The state championships are finally here and the wait is over as action begins today between some of the best football teams in the peach state. There are several players who will look to make their mark and help make history for their programs. Here are some to watch this week in their quest for state titles.
Langston Hughes QB Christian Langford - Langford is the leader for one of the most prolific offenses in the state that has scored 685 points this season. It’s been his best season on the prep level as Langford has set career marks in passing yards, touchdowns, completion percentage, and quarterback rating. He has thrown for 3,031 yards, 36 touchdowns, and has a QB rating of 147.4. In a semifinal win over Coffee, Langford threw for 222 yards and four touchdowns on just nine attempts showcasing how efficient of a passer he can be in limited attempts. He’s thrown for 200 yards or more in nine of the 14 games played this season for the Panthers. Langford has also run for 554 yards and eight touchdowns this season. He embodies a dual-threat quarterback and is dangerous when he extends plays, often making something out of nothing. Something that is impressive about Langford is how much he is spreading the ball around to his receivers this year. Hughes has three receivers with nine touchdown receptions this year. Langford will be an important player to watch in the state title game.
Milton QB Luke Nickel - Mr. Georgia finalist has gotten better every year he has been the starter for Milton. Nickel has thrown for 3,335 and 40 touchdowns this season. What has been most impressive is his continued growth as a dual-threat quarterback. Make no mistake Nickel has some wheels. This year he has 244 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He had seven total touchdowns in a win over Lee County, including two on the ground. He is always cool, calm and collected and has been since he took over as a starter three years ago. He’s gotten Milton to the semifinals and state championship game twice in his career. He has the Eagles in position to repeat as a state champion for the first time in program history. Nickel is one of the best in the country at his position and makes the Eagles an elite national contender.
North Oconee QB Harrison Faulkner - Make no mistake about it, he has been one of the best quarterbacks in the 2026 class this season here in the peach state. He’s led the Titans to a 14-0 record and North Oconee has a chance to finish the season undefeated for the first time in program history. His most impressive game came in an instant classic 40-35 win over Eastside. In that game, he threw for 326 yards and five touchdowns. Faulkner has 2,345 passing yards this season. He has had a number of big performances this season for North Oconee. Faulkner has North Oconee in position to win its first-ever state championship in program history.
Carrollton RB Kimauri Farmer - The junior running back has been a featured part of the Trojan offense this season and has provided big plays and balance to an elite offense. Since getting his opportunity last year against Langston Hughes after an unfortunate injury to Bryce Hicks, he has been dominant. Farmer has rushed for 1,299 yards and 20 touchdowns this season for the Trojans. He had two rushing touchdowns in the win against Buford and now has eight rushing touchdowns this postseason. In two of the four games, Farmer has rushed for 100 yards. Defenses haven’t had an answer for him the past two seasons and he will be another player who could have a big game on Wednesday night.
Northeast RB Nicolas Woodford - Woodford has been on a tear this season and has delivered punishment to some elite defenses in Fannin County and Fitzgerald. This postseason he has 1,039 yards and 13 touchdowns including back-to-back 300-yard rushing games against Fannin County and Fitzgerald. Against Fannin County, he rushed for 374 yards and four touchdowns. Against Fitzgerald, he rushed for 326 and four touchdowns. This season he has rushed for 2,494 yards and 37 touchdowns. Toombs County will have their hands full trying to slow down the dynamic running back.
Prince Avenue Christian RB Andrew Beard - You know you are special when you change the identity of an offense. Don’t get me wrong the Wolverines still throw the football but it hasn’t been to the level we saw over the past few seasons with star quarterback Aaron Philo. He has 1,930 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns this year. He is equally as good at catching the ball out of the backfield and leads the teams with 525 receiving yards. Beard also has five receiving touchdowns. For his great performance this year, Beard was named Offensive Breakout Player of the Year. Beard practically has any offer you could want as a sophomore and has been a problem for defenses to defend. Expect him to get a lot of touches in the rematch against Hebron Christian and make his presence felt.
Milton WR CJ Wiley - Wiley was recently named the Georgia High School Football Daily Player of the Week for his performance against Lee County. He had five catches for 165 yards and three touchdowns. Wiley had several memorable plays in the win including a one-handed catch in tightly contested coverage. He also had a 61-yard touchdown catch where he hit another gear outrunning the defense with his track speed. Wiley has put together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and was a key reason for the explosion of the Milton offense in the 2nd half of the season. He is Milton’s leading receiver, with 58 catches for 1,064 yards and 14 touchdowns. My player comparison for Wiley is AJ Green as he will head to his same alma mater in a few weeks. They are both humble beasts who let their action on gridiron do the talking. Green was 6 ’4 and 207 pounds in high school and Wiley ie 6′ 4 and 195 pounds. They both have the same archetypes: big-bodied receivers who can burn you with their speed and make big plays against the defense. Green enjoyed a phenomenal NFL career and was taken No. 4 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals. Wiley has a chance to do the same if he can stay healthy and could be an instant impact player on the next level for the Bulldogs. Yes, he is that special.
