We tell you everything you need to know about the 2026 Buford High School football team in this preview, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Wolves this season.
2025 Season Stats
- Overall Record: 15-0
- Points Scored: 662
- Points Allowed: 158
Key Roster Losses
Buford loses its quarterback, top three rushers, top receiver, top three scorers, top two tacklers, and sack leader from last year’s 2025 state and national championship team.
Perhaps the biggest losses will be athlete Tyriq “Ty Boogie” Green, who was the difference maker in last year’s Class 6A state championship win over Carrollton, which also crowned the Wolves as the top team in the country. Green led the team in total touchdowns with 14, rushing touchdowns with 13, and was the team’s second-leading rusher in 2025.
Quarterback Dayton Raiola has graduated. He was the team’s starter the past two seasons, throwing for 4,221 yards with 46 touchdowns, which also includes his sophomore year as the team’s backup.
Leading rusher Dylan McCoy and third-leading rusher Brian Stokes are also gone. Leading wide receiver Torre Costin has graduated. Costin, Green, and Dylan McCoy were the top three scorers for Buford last year.
One of Buford’s top receivers, Cameron Hurst, transferred this offseason and will not return.
Tackle leaders Bryce Perry-Wright and Deion Miller will not return. Perry-Wright also led the team in sacks last year. Dre Quinn and Cameron Simmons were the second- and third-leading sack leaders last year behind Perry-Wright and will also not return.
Standout defensive backs Jax Pope and Nassir “Nascar” McCoy have graduated, as has tight end Dream Rashad.
Buford will also lose kicker and punter Andrew Ivanciuc.
Key Players Returning
The Buford Wolves will bring back some key defensive pieces.
That includes their top interception leaders from last year in junior defensive back Brendon Davis, who had 37 tackles and two interceptions, and defensive back Silas Nuckles, who led the team with four interceptions.
Junior defensive end Will Wyatt is returning to the defense this year after making 38 tackles last year, including a sack.
Linebacker Brady Wagner had 100 tackles last season, including eight tackles for loss.
Linebacker Joshua Echols, who had 99 tackles last season, including four sacks, is back.
On offense, junior wide receiver Braylon Williams is back. He caught six passes last year, but he made them count with four touchdowns. Williams also saw time at defensive back, with an interception and a fumble recovery.
Senior running back Jameer Cantrell will become one of the primary backs for the Buford offense this year. He had 43 carries for 303 yards and three touchdowns while also catching nine passes out of the backfield in 2025.
Wide receiver Ian Chafin, who caught 16 passes for 232 yards and one touchdown, will likely figure more into the Wolves’ passing game in 2026.
Senior DJ Hunter will take over the starting quarterback duties this season. Hunter, who is ranked No. 6 in ITG Next’s recent list of top 10 quarterbacks entering the 2026 Georgia high school football season, has looked impressive this offseason and will give Buford the offensive leader they have been accustomed to during head coach Bryant Appling’s tenure.
What to Expect From the Buford Wolves in 2026
Yes, Buford lost a lot of talent, but we said that about last year’s team, which promptly went out and finished 15-0 and won a state and national championship.
One thing that is a bit different with this year’s team heading into 2026 is that Buford doesn’t have as many marquee names as compared to last year, but that just means there’s more opportunity for other players to make a name for themselves.
It won’t take long to find out how good this Buford team is as the Wolves start 2026 with a preseason scrimmage against Tennessee state champion Baylor High School, followed by the season opener at home against Gainesville. Then comes another home game versus Central Miami, along with road trips to play North Carolina power Mallard Creek and Grayson.
2026 Season Prediction
Sorry, Buford haters. The Wolves will finish 13-2 with another trip to the state championship game.
Game to Watch
Aug. 22 season opener versus Gainesville
Buford’s 2026 Football Schedule
- 8/22 vs. Gainesville
- 9/04 at Mallard Creek
- 9/11 vs. Miami Central
- 9/18 at Grayson
- 9/25 at Seckinger
- 10/09 at Dacula
- 10/16 vs. Collins Hill
- 10/23 at Mill Creek
- 10/30 vs. Discovery
- 11/06 vs. Central Gwinnett
