MaxPreps 2012 Preseason Xcellent 25 Football preview: No. 2 Grayson

Defense, defense, defense.

The driving force behind Grayson’s first state title a year ago will also lead the 2012 squad, which returns 10 starters.

Robert Nkemdiche, the nation’s No. 1 recruit, is the first person that people talk about when discussing Grayson (Loganville, Ga.). Opposing coaches praise him, college coaches want him, and his own coach, Grayson’s Mickey Conn, lauds his work ethic -- a trait that is not necessarily common among such naturally gifted athletes.

The 6-foot-5, 270-pound defensive end must be accounted for on each play. He’ll draw a double team and open up possibilities for teammates like Jack Banda and Marquis Motley.



The linebacker group returns Wayne Gallman, Jordan Germany, Jay Strickland and Jay Mueller. It’s not necessarily a superstar group, but it has talent and works well as a unit. Kasey Gaines, Ryan Carter and the heavily recruited David Kamara are all back in the secondary.

For a defense that smothered teams a year ago, the potential of this year’s defense is downright frightening.

How will Grayson’s offense be?

It loses Mississippi State signee Nick Schuessler, who was a better passer than Grayson is accustomed to. Seemingly, it’s a big loss.

However, Schuessler averaged roughly 130 yards a game, not an overwhelming amount of production to ask of senior Brandon Benson or potentially Schuessler's younger brother Hunter Schuessler, a junior.

Gallman will see reps at running back, but the team will turn to Nkemdiche in short yardage situations and with the game on the line. Gaines and Carter double as wide receivers.



The team has some unmistakable holes to fill up front, most notably that left behind by Fred Zerblis, the leader of last year’s unit. However, Conn’s program is firing on all cylinders right now, so there is no shortage of replacements.

Local outlook: "The national title run will add some pressure. There have been some Georgia teams that finished highly in national polls, but it's rare for one to start this highly. And then there's the hype of Robert Nkemdiche, the first Georgia player since maybe Herschel Walker who's been viewed the No. 1 prospect in the country. Super high expectations aren't easy to handle. I think Robert will handle the hype just fine, but the team as a whole is going to have to be mature about it. As for Grayson's defense, it has a chance to be legendary. The '11 team allowed only 35 yards rushing per game. That's ridiculous in Georgia, which remains a run-dominated, smashmouth state compared to Alabama and Florida and some other Southern states. It's not the most amazing defense just on paper. Georgia has had a few other defenses with a handful of major D-I recruits. But they play very well together, and then there's Nkemdiche. He's not merely a great prospect. He's unbelievable right now. He'd be a good college player today.”
- Todd Holcomb, editor, Georgia High School Football Daily and MaxPreps correspondent
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Size: AAAAAA


Enrollment: 2,800 (approx.)


2011 finish: 15-0, AAAAA champion


Head coach: Mickey Conn


Career record: 90-37




Years at school: 12


Notable players coached:
DT Shawn Green (Georgia Tech)
RB Ean Pemberton (Austin Peay)
DE Conrad Obi (Colorado)
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No. of returning starters: 5 (offense), 10 (defense)


Key losses:
QB Nick Schuessler

OL Fred Zerblis

WR/DB Devin Gillespie

WR Korey Jones




Key returners:
DL/RB Robert Nkemdiche

LB/RB Wayne Gallman

DB David Kamara

DB Ryan Carter

Key newcomers:
QB Brandon Benson

QB Hunter Schuessler



OL Dustin Jackson

OL Richard Pryor Jr.

DL/TE Zach Barnes
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Toughest game: Miami Central. The Rockets have a backfield that features Joseph Yearby and Dalvin Cook, two Division I recruits. The team’s speed will be unlike anything Grayson saw last year, and will be an excellent test for the highly touted Rams defense.

Question mark: Who will emerge at quarterback? Benson is the favorite, but not a lock. The offensive line is also not a certainty. The team should be fine on offense, but there are clearly holes to fill.

Local outlook: Amazingly, for as loaded as Grayson is, it might not even be the best team in its own state. Colquitt County, which nearly knocked off Grayson last year, returns key pieces on offense and plenty of young talent on defense. Camden County will also be a player in AAAAAA, along with Eddie Printz-led Lassiter.

Overall outlook: This team was in contention for the preseason No. 1 spot and for good reason. It finished 15-0 last year and ought to be even stronger this season. That’s the expectation at Grayson and the buzz around the Peach State. For as superb as Nkemdiche is, it will take much more than him to exceed last year’s dream run. Talent-wise and team-wise, Georgia high school football is garnering national acclaim, and Grayson leads the charge on both fronts.
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