2016 Georgia Preseason Football Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Top 25 preseason early contenders - No. 2 Grayson
See why the Rams are a national title contender


1. Grayson (Loganville)
Head coach: Jeff Herron
2015 record: 13-1
Team preview

Few teams in America, if any, can match Grayson's talent on the gridiron. The Rams charged all the way to the state semifinals last season but with the addition of high-profile transfers and veteran head coach Jeff Herron, No. 2 Grayson is eyeing a much bigger prize - a national title.

Grayson is loaded offensively. The Rams return the nation's No. 11 pro-style quarterback and Clemson commit Chase Brice. Look for the nation's No. 5 corner Deangelo Gibbs to be the primary target and blanket the field defensively. The country's No. 7 corner Jamyest Williams posted 1,249 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns last season at Archer and is one of the most dynamic players in the country. He'll be teaming up with Michigan commit Kurt Taylor to form a lethal rushing attack. The towering tandem of four-star tackle Tony Gray and Duke-bound center Will Taylor will give the Rams room to roam.

Here's the scary part - Grayson might possess the best defense in the country. Besides fielding two of the top 10 corners in America, the Rams also have four-star linebacker Breon Dixon and big-time linebacker Owen Pappoe, who was the only freshman to ever earn an invite to The Opening. 

Grayson kicks off the season with a blockbuster showdown against No. 4 IMG Academy, with potential national title implications at stake.

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2. Roswell
Head coach: John Ford
2015 record: 14-1
Team preview Roswell ended last season with a crushing loss to Colquitt County in the state title game after recording 15 wins. But the No. 7 Hornets reload with one of the top defenses in the state, prime playmakers on offense and a savvy head coach in John Ford.

The Hornets have one of the top secondaries in the state. Four-star safety and Alabama commit Xavier McKinney logged an impressive 111 tackles and nine interceptions as a junior and will spearhead the defense. Four-star corner and Clemson commit Leanthony Williams registered 40 tackles and three interceptions last season and is poised for a huge year. Don't forget about lockdown corner Justus Harris, who tallied 40 tackles and a whopping 20 pass deflections as a junior. Offensively, running back Sheldon Evans will lead the attack after notching 1,686 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns as a sophomore. The Hornets also return their signal-caller and Virginia Tech commit Malik Willis and top 100 receiver Jayden Comma. Roswell has plenty of room to operate with Tennessee commit and Top 100 tackle Jordan Tucker paving the way.

Sept. 9 is the long-awaited date for the Hornets, as they finally face powerhouse Colquitt County again, with payback on their minds.

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3. Colquitt County (Moultrie)
Head coach: Rush Propst
2015 record: 15-0
Team preview

Colquitt County has owned Georgia as of late and claimed two straight Class AAAAAA state titles while finishing atop the state rankings in consecutive seasons. The prolific Packers have been untouchable, becoming only the third squad in state history to nab back-to-back state crowns undefeated. But the No. 38 Packers roll out one of the toughest schedules in the country, which will be even harder with their lack of usual star power. Fortunately, legendary head coach Rush Propst is still at the helm, and he can never be underestimated - especially with a three-peat in sight.

Three-star guard Quan Stokes will head the way up front for Colquitt County. The Packers return dual-threat quarterback Jay Saunders, who posted 529 total yards, eight touchdowns and a 119 passer rating last season in a limited role. Running back Nigel Hillie should make his presence known after racking up 317 rushing yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore. Colquitt County brings back some key playmakers on the other side of the ball too. Senior safety Quan Walker will command the defense after recording a team-high nine pass deflections and four fumble recoveries, along with 41 tackles, three interceptions and one fumble returned for a touchdown last season. The defensive tackle tag team of Donte Roundtree and Dy'Narian Wyche should be disruptive in the backfield, and look for linebacker JJ Peterson to be a major force.

Colquitt County will be tested early, with an Aug. 27 matchup against No. 11 American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.).

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4. Buford
Head coach: Jess Simpson
2015 record: 13-2
Team preview

Buford enters the season with a bitter taste in its mouth after seeing its bid for a four-peat snapped in the state title game by Cartersville. But the Wolves reloaded with eight Division 1 commits and are salivating for revenge.

Buford is stacked on defense and possesses six Division 1 commits on that side of the ball alone. Linebackers TD Roof (Georgia Tech) and Jake Simpson (Wake Forest) will co-anchor the defense. Add in relentless linemen Connor Mills (East Carolina) and Dean Powell (Army) along with playmaking corners KJ Anderson (Western Michigan) and Josh Blackwell (Duke) and it will be hard to score on the Wolves' relentless pack. Buford's offense is in good hands with experienced quarterback and East Carolina commit Mic Roof at the controls. Tackle Tyler Thurmond will clear the path for the Wolves' traditional ground game, but Roof should toss it around more this season.

Aug. 27 marks a big-time battle with Roswell, the No. 7 team in the country.

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5. Cartersville
Head coach: Joey King
2015 record: 15-0
Team preview

Cartersville capped off a perfect undefeated season with a Class AAAA state title win over perennial powerhouse Buford last year. The Hurricanes return the nation's No. 1 overall junior in quarterback Trevor Lawrence, and he's ready to carry them to a repeat.

Lawrence is not only the top-rated junior, but he's also one of the best leaders in the country. The composed gunslinger racked up 3,655 passing yards, 235 rushing yards, 47 total touchdowns and an astounding 132 passer rating. As just a sophomore, he guided them over a three-time defending state champion and most dominant team in the last decade. So the Hurricanes must feel good having a proven winner like Lawrence under center. Two-way stud Trey Creamer will be the Hurricanes' primary playmaker after recording 440 rushing yards, 195 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns last season. The three-star corner impacts the game in a variety of ways. Lawrence will look the way of wideout Antoine Jefferson, who registered 521 receiving yards and two touchdowns last year. Dominique Williams should add support in the run game after reeling off four touchdowns last season. Junior safety Avery Showell will commandeer the defense, and the Wake Forest commit is as versatile as they come.

Cartersville starts the season with a colossal clash against Allatoona, the defending Class AAAAA state champion.