It is no secret that Class 4A in Georgia high school football has been nothing but loaded the last couple years with star talent galore. Nothing changes in 2025 as the classification remains as loaded as ever with great programs and players gearing up for state championship runs when August rolls around.
While there are many great players in the classification, here are the best returning players in Class 4A for the Class of 2026.
WR Craig Dandridge, Cambridge
One of the smoothest route runners in the entire state, Dandridge leads a talented Cambridge offense as he is widely regarded as one of the best receivers in Georgia. The Bears wideout announced his commitment to the Georgia Bulldogs in June after receiving plenty of interest from some of the top schools in the country. The 4-star wide receiver turned in a stellar junior season a year ago under first-year head coach and offensive guru Tyler Jones as he recorded 58 receptions for 1,443 yards and 14 touchdowns, leading Cambridge to its first 10-win season and quarterfinals appearance in school history. Dandridge and Cambridge are looking to capitalize off of their outstanding season from a year ago as they are playing in one of the toughest regions in the state, seeing the likes of Blessed Trinity, Kell, Westminster and Centennial season after season. Dandridge’s stock will only rise as he will continue to be the top option in the Bears passing game in the upcoming season.
LB Brayden Rouse, Kell
One of the most versatile players in the entire state, Rouse has made his presence known on both sides of the ball as both an elite linebacker and an elite tight end for the Kell Longhorns. The 4-star linebacker announced his commitment to Tennessee last week and will stick to the defensive side of the ball when he makes the jump to college football. “I’m so excited, we are about to change how people think of Tennessee football and go win a national championship,” said Rouse. Last season at Kell, Rouse turned in an impressive season including team-highs in both total tackles (111) and tackles for loss, leading the team with 15 a season ago. Rouse also recorded 3.5 sacks and an interception on the defensive side of the ball. On offense, Rouse proved to be more than effective from the tight end position, recording 26 receptions for 382 yards and a team-high eight receiving touchdowns, averaging just about 15 yards per catch. Rouse is just a piece on an impressive defense loaded with talent in the Class of 2026 including 3-star defensive back Tennessee-commit Jowell Combay, 3-star defensive back Missouri-commit Tony Forney, and 3-star defensive back Arizona State-commit Jalen Williams. Following an underwhelming 7-5 season a year ago, look for the Longhorns to bounce back in 2025, beginning with the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on August 13 against South Paulding.
WR Bubba Frazier/QB Stephen Cannon, Benedictine
One of the more underrated wideout/quarterback duos that are in the state, wideout Bubba Frazier and quarterback Stephen Cannon proved to be one of the top connections in the state a season ago before an injury to Cannon derailed the Cadets season. Playing in just seven games last season, Cannon threw for 1,352 yards and connected on 11 touchdowns before a shoulder injury against Ware County kept him out for the rest of the season. Frazier led the Cadets in receiving yards a year ago with 753 yards on 46 receptions and five touchdowns while also proving to be a factor in the ground game, rushing for 604 yards and eight touchdowns on 85 carries. After their lowest win total in a season since 2011, the Cadets still managed to make it to the quarterfinals where they were defeated by Blessed Trinity. Having the continuity with Frazier and Cannon on the offensive end, Benedictine brought in a major reinforcement throughout the offseason, including 5-star edge rusher and one of the top players in the Class of 2027 in the country, LaDamion Guyton. Both Frazier and Cannon are committed to play college football at Power 4 schools next season as Frazier is committed to Notre Dame and Cannon is committed to Texas Tech.
EDGE Khamari Brooks, North Oconee
One of the top players on the North Oconee Titans undefeated state championship roster from a season ago, Brooks has won three state titles during his time in the North Oconee athletic program, with back-to-back basketball state championships as well as the first football state championship in Titan history. Brooks was a major part of the success that North Oconee had a year ago, recording 131 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. Brooks played a huge factor in the pass game as well as a tight end, as he caught 31 passes for 569 yards and nine touchdowns. Last month, Brooks announced his commitment to stay home and play for Kirby Smart and the University of Georgia as he is ranked as the No. 112 player in the country and No. 13 player in Georgia according to 247Sports.
DL Earnest Rankins, Southwest DeKalb
Having announced his commitment to continue his football career at Florida State following his senior season at Southwest DeKalb, Rankins is ranked as the No. 9 player in the state according to 247Sports. Rankins transferred to Southwest DeKalb following a state championship victory with the Cedar Grove Saints in 2023. Entering his senior season, Rankins is one of the top run-stoppers in not only the state but in the country as he causes numerous fits for opposing offenses, disrupting the game in multiple facets. Rankins’ size really sets him apart from the rest at 6-foot-5, 275-pounds, and the Florida State-commit has continuously shined throughout his high school career, creating chaos as one of the best defensive linemen in the country.
OL Bear McWhorter/QB Brodie McWhorter, Cass
The McWhorter cousins return to Cass for their final season of high school football after the Colonels finished with a 6-5 season a year ago when they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. After missing last season with a broken fibula as well as a dislocated ankle, 4-star quarterback Brodie McWhorter returns for his senior season after decommitting from West Virginia during the offseason and committing to the Mississippi State Bulldogs to continue his football career. On the offensive line, 4-star interior offensive lineman Bear McWhorter stands at 6-foot-4 and almost 300 pounds, and announced his commitment to the Michigan Wolverines in February. With the McWhorters back in full force in 2025, look out for the Colonels to make some noise in a talented Class 4A. Cass will open up its season next month when they face LaGrange on the third day of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic at Rome’s Barron Stadium.
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