Class 4A standouts shine on Signing Day 2017

Class AAAA was well-represented on National Signing Day as some of the classification's top playmakers headlined the star-studded Class of 2017 coming out of Georgia. Cairo outside linebacker Walter Grant added his four-star status to the University of Georgia's Class of 2017 by inking with the Dawgs early Wednesday morning. Grant is considered the 11th ranked outside linebacker in the nation, according to 247sports, and made his decision after narrowing down his choices to Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State and Kentucky. Teammate Cole Phillips was named to the Class AAAA All-State First Team as a place kicker and signed his scholarship to Marshall.

Offensively, First Team All-State wide receiver Josh Johnson will represent Woodward Academy at Louisville next season. Johnson will be a Cardinal teammate with Malik Clark (Baldwin), Kemari Averett (Grady), Corey Reed (Roswell), Justin Marshall (Newton), Kam Jones (Peachtree Ridge) and Jefferson’s Caleb Chandler. Chandler is a 6-foot-5, 295-pound offensive tackle that anchored the Dragons’ potent rushing attack this past season. Johnson’s War Eagle teammate, safety J.R. Pace, is heading to the Big 12 to play at Northwestern and his quarterback Ryan Glover signed his LOI with Penn.

Mary Person All-State guard Caleb Etheridge signed his letter of intent to Western Kentucky with a long list of other Peach State products.

Cartersville’s Avery Showell joined the Purple Hurricanes before his senior season and will graduate a state champ as he continues his playing career at Georgia Tech. Showell is a versatile playmaker that lined up as a receiver and defensive end, but has been recruited to play safety for the Yellow Jackets. Teammate Trey Creamer starred in Cartersville’s secondary last season and signed to play cornerback at Iowa.