Hughes WR/TE Core - The Panthers have four players who have 400 receiving yards this season and five pass catchers with 300+ receiving yards and multiple touchdowns. Here is more on the outstanding receiving core for Hughes this season.
Jabari Jones - Jones has been a versatile threat this season for the Panthers and has been used all over the field. On the ground, he has 230 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He leads the team with 10 touchdowns. Jones has 1,001 all-purpose yards and also has been a problem on special teams with his ability to return punts or kicks. That will be a vital part to watch in the game against Milton to see how much Hughes can flip the field and get a good field position. Jones has back-to-back 1,000 all-purpose yard seasons. He had 1,172 all-purpose yards in 2023. Jones has 30 receiving touchdowns in his career. The Jackson State commit will be one to watch on Wednesday for the Panthers.
WR Chryshawn Sellers - Sellers is probably one of the most underrated out of the bunch, but you wouldn’t know that if you turned on the film with the constant plays he makes. This year he has caught 24 passes for 434 yards and three touchdowns. He recorded a 100-yard outing against Newnan this season in a 48-7 win and it was one of his best outings for the Panthers. He will be a name to watch in the title game and in the National Signing Day window in February. “Chry’shawn came from Chapel Hill and has made his case to be a legit prospect,” said WR Coach Steph Brown.
WR JoVanni McGee - McGee is one of those receivers mentioned earlier that has over 500+ receiving yards and nearly 10 touchdowns. He’s been another player in the program who has gotten high praise from head coach Boone Williams and WR coach Steph Brown. This season he has 33 catches for 591 yards and nine touchdowns. One of his best games this season came against Mays in a 52-16 victory. In the win, McGee had four catches for 88 yards and a touchdown. McGee also hit a career milestone this season achieving 100 career receptions in 2024.
WR Antonio Sledge - Sledge has seen his role continue to increase for the Panthers this season. He has primarily been a special teams guy but has turned into a utility guy for the program and is doing a little bit of everything for the Panthers in all phases. Sledge has seven catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. The two-sport athlete has impressed his coaches and is gaining more trust from the staff and increased snaps for Hughes. His WR coach had more to say about his talent. “Antonio Sledge is a four-year letterman for Langston Hughes that will be playing in his 3rd state championship in 4 years. He brings a lot of experience to the group, a core special teams guy that we use as our change of pace, a gadget guy who has scored on offense in multiple ways this season and will have an opportunity to continue his career at the next level as well,” said coach Brown.
TE Xavier Tiller - The Texas A&M commit is a mismatch for defenses with how big and explosive he is with his 6’4 and 212-pound frame. I was impressed when I got the chance to see him in the spring with his attention to detail and how locked in he is. At the time, Tiller ran several drills with the offensive lineman and made his presence known. As a receiver, he has 24 catches for 341 yards and three touchdowns. The stats don’t tell the full story, however. He is versatile with his ability to block edge rushers and still be able to leak out and catch passes. Tiller is also a red zone threat that can catch a 50/50 ball, or be a deceptive decoy in goal line packages. Tiller plays like a wide receiver in a tight end body and is one who could have a big game for Hughes in the state title game.
WR Maurice Gleaton - Gleaton is signed to run track at UGA. He has something you can’t teach, which is elite speed. He’s another that has made explosive plays this season. Despite only having 17 catches this season, Gleaton leads the team with 618 receiving yards. He also has nine touchdowns and is averaging 69 receiving yards per game. One of his best games this season came against Newnan. Gleaton finished with four catches for 141 yards and three touchdowns. One of his memorable catches came on an 80-yard sprint into the endzone. You can’t replicate his speed and he is dangerous with the ball in his hands.
WR Cannon Kirksey - Kirksey is an underrated playmaker with a lot of potential in 2025 and beyond. His production on offense was limited because of the great senior class Hughes had at receiver. However, that didn’t deter him from making an impact on the game. He has been a key contributor on special teams for Hughes when he’s gotten opportunities. Kirksey will have a bigger role going into next year and is learning a lot from those in front of him.
TE Chase Golson - Golson is another prospect for the Panthers that is gaining more trust in the coaching staff and is getting more opportunities. The staff think he could become a ranked prospect and has all the tools to be dominant over the next year. He’s relished in a reserve role this season and will be a prospect to watch in the future.
Toombs County ATH Lagonza Hayward - Hayward has done a little bit of everything this season for the Bulldogs. He has 50 catches for 739 yards and 13 touchdowns and 1,002 all-purpose yards this season. Hayward has two touchdowns in the win against Dublin in the semifinals. On defense, he has 37 tackles, eight passes defended, and an interception. The Florida signee was a preseason Mr. Georgia nominee after a stellar junior season. Hayward finished with 26 catches for 727 yards and seven touchdowns. He will be one of the best ATHs in the state championship regardless of classification.
Carrollton DL Kadan Spratling - Spratling has a coming-out party against title contender Buford in the semifinals. Spratling had two tackles for a loss. He made one of the most important plays in the second half. While Buford was driving and trying to extend their lead to double-digits, Spratling knocked the ball loose from QB Dayton Raiola as he tried to get out of bounds. Spratling has a chance to be a disruptor in a potent Grayson rushing attack that features Ashton Turner and Joel Bradford. Spratling was key in forcing a second-half shutout against Buford and slowing down the dynamic tandem of Ethan Ervin and Jordan Baker. Spratling can make a name for himself with another spring performance.
