We tell you everything you need to know about the 2026 Grayson High School football team in this preview, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Rams this season.
2025 Season Stats
- Overall Record: 12-1
- Points Scored: 531
- Points Allowed: 137
Key Roster Losses
Replacing the nation’s No. 1 linebacker, Tyler Atkinson, will be nearly impossible. The five-star defender ended his high school career with more than 550 tackles and 39 sacks.
However, he is not the only defensive standout new head coach Greg Carswell will have to replace at Grayson. Linebacker Ant Davis recorded 212 career tackles, including 32 tackles for loss and more than seven sacks. Linebacker McKinley McShan also will not return. Atkinson signed with Texas, Davis is now at Ole Miss, and McShan signed with Arkansas State. Defensive lineman Zaccheus Harris has graduated and is now at West Georgia.
The offense also will enter this season without several playmakers, including leading wide receiver Dawson Quarterman, who signed with East Carolina, and the Rams’ second-leading wide receiver, Jonathan Stafford Jr., who signed with Western Kentucky. Running back Joshua Thomas will not return, as the former Rams rusher is now playing for Mars Hill College.
Quarterback Travis Burgess was injured in Game 1 of the 2025 season and never returned, but he is on the mend and ready to make an impact at the University of North Carolina.
Key Players Returning
Grayson will return quarterback Deuce Smith, who stepped in for the injured Burgess and impressed by throwing for 2,355 yards and 24 touchdowns. He completed 64% of his pass attempts in 2025. He also rushed for slightly more than 100 yards and one touchdown last season.
The team’s leading rusher last season, Ashton Turner, also returns. Turner has rushed for more than 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns over the past two seasons, including 11 touchdowns last season.
The Rams’ second-leading running back, Brandon Gray, also returns after rushing for 523 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025.
On defense, look for Aaron “AB” Black to take over as the defensive leader following Atkinson’s departure. The senior defender plays a hybrid safety-linebacker role known as the “star” position in the Rams’ defense. He enters the 2026 season with more than 30 college offers.
Joining Black on defense are returning linebacker Eli Harris, defensive lineman Zen Williams, and defensive backs Rilee Drew, Jalen Welch, and London Goggans.
What to Expect From the Grayson Rams in 2026
Look for the Rams to continue their winning ways under Carswell, who was elevated from defensive coordinator, replacing former head coach Santavious Bryant, who left to take the Gainesville head coach position.
The Rams will have a tough first half start to the season, but with the new postseason ranking formula benefiting teams for their entire schedule, including the non-region opponents, this should only help the Rams with their postseason placement.
Having starting QB Smith and leading rusher Turner back will be huge for the Rams offense. The big question will be how the team fares without having Atkinson on the defense for the first time in four seasons.
2026 Season Prediction
The Grayson Rams start the season at North Gwinnett in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic before playing road games against Sandy Creek, Hughes, and Brunswick. Their first home game will be against Carol City. I predict a 9-4 overall record for the Rams in 2026.
Game to Watch
Sept. 18 versus Buford
Grayson’s 2026 Football Schedule
- 8/12 vs. North Gwinnett (Mercedes Benz Stadium)
- 8/21 at Sandy Creek
- 9/04 at Hughes
- 9/11 at Brunswick
- 9/18 vs. Buford
- 10/02 vs. Miami Carol City (Florida)
- 10/09 at Archer
- 10/16 at Newton
- 10/23 vs. South Gwinnett
- 11/06 vs. Rockdale County
