Southeast Under the Radar Talents to Watch This Season
After throwing for 2,197 yards with 23 touchdowns and rushing for 350 yards taking five trips into the end zone on the ground, 7A Georgia defenses are well-aware of Robbie Roper. The 2022 quarterback lit up teams for Roswell High School last season and got on the good foot to start his senior campaign guiding the Hornets to a 45-26 win over South Forsyth. In the season opener, the 6-3, 210-pound, dual-threat threw for 447 yards and rushed for 53 posting six touchdowns.
This summer Roper went to two Mercer mega camps, Middle Tennessee, Charleston Southern, and Furman. As Roper lights up the scoreboard this year, Western Carolina has offered with interest coming in from Fordham, Toledo, and the Ivy League schools.
The college football bloodlines run strong in the Barrett family; Konner’s older brother Jordan played at UCLA and Kyle suited up for Nicholls. The 2023 quarterback intends to keep the collegiate streak going after passing for 1,164 yards with 13 touchdowns while rushing for 251 yards with two more scores as a sophomore in the Sharks’ seven-game season.
Executing a Spread offense with Naples’ Gulf Coast High School, colleges will get to see Barrett (6-1, 190) in more of an Air Raid attack this fall against 8A Florida squads. Being overlooked is a role Barrett has taken on and used as motivation, “I am hungry. I am thankful for not getting the spotlight yet, but now I am ready.” Barrett added, “Those (overlooked) players are the dangerous ones. I am ready to show out. I am looking forward to that. This season I will get my time and I will not mess it up.”
Alabama defenders may no longer look forward to breakfast with pancake master Denzel Holder working on the line. At 6-4, 325 pounds, Huffman High School has a difference-maker in the trenches at right guard that the Vikings can run behind play after play. That sentiment held true in the team’s season opener going on a 10-play drive running the same play all the way down the field hitting Holder’s B gap.
Holder is not just big, but is strong reporting a 355-pound bench press max. His technique is above the grain, especially on running plays, with his down blocks, pad level, and use of hands. Those skills were put on display at college camps this summer going to Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Jacksonville, and Alabama. As for his best camp, Holder picked Auburn stating, “At Auburn, I won every rep and I dominated the majority of my reps.”
Tennessee Tech and Wofford have offered Holder with interest building. The Birmingham native has Virginia Tech, Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State, South Alabama, North Carolina, and Liberty watching. Two new teams added to the mix includes Arizona State and Georgia Southern.
Four-offer 2023 Northridge High School offensive lineman Wilkin Formby is another big prospect to watch for this season. His Tuscaloosa, Ala., squad started off the season getting a big win over Sipsey Valley seeing the 6-8, 300-pounder, impress with his down blocking, hands, and increased strength (350 bench, 450 squat). Looking every bit a D-I offensive tackle, Formby has worked hard on his pass protection focusing on his set, punch, timing of his punch, and never playing to his opponent’s standards.
Formby showed his talents at Rivals’ Five-Star Challenge and turned in top college camp performances at Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, and Kentucky. Formby also camped and visited with Auburn, Clemson, and Alabama this summer. Offers have come in from Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Texas State with reported interest from Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, and Auburn.
The visit schedule for Formby this fall is still up in the air, “I am trying to get to everyone that I camped at, but that will be hard. My parents and I have to look at it. I will try to visit Alabama, Ole Miss, and Clemson; I live down the street from Alabama.”