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Powder Springs, GA — For the top high school football recruits the season never stops. After their high school season ends, the top athletes use the offseason as a time to get stronger in the weight room and create more highlight footage to show to college coaches seeking the next diamond in the rough.
Players in the Class of 2023 have just completed their first season of high school football, many of whom played at the varsity level. With three years of eligibility remaining, there will be a number of opportunities to improve their games as their bodies and minds continue to mature.
Ahead of Monday’s showcase games, the players spent the last three days in practice at McEachern High School. Despite temperatures that plummeted into 30s with rains and wind, the players endured the subpar conditions and proved why they’re among the best high school athletes in the nation. With the college visits out of the way it was time to get down to business.
Here are a few of Showcase practice freshman standouts:
QB Robert “Tre” Jones, Lombard (IL) Montini Catholic: Jones has the poise of a college senior and has wowed coaches with his ability to learn a new playbook and take command of the huddle with only a weekend’s worth of practice time.
“Great maturity, composure and great leadership in just three days of practice,” said Hotbed coach Eric Barnes. “He’s been real coachable in doing things we’ve asked him to do.”
QB Colby Lamberth, Nashville Christian (TN): The freshman signalcaller has made his presence felt since he first stepped on the practice field Friday. Lamberth already has a “power 5” offer and Hotbed coaches are certain he’ll be playing college football one day.
“We’ve installed a whole new offense and he’s picked it up and taken command of the team,” said coach Clark Brown. “This is a team full of leaders already and he’s shown to be a leader on a team full of leaders.”
RB, Dee Crayton, Alpharetta (GA) Denmark High School: Crayton has impressed coaches with his versatility and toughness coming out of the backfield. Hotbed showcase coaches believe he can be an every down back at the next level.
ATH Quinterrio Lawson, Sandy Springs (GA) Riverwood Charter: Lawson has played lights out on both sides of the ball and will start at running back and safety in Monday’s showcase. Coaches say he the most explosive player on both sides of the ball for the freshman group.
OL Jaylin Walton Powder Springs (GA) McEachern: An imposing force on the offensive line who still has a ton of untapped potential.
OL/DL Ken’Dell Brown, Ellenwood (GA) Cedar Grove: Showcase coaches say he’s a load on the line with great strength and hungry to get better
DE Rueben Bain, Miami (FL) Central: He’s just a ninth grader, but Bain looks and plays like a man among boys. Listed at 6’2, 220 pounds, coaches say he’s been virtually unblockable coming off the edge in scrimmages, and a nightmare matchup in lineman drills in practice.
Freshman defensive end Rueben Bain (Miami Central High School)
Other Class of 2023 standouts:
WR Daniel Fitchner, Woodstock (GA) River Ridge
WR Keiwan Smith, Fort Lauderdale (FL)
WR Lamar Seymore, Miami (FL) Central
WR, Christopher Mason, Jr. Pompano Beach (FL) Ely
DT Austen Guin, Stone Mountain (GA) Southwest DeKalb
DT Stephen Johnson, Fayetteville (GA)
DE Greg Otten Fort Lauderdale (FL) Cardinal Gibbons
L/S Trey Dubuc, Fort Lauderdale (FL) Cardinal Gibbons
K/P Ty Miller, St. Patrick Catholic
K/P Samir Attasi, Plantation (FL) American Heritage
