There is an annual collection of nationally-ranked recruits that suit up each Georgia high school football season and the Peach State’s Class of 2021 is already shaping up to be an extraordinarily star-studded group of seniors. As of now, there are 10 Georgia prospects ranked in the top 100 nationally—meaning that 1 out of 10 of the nation’s top ranked prospects will be playing high school football in Georgia this upcoming season.
1. Amarius Mims (Bleckley County): Offensive tackle Amarius Mims is the highest-rated prospect in the state for the Class of 2021. Mims is also ranked No. 6 nationally and is the No. 2 rated tackle in the country. He stands a staggering 6-foot-7.5 and weighs in at 315 pounds. At this point last year, he was ranked No. 20 in the country and has recently earned five-star status. Last month, Mims spoke with 247Sports’ Kipp Adams and listed his top 10 schools in order. His preferred choices went Tennessee at No. 10 followed by Florida, Oklahoma, Florida State, Auburn, LSU, Clemson, Georgia and then Alabama at No. 1. Mims’ impressive athleticism and power is apparent on film as he suits up at offensive tackle and defensive end for the Royals. He has the ultimate upside of developing into a multi-year starter at the Power 5 level and eventual high NFL Draft pick.
2. Brock Vandagriff (Prince Avenue Christian): The state of Georgia has been home to some of the best quarterbacks in the country in recent seasons and this year Brock Vandagriff is at the top of the list. The 6-foot-3, five-star quarterback is ranked as the No. 12 overall prospect and No. 2 rated quarterback in the nation for the Class of 2021. Vandagriff passed for 3,190 yards and rushed for 1,001 as a sophomore. This past season, Vandagriff was injured in the first half of a 24-14 loss to Wesleyan, and still finished the game 30-of-44 passing for 321 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. He limited his running in the game because the injury was a broken fibula. “They placed a plate and screws in the fibula and pulled the bones together – think the surgery Tua [Tagovailoa] had at Alabama,” his father and coach Greg Vandagriff said. Vandagriff was committed to Oklahoma during his junior season and did return to action after a successful surgery, but in January he changed course in his recruitment and committed to the University of Georgia. In his eight starts last season, Vadagriff completed 71.6 percent of his pass attempts for 2,471 yards (308.9 ypg), 31 touchdowns and just three interceptions. The leg injury definitely led to a reduction in rushing yards for Vandagriff last season, but he also became more comfortable passing outside of the pocket and throwing on the run.
3. Smael Mondon (Paulding County): Paulding County’s Smael Mondon is a game-changer in all three phases, but it is his defensive abilities that has colleges across the country hoping to land him on campus. Mondon is the No. 3 rated outside linebacker in the nation and his 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame is complemented with blazing speed and a knack for making big plays. In addition to linebacker, Mondon plays running back and competes in the 100 meters, 200 meters, relays, long jump, and triple jump for the Patriots’ track and field team. Mondon has already been invited to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl this January in San Antonio and currently holds offers from 37 Power 5 programs, including Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Auburn and Florida. Scouting analyst Charles Power has Mondon projected as a future First Round Draft Pick and compliments Mondon’s ability to defend against the pass and work sideline-to-sideline in the run game. Mondon joins Vandagriff and Mims as the state’s trio of Class of 2021 five-star prospects.
4. Deion Colzia (Athens Academy): Deion Colzia is a 6-foot-4, 205-pound all-state wide receiver and all-state defensive back that also plays basketball for the Spartans and is a state medalist in the high jump with a personal best of 6’7”. On the gridiron, Colzia is being recruited as a wide receiver and he is considered the No. 3 ranked prospect for his position nationally. On May 2, UCF, Minnesota, Michigan and Oregon all sent Colzia official offers and he now has 19 offers heading into the summer. Colzia has been invited to play in the U.S. Army All-American game and the Polynesian Bowl. Crystal Ball predictions currently have Colzia leaning between Georgia and Notre Dame with Auburn, Oregon and Tennessee still in the fray.
5. Terrence Ferguson (Peach County): Terrence Ferguson is a 6-foot-5, 315-pound guard that is the No. 46 ranked prospect in the country and No. 3 rated player at his position nationally. Ferguson has been offered by 19 programs so far and is currently considering Alabama, Florida State and Georgia at the top of his list of potential landing spots. The University of Georgia offensive has been known to build its recent offensive lines with prospects from all over the country, but a guy like Ferguson could be a key to using an in-state approach. “I have seen a lot of prospects who are very strong, but their technique is maybe not quite all the way there. My coaches and I take pride in getting my technique right. So, when I get to the next level I can jump right in.” Originally recruited by Sam Pittman, Ferguson has now been talking with Matt Luke. Pittman was hired to be the new head coach at Arkansas and Luke was hired as his replacement.
6. Barrett Carter (North Gwinnett): Barrett Carter is the first of two North Gwinnett Bulldogs that are among Georgia’s top 10 Class of 2021 prospects and joins Paulding County’s Mondon as a top 5 ranked outside linebacker nationally. Carter first burst onto the scene his sophomore season and he entered his junior campaign as the only Class of 2021 prospect to be listed in the Corky Kell Classic’s Top 10 Players to Watch a year ago. Carter already had 23 offers heading into the 2019 season. In 2018, he posted 51 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception. Carter played arguably his best game in last year’s quarterfinals against McEachern—posting 10 solo tackles and three tackles for loss in the Bulldogs’ 32-13 win. Carter went on an official visit to Florida State in early March before the coronavirus pandemic put recruiting visits on a hiatus. He currently has a whopping 56 offers heading into the summer.
7. Micah Morris (Camden County): Camden County offensive tackle Micah Morris committed to the University of Georgia last month and chose the Bulldogs over 20 other Power 5 schools that had extended him offers. Morris stands 6-foot-4, 316 pounds and is the No. 11 ranked offensive tackle in the country. Morris has long arms that give him great pass blocking ability and is able to use his strength to keep Camden County’s running game going.
8. Jordan Hancock (North Gwinnett): Jordan Hancock shot up the recruiting boards this past season as he showcased his coverage skills in the North Gwinnett secondary. Standing 6-foot-1, Hancock’s stellar play in Georgia’s top classification in 2019 earned him a spot on the All-American Bowl roster and he committed to Clemson on March 11. North Gwinnett’s defense allowed just 13.93 points per game last season and the team produced a 25.93 average margin of victory. With Hancock and Barrett Carter both coming back in 2020, North Gwinnett’s defense will feature two All-American talents.
9. David Daniel (Woodstock): Woodstock’s David Daniel is the only player on this list that is being recruited as an athlete and his 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame allows him to potentially play in a variety of roles. Daniel’s breakout sophomore season playing on Woodstock’s defense propelled his recruitment and his development continues to see him climb up the recruiting boards. During September, Daniel announced he was committed to the University of Georgia although it has yet to be specified on the exact role that the Bulldogs intend to place him in at this point. Daniel, nonetheless, can serve Georgia’s defense as well as special teams where he has shown to be a major kick blocking threat.
10. Nyland Green (Newton): Newton’s Nyland Green is a wide receiver and cornerback for the Rams. Standing 6-foot-2, Green is being recruited for his bright future as a cornerback. Currently, he is ranked as the nation’s No. 3 cornerback and holds more than 30 offers with Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, LSU and Alabama all in the mix. Green’s experience at the wide receiver position translates well to the defensive side of the ball where he showcases his ball skills in pass coverage.
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