Which underclassman football players in the Athens area have offers to play at the next level?

McClain Baxley, Athens Banner-Herald
·2 min read
The Jefferson High School student section during a game between the Jefferson High School Dragons and the Wren High School Hurricanes at Jefferson Memorial Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022. (Photo by Tony Walsh)
The Jefferson High School student section during a game between the Jefferson High School Dragons and the Wren High School Hurricanes at Jefferson Memorial Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022. (Photo by Tony Walsh)

The 2021 season saw three Athens-area football teams reach the state quarterfinals, at least six seniors sign with Division 1 programs and there was a ton of talent on full display from August to December. Fans, media members and college recruiters took notice.

Here’s a list of where the top underclassmen high school football players in and around Athens have gotten college offers from and also where they’ve committed to play football at the next level.

More: Tracking where 2023 Athens area football recruits have committed, received offers

This list will be updated as more players get recruited. If you are a coach, player or parent who knows of an offer or player getting recruited that isn’t on the list, please email reporter McClain Baxley at mbaxley@onlineathens.com or direct message on Twitter at @mcclainbaxley. 

Jake Atha, Prince Avenue, LT, 2025

Offer from ​UCF

More: Here are 75 Athens-area football players you should watch in 2022

Jefferson's Sammy Brown (1) throws the ball to the ref during a game between the Jefferson High School Dragons and the Wren High School Hurricanes at Jefferson Memorial Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022. (Photo by Tony Walsh)
Jefferson's Sammy Brown (1) throws the ball to the ref during a game between the Jefferson High School Dragons and the Wren High School Hurricanes at Jefferson Memorial Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022. (Photo by Tony Walsh)

Sammy Brown, Jefferson, RB/LB, 2024

Offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi, Mississippi State, North Carolina State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, USC, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin.

More: Jefferson junior star Sammy Brown, now an All-American, wraps up summer recruiting tour

Kelan Butler, Jefferson, ATH, 2025

Offers from Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia Tech

More: Spring high school football recruiting observations on the best Athens-area prospects and teams

Commerce's Jaiden Daniel's scores a touchdown during Friday night's win at Athens Christian
Commerce's Jaiden Daniel's scores a touchdown during Friday night's win at Athens Christian

Jaiden Daniels, Commerce, RB, 2026

Offer from Webber University

More: Athens Recruiting Roundup: Handful of players visit Georgia Tech, a kicker heads to Notre Dame

Christian Garrett, Prince Avenue, DT, 2025

Offers from Central Florida and Georgia Southern

More: Athens recruiting roundup: North Oconee duo to visit ACC program, UGA to host several standouts

Athens Academy's Austin Mcgee (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during a GHSA high school football game between Fannin County and Athens Academy in Athens, Ga., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. Fannin County won 28-13.
Athens Academy's Austin Mcgee (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during a GHSA high school football game between Fannin County and Athens Academy in Athens, Ga., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. Fannin County won 28-13.

Austin McGee, Athens Academy, ATH, 2024

Offer from Middle Tennessee State

More: Why Athens Academy embraced young players last season and how it will pay off in 2022

Prince Avenue's Aaron Philo (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the GHSA Class A private high school football state championship game between Prince Avenue and Trinity Christian in Atlanta, on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. Trinity Christian won 55-28.
Prince Avenue's Aaron Philo (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the GHSA Class A private high school football state championship game between Prince Avenue and Trinity Christian in Atlanta, on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. Trinity Christian won 55-28.

Aaron Philo, Prince Avenue, QB, 2024

Offers from Arkansas State, Central Florida and Toledo

More: Aaron Philo's progress and a 'special moment' play has Prince Avenue set for another title run

Athens Academy's Kj Whitehead (6) tries to catch a deep pass from Athens Academy's Sam Bush (5) during a GHSA high school football game between Prince Avenue and Athens Academy in Athens, Ga., on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Prince Avenue won 48-14.
Athens Academy's Kj Whitehead (6) tries to catch a deep pass from Athens Academy's Sam Bush (5) during a GHSA high school football game between Prince Avenue and Athens Academy in Athens, Ga., on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Prince Avenue won 48-14.

KJ Whitehead, Athens Academy, ATH, 2025

Offer from Middle Tennessee State

More: Athens Recruiting Roundup: Handful of players visit Georgia Tech, a kicker heads to Notre Dame

McClain Baxley is a recruiting reporter for the Athens Banner-Herald and the USA TODAY Network. Reach him by email at mbaxley@onlineathens.com or on Twitter at @mcclainbaxley.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Offers from UGA, Duke, LSU, USC come to Athens' best players