Welcome to another year of our All-State picks! Please continue to check HERE throughout the next week to see the rest of the classifications. Down below we have our player of the year vote, first-team all-state picks with a writeup, and at the very bottom our honorable mention selections. Feel free to leave a comment down below!
Player of the Year
– Vote once per hour
– Voting ends 1/10 at 7 PM
OFFENSE
QB – Avery Smith, Riverwood
QB – MJ Morris, Carrollton
RB – Antonio Martin, Hughes
RB – Justin Williams, East Paulding
RB – Jamarion Wilcox, South Paulding
WR – Joshua Thompson, Johns Creek
WR – Cayden Lee, Westlake
WR – Isaiah Bond, Buford
TE – Jackson Head, River Ridge
OL – Tyler Gibson, Johns Creek
OL – Jaccarius Peak, Valdosta
OL – QaeShon Sapp, Lee Co.
OL – Madden Sanker, South Paulding
OL – Connor Lew, Kennesaw Mountain
OL – Chandler Strong, Houston Co.
K – Clay Walters, Paulding Co.
ATH – Kyle Efford, Dacula
DEFENSE
DL – Stephiylan Green, Rome
DL – Ka’Shawn Thomas, Brunswick
DL – Zachariah Keith, Douglas Co.
DL – Josiah Wyatt, Buford
DL – Zion Young, Westlake
LB – Isaac Hubert, Creekview
LB – Aubrey Smith, Buford
LB – Michael Watson, Hughes
LB – Ryan Green, Shiloh
LB – Malik Spencer, Buford
DB – Myles Oliver, Douglas Co.
DB – Rodney Shelley, Hughes
DB – Malcolm Jones, Lee Co.
DB – Terian Williams, Johns Creek
DB – Xavier Smith, Hughes
P – Charlie Cooper, Tucker
RET – Terrell Carmicheal, Carrollton
Avery Smith was exceptional this season for Riverwood. The senior who is signed to play at Toledo had 3289 passing yards on the season and 35 touchdowns. His 299 yards per game and 130 QBR led the entire classification. Smith did damage on the ground too rushing for 818 yards and 7 touchdowns. Smith helped Riverwood to a 9-2 record and won the Region 7 Championship. MJ Morris also makes our All-State QB spot. He threw for 3089 passing yards and 33 touchdowns on the season while having the 2nd highest QBR in 6A at 122.8. Morris rushed for 602 yards and 7 touchdowns while leading his team to the state semifinals. Morris won Region MVP and is signed with NC State.
Antonio Martin out of Hughes didn’t put up huge rushing numbers during the regular season but was monumental in the playoffs, helping his team to the state title game. Martin totaled 608 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns during the playoffs. He had a total of 1114 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on the season. Against the top competition in the state, Martin shined, and next fall he will be suiting up for GT. Justin Williams is perhaps the most explosive running back in the state of Georgia. The senior had 1896 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the season. His 2116 all-purpose yards ranks at the top of the classification. Williams is signed with Tennessee. Jamarion Wilcox is a junior out of South Paulding who really showed out last fall. The class of ’23 back had 1534 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns on the season. He also had 235 receiving yards with an impressive 16.8 yards per catch and two touchdowns. The junior is definitely a name to know.
Joshua Thompson out of Johns Creek ended up leading the entire state of Georgia with 20 receiving touchdowns. The speedy senior receiver averaged 26.2 yards per catch and had a total of 1178 receiving yards on the season, which ranks him at the top of the classification. Thompson is signed with Georgia Southern. Cayden Lee out of Westlake has some elite ball-skills and just one of the best pure receivers in the state of Georgia. The Westlake product had 1014 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. Lee is considered one of the junior receivers in the country. Isaiah Bond has been a tremendous two-way threat for Buford over the years. The explosive senior fits the trend of extremely fast players making the All-State receiver spot. Bond was named Region Offensive Player of the Year and is signed with Alabama. Jackson Head gets the nod at All-State tight end. The junior led the classification with 10 touchdowns and also 47 receptions. He had a total of 695 receiving yards on the season while also being a proficient blocker too.
