The defending GHSA Class AAAAAA State Football Champions, the Buford Wolves are preparing to defend their title this season. Buford is fortunate to be returning a good portion of its championship team this year.
The senior class includes eight players who have made 247 Sports top 100 senior prospects in Georgia rankings list, the most of any school in the state. The next closest schools have five players each on the list. Those schools are North Cobb, Cedar Grove, Lee County, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee and Milton.
- Isaiah Bond, who can play multiple positions, is Buford’s highest-ranking senior on this list coming in at No. 23. Bond has given a verbal commitment to play for Florida next fall.
- Safety Jake Pope, who has yet to commit to a college, ranks at No. 37.
- The No. 56 spot belongs to another safety, Malik Spencer. Spencer has verbally committed to play for Michigan State next year.
- Pittsburg commit Ryland Gandy ranks No. 70 on the list. Gandy is a cornerback for the Wolves.
- Running back Victor Venn, who is verbally committed to Colorado, comes in at No. 77.
- At No. 90 is linebacker VJ Payne. Payne verbally committed to East Carolina on Aug. 1.
- Quarterback Ashton Daniels, who was instrumental in the back-to-back state championships, ranks at No. 93. Daniels is committed to Stanford.
- Boston College commit CJ Clinkscales is No. 99 on the list. Clinkscales plays multiple positions for the Wolves.
Last year, Buford only had one player on the 247 Sports top 100 senior prospects in Georgia rankings list. That player was running back Gabe Ervin Jr. who has gone on to play for Nebraska.
The first chance to catch these players in action will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, at Tom Riden Stadium at 2750 Sawnee Ave. in Buford. Buford will play a scrimmage game against Cedar Grove. The team’s season opener will be against North Cobb at North Cobb on Aug. 20.
Featured photo above: Buford’s CJ Clinkscales brushing off a Lee County defender during last year’s GHSA Class AAAAAA State Championship game held at Georgia State. Photo by Alicia Couch Payne
