National Signing Day, and all the chaos that comes with it, has come and gone. With most of the top players in the state signed on with schools around the country, Score Atlanta’s Scott Janovitz ranks the top 25 players of 2009 from the State of Georgia.
1. Greg Reid DB Lowndes Florida State
The Skinny: On the short side (5-8), but makes plays in coverage and on special teams.
2. Jarvis Jones DE Carver-Columbus Southern Cal
The Skinny: A physical specimen that can lineup at middle linebacker or defensive end.
3. Donavan Tate ATH Cartersville North Carolina
The Skinny: A dynamic athlete who could play S, CB, or RB. Top baseball prospect also.
4. Branden Smith DB Washington Georgia
The Skinny: At 6-0, has the speed and size to become a shutdown corner.
5. Eric Fields LB Northside-Warner Robins Unsigned
The Skinny: Grades are an issue, but the kid is an absolute playmaker.
6. Abry Jones DT Northside-Warner Robins Georgia
The Skinny: Great agility for a big man, Jones could play DT or DE in Athens.
7. Chris Burnette OL Troup Georgia
The Skinny: A devastating guard who excels blocking for the run.
8. Philip Lutzenkirchen TE Lassiter Auburn
The Skinny: Has great speed for his size and some of the best hands around.
9. Drayton Calhoun ATH Tucker LSU
The Skinny: May lack a natural position but is absolutely dynamic with the ball.
10. Michael Gilliard LB Valdosta Georgia
The Skinny: Small, but physical and fast in the mold of current Dawg Rennie Curran.
11. Jamal Patterson WR Henry County Stanford
The Skinny: A smart receiver with tremendous body control and great hands.
12. Darren Myles DB Carver-Atlanta Tennessee
The Skinny: Covers a lot of ground as a safety and is a big hitter despite his average size.
13. Michael Bowman WR Ridgeland Alabama
The Skinny: Long, lanky receiver at 6-4. Possesses good speed for a player his size.
14. Kevin Minter LB Peachtree Ridge LSU
The Skinny: A punishing inside linebacker with great strength and good awareness.
15. D.J. Adams RB Norcross Maryland
The Skinny: A big, physical runner with impressive speed; an absolute workhouse.
16. Reggie Taylor DB Peach County Auburn
The Skinny: Shows good speed and agility in coverage and a knack for the big play.
17. John Drew DT Northside-Columbus Duke
The Skinny: Displays great speed and burst for a 300 pounder and is a good pass rusher.
18. Zach Mettenberger QB Oconee County Georgia
The Skinny: A big, 6-5 drop-back signal caller with an absolute cannon for an arm.
19. Dallas Lee OL Buford Georgia
The Skinny: A big, physical run blocker with good feet and ability to move well in space.
20. Washaun Ealey RB Emanuel County Institute Georgia
The Skinny: Not the speediest of backs, but a smart, physical runner with good instincts.
21. Derrick Lott DT North Cobb Georgia
The Skinny: An undersized tackle with the athleticism to play on the end if necessary.
22. Chance Warmack OL Westlake Alabama
The Skinny: A mammoth 6-2, 329-pound guard with good feet and agility.
23. Dexter Moody LB Emanuel County Institute Georgia
The Skinny: A rangy outside ‘backer who can roam from sideline to sideline.
24. Jonathan Davis LB Tucker UCF
The Skinny: A smaller linebacker at only 5-9, but possesses great speed.
25. J.C. Lanier DT Emanuel County Institute Georgia Tech
The Skinny: At 6-3, 335, can play on either line, but must get in better shape.