Tyler Gibson out of Johns Creek is one of the better blockers in the class. Showing good fundamentals while pass blocking or run blocking, Gibson does a nice job of moving his feet and sealing off defenders. Gibson is signed with Georgia Tech. Jaccarius Peak made a big jump in the last year and immediately became a top target among college programs at the start of the season. The 6’6″ 300 lbs. offensive lineman is a road grader, knocking defenders off the ball with relative ease. QaeShon Sapp out of Lee County earns a spot on the All-State OL. Sapp helped pave the way for one of the top rushing attacks in the classification and will be suiting up for Florida State next fall. Madden Sanker is an explosive South Paulding junior offensive lineman. His grit and toughness are equally matched by his pure athleticism. With a strong list of FBS offers under his belt, Sanker should be an interesting junior recruit to follow this offseason. Connor Lew is one of the top blocking centers in the state of Georgia. He’s very explosive, one of the strongest players in the state of Georgia, and relentless when blocking. Lew has a slew of FBS programs in pursuit. Chandler Strong helped pave the way for the leading rushers in the classification in Simeon Askew. The 2022 offensive lineman is a fundamentally sound blocker with impactful hands at the point of attack. Strong will be suiting up for Georgia Southern at the next level.
Clay Waters takes the All-State kicker spot. The senior out of Paulding County drilled 11 out of his 11 field goal attempts on the season with a long of 43 yards. Waters led all of class 6A in field goals made and was named Special Teams Player of the Year in his county and region. Dacula’s Kyle Efford is our pick for All-State athlete. Whether he was lined up at linebacker making a crazy one-handed interception (a common theme over the years) or lined up in the wildcat doing all the dirty work for the Dacula offense, Efford had a huge impact helping his team to the state semifinals. The senior will be suiting up for Georgia Tech at the next level.
Stephiylan Green out of Rome was all over the field this season. The 6’5″ 250 lbs. defender has insane athleticism and just flows to the football in a blink of an eye. His ability to get in the backfield is impressive, using his length and quick hands to get off blocks. Ka’Shawn Thomas out of Brunswick thwarted off opponents rushing attacks up the middle. The big junior DT is a true run-stuffer on the field. For his efforts, he was named Region Player of the Year. Zachariah Keith out of Douglas Co. was 2nd in the classification with 14 sacks. He also had 17 tackles for a loss and 101 tackles. Keith is an early commit for GT in the class of ’23. Josiah Wyatt out of Bufford plays with impactful hands and gets into the backfield consistently. The tough senior had 9 sacks on the season by our count. He will be suiting up for App State at the next level. Zion Young out of Westlake finished off the year with 112 tackles, making him one of the leaders among defensive linemen in the state of Georgia. The senior also had 7.5 sacks and was a general beast playing off the edge. Young signed with Michigan State.
Isaac Hubert is more of a hybrid type of player, mostly lining up off the edge but also playing out in the flats in coverage too. The junior out of Creekview was named Region Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. He totaled 100 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss and 4 sacks. Hubert is a name to know in the recruiting world this offseason. Aubrey Smith out of Buford uses his immense speed and physicality to get all over the field for Buford. His versatility and toughness to play multiple spots on the field allowed Buford to take full advantage of his skill set. Smith is signed with Colorado. Michael Watson helped Hughes all the way to the state title game. The senior made a huge jump in the last season and led his team with 178 tackles. His 107 solo tackles were one of the highest totals in the state. Watson was named Region Defensive Player of the Year. The 6’3″ 220 lbs. linebacker is still unsigned at the moment. Ryan Green out of Shiloh had 107 tackles on the season and led all linebackers with 21 tackles for a loss. The senior has great instincts for the game, beating out several high-rated recruits for Region Defensive Player of the Year. Green is still unsigned. Malik Spencer is an ultra-aggressive defender out of Buford. The senior has very good closing speed and is a terrifically big hitter in the open field. Spencer is another Peach State product signed with Michigan State.
