With the high school football season set to kickoff in a couple weeks, it looks like it’s going to be another excellent season for fans in the Greater Savannah area looking to see some star power under the Friday Night Lights.
One area that stands out this year is on the defensive side of the ball, in the front seven, where a number of players are holding big-time offers, including Elijah Griffin of Savannah Christian, a senior who is the top-ranked defensive lineman in the country.
Here’s a look at the top defensive linemen and linebackers returning in the Greater Savannah area for the 2024 season.
Elijah Griffin, Savannah Christian
The 5-star defensive lineman helped lead the Raiders to the Class 3A state finals last year. He had 97 tackles, including 31 for losses, with 17.5 sacks and was named the All-Greater Savannah Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row. One of the top recruits in the country, he narrowed his school choices to Georgia, USC and Miami on Sunday.
Walter “Buddy” Mathis, Calvary Day
Another highly-recruited defensive lineman, Mathis had 44 tackles, including 18.5 for losses and led the Cavs six sacks and 24 quarterback hurries as Calvary reached the Class 3A state semis last year. He has offers from all over the nation including Georgia, Texas, Oregon, Alabama, Tennessee, Clemson and USC.
Herbert “Third” Scroggins, Benedictine
Scroggins has been a force on the edge during a stellar career for the Cadets and the four-star prospect committed to play at Miami on June 28. He had 11 sacks with 84 tackles, including 10 for losses, and 14 quarterback hurries as a junior.
LaDamion Guyton, Savannah Christian
The sophomore is one of the top recruits in the country in the sophomore class. Like his teammate, Elijah Griffin, the standout edge received an offer from Georgia before playing a high school down. The 6-3, 210-pounder had 82 tackles, including 19.5 for loss, with 10 sacks as a freshman and has offers from a plethora of schools including Florida State, USC, LSU, Tennessee and Oregon.
Jaden Miles, Savannah Christian
The senior may be undersized at 5-10 and 180 pounds, but he plays with a chip on his shoulder and led the Raiders with 145 tackles last season.
Kam Cody, Benedictine
The junior has an inspiring story as he came back from a heart incident at a BC practice that nearly cost him his life. Cody had 78 tackles, including 10 for losses, with eight sacks and 12 quarterback hurries as a sophomore. The four-star junior defensive lineman has offers including Miami, Arkansas, USC and Minnesota.
Gabriel Bauman, Richmond Hill
The senior had a strong junior campaign with 114 tackles, including 11 for losses and four sacks.
Tyler Scott, Savannah Country Day
Scott led the Hornets with 111 tackles at linebacker last season, including 16 for losses and 4.5 sacks. Also a standout baseball player, Scott has offers including West Virginia, Troy, Georgia State and Western Kentucky.
Chris Winfree, Bryan County
The standout outside linebacker had 84 tackles, including 14.5 for losses, with eight sacks and 17 QB hurries for Bryan County, which reached the Class A Division I state semis last season.
Joe Polite, Effingham County
Polite has been an anchor up front as a defensive tackle for the Rebels. He had 37 tackles and three sacks last year and recently received his first offer from Wofford.
Kamren Blake Mazes, New Hampstead
Blake Mazes is back for his senior year after leading the Phoenix with 75 tackles from his middle linebacker spot.
Brody Dawson, Calvary Day
Dawson had 75 tackles with 11 for losses and a pair of sacks and picked off six passes for the Cavs last season, showing his versatility as a linebacker.
Cutter Powell, Calvary Day
Powell emerged as a top defender for the Cavs as a junior with 82 tackles, including 22 for losses and 3.5 sacks.
Reico Collins, Jenkins
Collins returns as a senior leader at middle linebacker after earning All-Region first-team honors. He had 58 tackles and four sacks last season.
Lee Johnson, Richmond Hill
Johnson was a playmaker at linebacker last season with 74 tackles, including 10 for losses, and an interception for the Wildcats.
Logan Brooking, Savannah Christian
The senior is headed to Clemson as a tight end, but stars on both sides of the ball for SCPS. Last year, he had 60 tackles and six sacks.
Isaiah Scott, Johnson
Scott is back as the senior leader of the Atom Smasher defense, and will also be a big part of the offense as a running back.
Shaun Hamilton, New Hampstead
Senior leader of the Phoenix defensive line has an offer from Charleston Southern.
Larson Little, Benedictine
Junior linebacker returns after recording 100 tackles last season.
Arlando Chaney, Bethesda
Listed at 6-foot and 375 pounds, the junior dominated in the trenches last season as the Blazers won the first SCISA state title in school history. He had 43 tackles, six sacks and an interception.
Davion Banks, Bradwell
An All-Region 1-5A first-team pick last year, Banks had 99 tackles as a junior.
Are’yion Guyton, Benedictine
The senior end had six sacks and 65 tackles with 13 for losses last season.
Isaiah Redmond, Savannah Christian
The junior defensive lineman had 82 tackles, with 11 for losses and 3.5 sacks last season. He has an offer from Savannah State.
Isaac Smith, Jenkins
The senior is expected to take on a big role up front for the Warriors this season.
Dakari Smith, Beach
The junior defensive lineman is a three-year starter for…
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