Takeaways from Georgia State Championship games
The state championship games in Georgia was a two day event, but Friday was basically a wash out for most media outlets. Rain poured in games one and four with winds, drizzle and rough conditions in games two and three as well.
Rivals.com only attended day two of this year's events due to the conditions at Georgia State Stadium on day one, but there were still plenty of fireworks, big moments, stars in action and things to talk about in the final four games of the 2019 season.
Here are some of the takeaways from Saturday.
FIVE-STARS FOR NO. 5?
Marietta played with a chip on their shoulder all season. They were doubted. They were criticized. They were called this and that. But all now have to call them state champions and quarterback Harrison Bailey is a very big part of that.
I have watched Bailey play the last two weeks and he has had plays that had me thinking he could be the man right away next fall in Knoxville. The Rivals100 talent is a long-time Tennessee commit, he enrolls next month and I expect Bailey to create a buzz immediately.
In the semi-finals, then finals, Bailey has thrown for eight yards shy of 700 while completing over 70% of his passes.
He had at least two dropped in the state championship game two and both could have gone for touchdowns. One may have been his best throw of the night thrown for close to 50 yards in the air.
Bailey is set to compete at the All-American Bowl in a few weeks and a lot of eyes will be on him one last time, so there is still one rankings update to go with observations from San Antonio, but for me, based on what I have seen this season, I am ready to raise my hand for him to be a five-star on Rivals.com.
He has really improved his overall game, especially his mobility and he is a quarterback who is expected to make a lot of noise in the coming months at Tennessee.
A PASSING OF THE TORCH
Elijah Green is headed to North Carolina and he will leave Roswell (Ga.) Blessed Trinity as a winner — a big winner. The running back has now helped his team to three straight state titles and he will look to continue that winning in Chapel Hill under Mack Brown.
Late in their win over Watkinsville (Ga.) Oconee County, Green was a big part of two crucial fourth down conversions that helps the Titans be able to run out the clock in a 17-14 win.
He finished the game with 208 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. Green is ready physically and mentally to compete in Chapel Hill and I expect him to make an early impact.
There is another running back behind Green to know. Justice Haynes is only a freshman, but the 2023 prospect finished with just under 2,000 yards this season.
Haynes has already been offered by South Carolina. His father Verron Haynes is a running back that played at Georgia, then in the NFL. The freshman is also a left-handed baseball player that is regarded as one of the best in the country on the diamond as well.
SPARTANS ARE GETTING A STEAL
This time a year ago, Ricky White was starting to emerge and become a name that those that followed recruiting were hearing about.
As 2019 rolled along, more and more found out about White. Early on, a school like Georgia State thought they might be able to hide him and sign him this month, but once White got out in the spring and showed his skill-set, many Power 5 offers funneled in.
He has been committed to Michigan State since late in June and I am calling it now — White will be a star in East Lansing.
This kid has been making big play after big play this season, and yes Arik Gilbert is a focal point in the Marietta offense, and rightfully so, but White has shined too. And for someone to shine next to a 6-foot-5, 250 pound monster that is playing wide receiver, that is saying something.
White is slippery with the ball in his hand, he has great stop and go ability, he can adjust to the ball well and Tennessee was once involved, but White has re-affirmed his commitment to Michigan State and plans to sign Wednesday.
This is a huge get for that staff.
The story of the day was Irwin County winning it all. The Indians wore down Marion County in the second half and pulled away for a 56-14 win.
That was a big story, but the bigger story was the victory for head coach Buddy Nobles, a well-respected coach throughout the state that is battling stage 4 stomach cancer.
He has had to coach sitting down on a podium built by people in Ocilla this season and as the clock ran down, there was tears everywhere. Men, women, kids, media — most all had tear drops flowing down their cheeks.
Nobles is fighting cancer and he is a great leader of young men at Irwin County and to see him and his team leave the field victorious was a special thing to be a part of. As he held the trophy after the game, Nobles called his team a team of "destiny" and that could not have been said any better.
Irwin County finished the season a perfect 13-0.
If Colorado fans have not seen Buffalo commit Alvin Williams in action yet, let me tell you, you have a lot to be excited about.
This young man has that dog in him. He is a nightmare off the edge, and it was not just me that was impressed. There were many college coaches in Atlanta watching games this weekend and his name was a hot topic.
He only finished with one tackle, but he constantly pressured the quarterback, he was held numerous times and he flashed speed, a great burst, the ability to dip that shoulder and strength.
In Boulder he will need to add weight and become better against the run as a smaller edge rusher, but when he is allowed to pin his ears back and go after the quarterback, he will be one Colorado fans are instantly talking about.
MORE QUICK HITS
— Arik Gilbert was Arik Gilbert. He did have a couple of drops, but he still finished with 11 receptions and 144 yards receiving. He also got in on defense and had a tackle for loss. The LSU commit continued to shine.
— Irwin County two-way athlete DJ Lundy is still debating whether or not to sign this week. After the game he said that he was looking hard at Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech right now. He has only taken an official visit to Vanderbilt. He will likely know by Monday night is he plans to sign or not. In Irwin County's win, Lundy had 174 yards rushing and a touchdown on 10 carries on offense. Defensively, he had seven tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack. If he decides to wait until February, expect for a lot more schools to pursue him. His stock is up.
— Jamorri Colson is not going to sign Wednesday. The three-star athlete out of Irwin County is talking a lot to Georgia Southern and Mississippi State right now. He is going to see a lot more schools come in, in January. He had 179 total yards and two touchdowns Saturday. He also shined at cornerback, not giving up a reception.
— Christopher Paul is a 2021 linebacker at Crisp County and he played an outstanding game in a tough loss to Cedar Grove. He was very good against the run and really showed quickness when he was asked to rush the quarterback. He finished with 10 tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks. Nebraska is a school recruiting him very hard. He has around 10 offers.
— LSU is getting a defensive playmaker in BJ Ojulari. People know Ojulari as a rush end, but if you follow Marietta, you know he also plays every offensive snap at offensive tackle. He rarely comes off the field and once he is able to put all his effort on defense in Baton Rouge, he could be another star for the Tigers. He needs to add some weight and get stronger, but that will come in time. He finished with seven tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack against Lowndes. He again was all over the field.