Myles Oliver out of Douglas Co. earns a spot on the All-State DB team. Prior to the season, Oliver was not on many people’s radar, but the senior was making huge impact plays all over the field. He finished off the season with 5 interceptions and is currently being recruited by Georgia Tech and Clemson. Rodney Shelley out of Hughes was pretty huge during the playoffs. The senior had 48 tackles and 4 interceptions in the playoffs while also being a big threat on offense too. Shelley has excellent instincts in coverage and will be taking that skill set to Georgia Tech. Malcolm Jones out of Lee County is an impressive 6’1″ 200 lbs. safety who gets downhill. The senior is very patient at reading the play while also showing an excellent motor in pursuit of the football. Jones is signed with Michigan State. Terian Williams was a true playmaker for Johns Creek last fall. The 2022 recruit was one of the state leaders with 6 interceptions and also had 118 tackles, plus 11 pass breakups too. Williams is signed on with Stanford. Hughes senior Xavier Smith was named Region Player of the Year in 2021. The staff really lined him up all over the field, but Smith ultimately found a home at the safety spot in 2021, finishing the season with 4 interceptions. Smith is signed with Colorado.
Charlie Cooper out of Tucker gets the All-State punter spot. The Tucker senior averaged 42 yards per punt, which led the classification. Cooper’s long on the season was from 65 yards out. Terrell Carmicheal out of Carrollton earns the All-State returner spot, an honor he also received as a sophomore. The senior had two returns for a score this season, and that’s on top of his 11 receiving touchdowns. Carmicheal ended up with over 1000 all-purpose yards on the season.
HONORABLE MENTION
Josh Barker, Kell/Martel Hight, Rome/Luke Sudul, Pope/Jailen Taylor, Kennesaw Mt./Deshawn Merritt, North Atlanta/Myles Smith, Shiloh/Ousmane Kromah, Lee Co./Johnsley Barbas, Centennial/Gilbert Brown, Richmond Hill/Wyatt Hurst, Lee County/Johnathan ‘Bo’ Hughley, Hughes/Luke Jones, Lanier/Horace Lockett, Westlake/Daniel Calhoun, Centennial/Jamal Meriweather, Brunswick/Kanaya Charlton, Brunswick/Juan Gaston, Westlake/McRae Ball, Johns Creek/Xavier Wright, Shiloh/Shakai Woods, Douglas Co./Gannon Weathersby, Westlake/Adam Jump, Pope/Eric Brantley, Valdosta/Gannon Weathersby, Westlake/C.J. Clinkscales, Buford/Jackson Favors, Buford/Alejandro Mata, Buford/Jacquez McGowan, Valdosta/Jaron Willis, Lee Co./Jayden Bethea, Dacula/Sam Oppenheimer, Johns Creek/Ty Thompson, Allatoona/Omar White, Lee Co/Justin Ested, Kennesaw Mt./Jaden Harris, Riverwood/Marcus Washington Jr., Grovetown/Clayton Powell-Lee/Levi Linowes, Riverwood/Jelani Thurman, Hughes/Tyrus Washington, Lee County/Simeon Askew, Houston Co./Jadarian Rhym, Valdosta/Ricardo Jones, Northside-WR/Caleb Wade, Habersham Central/Tyler Stevens, Creekview/Zach Cigelski, Riverwood/Will Taylor, Cambridge/Ashton Daniels, Buford/Ryland Gandy, Buford/Will Green, Dacula/Jonathan Williams, Dacula/V.J. Payne, Buford/Nate Norys, Buford/Manny Boyd, Dacula/Moussa Barry, Dacula/Harrison McFarlin, Allatoona/Brian Baumann, Pope/Keonta Wallac, South Cobb/Ayden Jackson, Kell/Fernando Baker, Sprayberry/Isaiah