Caleb Butler, LB Jeremiah Robbins, CB Sekhi Ashley, LB Kregg Richardson, CB Aviyon Addison, and J’Shawn Towns, who was the 2024 All Region 1-AAAAA Defensive Player of the Year.
The off season didn’t start off as the Pirates had expected. They are missing one big piece of their program right now, Coach Grady said “We were without our Defensive Coordinator Coach Thomas Tedder this Spring. Our thoughts & prayers are with him and his family. We are going to Coach and play at the highest level to honor him. He had a medical emergency and is still recovering.”
Although Brunswick had a few key playmakers graduate this year, they still have a loaded roster of players that are fired up to play their hearts out for Coach Tedder.
The team is also continuing to quickly develop and get better every day. When I asked Coach Grady about how the team was shaping up prior to this year’s Spring Game he told me “I thought the entire Spring Practice we got better over the 10 days we were allowed to practice. The effort was great and our coaches did a phenomenal job coaching and teaching our guys fundamentals.”
“During the Spring Game our guys competed at a high level and communicated well on both sides of the ball.” said Coach Grady following the Pirates 2025 Spring Game, which was held earlier this month.
Starting Quarterback Grant Moore who has Multiple D1 offers from Schools such as Murray State, Samford, Eastern Kentucky, did not participate this year, because he is in the final stages of coming back from a shoulder injury that happened this past baseball season.
With Moore not playing it left a lot of time for other quarterbacks Keagan Walker and Eli Overton to show off their skills and get some good reps in front of a good crowd.
The Pirates might not have had their star quarterback in the game, but they did have both of their star running backs, Josiah Gibbons who has offers from West Virginia, Tulane, East Carolina, Arkansas State, Liberty, and Kennesaw State, and Nigel Gardner who has offers from Eastern Kentucky, Arkansas State, and Eastern Carolina.
Those two have the privilege of having a wall of an offensive line led by UCF Commit Kasiyah Charlton, and Chase Richadson who has many Big D1 Offers from Georgia Southern, Kentucky, Army, Navy, West Virginia, Appalachian State, Georgia State, and many others.
Besides the depth in the run game, Moore will also have 2 monster weapons at his disposal in the passing game. Wide receiver Waseem Murray is coming off an amazing 2024 season for the Pirates where he was able to receive solid offers from Georgia Southern, Central Michigan, and Northwestern State.
The other big target Grant will have in the Passing game is 6’5 265 lb, 4 Star TE Heze Kent. Kent is going into his senior season with the Pirates and has received a total of 47 Offers to play college football.
He has his options narrowed down to the Top 5, and will be accounting his commitment between Florida, Miami, Florida State, Georgia Tech, and Texas on July 12th, 2025.
So, we’ve covered the talent all around the offensive side, but we can’t forget about stud CB Aviyon Addison, who just received his first offer from Arkansas State.
I see Addison having an amazing 2025 season and making a run for that defensive player of the year spot.
Brunswick High will scrimmage at home against the Ware County Gators. Then the season starts on the road on August 15th in Kingsland against the Camden County Wildcats and will finish their regular season at home against the South Effingham Mustangs.
Here is a look at the full Brunswick High Pirates 2025 Schedule:
8/8: vs Ware County
8/15: @ Camden County
8/22: vs Wayne County
8/29: BYE
9/5: vs Effingham
9/12: @ Evans
9/19: vs Greenbrier
9/26: @ Glynn Academy (Brunswick)
10/3: vs Bradwell
10/10: @ Statesboro
10/17: @ Lakeside
10/24: BYE
10/31: vs South Effingham
