On3's No. 1 2027 prospect LaDamion Guyton: 'He more than loves football, he lives football'

On3 has released its first ranking for the 2027 class and it is a Top 100. Leading this group is EDGE LaDamion Guyton out of Savannah (Ga.) Savannah Christian. As a freshman, the 6-foot-3, 230-pounder finished with 88 tackles and 10 sacks helping his team play for a state championship.

And that was just the beginning.

“You are going to hear this word a lot when you talk to people who know or coach LaDamian, but he is a freak,” Savannah Christian head coach Baker Woodward. “He plays fast, he flies around and he always has energy. He has grown a little since last year, he is not done growing and he has a tremendous upside.

“LaDamion trains with a great group down here and he is only going to get better and better. It is hard to believe he still has three seasons at Savannah Christian. He is just a freak.”

He plays alongside Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman Elijah Griffin. The No. 6 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking is down to Georgia, Miami and USC with a decision coming later this year.

Griffin can go where he wants. Guyton has 18 offers and he will have the same opportunities.

“As a coaching staff, we don’t think we have coached anyone like him. LaDamion has the ability to be the best player I have ever coached. He is unique. He is built to play defense and to come off the edge. You can’t run at him, he will run you down if you run away from him and he just makes plays everywhere. LaDamion wreaks havoc out there. Defenses have to scheme against.

“He is a special kid and it is hard to believe that he is only 15 years old. He may get to 6-4 or 6-5, and be a Jadaveon Clowney type. There are guys in the NFL that don’t look like him.”

Guyton goes hard – all the time

Savannah Christian is off to a 1-0 start this season after a 35-7 win over Whitfield Academy Friday night. Guyton was active on defense, he worked in a few carries at running back on offense too.

No matter where he plays or how much he plays, Guyton plays at one speed. That, along with his attitude and his talent have Woodyard excited about the next three more years.

“His motor is unbelievable,” Woodward said. “Sometimes it is hard for us to figure out because he never slows down. I think it starts with him growing up an athlete. LaDamion plays all sports and he is a phenomenal athlete.

“He is about business. LaDamion is always focused. He plays with so much energy all the time and he just has that motor. He more than loves football, he lives football. That plays into it too.”

Georgia is the early team to beat for Guyton, but he is keeping his options open

Schools like Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, South Carolina and Tennessee have offered Guyton. The home-state school got it started with an offer the summer before he started high school.

The Bulldogs are setting the pace early in his recruitment.

“I have built up a lot of mental notes on Georgia and they are on top for me right now,” Guyton said. “I have visited Georgia around seven times, so I am looking around to pick up things on other schools now to compare them to Georgia.

“What I like about Georgia is won’t let anyone be mediocre. They hold every player to a standard. The players understand and buy into it. Everyone that goes to Georgia goes to work. The coaches want to see everyone on the team be successful. It doesn’t matter if you are a big name or not, you have to earn it at Georgia. That always stands out to me.”

Guyton will see Georgia in action against Clemson on Aug. 31 inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He is eyeing trips to Tuscaloosa and Tallahassee for games this season too.

He is going into this season with an open mind.

“Every school is a good school. Each school offers something different. I want to see other places. I want to get out more. Alabama, South Carolina, Florida State, Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia are some other than Georgia that are on my radar.”

These offers and now the ranking won’t change Guyton. He is driven. He is self-motivated. Guyton will continue to be himself.

“This ranking means the world, but it is not everything. Everything to me is winning with my team. I appreciate it all, but I will stay focused and keep working. My team go for that ring this season. I am focused on that.”