Abbey, Sprayberry/Donovan Hoskins, Alexander/Samson Isreal, Douglas County/Nehemiah Dukes, Alexander/Elijah Casey, Alexander/Martavious Collins, Rome/Karim Page, Dalton/Jacob Smith, Paulding Co./Barry Manning, Tucker/Avieon Terrell, Westlake/Joe Hampton, Evans/Jacob Jackson, Evans/Elijah Thurman, Bradwell Institute/Tyson Rooks, Glynn Academy/Eli Leiataua, Bradwell Institute/Juwan Bailey, Lee Co./Owen Greene, Lee Co./Quinton Lewis, Northside-WR/Zach Lyle, Houston Co./Zach Harris, Cambridge/RJ Johnson, Westlake/Kyle Durham, Johns Creek/Brayden Mauldin, Paulding Co/Prentiss Noland, Hughes/Reece Fountain, Rome/Kasen Weisman, South Paulding/Cayman Prangley, Kennesaw Mt./Mason Hicks, Creekview/Kaleb Jackson, Evans/Tylan Johnson, Johns Creek/Johathan Simmons, South Cobb/Joseph Jean, Grovetown/Jai’Den Thomas, Westlake/Tradon Foster, Alexander/Temarcus Elam, Lakeside/Cameron Edwards, South Effingham/Kam Mikell, Statesboro/Bryson Hill, Rome/Zaidon Gunn, Grovetwon/Phillip Sims Jr, Pope/Chuckobe Hill, Brunswick/Bryan Williams, Lanier/Latrelle Murrell, Douglas Co./Jayden Ponder, Allatoona/Bryce Hicks, Carrollton/Zina Mulbah, Westlake/Ree Simmons, Brunwicks/Aiden Thomspson, Winder-Barrow/Kahlil Jones, Paulding Co./Danny Curran, Lassiter/Mathias Height, Alcovy/Ravon Grant, Richmond Hill/Frantzyr Chardavoine, Paulding Co./Cam Bleshoy, Pope/Ace Williamson, Carrollton/Takare Lipscomb, Carrollton/Timothe Dorce, Riverwood/David Okoi, Paulding Co./Jirah Douglas, Douglas Co./Savion Riley, Kennesaw Mt./Armani Tookes, Hughes/Centavious Lowe, Northside-WR/Burke Cigleski, Riverwood/Zeke Whittington, Habersham Central/DeKaylon Daniel, Rome/Micah Gay, Johns Creek/Lassan Simage, Central Gwinnett/Louis Hicks, South Effingham/Jayulin Berrian, Valdosta/Jamie Speight, Statesboro/isaac Prince, Shiloh/Carter Wit, Centennial/Ethan Voltaire, Kennesaw Mt./Jimi Olarinde, South Cobb/Greyson Ellerbee, South Paulding/Julian Stevenson, Wheeler/Omarous Smith, Winder-Barrow/Palmer Bowling, Lassiter/Alex Aaron, Habersham Central/Thaxton Gallagher, Johns Creek/Marcus Alterman, Pope/Isaiah Holland, Valdosta/Joshua Horton, Hughes/Ty Holiday, Wheeler/Mathew Lauglin, Lanier/Devin Smith, Brunswick/Brian Bradley, River Ridge/Luke Brunson, Pope/Vinnie Canosa, Allatoona/Rahmaan Moore, Richmond Hill/Bennett Long, Cambridge/MJ Stroud, Alocvy/Amare Hall, Carrollton/JD Casteen, Creekview/Adrian Maddox, Heritage/Terrance Love, Hughes/Jamel Johnson, Alcovy/Chris Martin, Lee Co./Javen Allen, Northside-WR/DaMarcus Allen, Northside-WR/D.J. Clinch, Glynn Academy/Caldon Mattox, Glynn Academy/Ashley Thompson, Effingham County/Tucker Wilson, Effingham County/Joshua Johnson, Statesboro/Tommy Bliss, Richmond Hill/Ashton Evans, Alcovy/Marcus Sims, Lakeside-Evans/Isaiah Kairy, Alcovy/Kaleb Baldwin, Rockdale Co./Antonio Elder Jr, Morrow/Aiden Benton, Lovejoy/Kingston Crawford, North Atlanta/Cody Gardner, East Paulding/Alto Moore, Rome/Gabe Chigwere, Cambridge/Matthew Traynor, Sequoyah/George Thomas, Riverwood/Brooks Morley, Cambridge/Nakobi Spurrier, Tucker
Isaiah harvey slept on ??♂️
Karim page slept on
Should have Zion Patillo from Riverwood on the list. A Game Changer. No holding back. Wait until you see him grind the axe next season.