Carver-Columbus EDGE Tristan Givens - Givens is a game wrecker and will change the trajectory of the game if you let him. According to 247Sports Composite, Givens is rated as the No. 7 EDGE, No. 8 player in Georgia, and No. 50 player nationally. The 4-star prospect has been a problem on defense this season and will face a new challenge in the state championship against Burke County. Givens will face the dynamic duo of A’merre Williams and Kel’von Scott who have combined for 2,439 yards and 40 touchdowns. I think Givens and the Carver-Columbus defense will be ready especially after only giving up 54 yards of total offense and forcing three turnovers. Givens will need to have a big game if the Tigers want to win their first championship since 2007
North Oconee EDGE Khamari Brooks - He will be a vital defense piece in slowing down the Marist offense that makes you stay disciplined for four quarters. Brooks plays both sides of the ball but will be a key piece on the defense. One of his best games this season came in a matchup against East Forsyth. He finished with 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, and an interception. According to 247Sports Composite, he is ranked as a 4-star prospect, the No. 11 EDGE rusher, and the No. 19 player in Georgia. He has over 12 + offers. Brooks is an explosive edge that has a chance to help North Oconee win its first-ever state championship against Marist.
Grayson LB Tyler Atkinson - One of the best linebackers in the country regardless of classification will be tasked with sowing down a prolific Carrollton offense. The five-star has put together another impressive season for the Rams and remains a key defensive piece for Grayson in hopes of winning a state championship. Atkinson leads the team with 153 tackles, 42 quarterback hurries, 29 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. That is following a 200 tackles season in 2023. Atkinson is an x-factor who can make a huge difference on the defensive side of the ball going against Carrollton. He is one of those rare generational talents that can wreck a game wherever he lines up. If Grayson has a chance of beating Carrollton, Atkinson has to have a big game and wreak havoc like he usually does.
Milton LB Hayden Tumminia - Tumminia is the heart of the Milton defense and has been ever since he has been a starter for the Eagles. He was a vital piece in helping the Eagles win a state championship last season and delivered a memorable hit against star quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski in the state championship game. He doesn’t get talked about enough for his contributions but he is one of the best in the state at what he does. This year he has 122 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, seven quarterback hurries, four sacks, and two forced fumbles. Tumminia has moved into the top three all-time in tackles in Milton’s history. He is special and the Eagles wouldn’t be as good defensively without his presence and impact. Tumminia deserves his respect and is a consummate linebacker who can do anything you ask him to do. He is a player that deserves more recognition and should be on way more college radars than he is.
Jefferson LB Max Brown - The 4-star linebacker has lived up to the billing this season after filling some big shoes his brother Sammy Brown left. Brown is making his own mark and has his team playing for a state title. He’s had a number of big games throughout his career and had a special performance in the Georgia Elite Classic last year in the Sophomore vs Freshman game. He has 140 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble. He’s had five consecutive games with ten or more tackles. He is playing some of his best football at the right time as Jefferson seeks its first state since 2012. Brown plays at a different speed than most you will see at his age. He has a chance to do something special and etch his name in the history books as a sophomore. Not bad for one of the best players in the country in the 2027 class.
Northeast DB Kortnei Williams - It’s been a great year for the sophomore defensive back who established himself as one of the better defensive backs in Georgia in 2024. Williams leads the entire state in interceptions this season It led him to being named an all-classification player for the Raiders in their quest for their first-ever state title. He has 21 tackles, 10 interceptions, four passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Williams will face a well-balanced attack and one of the best athletes in the country in Lagonza Hayward in the state championship game. It will be a great test for the emerging defensive back who looks to continue to make a name for himself.
Grayson CB Jaylen Bell - It will be interesting to see what Grayson decides to do in the secondary going against the prolific Carrollton offense. Will they play zone or man up against a good receiving core that features AJ McNeil and 4-star WR Ryan Mosley? If they happen to play man, will they allow Bell to follow him throughout the game? Now, it is not a common thing to see this happen on the high school level but Bell is one of the few that can do it at a high level. Bell has 31 tackles, six passes defended, and two interceptions. The Indiana signee can leave his legacy with a state championship after making his mark and starting for the Rams as a true freshman. A state title would be a cherry on top of a great high school career for Bell.
Milton CB Tyler Redmond - He had an acrobatic interception in the win against Lee County that was a momentum-altering play as the Trojans tried to climb back in the game. He has 46 tackles, three tackles for loss, and three interceptions. The Tennessee signee has 10 passes defended and had one of his best games this season against region opponent Gainesville where he recorded three passes defended. Milton is set to face an explosive Hughes offense in the state championship that is averaging 46.07 points per game. Redmond and the Milton defense will face another stout test but expect them to be ready. Redmond is made for the big stage and recorded an interception in the state championship last year against Walton. The 3-star corner has been a consistent player throughout his high school career at Milton and has improved every year as a starter.
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