High School Football Alabama The Magazine 2024

College football has undergone numerous changes over the past several years. The transfer portal and NIL are two of the most controversial factors that have changed the landscape of college athletics. Many college programs rely heavily on the transfer portal while others have been reluctant to accept this new concept. Regardless of those changes, the high school football player still holds the dream of signing a letter of intent on National Signing Day. High school football recruiting across the country has become an exciting and competitive journey for so many student-athletes. AHSAA District Six, which is comprised of Cherokee, Etowah, St. Clair, Calhoun, Cleburne, Randolph, Clay, and Talladega counties, is known for its strong football programs and passionate fans. This district has produced numerous talented players over the years who achieved their dream of playing at the college level. This fall is no exception as we look at some highly recruited players from District Six. Let’s take a look at “The Top 6 of District 6.”

KEENAN BRITT

School: Oxford High School

Class: 2026

Position: Edge Defender

The brother of Tampa Bay Buccaneer linebacker K.J. Britt, Keenan is making a name for himself at Oxford and around the country. Ranked as a 4-Star defensive end by Rivals, Britt is a highly-coveted player by most college football programs. Oxford Coach Sam Adams has seen the development of Britt over the past couple of summers. “Keenan will be a little bigger and stronger this fall. He’s also more “twitchy” and can make those blockers miss. The biggest thing about him is his motor. He’s going full speed every snap and he’s projected by most scouts as an inside linebacker,” said Adams. Last season, Britt finished the season with 107 tackles, 8 sacks, and 20 tackles for loss in just nine games.

JAMIN BROWN

School: SouthsideGadsden High School

Class: 2025

Position: Offensive Tackle

The recruiting of Jamin Brown of Southside really took off last fall as the 6’4”, 285 pound lineman dominated his opponents every Friday night. He has proven to be excellent in pass-blocking and simply walls off the defender. Brown uses his hands very well and is able to “stonewall” even the biggest defensive linemen. After receiving numerous offers from around the southeast, Brown got the dream offer in June. He is committed to Duke University and has spent the summer recruiting more prospects to join him in Durham.

GRAYSON “CLEAT” FORREST

School: Alexandria High School

Class: 2025

Position: Kicker/Punter

Since his 7th grade season, Cleat Forrest has been turning heads with his powerful left leg. Pulling double-duty as the kicker and punter, Forrest now holds a 4.5-Star ranking from Kohl’s Kicking Camps. Opponents know that allowing the Valley Cubs across midfield could lead to points. Forrest is a 5-time All-State kicker after connecting on 23 of 32 field goals and has made 195 0f 205 extra points. Over the summer, Forrest has attended several college prospect camps and has posted several perfect charts. He holds offers from UAB and Murray State, but also has interest from the likes of Clemson, Mississippi State, and Kentucky.

ZYAN GIBSON

School: Gadsden City High School

Class: 2026

Position: Defensive Back

Gibson is a 4-Star defensive back who is a gamechanger for Gadsden City. He has dazzled college recruiters with his speed and athleticism. Gibson consistently runs a 4.45 in the 40 and is a 3-sport athlete for the Titans. He is a 6’1” shutdown corner that opponents typically avoid. Gibson is also very dangerous in the return game mainly because of his elusiveness and vision. He is expected to be one of the top cornerbacks in the nation in the Class of 2026. Gibson also gets it done in the classroom with a 3.4 GPA. He currently holds offers from the top programs in America including Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Auburn and Alabama.

MASON MIMS

School: Oxford High School

Class: 2025

Position: Quarterback

After two seasons as the quarterback at Oxford, Mason Mims will take the Yellow Jackets for another exciting ride this season. He will also enter the year committed to Louisville to be a future QB for the Cardinals. “Louisville just felt like home. Coach (Jeff) Brohm played quarterback at a high level and it’s like we just talk the same language,” said Mims. Ranked as a 4-Star prospect, Mims has passed for 4,765 yards and 51 touchdowns as the Oxford starter. Mims shows no signs of slowing down, “He has always been so accurate, but now he has even more velocity on his passes. He has worked hard to get stronger and faster and has knocked down every obstacle in being a top-level quarterback,” said Head Coach Sam Adams.

JAQUEZ WILKES

School: Wadley High School

Class: 2026

Position: Defensive End

In Class 1A football, athletes typically play more than one position. Jaquez Wilkes has so much versatility, recruiters can project him playing several spots in college as well. Some see the 6’4” Wilkes as a rushing defensive end that destroys opponents in the backfield. Others see him as a 220-pound running back that moves like he’s 40-pounds lighter. Wilkes is a 4-star athlete that ranks as one of the nation’s top prospects in the class of 2026. Most of the SEC schools have offered for his services as well as Penn State and Florida State.

BEST OF THE REST

• KeShawn Allen – Weaver - C/O 2025 - 6’2” 165 – Wide Receiver

• Sherontae Bailey – Anniston – C/O 2027 - 6’3” 290 – Offensive Tackle

• Cavin Bates – Cleburne County - C/O 2028 - 6’2” 228 – Defensive End

• LaDamion Boyd – Clay Central - C/O 2025 – 5’11” 180 – Running Back

• Brayden Byers – Ohatchee - C/O 2026 - 5’8” 160 – Slot Receiver

• Amare “Tank” Edmondson – Munford - C/O 2025 - 5’7” 160 – Running Back

• Zay English – Jacksonville - C/O 2025 - 5’10” 175 – Running Back

• Deshaun Gibbons – Clay Central - C/O 2025 - 5’11” 160 –Defensive Back

• Kaiden Gooden – Weaver - C/O 2025 – 6’ 165 – Athlete

• P.J. Holloway – White Plains - C/O 2027 – 5’7” 160 – Running Back

• Jamari Johnson – Pell City - C/O 2025 - 6’ 155 – Defensive Back

• Eric Kirkpatrick – Westbrook Christian - C/O 2025 - 6’4” 315 – Offensive Tackle

• Noah Lee – Jacksonville Christian - C/O 2026 - 6’3” 195 – Quarterback

• Eli Motes – Coosa Christian - C/O 2025 - 6’4” 215 – Tight End

• Jaxon Newton – Wellborn - C/O 2026 - 6’4” 200 – Outside Linebacker

• Frisco Robertson – Wadley - C/O 2026 – 5’10” 160 – Defensive Back

• Ty Sims – Gadsden City - C/O 2026 – 5’10” 170 – Safety

• Daquavian Slaughter – Handley - C/O 2025 - 6’3” 200 – Defensive End

• James Tapley – Oxford - C/O 2025 – 5’11” 190 – Linebacker/Long Snapper

• Cedric Twyman – Oxford - C/O 2025 – 5’11” 175 – Defensive Back

• Malik Watts – Pell City - C/O 2025 - 6’4” 270 – Offensive Tackle

• Damauri Whetstone – Clay Central – C/O 2025 – 6’ 205 – Linebacker

• Des Whitson – Oxford - C/O 2025 - 6’3” 210 – Outside Linebacker

• T.J. Worthy – Gadsden City - C/O 2025 – 5’10” 175 – Running Back

• McCade Wright – Southside-Gadsden - C/O 2025 - 6’5” 255 – Defensive End

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256Recruiting is a twitter-based recruiting service founded and operated by High School Football Alabama colleague Tommy Wood. This is a ministry that is designed to help studentathletes gain exposure for an opportunity to continue their academic and athletic careers. The service began as a local operation in January and now works with over 650 athletes across the state of Alabama. Follow @256Recruiting on Twitter.