A 17-year-old faces charges of felony murder and first degree robbery following an incident in March that resulted in the death of a teenager.
Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly said in a Tuesday news conference that Cameron Leonard Phinizee was indicted by a grand jury last week in the death of Ryland O’Neal Calvert, 13.
Calvert died March 26 following an incident at 1236 Hermitage Drive.
On that day, officers responded to a reported shooting at Southern Oaks Apartments.
Calvert, who died at the scene, was found in the parking lot. Police at the time said Calvert died in a robbery.
Phinizee was arrested on that day and released on $100,000 bond.
After hearing from 17 witnesses, Connolly said the grand jury determined that Calvert and Phinizee were attempting to rob the person who shot Calvert, who was acting in self-defense and will not be charged.
Authorities have not named the person.
Phinizee is being charged as an accomplice in an armed robbery.
“The actual person attempting the robbery was the 13-year-old child, who was put up to that crime by the 17-year-old,” Connolly said.
“The 13-year-old child, Ryland Calvert, looked up to Mr. Phinizee,” he said. “Mr. Phinizee got this child involved in an armed robbery and it cost him his life. Our hearts go out to his family and his many friends.”
Florence Police Chief Mike Holt thanked the public for being patient with the investigation, and said there was a “great deal of social media and public attention.
“Investigating crimes of this nature can take significant personal toll on a person, just in and of themselves. But that toll can further be compounded when investigators’ names and, at times, their professional reputations become a discussion in the public discourse,” he said.
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Backyard barbecue season is in full swing, which means right now is a great time to upgrade your outdoor cooking setup with a coveted Blackstone griddle. And luckily, Walmart is offering a limited time discount on the portable Blackstone Adventure Ready 2-Burner Griddle to make this more affordable.
With this deal, Walmart customers can get the Blackstone Adventure Ready Griddle for $124 instead of its original list price of $147. Free shipping and returns are also included with purchase. While this is one of the smaller Blackstone griddles available, it’s also one of the most affordable options that still delivers amazing cooking results.
Blackstone 22″ Adventure Ready Griddle
$147 $124
The Blackstone Adventure Ready Griddle is on sale at Walmart for a limited time.
The Blackstone Adventure Ready Griddle features 362 square-inches of cooking space with a rolled-steel cooktop surface. It also comes with a matching hardcover and holds a 1-Lb propane tank, which is sold separately.
Two stainless-steel, H-style burners with a combined 21,000 BTUs
Blackstone’s patented rear grease management system makes cleanup easier
Sturdy handle and hanging hooks on the hardcover
1-Year limited warranty
“Satisfy your hunger for amazing food with the updated Blackstone 22″ Adventure Ready propane griddle on your next outdoor adventure. With 362 square-inches of cooking space and 24,000 BTU’s, you’ll be equipped to cook for your loved ones in the great outdoors,“ Walmart’s product details state.
“Not only does this bundle include the 22″ griddle, but it also comes with a matching hardcover to help keep your griddle clean between uses. The hardcover is designed with a heat-resistant, rugged handle grip and interior hooks to hang it off the back of the griddle while cooking. Enjoy other elevated design elements on this model like the sleek, easy-glide burner dials with pops of orange.”
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With the 2025 WNBA All-Star over, teams are now preparing for the second half of the season. One of the best games coming out of the break will be between the Atlanta Dream and Las Vegas Aces. Unfortunately for the Dream, Rhyne Howard will miss the rest of July with a left knee injury, a huge blow as they enter the last half of the season.
Atlanta enters this matchup with a 13-9 record, good for fifth-best in the WNBA. They’ll have to lean on other veterans in Allisha Gray, Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner to pick up the slack with Howard out.
The Aces are still trying to find their footing. Usually one of the best teams in the league, Las Vegas is just getting by with an 11-11 record. Reigning MVP A’ja Wilson is looking to lead her squad to a strong second half finish.
