The class of 2026 in Georgia already making waves nationally

The future for the class of 2026 in Georgia appears to be bright. 2026 seems like far off into the future. In the state of Georgia, the future is now.

There are several major prospects that are entering their sophomore seasons of high school football. Many of them already have the attention of college football’s blue bloods. Carrollton (Ga.) quarterback Julian Lewis, Loganville (Ga.) Grayson edge Tyler Atkinson, Suwanee (Ga.) Collins Hill Daverin ‘Duece’ Geralds, Ellenwood (Ga.) Cedar Grove Devin Carter, Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview Zelus Hicks and Doughlasville (Ga.) Douglas County Aaron Gregory were dominant in their first seasons of high school football in Georgia’s highest classification.

Much of that group has double-digit Power Five offers. The class of 2026 in Georgia is already creating hype beyond their years.

“This may be the best class I’ve ever seen,” BornToCompete’s Alex Benson told On3.

Benson had the opportunity to watch the class of 2018. That class produced Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields and Jamaree Sawyer. The 2018 class in Georgia featured 13 players in the top 100 according to On3’s Industry rankings. There were 32 players in the top 300.

Members of the class are already accepting those expectations.

“I feel like we all have that go-to-work mentality,” Geralds said. “Some freshmen think oh we’re just freshmen and we’re not expected to start on varsity and make an impact, we don’t care what we are, we’re going to go out and have a big impact. I feel like that’s why we’re going to be the best class to come through, especially in Georgia.”

The 2026 class already appears to go beyond the aforementioned six stars.

A bond building among the elite players in the class of 2026

Lewis, Atkinson and Geralds have played together and against one another for years. They’ve grown close. They talk recruiting and they also watch each other and attempt to one-up one another.

“We’re always competing and it doesn’t matter what it is,” Geralds said. “We could be playing mini golf, we’re always going to be competing against each other. That’s why I love it. I love the competition. If one dude goes big the other dude goes bigger. That’s the expectation and the standard between all three of us.”

It’s all done in good spirits, there’s no hatred amongst the trio of Lewis, Atkinson and Geralds.

“It’s all love, we’re all good players and we know it,” Lewis said. “I think it’s cool being able to talk to the top guys. They’re experiencing the same things that I’m experiencing. They’re the hated and they get the ‘overrated’ chants too. We bond over stuff like that.”

Joining forces?

Lewis, the quarterback of the group is already trying to find ways not to face Atkinson and Geralds in college.

“I really want to build a relationship with those guys because I really don’t want to have to play against them someday,” Lewis said with a laugh.

The possibility of a ‘super class’ has been discussed not only by the guys in Georgia but among some of the other blossoming 2026 players in the class such as Jahkeem Stewart, Zechariah Fort, Chris Henry Jr, Tay Lockett and others.

The model put in place by Texas A&M in the class of 2022 was an inspiration.

“I’m really focused on building a superclass,” Geralds said. “I hope me and a bunch of other top players in my class can get together as that Texas A&M squad did. I plan on seeing how other players in my class feel about certain schools. I’m not going to let that determine where I feel love, but it’ll be something that I look at.”

Why so good so early?

The mentality is contagious. Geralds alluded to there being a hard hat mentality among some of the top players in the class of 2026.

Gregory agrees.

“From what I’ve seen from camping with some of the top 2026s and playing 7v7 against them we all have that dog mentality,” Gregory said. “We’re going to outwork anyone they lineup with us no matter size, age, grade.”

The hype hasn’t been able to penetrate the mindsets of any of the 2026’s stars. It’s all about football with the class.

“When I hear the hype, I think it is cool and we’re working for it,” Atkinson said. “Now we just have to keep going and keep AtkNup… I think this is a good group because everyone loves to compete and everyone feels it’s their time.”

Charles Power’s take

On the camp circuit this spring multiple members of the class of 2026 have made splashes in big events. Lewis made an impression on On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power. Power felt Lewis was already a polished quarterback prospect.

“He had a very good freshman season at Carrollton, he came in with a lot of expectations and he played really well,” Power said. “Seeing him in person, I think he’s very polished. He’s well ahead of the curve from a technical standpoint. He looks to be accurate. He has a good arm. I think the biggest factor with ‘Juju’ Lewis is just how he grows as a player. Is he going to be a pass-first quarterback or is he going to add mobility to his game and where he ends up from a size perspective? Just based off what he’s shown very early in his high school career and how consistent he is, I think we should be very encouraged.”

Gregory showed up at the Orlando Under Armour Camp and won On3’s MVP.

“I didn’t know a ton about Aaron Gregory going into the Under Armour Camp, I thought he made the most plays of all the skill position players,” Power said. “He has very good hands, and the ball skills and the catch radius are advanced relative to other 2026 prospects. Looks like he also runs well. He’s one that is on our radar heading into our initial 2026 watchlist.”

Others quickly emerging

There are more coming. Multiple prospects like Cartersville (Ga.) Cass quarterback Brodie McWhorter could be a household name at the quarterback position as he heads into his first season as the unquestioned starter.

McWhorter played much of the season last year as Cass’s starter but he had to battle. His cousin, Bear McWhorter will be protecting him and already has multiple Power Five offers of his own.

Brunswick (Ga.) edge Heze Kent already has offers from Georgia, Florida State, Tennessee, and others. Valdosta (Ga.) cornerback Jalon Copeland has taken multiple visits to Power Five programs already.

Buford defensive linemen Bryce Perry-Wright and James Morrow both have multiple Power Five offers heading into their sophomore years while splitting reps with 2024 four-star Eddrick Houston and other older stars.

Suwanee (Ga.) Collins Hill offensive tackle Katrell Webb already holds offers from LSU, Ole Miss, Louisville and UCF. Alpharetta quarterback DJ Bordeaux is entering his first season in Georgia. Alpharetta also has rising sophomores Ayden Williams and Ashton Moore who have seen college interest early on.

Albany (Ga.) Westover athlete Rodarian Jones has added offers from Miami and Oklahoma in the last few weeks.

There will be many more players that emerge in the next few months and over the next season.