Weekend takeaways: Young QB dazzles, fast-riser shines, TE thrills

The Georgia high school football playoffs are near and I have a few takeaways from the latest round of games. Friday night, I made my way to Pebblebrook High School.

The Mableton school, a suburb of Atlanta, has a ton of talent. Pebblebrook played host to region rival Carrollton.

Pebblebrook has plenty to discuss, but the star of the show was on the away sideline on Friday night.

2026 QB Julian Lewis shines

Carrollton (Ga.) 2026 quarterback Julian Lewis has taken another step in his maturity as a quarterback. Lewis was 22-for-26 for 368 yards, five touchdowns and an interception that came off a tipped pass.

Lewis has 30-plus offers. His high school career has been anticipated since he was early in middle school. Lewis is living up to it and more.

Friday showcased that not has Lewis grown comfortable with the high school game, but he’s begun to flourish in it.

The game looks slow for the freshman signal caller. He commands the huddle and under pressure, Lewis broke things down step-by-step as chaos reigned around him. There were a few plays in which he felt the rush, kept his eyes downfield and felt around for an escape route out of the pocket. He found a route a few times and uncorked accurate throws down the field.

When it wasn’t there, he threw it away. Lewis is years beyond where a quarterback his age typically is. His body is starting to catch up with his skillset. He’s about 6-foot-2 at the moment. He is 175 at the moment. Lewis filled in a bit since I last saw him this summer.

Lewis was in Tallahassee on Saturday visiting Florida State. He’s camped at Clemson in back-to-back summers.

On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine currently favors Georgia. The Bulldogs have a 29% chance of landing the talented freshman.

Fast-riser Tyler Scott plays with an edge

Mableton (Ga.) Pebblebrook three-star defensive back Tyler Scott has been one of the hottest names in America in the class of 2023 recently.

He’s added a ton of new offers. He made the trip to Knoxville on Saturday. Tennessee is now a contender for Scott.

On Friday, I got the chance to watch him in action for the first time. Walking out of the locker room Scott’s size turns heads. He’s long. His arms, legs and torso allow him to match any type of pass catcher physically.

Scott is a soft-spoken individual. That doesn’t translate to the field. As soon as the game kicked off he began playing the mind games of being a major-caliber defensive back.

He’s physical. Scott made an impact a few times in the run game and limited run after the catch. Scott also possesses good ball skills. He picked off a pass late in the contest.

He tracked the ball into the corner of the endzone and got his feet down to complete the jump ball snag. It’s easy to see the attraction for the major programs joining his recruitment.

2024 TE Caleb Odom has grown into pass-catching monster

Carrollton (Ga.) 2024 tight end Caleb Odom mostly plays as a wide receiver in high school. He is a tight end.

Clemson tight end coach and passing game coordinator Kyle Richardson was in attendance on Friday night. Odom put on a show.

He had five catches for 94 yards and a score. Odom did most of that damage matched up one on one with Scott.

Odom has built a connection with Lewis. He also grew physically and in his route running and timing.

2024 ATH Dwight Phillips is fast

Pebblebrook junior Dwight Phillips scored the Falcons’ two touchdowns on the night. Both scores were long and showcased his breakaway speed.

Phillips was clocked at a 4.2 in the 40-yard dash. He plays like it. Phillips has 30-plus offers. He says he’ll take more visits as November creeps in.

Phillips lined up at running back, slot and outside receiver on Friday night. He goes in the category of just get him the football no matter where he’s listed on the roster.

Names to know

• Pebblebrook 2023 edge Jordan Paul. Paul is an Arkansas State pledge. He could be the next to blow up. He’s been talking with Vanderbilt recently.
• Carrollton 2026 edge Jordan Carter. Carter was a force. He chased down running back and wideouts all night despite playing along the defensive line. He already stands 6-foot-5, and 230 pounds. Carter has been on visits to Clemson and Georgia already.
• Carrollton 2024 running back Bryce Hicks is a major playmaker. He has recently visited Auburn and Vanderbilt. Hicks is a threat receiver and running the football.
• Takare Lipscomb is a 2023 wide receiver at Carrolton. He had five catches for 101 yards and a score. He is an Arkansas State commit.
• 2025 wide receiver Kiyun Cofer has quickly inserted himself into a key role for Carrollton. He was injured to start the season. He put up a five-catch for 106 yards performance.
• Janerious Jackson, a 2023 running back committed Miami (Ohio), possesses power and speed.