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Stevie Nicks, legendary vocalist and front-woman of the popular 70s band, Fleetwood Mac, is hitting the road for her 2025 solo tour starting in Brooklyn, New York at the Barclays Center on Aug. 8.
The tour was originally announced in April, but as of mid-June, Nicks added additional dates to the tour schedule following show cancellations of previous joint dates with fellow musician Billy Joel. As of now, Nicks is set to perform 17 shows from Aug. 8 to Oct. 25.
Throughout the North American-based tour, Nicks is set to perform at major arenas and hit big cities such as Brooklyn, Boston, Cincinnati, Tampa, Detroit, Portland, Phoenix and more.
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A brand new season of the hit reality series Welcome to Plathville premieres on TLC Tuesday, July 22 at 10/9c.
Cord cutters looking to tune in for the all-new season can stream the premiere live through Philo (free trial), DirecTV (free trial) or Sling (50% off first month).
What is Welcome to Plathville about?
For those unfamiliar with the long-running TLC reality series, Welcome to Plathville follows a conservative family of 11 living in south-eastern Georgia as new members enter the family dynamic from outside of their isolated farm.
Season seven kicks off with a focus on Lydia’s whirlwind romance with her new boyfriend, Zac, which catches everyone by surprise—including Ethan who has growing suspicions.
Meanwhile, Micah is caught in the middle of an ongoing feud between Moriah and Veronica, leading Veronica to seek out the help of a secret friend.
Both Philo and DirecTV offer free trials for new subscribers to enjoy before committing to a paid plan while Sling offers those that commit to a paid subscription half off their first month.
Out of the three streaming services listed above, Philo is the cheapest at just $28 a month after its 7-day free trial concludes.
What is Philo?
Philo is considered one of the most affordable streaming platforms on the market. Known as an entertainment-focused streaming service, Philo offers its subscribers access to over 70 top-rated TV channels such as TLC, MTV, BET, AMC, CMT, Investigation Discovery and more.
New users can enjoy Philo’s 7-day free trial and continue to stream top channels, hit TV shows and movies on-demand for just $28 a month once the free trial expires.
Those looking to customize their flow of content even further on Philo can consider including add-ons such as MGM+, STARZ, and AMC+ in their subscription.
What is DirecTV?
DirecTV is a top streaming service perfect for those looking to access a plethora of live TV channels and enjoy helpful features. The base package starts at just $86.99 a month after its 5-day free trial and includes popular TV channels such as HGTV, ESPN, Bravo, CMT, CNBC, BET, CNN and more.
DirecTV has also recently introduced a lineup of genre packs, which allows subscribers to choose their favorite viewing options based on what genre they watch the most. With genre packs, users can get the channels and content they want without filler channel overload. Packs start at just $34.99 a month.
Those interested in comparing all DirecTV’s channel packages and the new genre packs can check them out here.
What is Sling?
Sling is another streaming service to consider if you want to access top-rated TV channels like TLC. Though no free trial is available to new subscribers, those who commit to a paid plan get half off the first month.
Both the Sling Orange plan and the Sling Blue plan are normally $45.99 a month, but with the current promotion, Sling users will pay just $23 a month for the first month.
For those who wish to access channels from both the Sling Blue and Sling Orange plans can do so by signing up for the Orange + Blue plan, which combines the best of both plans for just $60.99 a month ($30.50 for the first month).
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The format for the College Football Playoff beyond 2025 remains a subject of debate, but Sun Belt Conference commissioner Keith Gill made his feelings plain on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters at Sun Belt Media Days in New Orleans, Gill acknowledged that getting from four teams to 12 in the CFP last year was a “heavy lift.” However, he doesn’t think expansion should stop there.
“That’s been great, great for the Sun Belt,” Gill said. “The question of 14, 16, I think the more teams, the better. That’s more opportunity, so I would support expansion in that way.
“If we end up staying at 12, I actually think that we can make that work. But if you’re asking me what I prefer, I’d certainly prefer to go to 16 because I think that that creates more opportunities for our conference.”
