We tell you everything you need to know about the 2023 Buford football team, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Wolves this season.
2022 Stats
- Overall Record: 11-1
- Points Scored: 488
- Points Allowed: 143
Key Losses
The Wolves don’t lose too many seniors from last season, but the ones who have graduated were talented and will be missed. The group includes starting quarterback Dylan Wittke, who threw for 1,130 yards and 11 TDs over the last two seasons. He signed with Virginia Tech.
Justice Haynes will not return, and he leaves behind quite the legacy at Buford, with over 7,000 yards rushing in his four-year career. Twenty-eight of his 48 games played resulted in 100+ rushing yards. He leaves with 91 rushing TDs during a stellar high school career; now he’s off to Alabama to continue his career.
LB/RB Christian Butler heads to St. Augustine University after a standout two-way career at Buford. Others not returning include DL Paul Mubenga (LSU), LB Ryan McKinnis (App State), CB Alijah Williams (Bowling Green), LS Aiden Wilson (Bowling Green), and DL Aiden Jeter (Fordham).
Who’s Back
There’s a lot of returning talent at Buford this year, and that should give the rest of Class 7A reason for concern. Among those returning Wolves are highly recruited standout junior LB Jadon Perlotte, who has already committed to Georgia.
Joining Perlotte on the 2023 Buford roster is one of the most highly recruited players in the state, senior DE Eddrick Houston, who some recruiting services rank as the #1 player in the country. Right there alongside Houston are senior five-star ATH KJ Bolden, LB Bryson Banks (a James Madison commit), and senior QB Tristan Gabrels.
What to Expect
Probably the best thing that could’ve happened to Buford was the Wolves’ upset loss to Walton in the state playoffs last season. You can bet that has only made their resolve stronger under coach Bryant Appling as they head into the 2023 season. That, along with a roster loaded with talent, should give the Wolves the upper hand in Class 7A this year.
Buford gave us a bit of a preview of what to expect during its spring game at Norcross, where the Wolves were firing on all cylinders and looking unstoppable, even if it was merely a scrimmage. ITG Next Georgia was there – check out the highlights of that game, as well as their practice leading up to it. The 2023 Buford football team will be – and should be – the favorite to win it all in Class 7A this year. Expect coach Appling’s team to return to dominance this season.
Prediction
15-0 and the Class 7A state championship.
Game to Watch
The Mill Creek game was huge last season, and it will be again this season, with the Wolves traveling to play the Hawks on October 13.
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