Ohio State commit Na’eem Offord and 3 other top CFB recruits to watch out for in Carrollton vs A.H. Parker High School football matchup

By Aman Sharma

Modified Sep 20, 2024 20:03 GMT

In a highly anticipated showdown this Friday, A.H. Parker High School’s Thundering Herd will face off against Georgia’s powerhouse, Carrollton High School.

The game features a collection of top prospects, including Ohio State commit Na’eem Offord, USC commit Julian Lewis and Auburn commit defensive lineman Jourdin Crawford. Parker enters the contest at 4-0, while Carrollton sits at 5-0, showcasing their strength as Georgia's No. 1 ranked team in Class 6A.

Parker boasts an impressive lineup, headlined by five-star cornerback Na’eem Offord. He’ll be supported by Parker’s defense which features Miami commit Timothy Merritt (3-star cornerback) and Georgia State-bound Joseph Holt (3-star safety). Defensive lineman Jourdin Crawford, a 4-star Auburn commit, ranks 13th nationally at his position.

Caleb Smith (3-star, committed to Washington) and junior Vodney Cleveland (4-star) add strength up front, with the latter boasting offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida and more top programs.

Parker’s suffocating defense has allowed only 35 points through four games. In their most recent victory, Parker dominated Mortimer Jordan 46-0.

However, the Thundering Herd will face one of their toughest tests yet in Carrollton’s five-star quarterback, Julian Lewis. Committed to USC, Lewis has thrown for over 7,200 yards and 96 touchdowns in his first two seasons and is one of the top quarterbacks in the nation.

Parker’s coach, Frank Warren, compared Lewis’ game to Heisman winner Bryce Young, noting his ability to get the ball out quickly to a deep pool of talented receivers.

“He is one of the top quarterbacks in the nation," Warren told Al.com. "He gets the ball out of his hands so fast and he’s got four good receivers on his side. He doesn’t miss much. He’s got some Bryce Young in him."

Carrollton’s senior prospects include East Carolina commit Zion Cooley (3-star edge rusher) and James Madison commit Kai Callen (3-star athlete). The junior class features Texas-bound safety Zelus Hicks, Alabama-pledged cornerback Dorian Barney, 22-offer wide receiver Ryan Mosely, linebacker C.J. Gamble and offensive lineman Zykie Helton.

Parker and Carrollton set to clash on the national stage in ESPN-broadcasted showdown

On September 20, 2024, A.H. Parker High School will host Georgia’s Carrollton High in a highly anticipated interstate football matchup. Set for 7:00 p.m. CT in Birmingham, Alabama, the game will be streamed live on the NFHS Network and broadcast nationally on ESPN2 — the first time a Birmingham City Schools team has been featured on ESPN.

Parker head coach Frank Warren sees the exposure as a unique opportunity. He told Al.com:

“This is the first time for a Birmingham City Schools team to play on ESPN, so it’s an honor to be on. It’s just another game, but it is an opportunity to showcase your talent to the nation."

Warren, now in his fifth season with Parker, boasts a 40-11 record. Warren’s counterpart, Carrollton’s Joey King, brings an impressive resume as well. In nine seasons as a high school coach in Georgia, King has amassed a 105-9 record.

He made history at Cartersville High, mentoring NFL quarterback Trevor Lawrence to back-to-back state titles in 2015 and 2016. King also holds the Georgia prep record for fastest to 50 wins (52 games) and 100 wins (108 games).