2024 Augusta Chronicle Dream 16: Here are the top high school football players for 2024

It’s high school football game week in the Augusta area.

We spent the last two weeks looking at the top players across each position ahead of the 2024 season , now it’s time for grand finale: the 2024 Augusta Chronicle Dream 16.

This list features what we consider are the best of the best high school football players in our coverage area. There are Division-I commits up and down the list and more will likely make their decisions as the season progresses.

What stands out here are the newcomers. Of the 16 players featured, 14 are first-time Dream 16 selections. In addition to that, four area high schools are represented by multiple players for the first time in the history of the series.

Without further ado, here are your 2024 Dream 16 selections.

2024 Augusta Chronicle high school football Dream 16

Jim Franklin

Position: QB

School: Aquinas

Class: 2025

The reigning Augusta-area player of the year, Franklin is one of the best pure passers the area has seen over the past 20 years. He completed 68 percent of his passes for 2,692 yards and 31 touchdowns. He probably doesn't get enough credit for his athleticism, adding 587 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. If he can stay healthy for the full season, the sky is the limit for the Fightin’ Irish in 2024.

Jack Rhodes

Position: WR

School: Aquinas

Class: 2026

Rhodes exploded in a primary receiver role last season after spending his freshman year under center. He was the area’s lone 1,000-yard receiver and hauled in 16 touchdowns ( five in one game ). His numbers could take a step back without Garrer lined up on the other side of the field, but the combination of Rhodes and Jim Franklin will once again be the most potent tandem in the area this season.

Jaden Wuerth

Position: DL

School: Aquinas

Class: 2027

Wuerth did things during his freshman season that, historically, freshmen just don’t do. He finished the campaign with 139 total tackles (36 for a loss) and 14 sacks. He’s already received offers from multiple Division-I programs, and it won’t be long before blue chip Power-Five coaches come knocking on his door. Wuerth has the chance to be a generational talent for the Irish.

Jeanarion Kamga

Position: RB

School: Westside

Class: 2025

Kamga put together a monster junior season, eclipsing 1,500 yards on the ground and scoring 14 times. Westside enters this season with a vastly improved offensive line and if things go how they’re looking in the Patriots’ new region, the thought of Kamga approaching 2,000 yards in 2024 might not be much of a stretch.

Corey Tillman

Position: QB

School: North Augusta

Class: 2025

Tillman was a machine for the Yellow Jackets, completing 65 percent of his passes for 1,257 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also averaged 8.7 yards per carry to the tune of 778 yards and six more scores on the ground. If North Augusta is going to reclaim its region title, Tillman is going to be a big reason why.

Deondre Baskett

Position: LB

School: North Augusta

Class: 2025

Baskett is the reigning Region 4 defensive player of the year, and for good reason. He recorded 66 total tackles with 17 for a loss, adding eight sacks, 13 quarterback pressures and a forced fumble. His ability to rush the passer like a defensive end, while being fast enough to cover the open field, makes for a tough opposing game plan.

Michael Doe

Position: RB

School: North Augusta

Class: 2026

Death, taxes and North Augusta continuing to pump out running backs. Doe burst onto the scene as a sophomore with 1,102 yards (110 per game) and 14 touchdowns on the ground. The tandem of Doe and quarterback Corey Tillman proved nearly unstoppable and they’ll lead one of the area’s most explosive offenses once again.

Nasan Houston

Position: DL

School: Cross Creek

Class: 2025

Houston led the Augusta area with 16.5 sacks last season – in just seven games played. He’s already received offers from Division-I programs like Charleston Southern and Howard, with many more likely to come between now and the early signing period. In a region with several explosive offenses, Houston will be one of the most valuable assets at Cross Creek in 2024.

Dallas Carter

Position: DB

School: Augusta Christian

Class: 2025

A pure ball hawk, Carter racked up a ridiculous nine interceptions during his junior year. He returned three for touchdowns in addition to 55 tackles and significant snaps on offense. He’s one of the most dominant cover corners we’ve seen in years and if he stays healthy, more eye-popping numbers are on the horizon in 2024.

Mason Short

Position: OL

School: Evans

Class: 2025

Simply put, short is one of the top offensive line prospects in the nation and has been since he burst onto the scene as a freshman. Originally an Alabama commit, the 6-foot-6, 305-pound superstar flipped to Georgia back in April following Nick Saban’s retirement. The 4-star recruit will be leading what is likely the most experienced offensive line group in the area.

Buddyrow Garrer

Position: WR

School: Evans

Class: 2025

Garrer likely sets foot on campus as Evans’ most explosive receiver since Derrick Canteen. He averaged more than 90 yards per game in Aquinas’ pass-heavy offense. While Evans has historically been a team that looks to move the football on the ground, Garrer’s presence opens a whole new world of possibilities from a playbook standpoint.

Tyler Wallace

Position: K/P

School: Evans

Class: 2025

Wallace has proved to be a weapon on special teams for the Knights each of the past two seasons. Whether it’s a field goal situation or winning the battle for field position, few have been better at both aspects of the game in the Augusta area. The Division-I North Alabama commit will once again be an important piece to Evans’ hunt for a region title.

Anthony "Tre" Jeffery

Position: RB

School: Thomson

Class: 2025

Jeffery is looking for his third-straight 1,000-yard season for the Bulldogs. He’s been a model of consistency since seeing regular snaps as a sophomore and will likely be in a Division-I backfield this time next year.

Evan Scott

Position: OL

School: Lakeside

Class: 2025

Scott joins Lakeside after three seasons at Augusta Christian. The 2025 Duke commit has quietly been one of the best linemen in the Augusta area until his recruitment seemed to explode over the last year or so. Once the Division-I programs came calling, he became a household name. Scott will be a huge addition to an offense that is primed to take a big step forward in 2024.

Baylor Davis

Position: LB

School: Harlem

Class: 2025

Davis was all over the field for the Bulldogs as a junior, racking up 108 solo tackles (128 total) and 16 for a loss. He also added three sacks, an interception, two pass breakups and three forced fumbles. Between his ability to drop back into coverage and rush the passer means he will be the one of the leaders of not only the Harlem defensive unit, but throughout the entire locker room.

Taylor Hart

Position: OL

School: Harlem

Class: 2025

Hart is the senior member of a relatively young offensive line group for the Bulldogs. He was a Region 4-AAA first-team selection a year ago and will be the leader of this position group as Harlem looks to return to the postseason.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: 2024 Augusta Chronicle Dream 16: Here are the top high school football players for 2024