No. 73 Brookwood (GA) 2026 Football Preview | T25PS | Top 25 Public HSFB
Series
2026 Public Schools Top 100 Preview: No. 73 Brookwood (GA)
Brookwood brings back its quarterback, a proven lead back and a veteran core as the Broncos try to turn another playoff season into a deeper run.
Top 25 Public HSFB8/10/20266 min read
The Broncos return major key pieces in quarterback Gary Chatman, Brayden Tyson, and a substantial group on both sides of the ball. Brookwood is #73 because the foundation is real, and the talent at the top is elite.
Team Snapshot
School: Brookwood Broncos
Location: Snellville, Georgia
2026 classification: GHSA Class 7A
2025 record: 9-3
2025 finish: Second round
Head coach: Chad Nighbert
T25PS rank: #73
2026 Outlook
Brookwood enters 2026 with the feeling that they left a lot on the table last season after losing in the 2nd round to Valdosta. They enter this year with a lot more experience having 44 seniors on the roster, and the talent level at the top of this class rivals anywhere in the state.
3-star Auburn commit, Gary Chatman, gives the offense an experienced duel-threat QB. He threw for 1,494 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, added 418 rushing yards and scored five more times on the ground. Brayden Tyson, 4-star South Carolina commit, gives Brookwood a second established answer after running for 1,292 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The starting point up front is strong. Unitas Baltimore and Kaiden McKenzie give the Broncos continuity at center and tackle, while Logan Mixon remains a useful tight-end piece. On defense, the returning secondary and edge group give Brookwood enough length and speed to be able to cover any receiver group in Georgia.
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The concern is what happens around that core. Brookwood still has contributors from last year's team to replace, and the new pieces will determine whether this roster simply repeats its 2025 profile or makes the next step. The floor is high, but the ceiling will be measured against the best teams in the region.
Players to Know
Gary Chatman: QB, Class of 2027 - Committed to Auburn
Chatman is the returning quarterback Brookwood will build around. He threw for 1,494 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2025, added 418 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, and gives the Broncos an established option at the most important position.
Brayden Tyson: RB, Class of 2027 - Committed to South Carolina
Tyson is coming off a 1,292-yard season with 16 rushing touchdowns. He gives Brookwood a proven lead back who can carry the offense through difficult stretches.
Unitas Baltimore: DT/C, Class of 2027 - Committed to Arkansas State
Baltimore posted 57 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and eight hurries in 2025. He gives the Broncos a disruptive returning player at defensive tackle and center.
Kaiden McKenzie: OL, Class of 2027 - Committed to UAB
McKenzie is a returning offensive lineman in the 2027 class. His experience gives Brookwood continuity up front as the Broncos try to keep the running game and pass protection stable.
Logan Mixon: TE/DE, Class of 2027 - Committed to Georgia State
Mixon is a returning two-way piece at tight end and defensive end. His versatility gives Brookwood another way to stay balanced when the Broncos need contributions beyond Chatman and Tyson.
Zy'Aire Conaway: DB/WR, Class of 2027 - Committed to Arkansas State
Conaway returns as a defensive back with an established 2025 production line. He recorded 27 tackles, two forced fumbles, 10 pass breakups and an interception, giving Brookwood a playmaker to build around in the secondary.
Julian Elzey: S, Class of 2027 - Committed to Georgia Tech
Elzey is a returning safety and one of the most experienced pieces in Brookwood's secondary. His presence gives the Broncos a veteran communicator in the back end.
Xzavier Pfister: EDGE, Class of 2027 - Committed to Arkansas State
Pfister is a returning edge defender in the 2027 class. He gives Brookwood another experienced piece to use when the Broncos need pressure from the outside.
Firas Ibrahim: S, '27 - Committed to Western Kentucky
Another key piece in this secondary that comes in with a lot of experience playing in 10 games last year recording 3 picks, and 23 solo tackles.
Schedule Breakdown
The Broncos open at Cambridge in the Benz on August 12th, part of the Corky Kell Classic, then see Mill Creek and South Gwinnett before their first true road game at Marist on Sept. 11.
The stretch through Norcross, Parkview and North Gwinnett is the clearest measure of Brookwood's position in the region. Parkview on Oct. 2 and North Gwinnett on Oct. 9 can change the shape of the season, while the Marist trip gives the Broncos an early test against a program that can punish mistakes.
Berkmar and Peachtree Ridge close the regular season. Brookwood should be favored in those games, but the Broncos need to build the kind of finish that carries momentum into November.
Complete 2026 Schedule
Aug. 13: at Cambridge
Aug. 28: Mill Creek
Sept. 4: South Gwinnett
Sept. 11: at Marist
Sept. 18: Duluth
Sept. 25: at Norcross
Oct. 2: Parkview
Oct. 9: at North Gwinnett
Oct. 30: at Berkmar
Nov. 6: Peachtree Ridge
Biggest Question
Can Brookwood's returning core beat the teams it has to beat?
The Broncos have enough returning production to make it further in the playoffs then last year, but how far will depend on the depth that they are able to build around their elite core. Chatman and Tyson need to lead the way, but it will be up to the names that aren't mentioned in this article to get them to where they want to go in 7A, because depth the depth of the teams in that class will be a big difference come the end of the season.
If Brookwood finds piece to fill out the roster and sustain anything that happens during the season, they can absolutely see a better result then a second round appearance.
MISTER F00TBALL’s National High School Football Composite Rankings, partnered with and powered by Prep Gridiron Logistics, are the only rankings to include every national poll and every team receiving a Top 25 vote.
This team is going to surprise a lot of folks, and I don't know why. They have the talent and solid enough depth to make a real run in the playoffs. I don't see their regular season being extremely difficult, especially compared to the other 7A teams in the Top 100, and I think it will lead to a nice path in the playoffs. I really can see a world where this team is the fourth (or maybe even third) best team this year in Georgia 7A.
Bottom Line
Brookwood is No. 73 because the quarterback, lead back, interior line and returning defensive core give the Broncos a real foundation.
The next step is turning that foundation into wins against the teams that will define the 7A race. If the new pieces fit around Chatman, Tyson and the returning starters, Brookwood has a chance to make 2026 its most complete season yet.
Thanks for reading,
Alex | T25PS
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