Over the last few years, recruiting has gone younger and younger with colleges starting their evaluations of potential prospects beginning with the targets’ sophomore and sometimes freshman year of high school. More juniors than ever have already committed to schools before even playing a down of ball their senior seasons, some during their junior year.
For the first time ever, the top rising seniors in Georgia will be given a chance to showcase their talents in front of the entire nation, and those 86 juniors lucky and skilled enough to participate in the 2011 AT&T Junior Bowl will have a chance to learn under some of the best prep coaches in the state. These players will also taste the spotlight for the first time as they will try and carry a team for the first time in this all-star showdown.
The rosters of the 2011 contest will pit the beasts of the East versus the best of the West. The two rosters feature players that are sure to be on everyone’s “Best Of” list such Rivals.com, Scout.com, the AJC Super Eleven and the Score 44.
In 2010, several quarterbacks stood out on the playing field such as Collins Hill’s Taylor Heinicke and Chattahoochee’s Timmy Byerly, but only Clarke Central’s Martay Mattox received a scholarship offer from a BCS school to play QB at the next level. The next generation already has that beat with Greyson Lambert (Wayne County) holding multiple SEC offers. Jonquel Dawson (ML King) set several DeKalb County passing records last season and will join Lambert and North Gwinnett’s Scott Hosch on the East roster. Both Dawson and Hosch will be looking at offers from big-time programs soon. The 2011 season could very well go down as the year of the quarterback with these three under center next year.
It will be hard for a running back to follow the hype that Isaiah Crowell lived up to the last two seasons but Stephenson’s Mike Davis (East) will try, as will Peachtree Ridge’s DiAndre Atwater (East). The West roster will also offer up two candidates to carry on Georgia’s tradition of talented tailbacks. Sandy Creek’s Mike Hilton will also be the focus of the offense in 2011 now that his highly decorated teammates have left with back-to-back state titles.
One members of the East can boast an NFL pedigree. Atwater calls the former Bronco and Raven Steve Atwater “Dad.” Zack and Daron Blaylock are the sons of former Atlanta Hawks star Mookie Blaylock.
The talent on the West shouldn’t be overlooked, especially on defense. Carver-Columbus defensive back Deion Bonner is atop every BCS school’s dream list while Harris County defensive lineman Jordan Jenkins outplayed Alabama-bound LaMichael Fanning at times this season. These are just a few of the near 90 players that will be showcasing their talent at the 2011 AT&T Junior Bowl, which is sure to be one of the best all-star games one will see in the country.
Loading ...
