By Barry Every
SouthernPigskin.com

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In the first ever version of the South Georgia Player Rankings for SouthernPigskin.com we start off with a Top 105. The whole purpose of these rankings is to expose as many young athletes to college coaches at the FBS and FCS level.

What constitutes South Georgia? All high school players south of Macon, Georgia to the Florida border are eligible for this ranking, this also includes Columbus and Savannah.

From 2008 to 2016 this geographic area has produced on average 30 to 40 FBS prospects annually. Look for that number to increase dramatically for the class of 2018.

In the first ever version of the South Georgia Player Rankings for SouthernPigskin.com we start off with a Top 105. The whole purpose of these rankings is to expose as many young athletes to college coaches at the FBS and FCS level.

There are currently 21 football players from South Georgia verbally committed to FBS colleges. The ACC leads the way with five commits followed by the SEC (4), Sun Belt (4), Big Ten (3) and the MAC (2).

Georgia Tech is the only in-state FBS School with a commitment from a player hailing from south of the gnat-line. Georgia, Georgia Southern and Georgia State have yet to secure a commitment from South Georgia.  

Outside linebacker Quay Walker of Cordele (Ga.) Crisp County starts the year off in the top spot. The Alabama commit helped guide the Cougars to a (13-1) record in 2016, the best in school history. Walker racked up 109 tackles, 19 TFL’s, eight sacks, five PBU’s and one INT. He also caught 11 passes for 157 yards and two scores.

One of the most prolific rushers in Georgia makes his entry at #2. Dameon Pierce of Bainbridge (Ga.) has rushed for 3,746 yards on a 551 carries, hitting pay dirt 53 times over the last two seasons. He is also an adept pass catcher having hauled in 33 passes for 396 yards and two touchdowns in that time period. The longtime Alabama commit opened up his recruiting two months ago.

Next is hybrid S/OLB Otis Reese of Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County. The four year starter was selected First Team AAAAAA All-State by the AJC last season. Reese is currently committed to Michigan.

Moultrie (Ga.) Colquitt County has had its share of prospects and success over the last six seasons. But one of the most coveted players in school history is rising senior outside linebacker JJ Peterson. As a junior Peterson recorded 59 tackles, 11.5 TF’s, 6.5 sacks. He also added two touchdown catches and a kick return for score.

Peterson boasts double digit offers which include the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, Clemson, Florida and Georgia.

Rounding out the Top Five is massive interior offensive line prospect Christian Meadows of Montezuma (Ga.) Macon County. Meadows protected the backside of record setting quarterback K’hari Lane over the last two seasons, while helping guide the Bulldogs to the GHSA A-Public State Championship in 2016. Meadows is currently committed to Florida State.

Two-way standout Sam James of Richmond Hill (Ga.) is the highest rated player in the ESPN Coastal listening area coming in at #9. He caught 42 passes for 917 yards and eight scores as a junior while recording 49 tackles on defense. James recently made a verbal commitment to West Virginia.

The next highest rated player from the (912) is Waycross (Ga.) Ware County linebacker Ernest Jones. Last season Jones led the Gators in tackles with 59 stops. He was also an offensive weapon snagging four touchdown passes. Jones recently went public with a commitment to South Carolina.

This list will be updated numerous times leading up to Signing Day 2018.