The state’s consensus No. 1 football prospect in the class of 2027 is changing schools.

LaDamion Guyton, a five-star defensive end, is leaving Savannah Christian for Benedictine, another Savannah school, the player confirmed to Dennis Knight of the Savannah Morning News.

Guyton is the nation’s consensus No. 2 overall recruit, according to 247Sports. He was credited with 33 tackles for losses and 16.5 sacks in two high school seasons. This past season, Savannah Christian was 10-1 and ranked No. 1 for 11 weeks before losing to North Cobb Christian 30-27 in the Class 3A-A private quarterfinals.

Guyton told the Savannah newspaper that Benedictine, a Class 4A school, would give him tougher competition. Savannah Christian competes in Class A until the playoffs, when the GHSA puts 3A-A private schools into one bracket separate from the public schools.

Benedictine’s non-region opponents in 2024 included Buford, Rabun Gap and Archbishop Moeller of Ohio. Benedictine competes in Class 4A and has won four state titles since 2014. Benedictine was 7-5 last season and lost to Blessed Trinity in the quarterfinals.

Had Guyton stayed, Savannah Christian might’ve had Georgia’s top-rated prospect twice in three years. Elijah Griffin, who signed with Georgia in the class of 2025, was No. 1 in his class and No. 3 nationally. Georgia made Guyton an offer before Guyton’s freshman season.

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Aerial photo shows part of the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area, Thursday, January 31, 2025, in Dawsonville. Atlanta's 10,000-acre tract of forest is one part of the 25,500 acre WMA managed by the state as public recreation land. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

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