The unquestioned leader on this year's team is Joel Kight and seeing him with his teammates shows why. He is always first, always encouraging others and is a yes sir, no sir guy. It also helps that he is one of the top players in the state, but one would never know just how good he is due to his overwhelming level of humility.
Any other time this might sound too good to be true but Scout.Com was able to see him in action at a combine and recently caught up with him to get an update on recruiting.
So what's the verdict? As good as advertised.
And who might end up being fortunate enough to secure the services of this top-notch young man from Lithonia, GA?
Kight was kind enough to give a break down of his early top seven.
Alabama--"Prestige and tradition. Nick Saban is a great coach and it gives me a chance ti get away from home...but not too far. The education is really good, too."
Auburn--"My cousin went to Auburn. I have visited and I like everything, even when they played against my brother (Kelvin Kight) at Florida. I could really sense the tradition and prestige."
Boston College--"I really like their offense and how they spread people out. They really get their running backs involved. Plus, I really liked watching Matt Ryan--he put them on the map. I know it's far but the education there is top-notch and even if football didn't work out, you would make a good living with a degree from there."
Florida--"I like everything about Florida. I feel like I know Florida inside out and have been knowing them since my brother was down there. I really like the weather and just everything about the place."
Indiana--"I thought it was a basketball state but I have gotten to know more about them by getting to know Coach Johnson. They actually offered today and I really want to know more about them now."
Oklahoma State--"I like their coaching staff. When I saw Coach Gundy go off on the reporter on TV, I really liked it. I saw that he was all about protecting his players and I like that."
South Carolina--"I like Steve Spurrier. He was the coach when my brother was there and my brother says that he is a real good coach and I would like playing for him."
Kite is approaching his list of colleges and the decision that looms the same way he approaches everything else in life: with energy, precision and a level head. With so many details about each school, it appears that it is going to take a lot of deep thought to narrow the list. It also appears that there might not be just one school that has everything he wants. I decided that I would take a shot at it, though, and ask what his perfect school would be.
"My perfect school would have prestige, a solid education, tradition, a family-type nature about the team and my degree," he said, "Weather doesn't really play a major role because you can't always play in perfect weather."
But first things first...Kight and the Lions have some unfinished business to take care of, and to a person the goal is unanimous.
"Our goal is to win the state championship. Period."
Look for Kight to to be leading the way.
Burke Hayes is the Southeastern Regional Manager for Football Recruiting at Scout.