Week 1 Player of the Week: Rabun County’s Jaden Gibson

Jaden Gibson entered the season just 1,303 yards short of the 49-year-old state record for career receiving yards. At this pace, the record will fall sooner than later.

Gibson, a Rabun County senior, added a career-high 273 yards to his total Friday in a 49-3 victory over Haralson County. That puts him at 3,447 for his career, which ranks eighth all-time. It’s 43 yards behind former Rabun County receiver Braxton Hicks and 1,030 behind Valdosta’s Stan Rome, the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame electee who finished with 4,477 in 1973.

“Jaden is so explosive,” Rabun County coach Michael Davis said when asked about Gibson’s skill set. “He has tremendous ball skills. He is also a great route runner that understands space. He loves the weight room and is constantly working to get better. He is also a student of the game. He watches tape on the great receivers and is always trying to improve his skill.”

Gibson, who is committed to Georgia Southern, is GHSF Daily’s state Player of the Week.