Group of 5 leagues have twice gotten a team into the playoff, American Conference champion Cincinnati in 2021 and Mountain West champion Boise State in 2024. The Group of 5 also sent one team to a New Year’s Six bowl game under the 4-team format, but the Sun Belt has yet to be represented.
The Sun Belt likes to promote itself as the top “non-autonomy” conference in college football, but that depth of quality programs has not yet manifested itself in a playoff representative. Gill said that with the College Football Playoff trending toward considering strength of schedule more closely when choosing teams, that’s something that could work in the Sun Belt’s favor.
“One of the great things about the CFP process right now is they’re really taking a look at strength of schedule,” Gill said. “And I think when you look at our conference from top to bottom, our strength of schedule — particularly amongst our peer conferences — is second to none, and I think that’s going to give us an advantage in terms of those metrics.
“It’s really hard to get through the Sun Belt and be undefeated. If that’s the expectation, it’s going to be a challenge, because week-in, week-out in this conference, you’re going to be playing some really, really difficult opponents. I think the strength of schedule is going to help level that playing field for the Sun Belt and create some opportunities.”
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Thai Floyd always knew she wanted to go to an HBCU.
As a high school student, she handed her dad — a Florida State football alum — a list of her final schools.
“My dad said no to every single thing on the list except for Florida State and Florida A&M, and I was like, ‘Oh, okay,’” she laughed.
“I decided to go to Florida A&M because of the culture, the richness, because I knew that I would learn so much more about curriculum, I would learn so many things that extended far beyond the curriculum, about me as a woman, and all of the different things that an HBCU gives you.”
After graduating as a Rattler, Floyd’s set to give back to HBCUs in a trailblazing way.
She was recently announced as the next play-by-play voice for Alabama A&M’s football team in Huntsville, making her the first woman to serve as a full-time voice for an HBCU football team.
“I knew that it was going to be big, but I didn’t understand the gravity of the situation,” Floyd told AL.com. “Even when the announcement was made last Saturday, it was people saying, congratulations, so many shares, so many likes, but it really hit me in the feels when there were people — especially young women — saying, ‘This is iconic. Oh, this is amazing. You’re such an inspiration.’ I was like, ‘Wow, it means even more to me now.’
“The past couple of days have been super overwhelming, and I think that when you hear the word overwhelming, some people would assume it’s bad. I’m overwhelmed with joy and gratitude and excitement for what is to come.”
Sports have always been a part of Floyd’s life, especially with her dad, William “Bar None” Floyd, exposing her to sports at a young age.
The elder Floyd is a member of the Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame after a standout career as a fullback for the Seminoles. A member of the 1993 national championship team, he went on to have an NFL career that saw him win Super Bowl XXIX with the San Francisco 49ers.
He now serves as an analyst for the Seminole Sports Network.
“Every Saturday since I was a kid, I was going up to Tallahassee, sitting in the booth with him while he did the games,” Floyd said. “As I went through grade school, I played sports. I knew that I wanted to be involved in the world of sports somehow, and as a high school senior, it really came down to medicine or journalism.
“Ultimately, I had a teacher in high school who really believed in me and in my capabilities and knew that I would be great.”
Her experience at Florida A&M provided her with a mix of not just skills and confidence, but an even deeper appreciation for schools in the SWAC and other HBCUs.
“The culture and the traditions are so rich,” she said. “You have to think about how these institutions were created so that Black women, Black men and Black scholars could have access to higher learning when they were denied other places.”
Thai Floyd will serve as a play-by-play voice for Alabama A&M’s football team this season, becoming the first woman to serve as the full-time voice for an HBCU football team.Contributed
Currently pursuing her master’s degree at Alabama A&M, Floyd’s work has appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia, HBCU Legends on Sports Illustrated, and ESPN’s Andscape; she has also been on ESPN+ broadcasts both as a commentator and a sideline reporter.
