Every year, there are new football teams that emerge that send shockwaves through high school football. This past season, a few notables were Collins Hill, North Cobb, Calhoun, and North Oconee. Let’s take a look at some sleepers in 5A that can shock some people this year.
New Manchester- Now, I know what you may be thinking: How is New Manchester underrated after they went 8-3 in 2024, but if you go around the state, a lot of people aren’t talking about this talented team. They will play in a crowded region that will include Rome, East Paulding, South Paulding, and Kennesaw Mountain as some notable headliners heading into 2025. Regardless, the Jaguars have a formidable shot to close in on a region title but will have to go through Rome, which has won four consecutive region titles.
One of the leaders offensively will be Jakobe DeJesus, who will step into a lead role this season Jaguars. He was the second-leading receiver with 31 catches for 565 yards and eight touchdowns. The Liberty-commit will be a go-to player on offense and a featured piece for the Jaguars. Last year, the Jaguars took a step forward, making the playoffs for the first time in three years and achieving a winning record for the first time since 2020, when they won a region championship. Quarterback Delancey Alexander is one of the least talked-about quarterbacks in the state in the 2026 class. The FIU-commit had a big season for the Jaguars, throwing for 1,839 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also completed 67% of his passes and throws a great deep ball. He is always cool, calm, and collected.
Colin Bussey will man the defensive line this year for New Manchester. He has over a dozen offers and is a stout defensive lineman who is good in run defense, while creating interior pressure on the defensive line. Bussey is only scratching the surface of his potential and what he can become. A pair of defensive backs to watch is Dontae Moore and Josh Williams are excellent corners that can man a side of the field and make it tough to throw against.
Lovejoy- Heading into the 2025 season, Lovejoy is probably one of the most underrated teams in the state. A good early test, although it was spring, was against Jonesboro. The Wildcats showed their defense can fly to the football and set up their offense in opportune situations. In the game, Lovejoy continued to flip the field, and their defense slowed down some versatile playmakers for Jonesboro, who are capable of going the distance whenever they touch it.
Tim Sims is a three-star safety who plays both ways for the Wildcats and is equally as good of a safety as he is a wide receiver. Offensively, he will give Lovejoy another weapon that defenses have to account for. LB Chad Fairchild recently committed to East Carolina and is one of the hardest-hitting linebackers in the state. He can flow sideline to sideline, and he has a knack for reading and reacting and making huge hits on defenses. Caleb Carson is an exceptional playmaker and dangerous with the ball in the open space.
Corey Orr is a versatile chess piece on the offensive side of the ball for the Wildcats. He can do a little bit of everything, whether it is lining up in the slot position, X, or Y. When I paid a visit to Lovejoy in the spring, he played some backup quarterback, too. To put it in context, he also rushed for 355 yards and four touchdowns.
On the defensive side of the ball, it starts with two standout defensive linemen in Marcus North and James Irby, who are both class of 2026 defensive linemen. North was named Grady Jarrett’s Defensive Lineman MVP. Irby is an experienced veteran for the Wildcats who has been continuing to grow his game every year he has played. Lovejoy has only missed the playoffs one time since 2010 and continues to be a playoff fixture in the GHSA. Can they take the next step forward in 2025?
Northside Warner-Robins- A team that is loaded with underrated talent all over the field, and they have an exceptional head coach that can lead them. Head coach Daniel “Boone” Williams has built quite a reputation, especially for turning around programs. Coach “Boone” turned Langston Hughes into one of the best programs in the country and delivered its first-ever state championship in 2022, and got the Panthers back to the title game before they gave us a game of the ages against the Milton Eagles, where they came up short in the championship but traded blows throughout the game.
This year, they will be led by Elijah Patmon, one of the best defensive linemen in the country. They also have a pair of cornerbacks who are long and athletic and make plays. Names to know are Broderick Hunter and Amaury Fountain, who both have continued to garner P4 interest. Humphrey holds an offer from North Alabama, and Fountain has excellent ball skills.
You can’t talk Northside without mentioning JaCaleb Greene and Kaleal Greene. Both are young rising stars who have excellent football acumen and will play significant roles in Coach Boone’s defense. I think their defense will surprise a lot of teams this upcoming season.
Kayden Turner is a player I highlighted in the spring when I visited Northside and he has all the makings to be one of the best running backs in the country. He is the perfect balance of power, balance, and elusiveness. Turner just has an it factor to him. Another playmaker to watch will be Briston Blasingame, who is a good route runner and is always seemingly open. His ability to be a playmaker will be a great complement to what Turner will be able to do offensively.
Northside Warner-Robins will be a team to watch in 2025.
Effingham County- The Rebels have a talented crop of playmakers returning to the team in 2025. It all starts with Trayvis Hunter (the little brother of NFL star Travis Hunter). Trayvis has built quite a name for himself outside of his brother with his ability. As a sophomore, he finished with 36 catches for 496 yards and six touchdowns. He’s continued to pick up steam in recruiting, running with C1N throughout the 7 on 7 season and also running on the OT7 national circuit. Trayvis has all the tools to be a big impact player for the Rebels.
Another playmaker to watch is running back Jmere Doe-Davis, who rushed for 891 yards and nine touchdowns. An area he took a step forward in his game was his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Doe-Davis finished with 20 catches for 393 yards and four touchdowns. He finished his final two games of the regular season with over 200 rushing yards. Against Glynn Academy, he rushed for 221 yards and a touchdown.
A key returning defender will be Duff Davis, who finished with 68 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and five quarterback hurries. With these three players leading the way, the Rebels have a great chance to make their fifth consecutive playoff appearance.
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