Georgia high school football rankings: Milton No. 1 in 2024 Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

The high school football season in Georgia kicks off this week and MaxPreps has your look at the state's top teams. Defending Class AAAAAAA state champion Milton owns the No. 1 spot in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25.

The Eagles begin the season ranked No. 6 nationally and look to repeat as state champions in the Peach State's highest classification. After losing two of its first five games to open the season in 2023, Milton reeled off 10 consecutive victories to close the season.

Seniors Ethan Barbour (6-3, 235, TE, Georgia commitment), Ryan Ghea (6-5, 230, TE, Auburn), Luke Nickel (6-2, 205, QB, Miami), Tyler Redmond (6-2, 180, DB, Tennessee) and C.J. Wiley (6-4, 195, WR, Florida State) lead the charge for Milton.

The best player in the state, however, may be under center for Carrollton. Committed to USC, senior quarterback Julian Lewis (6-1, 185) threw for over 3,000 yards and 48 touchdowns against just two interceptions to earn MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year honors last season. Lewis fast forwarded his high school career by reclassifying to the Class of 2025 in the off-season.

In addition to Milton, defending state champions include Thomas County Central (Thomasville) in Class AAAAAA, Coffee (Douglas) in Class AAAAA, Perry in Class AAAA, Cedar Grove (Ellenwood) in Class AAA, Pierce County (Blackshear) in Class AA, Prince Avenue Christian (Athens) in Class A Division 1, Bowdon in Class A Division 2.

The Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 is a composite of our Preseason Top 100 and computer rankings factoring in past results and adjustments such as returners and statistical data when available. Georgia Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

1. Milton, 13-2 record in 2023

2. Carrollton, 11-2

3. Buford, 11-2

4. Thomas County Central (Thomasville), 15-0

5. Grayson (Loganville), 11-3

6. Douglas County (Douglasville), 13-1

7. Rabun Gap-Nacoochee (Rabun Gap), 13-1

8. Camden County (Kingsland), 10-4

9. Mill Creek (Hoschton), 12-1

10. Woodward Academy (College Park), 12-3

11. Gainesville, 12-1

12. Rome, 11-2

13. Colquitt County (Norman Park), 12-1

14. Lee County (Leesburg), 10-3

15. Coffee (Douglas), 15-0

16. Westlake (Atlanta), 9-3

17. Walton (Marietta), 14-1

18. Valdosta, 8-4

19. North Gwinnett (Suwanee), 8-4

20. Newton (Covington), 8-3

21. Jefferson, 13-1

22. Cartersville, 13-1

23. Roswell, 11-2

24. Cedar Grove (Ellenwood), 10-5

25. Langston Hughes (Fairburn), 9-3