Gwinnett County Public Schools continues to produce NFL talent

     When it comes to producing NFL talent, two Gwinnett County high schools lead the way in 2025. North Gwinnett High School tops the list with seven former Bulldogs currently on active rosters, while Peachtree Ridge High School (Lions) follows close behind with six alumni making their mark in the league. For North Gwinnett, the milestone follows a standout 2025 NFL Draft, where two former Bulldogs heard their names called:

• Barrett Carter (Cincinnati Bengals, 4^th round)
• Jordan Hancock (Buffalo Bills, 5^th round)

     Bulldogs Head Coach Eric Godfree credits the school’s community and culture for the program’s success. “We like to use the acronym for NORTH, Nothing Ordinary Runs Through Here,” says Coach Godfree. “To make it to the NFL and stay in the league as our players have been able to do takes a lot more than just athleticism. Our program is based on more than just producing football players. It’s a well-rounded program, school, and community. With all three of these pushing for excellence in all things, we are able to produce great players as well as great citizens, which is what it takes to outlast the others that give up or quit when it gets really tough.”

     At the start of the 2024 NFL season, the Lions had the most players on active NFL rosters and ranked 5^th nationally. Lions Athletic Director Scotty McDaniel is also proud of what’s happening at his school. “Peachtree Ridge High School’s presence on NFL rosters in 2025 is a testament to the program’s elite development pipeline, strong coaching, and culture of excellence,” McDaniel shares. “With alumni like Orlando Brown Jr., Cameron Heyward, Bradley Roby, Kevin Minter, Connor Heyward, Drew Butler, and Payne Durham actively contributing to NFL teams, the program has proven its ability to consistently prepare athletes for the highest level of competition. This success reflects a long-standing commitment to fundamentals, strength training, and exposure to high-level competition, which sets Peachtree Ridge apart as one of Georgia’s premier football programs.”

     Together, North Gwinnett High and Peachtree Ridge High are part of a larger Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) legacy. Of the 39 NFL players from Gwinnett County currently on active rosters, 30 are products of GCPS schools—an impressive testament to the district’s commitment to athletic excellence.

     “Before taking this job, they warned me – Gwinnett County football is just different. And they were right,” Lions Head Football Coach Matt Helmerich shares. “The physicality, the coaching, the youth league – it’s just different here. And the fact that the communities and administrators pour so much back into the student-athletes, it’s great to see. We’re so lucky to have these fieldhouses, elite facilities, and great booster clubs. Some of these kids don’t realize how lucky they are to have all these things because that’s all they know. But they are definitely set up to be successful at the next level – not only in football, but in school, as well as the job market and life.” 

     The alumni from both schools now span nearly every position on the field, from Pro Bowl-caliber defensive backs to rising-star quarterbacks. Their presence across the league has made Gwinnett County a magnet for college recruiters and a symbol of excellence in high school athletics. As the NFL season unfolds, fans across the country will be watching Gwinnett’s alumni light up the gridiron. But back home, the focus remains on the next generation.

     “I think the number of kids from GCPS that move on to play college and NFL football speaks for itself,” Bulldogs Athletic Director Dr. Matthew Champitto adds. “It’s extremely high-level football, and when you consistently have four to five teams ranked in the top 10 and making a push for the State Championship every year, it’s really amazing.”