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Video: 2017 Early Contenders - No. 6 Grayson
Host Zack Poff takes a look at the top team from Georgia and one of the best squads in the nation.
Head coach: Christian Hunnicutt
Last season: 14-1, No. 4 national ranking, beat Roswell in 7A state title game, 23-20 (OT)
Last decade: 112-21, two state titles
Famous alums/players: Former first round MLB selection (2013) Austin Meadows, NFL DE Robert Nkemdiche, NFL RB Wayne Gallman
The Rams are loaded as they come back to defend their Georgia state title.
Photo by Kyle Hess
LB Owen Pappoe (6-0, 205, Jr.) — The stud is the No. 6 overall recruit in the Class of 2019, No. 1 linebacker and No. 1 player from Georgia.
ATH Ronald Thompkins Jr. (5-11, 190, Jr.) — Committed to Florida State, he's a Top 200 recruit in the Class of 2019.
OT Wanya Morris (6-5, 270, Jr.) — Another Florida State commit, he's a
Top 100 recruit in the Class of 2019.
OLB Kevin G. Harris II (6-4, 210, Jr.) — The Top 150 recruit in the Class of 2019 has 14 FBS offers.
DT Tru Thompson (6-0, 340, Jr.) — He's a Top 300 recruit in the Class of 2019 and is committed to Florida State.
Linebacker Owen Pappoe
Photo by Kyle Hess
Aug. 25 — vs. Hoover (Ala.)
Sept. 1 — vs. McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)
Sept. 9 — at John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.)
Defensive tackle Tru Thompson
Photo by Kyle Hess
* A very familiar face is returning to Grayson to replace former head coach Jeff Herron, who took a job at T.L. Hanna (S.C.). Hunnicutt was named head coach back in March after he spent time as the offensive line coach for Grayson back in 2015, and was the head coach at East Jackson (Ga.) in 2016. From 1997-2011 he was an assistant coach and also spent time as the offensive coordinator for Buford (Ga.) and helped that program win seven state titles during his tenure.
* Despite losing some big-name players from last season's state championship team, the Rams still bring back one of the most talented teams in the country. Pappoe is arguably the best linebacker in all of high school football regardless of class. A trio of Florida State commits: Ronald Thompkins Jr., Wanya Morris and Tru Thompson, should play a huge role for Hunnicutt in his first season.
* The Rams open up the 2017 season with a tough three-game slate vs. Alabama power Hoover, McEachern and travel to Louisiana to face one of the best teams in the state, John Curtis Christian.
Athlete Ronald Thompkins Jr.
Photo by Kyle Hess