Her transition from Florida to Alabama has been a good one for her, adding that the southern hospitality is “beautiful” in Alabama.
“In Florida, it’s funny, because the more north you go, the more south you get, because you’re touching Alabama and Georgia,” she said.
“The pace of life I love so much, it’s just very calm and relaxing, but it’s also just an amazing city. Huntsville is awesome. My college best friend actually is an engineer, so she got a job up here and I would come visit all the time. I came to watch a game at Alabama A&M when Florida A&M came to town to play and I just really fell in love with the university and the people.”
Among her role models are fellow sportscasters Laura Okmin, Pam Oliver, Lericia Harris, Tiffany Blackmon and Tiffany Greene, who is a fellow Florida A&M alum and became the first African-American woman to serve as a play-by-play commentator for college football on a major network.
“There would be no Thai Floyd if there was no Tiffany Greene, especially when it comes to play-by-play, because she’s the first to do it at a network level, and she’s incredible at what she does,” Floyd said. “Over the years, she’s been giving me that nudge to get into and I’m like, ‘Ah, Tiffany, I don’t know.’ I’m grateful that she’s embraced me so much as I stepped into this role.”
Alabama A&M will open its football season at Arkansas on Aug. 30 before hosting Alcorn State the following week for the Louis Crews Classic.
“We stand on the shoulders of giants, and I think as everything is evolving, there’s going to be more women in all these different aspects of sports,” Floyd said. “For me, I really enjoy being the first, and I’m excited about it, especially at Alabama A&M because the school has been around for 150 years. To possibly be the first in HBCUs as a whole, all of these institutions have been around for more than 100 years.
“For me to be the first is amazing, but it’s kind of interesting, because I wish that there were more, but I hope that by my example and by my career and the things that I hope to accomplish… digital media, having a place on a network, a streaming service, until I can work my way up to the network level and really show what I got, and people can look at me and look at Tiffany Greene and be like ‘Wow, we really can be in the booth and we really can talk about all and we can be in this field.’ I hope that is certainly not going to be just me, or just Tiffany, as the years go on and that there will continue to be a lot more women.”
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Zappos is offering major deals on select Hoka running shoes this week, including a new discount on select Mach 6 running shoe in men’s and women’s sizes. However, because this is such a good deal, shoes are flying off the shelves.
With this online deal, Zappos customers can get select men’s and women’s HOKA Mach 6 sneakers for as low as $91 instead of its normal retail price of $140. If your size is sold out in the available sale styles, be sure to check back later as more styles will likely drop in price in the future.
HOKA Mach 6 – Women’s
The HOKA Mach 6 is on sale at Zappos in select designs while supplies last.
According to HOKA, while the Mach 6 can easily be used for everyday wear, it was created specifically for races and everyday runs. All features included in the Mach 6 running shoe are as follows:
Streamlined collar foam package
Creel jacquard upper
Dual internal gusset
Super critical foam midsole
Strategic rubber outsole coverage
Anatomical tongue
“Behold our lightest, most responsive Mach to date,” Hoka’s product description states.
“This lively trainer has been fine-tuned for extra energy return with a super critical foam midsole and updated for enhanced durability with strategic rubber coverage in the outsole. Implementing speed focused design details throughout, we’ve enlisted a new creel jacquard upper with zonal breathability and an internal gusset to deliver the foot-hugging comfort required to set your next PR.”
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Andres Velazques-Trejo, 29, William Chase McElroy, 21, and Dalton Terrell, also 21, are jailed in connection with the horrific sex abuse and human trafficking of at least six children between the ages of 3 and 10 for more than a year.
A fourth person has been indicted but is not yet in custody.
That suspect’s name has not been released pending capture.
“He would tie one child to the bed, one child to a chair and one to one of the support poles,” Bibb County Assistant District Attorney Bryan Jones said of Velazques-Trejo.
“Then he would allow people to pay to have sex with the children,” Jones said. “It’s hard to fathom that someone can do this to a child.”
Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade announced the indictments over the weekend.
Jones on Tuesday described the underground bunker as the basement of an old house at or near the home of a family member of McElroy.
The basement had been converted, at some point, to be used as a storm shelter and that’s where the repeated abuse took place between January 2024 and earlier this year.
Jones said the bunker had a concrete floor, an old bed, a couple of chairs and concrete pilings holding up the ceiling.
Wade’s weekend statement said the investigation began Feb. 4 of this year “following concerns regarding the sexual abuse of children in an underground bunker located in Brent.”
Two of the victims were found to be performing sex acts on each other.
When discovered, they reported that McElroy had done to them, or taught them to do, the things they were doing to each other, Jones said.
The accusations alleged the children were forced to endure vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, and oral sex.
Records state one of the suspects “sold” children “to various clientele for sexual pleasure.”
Jones said the children were reportedly drugged by Velazques-Trejo pouring some type of white powder into their drinks.
“It’s hard to hear their stories and it’s hard to see pictures of this bunker where, according to some of the witnesses, they were drugged,” Jones said.
The victims are in DHR custody.
“As bad as it sounds with (Velazques-Trejo) drugging them, it may be a blessing in disguise because they don’t remember a lot of things,” Jones said.
“I’m hopeful through that they won’t have near the trauma they would have had if they had not been drugged.”
“I have a feeling as this story gets out, I feel like there are going to be more victims,” Jones said.
Authorities also believe there are many more suspects. He said there are allegations of up to another 12 men who may have paid to have sex with the children.
“We have no way of identifying these people unless somebody in the community comes forward and says this person told us they did this,” Jones said.
“The children wouldn’t know who they are.”
The grand jury on July 11 indicted McElroy on four counts of first-degree rape, six counts of first-degree human trafficking, six counts of first-degree sodomy and four counts of first-degree kidnapping.
He was initially arrested Feb. 11 on multiple counts of child sex abuse.
Charging documents from his initial arrest state he admitted to fondling the male victim and raping at least one of the young girls.
On April 25, investigators identified Terrell as another suspect and he, too, admitted to sexual intercourse with a minor, according to court records.
The grand jury indicted Terrell with six counts of first-degree rape, 12 counts of first-degree sodomy and five counts of human trafficking.
Terrell, records state, paid at least two adults to use the children – who are now ages 8,6, 10 and 3 – for sexual purposes, including rape and sodomy.
After more investigation, Velazquez-Trejo was arrested on April 29. He is charged with six counts of human trafficking.
The criminal complaint states he sold nude images of the victims to multiple people and sold the children themselves.
The suspects, all from Brent, will be arraigned on the indictments in August.
Court records indicate they all lived in mobile homes approximately a mile from each other at the time of their arrests.
Multiple agencies worked with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office on the investigation including Homeland Security Investigations, the Alabama Fusion Center, the Bibb County Department of Human Resources, the Child Advocacy Center Forensic Interview in Centreville and the Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation is ongoing.
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We contacted coaches across the state and asked them to fill out a survey requesting information about their team. These lists were compiled primarily based on the information provided by the coaches who chose to respond.
If you are an Alabama high school football coach who did not receive the survey, email [email protected] or [email protected]. We will continue to add to these lists throughout the summer.
BEST WIDE RECEIVERS, ALABAMA 1A
Aidan Abbott, sr., Maplesville
A second-team all-state selection for two consecutive years, Abbott recorded 40 catches for 537 yards and five touchdowns last season. Red Devils coach Brad Abbott praises Abbott’s ability to catch passes in traffic despite facing frequent double coverage. Abbott never leaves the field, excelling as a linebacker on defense and dangerous punt returner on special teams.
Julian Barnes, sr., McIntosh
Barnes showed his receiving skills last season with 20 receptions and two touchdown catches. The senior will try to increase his production in his final campaign for the Demons.
