The 2025 season has been magical for West Laurens. For the first time in school history, they are undefeated with a 9-0 record, led by an experienced senior class that is hungry for success.
Chief among them is linebacker Shannon Adkins, who leads the defense not just in tackles with 100, 7 tackles for a loss, and 6 sacks, but also a leader that the team can rally around. Adkins makes game-breaking plays that impact winning, just like last week, when they beat Aquinas 49-42.
Aquinas was driving down the field and getting near the red zone, where they decided to rush up the middle with a dive. The attentive Akins was on it, flying to the football, and while the highlight reel doesn’t fully show it, the senior ripped the football away, running it back almost 80 yards before being tackled just inches away from scoring.
The eventual 14-point swing was crucial to keep their great season alive, and helped Adkins win Week 11’s top play in the state of Georgia.
“My senior year has been amazing for me. My teammates and have worked so hard for this season, it’s been fun and I’m enjoying my season day by day. I’ve also been trying to get my ranking up,” Adkins said.
Over the offseason, Adkins popped during the various workouts that were shared on social media. The 6’2″ 220 lbs. linebacker is a great weight lifter, maxing out with a squat over 500 lbs., and power cleans over 300 lbs. Back in March, he was named the GACA weight-lifting state champion in 3A.
On the recruiting front, Adkins spoke about the latest happenings and what schools are contacting him right now.
“My recruiting right now is going very good. I’ve been talking with a lot of universities around the world. I have taken a couple of college visits, my most recent was the University of Alabama, and I’m looking forward to taking plenty more,” he said.
More schools will be on the 2026 linebacker before NSD. He has a 34″ vertical jump, looks explosive chasing down the ball carrier, and has been effective, producing at a high level for multiple seasons on defense. Adkins is no slouch on the offensive side of the football with 9 touchdowns, and couple that with his two defensive scores, the senior is finding the endzone more than you would ever expect.
But his impact is greater than just physical production. Adkins is a leader. He was voted Homecoming King, named team captain, and sets the standard with his coursework, showcasing a 3.7 GPA.
“I think what separates me from kids in my class is that I’m a leader and I watch a lot of tape. I’m prepared, that helps me make the plays I make because I know what play is gonna happen before it happens. Being a leader is something I was taught at a young age, and with me playing ball, it plays a role in how your team gonna play,” Adkins said.
West Laurens has a special senior class, and something we saw going back in August, when we were the only media outlet to rank them in the preseason rankings. They have a huge matchup tonight, this Thursday at 7 pm, against undefeated Westside-Augusta, which will decide the Region 4 title, so be sure to follow @RecruitGeorgia to see the latest results, recruiting news, and highlights for Adkins and players across the state of Georgia.
