2019 South Georgia Player Rankings V3.0
College coaches are currently doing double duty on the recruiting front. As the first early signing period approaches for the Class of 2018, recruiters would be remiss not to get a head start on the classes of 2019 and 2020. Being one of the first schools to offer a prospect has a tendency to pay dividends down the road.
In Version 3.0 of the SouthernPigskin.com 2019 South Georgia Recruiting Rankings expansion takes place from a Top 55 to a Top 65. There a ten new names, each bolded and designated with the (NR) New Ranking acronym. Also taking place is movement within the latest rankings, but the Top 15 players remain the same.
Cordele (Ga.) Crisp County defensive tackle DeAngelo Griffin is the highest new entry at #23. Griffin only played in two games this fall racking up 11 tackles, two TFL’s and one sack. But his film was still impressive enough to draw early offers from Arkansas, Kent State, South Carolina, UAB, Wake Forest and Western Kentucky.
Coming in at #4 is defensive end Robert Murray of Columbus (Ga.) Spencer. He possesses the rare combination of size, strength and athleticism that will allow him to project as a strongside defensive end as well as a defensive tackle. This is the rarest of all body types to find on the recruiting front.
One of the most prolific pass catchers in South Georgia this past season was Ashby Cribb of Jesup (Ga.) Wayne County. As a junior he hauled in 54 passes for 769 yards and 14 touchdowns. His effort played are large part in the Yellow Jackets’ turnaround season going (10-2); they had only won six games in the previous two years. This prototypical slot receiver makes his entry at #37.
Tall corners are always a hot commodity, especially with the plethora of big receivers dominating the college landscape. Coming in at #41 is safety/cornerback David Spaulding at #41. This past season he recorded 35 tackles, three TFL’s and 2 INT’s while being named First Team All-Region. If Spaulding proves to have the ability to play corner at the next level his stock will skyrocket.
One of the top overall athletes in Region 3-AA was running back RJ Carr of Eastman (Ga.) Dodge County, who comes in at #50. As a junior he carried the ball 184 times for 1,498 yards and 16 touchdowns; He also caught five passes for 55 yards and a score. But what really stands out statistically is his 36.8 yards per kick return.
Hybrid tight ends/H-Backs always prove to cause matchup problems for smaller defenders; they also play a huge role on all special team units in college. Savannah (Ga.) Country Day standout Chris Pendleton hauled in 23 passes for 493 yards and six scores. That may not sound flashy, but consider the fact that the Hornets ran the ball three times as much as they put it in the air. Pendleton makes his mark at #53.
Versatility is the key to success at the next level. Running back/linebacker Jontrell Wells of Brooklet (Ga.) Southeast Bulloch found his niche on both sides of the ball for the Yellow Jackets. On the offensive side of the ball he carried the rock 54 times for 256 yards and two scores, while catching six passes for 87 yards. He was also the team’s leading tackler in 2017. Wells comes in at #54.
Rounding out the ten new entries are defensive lineman Roderick Lewis of Hazlehurst (Ga.) Jeff Davis and all-purpose back Delvecchio Powell of Savannah (Ga.) Memorial Day. Lewis helped the Yellow Jackets to their first playoff appearance in 16 years. Powell’s herculean effort helped guide the Matadors to the GISA-AA State Championship.
The next edition of the 2019 South Georgia Player Rankings will take place after February Signing Day.
Read more of Barry’s work here: http://www.southernpigskin.com/