Brady Baxter, sr., Meek
Described by Tigers coach Daniel Evans as a “Swiss Army knife” who has played multiple positions during his time at Meek, Baxter has worked hard this offseason to prepare for his senior season.
Michael Billups, sr., Pickens County
Billups returns to his original position at wide receiver for the Tornadoes after earning second-team all-state honors as a defensive back last season with 57 tackles and five interceptions. His combination of offensive skills and defensive instincts makes him one of the region’s most versatile players.
Jaxon Brown, sr., Meek
Brown achieved a remarkable feat last season that Tigers coach Daniel Evans has never seen before: He didn’t drop a single pass all year. Described as “the most competitive kid ever coached,” Brown brings determination and reliability to the receiving corps. He also contributes at outside linebacker.
Kannen Cheatham, so., Hackleburg
At 6-foot-2, Cheatham brings good size to the wideout position. Panthers coach Rod Hudson describes him simply as a “good athlete” with promising potential entering his sophomore season.
Javarian Davis, jr., Cherokee
Davis demonstrated his playmaking ability last season with five touchdown receptions and two interceptions. Cherokee coach Ben Floyd expects to see even greater production in Davis’ junior campaign.
Damien Dickerson, jr., Autauga Academy
Dickerson excelled for the Generals and received honorable mention all-state at wide receiver in 2024, establishing himself as one of the classification’s top returning pass-catchers.
Parker Ferguson, jr., Meek
Described by Tigers coach Daniel Evans as a “tall, athletic player,” Ferguson is expected to be a “matchup nightmare” for opposing defenses. He’ll also make it difficult to throw against him when he plays defensive back in his first year of varsity action.
Joshua Harris Jr., fr., McIntosh
Though just a freshman, Harris brings “big-play capability” to the receiver position, according to father and Demons coach Joshua Harris Sr. As a first-year varsity player, Harris Jr. will try to make an immediate impact in the McIntosh passing game.
John Marc Hobbs, so., Fruitdale
Hobbs made significant contributions as a freshman last season, with nine catches for 120 yards, plus 12 pass deflections and 41 tackles on defense. Pirates coach Lane Brown expects Hobbs to emerge as a leader on both sides of the ball this fall.
Cam Ingram, sr., Hackleburg
A four-year starter at wide receiver and cornerback, Ingram enters his senior season as the Panthers’ leading returning receiver. His experience and skill set make him a valuable piece of the puzzle for coach Rod Hudson and the Hackleburg squad.
Hank Johnson, so., Brantley
Johnson brings physicality to both sides of the ball, playing wide receiver and middle linebacker. Bulldogs coach Andrew Lowery highlighted Johnson’s ability and skills, noting that offensively “he is a guy that blocks really well and also is good with the ball in his hands.”
Conner Lane, so., Addison
A transfer entering his sophomore year with the Bulldogs, Lane brings “great hands and speed” per first-year Addison coach Mark Hastings. Lane is expected to provide depth and strength to the receiver and defensive back groups.
Javian Marshall, so., Georgiana
Marshall enters his sophomore season with what Panthers coach Berry Bess calls “huge upside.” A multi-position player (WR/QB/DB), Marshall has earned praise as a great teammate, hard worker and student of the sport who has “studied and developed at each aspect of his game.”
Cayson McElrath, sr., Valley Head
Dubbed an “all-around athlete” by Tigers coach Charles Hammon, McElrath brings game-changing speed to the receiver position. He has clocked a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash at multiple camps and boasts a bench press max of 240 pounds. His combination of size and speed makes him a constant vertical threat downfield.
Jamari Nicks, so., Winterboro
Despite being a sophomore, Nicks has established himself as a big-play threat with 31 receptions for 568 yards and five touchdowns in 2024. He added 86 carries for 636 yards and 10 touchdowns. With elite route-running skills and a varsity veteran’s work ethic, Nicks has attracted offers from Arkansas and Tennessee, among others. Bulldogs coach Skylar Mansfield expects Nicks to “double his production” this season.
