2026 Public Schools Top 100 Preview: No. 26 Gainesville
Gainesville has its quarterback, two Power Four offensive-line commitments and a roster built to push deep into Georgia’s crowded Class 6A race.
Top 25 Public HSFB7/24/20264 min read
Gainesville does not get a transition month. New head coach Santavious Bryant opens at Buford, travels to East St. Louis two weeks later and faces two more non-region opponents before September ends.
The roster is built for that test: a proven quarterback, two productive backs, two Power Four offensive-line commitments and a senior defender headed to Pitt.
Team Snapshot
School: Gainesville High School Location: Gainesville, Georgia Classification: Georgia Class 6A Region: Region 7-6A 2025 record: 12-3 on the field; semifinal victory later forfeited 2025 finish: Class 5A runner-up finish vacated by the GHSA Head coach: Santavious Bryant T25PS preseason rank: No. 26
2026 Outlook
Class of 2027 Clemson commitment Kharim Hughley threw for 2,456 yards and 33 touchdowns last season, then added 379 yards and eight scores on the ground.
Nigel Newkirk rushed for 1,496 yards and 19 touchdowns before a postseason knee injury. His recovery remains a preseason variable. Dwight Lewis Jr. also returns after producing 1,082 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Miami commitment Tyler Ford and NC State commitment Bryson Hurt strengthen the line. Pitt commitment Jeremiah Proctor joins Darryn Williams on defense.
Follow Gainesville and the full Top 100: Create a to save your home state and favorite team and manage optional rankings and coverage emails.
Your team. Your state. Your T25PS.
Make the national coverage more personal.
Save your home state and favorite team, then choose whether to receive major rankings and coverage updates. The account is free.
The Clemson commitment produced 41 total touchdowns and gives Gainesville an experienced passer who can create after the pocket breaks down.
Nigel Newkirk — RB, Class of 2027
The Alabama commitment ran for 1,496 yards and 19 touchdowns. His recovery from a postseason knee injury must still be monitored.
Dwight Lewis Jr. — RB, Class of 2028
Lewis ran for 1,082 yards and 11 touchdowns as a sophomore, giving Gainesville proven depth while Newkirk works back.
Tyler Ford — OL, Class of 2027
The Miami commitment played left tackle for Gainesville in 2025 and gives Hughley a Power Four prospect protecting the edge.
Bryson Hurt — IOL, Class of 2027
Hurt committed to NC State in June, giving Gainesville a second Power Four offensive-line commitment.
Jeremiah Proctor — DB/LB, Class of 2027
Proctor is committed to Pitt, which recruited him as a linebacker, while Gainesville has used him as a defensive back and athlete. That versatility gives the Red Elephants another defender who can match up in space or play closer to the line.
Darryn Williams — LB, Class of 2027
Williams recorded 88 tackles and six interceptions last season, making him Gainesville’s established defensive producer.
Schedule Breakdown
Gainesville visits Buford on Aug. 22 and East St. Louis on Sept. 4. Region 7-6A then brings an Oct. 2 trip to Roswell and an Oct. 23 home game against No. 19 Milton.
2026 Gainesville Schedule
Aug. 22: at Buford
Sept. 4: at East St. Louis (Illinois)
Sept. 11: vs. McEachern
Sept. 18: vs. Oceanside Collegiate (South Carolina)
Sept. 25: vs. Alpharetta
Oct. 2: at Roswell
Oct. 9: at Johns Creek
Oct. 16: vs. Riverwood
Oct. 23: vs. Milton
Oct. 30: at Lanier
Biggest Question
Can Gainesville break through Georgia’s loaded Class 6A field?
Creekside and Thomas County Central enter 2026 as defending state champions, and Milton remains one of Georgia’s most talented programs. Langston Hughes is coming off a 12-1 season, while Region 7 opponent Roswell finished 12-2.
Gainesville has enough offense to play with any of them. The Red Elephants’ title chances will come down to Newkirk’s recovery and whether a defense led by Williams and Proctor can hold up against the best teams in the classification.
T25PS Prediction
Regular season: 8-2 Postseason: Georgia Class 6A semifinalist
The schedule makes an unbeaten regular season unlikely, but it should prepare Gainesville for November. An 8-2 finish followed by a semifinal appearance would put the Red Elephants in position to challenge Creekside, Thomas County Central, Milton, Hughes and Roswell for the Class 6A title.
Bottom Line
Hughley gives Gainesville a proven quarterback, Newkirk and Lewis give the offense two accomplished runners, and Ford and Hurt bring Power Four talent to the line. If Newkirk returns healthy and the defense settles under Bryant, the Red Elephants can reach the Class 6A semifinals.
