Saturday marked the beginning of the official contact period for the class of 2026. This meant that coaches could message players and build a relationship with them. This also meant that a lot of players were picking up offers, so here are 3 names to know in the peach state class of ’26.

Jalen Williams (Kell High School/ DB)- Jalen Williams is a 6’0 160 pound defensive back who is primed and ready for a big 2024-25 junior year. He balled out at different camps this offseason and has picked up offers from multiple power 4 schools including Kentucky and Pittsburgh. Last season he was an All-region player with lock down skills. One of his goals for next season is to, “become an All-State Player,” via an interview with Najeh Wilkins.

Darnell Kelly (Peachtree Ridge/ QB)- Kelly comes in at a massive 6’2 185 pound Quarterback. He won state in 2022 as a freshman as backup to 4 star Air Noland (now at Ohio State) at Langston Hughes. Last season he transferred to Peachtree Ridge where he broke out and led all of sophomore QBs in the state in yards (other then Juju Lewis who has since reclassified to the class of 2025) with over 3000 yards, and leading them to a 10-2 season. His recruiting has picked up and he has now been offered by Kentucky, Colorado State, and Florida A&M, amongst others. Next season he looks to lead a talented Peachtree Ridge squad on a playoff run.

Jayreon Campbell (McEachern/ RB)- Campbell, a 5’10 190 running back, broke out last year for McEachern, which has produced many great running backs like Makari Bodiford and Sutton Smith (both eventually transferred to Walton), and was a big reason for their region championship. Since then, he has been become ranked (3 star on most recruiting websites), and has picked up big time offers from basically every big school in the south east and more, the likes of UGA, Alabama, and Tennessee, have all tried to get on him early. Campbell himself is working on improving as McEachern prepare after many key losses including 4 star DB Daniel James.

These are only a few of a loaded ’26 class in the state of Georgia that will look to get better this coming season.