Georgia high school football has always been a hotbed for talent, honestly. From the bright lights of metro Atlanta to the scenic stadiums down in South Georgia, Friday nights in the Peach State just hit different.
The USA TODAY Network recently tried to settle the never-ending debate: Who are the best high school football players in Georgia history? Their list is packed with Heisman winners, NFL MVPs, NCAA national champs, and Super Bowl legends—all of them started out right here in Georgia.
To make the cut, each player had to play and graduate from a Georgia high school. Let’s take a look at the nominees and what made their careers so memorable.
Defensive Legends: The Backbone of Georgia Football
Champ Bailey: Charlton County’s Defensive Star
Champ Bailey was a First-Team, All-State pick in both his junior and senior years at Charlton County. That talent led to a standout college run at Georgia and a 15-year NFL career.
Bailey made the All-Pro list seven times and landed in both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. Not too shabby.
Eric Berry: Creekside’s Multi-Position Marvel
Eric Berry did it all in high school, earning First-Team, All-State honors as a sophomore, junior, and senior. At Tennessee, he was a two-time unanimous All-American and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
Berry played nine seasons in the NFL, earned three First-Team All-Pro nods, and was named NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2015. He’s also in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Mel Blount: Lyons’ Multi-Sport Star
Mel Blount was a standout in more than one sport at Lyons in Toombs County, but football was where he really shined. After college at Southern University, he played 14 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Blount won four Super Bowls and was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1975. He’s in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, too.
Offensive Powerhouses: Scoring Machines from Georgia
Ray Guy: Thomson’s All-State Performer
Ray Guy did it all at Thomson—football, basketball, baseball. He was a first-team All-State quarterback in 1968 and helped the Bulldogs win back-to-back Class A state titles in ’67 and ’68.
Guy became the nation’s top punter at Southern Mississippi and was a first-round pick by the Raiders in 1973. He made eight All-Pro teams, won three Super Bowls, and is in both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. The Ray Guy Award? That’s named after him.
Garrison Hearst: Lincoln County’s Champion
Garrison Hearst was First-Team, All-State as a running back and punter in 1989, leading Lincoln County to a Class A state title. At Georgia, he was SEC Offensive Freshman of the Year in 1990 and an All-American in 1992.
Hearst played 12 seasons in the NFL and was named Comeback Player of the Year in 2001. He’s a College Football Hall of Famer.
Calvin Johnson: Sandy Creek’s Receiving Sensation
Calvin Johnson was First-Team, All-State as a senior in 2003. At Georgia Tech, he picked up ACC Rookie of the Year in 2004 and ACC Player of the Year in 2006.
Drafted second overall by the Detroit Lions in 2007, Johnson racked up over 11,000 receiving yards in eight seasons—including a jaw-dropping 1,964 yards in 2012. He’s in both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Quarterback Icons: Leading the Charge
Cam Newton: Westlake’s Dual Threat
Cam Newton was First-Team, All-State at Westlake during his junior and senior years. After stops at Florida and Blinn College, he won the 2010 national championship and the Heisman at Auburn.
The Carolina Panthers picked him No. 1 overall in 2011, and he went on to play 11 seasons in the NFL.
Fran Tarkenton: Athens’ Prodigy
Fran Tarkenton made First-Team, All-State in 1956 as a senior at Athens, leading them to a state title. At Georgia, he earned All-SEC honors twice.
Tarkenton played 17 seasons as a pro, earning NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1975 and making nine Pro Bowls. He’s in both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Defensive Linemen and Linebackers: Fortifying the Defense
David Pollack: Shiloh’s Defensive Powerhouse
David Pollack was an All-State first-teamer in 2000 and then took his talents to Georgia. He became a three-time All-American and won SEC Defensive Player of the Year twice.
Drafted by the Bengals in 2005, Pollack’s NFL career was cut short in 2006 after a severe neck injury. He’s a College Football Hall of Famer.
Takeo Spikes: Washington County’s Tackling Machine
Takeo Spikes was All-State as a senior in 1994. At Auburn, he was a two-time All-American.
Spikes played 15 years in the NFL, piling up over 1,400 tackles and earning a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2004.
Wide Receivers: The Game Changers
Shannon Sharpe: Glennville’s Versatile Athlete
Shannon Sharpe was First-Team, All-State at edge rusher in 1985. At Savannah State, he picked up SIAC Player of the Year honors twice and set school records for receiving yards and touchdowns.
Sharpe played 14 NFL seasons with the Broncos and Ravens, winning three Super Bowls. He’s in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Sterling Sharpe: Glennville’s Receiving Prodigy
Sterling Sharpe was an All-State honorable mention at running back in 1982. At South Carolina, he became a two-time All-American receiver.
Sharpe made three First-Team All-Pro squads with the Packers in his seven-year NFL career. He’s in the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Running Backs: The Workhorses
Herschel Walker: Johnson County’s Phenomenon
Herschel Walker was a two-time All-State selection at running back in 1978 and 1979. He led Johnson County to a Class A state championship as a senior.
At Georgia, he put together three standout seasons. The 1980 national championship and 1982 Heisman Trophy were the highlights.
Walker went on to a 15-year professional career, splitting his time between the USFL and NFL. He’s now a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
For more on these incredible athletes, check out the full article at the Augusta Chronicle. If you care about Georgia football, it’s worth a look.
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