Jyrese Presley, sr., Georgiana
Panthers coach Berry Bess praises Presley’s athleticism and work ethic: “Jyrese is extremely athletic and works hard to develop his overall game. He has developed into a much better team leader and teammate heading into his final season.”
Dequavion Ray, fr., Billingsley
At 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, Ray brings impressive size to the wideout position despite being an underclassman. He gained valuable experience playing varsity some as an eighth-grader last season. Bears coach Lanny Jones notes that Ray is “starting to grow into his big and athletic frame” and will need to step up to replace Kyle Boice, who has moved to quarterback.
Elijah Reed, so., Fruitdale
As a freshman, Reed planted himself as the Pirates’ go-to receiver, starting all 10 games and earning Washington County All-County honors. He finished with impressive numbers: 41 catches, 594 yards and eight touchdown receptions. Fruitdale coach Lane Brown describes Reed as a sure-handed target. “If you throw the ball his way, it is going to be caught,” Brown said.
Josh Reed, sr., Leroy
A three-year starter at defensive back, Reed is described by Bears coach Chan Lowe as a “huge target that has potential to change the game with his deep-threat ability.” His size and experience make him a matchup problem for opposing secondaries.
Frisco Robertson, sr., Wadley
Described by Bulldogs coach Dake Rivers as possibly “the best athlete in Class 1A,” Robertson is a dual threat at wide receiver and safety. Wadley plans to get the first-team all-state athlete around 10 touches per game, recognizing his quick-strike scoring ability. On defense, Robertson is approaching the Alabama state record for career interceptions, making him a game-changer on both sides.
Best athlete in 1A? Wadley coach Dake Rivers thinks it could be Frisco Robertson.Vasha Hunt
Carson Rutledge, jr., Brantley
Rutledge uses his speed and agility to stretch the field vertically for the Bulldogs. Coach Andrew Lowery noted his receiver’s reliable hands and tackle-breaking ability after the catch. Rutledge also excels as a defensive back, covering significant ground in the secondary.
Demon Spraddling, sr., Wadley
Bulldogs coach Dake Rivers describes Spraddling as “electric with the ball in his hands.” Spraddling will serve as a wide receiver and backup quarterback (behind his twin brother, Damarious) and will play cornerback on defense.
Julius Sylvester, sr., Brantley
Size and speed make Sylvester a matchup problem for opposing defenses, particularly in vertical passing situations. Bulldogs coach Andrew Lowery also highlights his effectiveness in coverage and run support on defense, making Sylvester a valuable two-way contributor.
Zamerre Taylor, jr., Fruitdale
This will be Taylor’s first year playing football, but Pirates coach Lane Brown is excited about his potential. Described as “a big kid” with “great size and speed,” Taylor has shown his commitment by being in the weight room “any time it has been open.” The junior will split time between wide receiver and defensive end.
Max Westbrook, sr., Berry
Westbrook brings production on both sides of the ball, recording 28 catches for 331 yards and adding 72 tackles and four interceptions as a defensive back in 2024. His all-around game makes him one of the classification’s most complete players.
Judah Wilkins, so., Addison
Despite being a freshman last season, Wilkins earned a starting role and proved his versatility with 10 receptions for 206 yards and two touchdowns, plus 20 rushes for 92 yards. Bulldogs coach Mark Hastings describes him as “one of the most talented players on the team with great vision, speed, strength and exceptional hands.”
Kristofer Witherspoon, sr., Pickens County
Witherspoon was a reliable red zone target last season, turning 21 receptions into 229 yards and five touchdowns. He also contributed 48 tackles, showcasing his versatility and rooting himself as a key two-way player for the Tornadoes.
Cory Yelder, jr., Leroy
After emerging as a significant receiving threat last season, Yelder is expected to form a dangerous duo with teammate Josh Reed. His continued development will be central to the Bears’ offensive success in 2025.
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