Putnam County Football

Surrounded by his family and with his coaches standing behind him, Putnam County’s Johnny Bishop (center) recently signed a commitment to attend and play football for Andrew College this fall. CONTRIBUTED

Surrounded by his family and with his coaches standing behind him, Putnam County’s Johnny Bishop (center) recently signed a commitment to attend and play football for Andrew College this fall. CONTRIBUTED

Bishop ready to ‘work for it’ at next level

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Johnny Bishop didn’t need long to know he’d found the right opportunity.After a recruiting process that picked up late, the Putnam County offensive lineman is headed to Andrew College in Cuthbert, near Columbus.
Putnam County junior defensive lineman Jay Nelson (51) has recently seen his recruitment blow up, with several schools extending offers. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County junior defensive lineman Jay Nelson (51) has recently seen his recruitment blow up, with several schools extending offers. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam's Nelson sees recruitment blow up

Lance McCurley
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
The recruiting process can come at high speed, especially for a player who just months ago was still waiting for his first real opportunity. For Putnam County junior defensive lineman Jay Nelson, that moment has officially arrived.
Putnam County head football coach Joel Harvin (left) is joined by Georgia Tech assistant coach Brian Bohannon in a recent visit to the school. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County head football coach Joel Harvin (left) is joined by Georgia Tech assistant coach Brian Bohannon in a recent visit to the school. CONTRIBUTED

Recruiting heats up for Putnam County football

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
College football recruiting is starting to pick back up at Putnam County High School. Coaches are once more hitting the road after spending the early part of the offseason navigating the NCAA transfer portal.
South Carolina defensive back and former Putnam County standout Jalon Kilgore recently declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. CONTRIBUTED

South Carolina defensive back and former Putnam County standout Jalon Kilgore recently declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. CONTRIBUTED

Former Putnam football star declares for NFL draft

Lance McCurley
Thursday, December 18, 2025
South Carolina safety Jalon Kilgore has decided to forgo his senior season and has declared for the NFL Draft. The former Putnam County standout announced his decision Dec. 11 via his X (formerly Twitter) account.
Former Putnam County football star and current University of South Carolina safety Jalon Kilgore has recently received a high NFL Draft grade from ESPN’s Jordan Reid. COURTESY OF USC ATHLETICS

Former Putnam County football star and current University of South Carolina safety Jalon Kilgore has recently received a high NFL Draft grade from ESPN’s Jordan Reid. COURTESY OF USC ATHLETICS

Former Putnam star receives high NFL Draft grade

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Jalon Kilgore has been a standout defensive back for South Carolina during his brief college career.Kilgore, a former star at Putnam County, is heading into his junior season with the Gamecocks.
Former Putnam County standout Malik Thornton recently announced that he’s transferring to Samford University after playing the last three seasons at the University of the Cumberlands. CONTRIBUTED

Former Putnam County standout Malik Thornton recently announced that he’s transferring to Samford University after playing the last three seasons at the University of the Cumberlands. CONTRIBUTED

Former Putnam star Malik Thornton transfers to Samford

Lance McCurley
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Former Putnam County football standout Malik Thornton has found his new college home.Last November, Thornton entered the transfer portal after three seasons at the University of the Cumberlands. He announced last week that he is transferring to Samford University for his final year of eligibility.
Putnam County football players and coaches pose for a photo following the MVP Camp on Sunday at Milton High School in the northern suburbs of Atlanta. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County football players and coaches pose for a photo following the MVP Camp on Sunday at Milton High School in the northern suburbs of Atlanta. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam football players get good exposure at MVP Camp

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Putnam County sent nearly a dozen football players to compete at The MVP Camp on Sunday, March 29.The event was hosted at Milton High School by Rusty Mansell and Chad Simmons, both of whom are from On3, a national recruiting network.
Putnam County head coach Joel Harvin (left) speaks about the five seniors, (l-r) Kavar Andrews, Jason Clemons, Noah Long, Rashod Daniel, and Jamarion Robertson. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County head coach Joel Harvin (left) speaks about the five seniors, (l-r) Kavar Andrews, Jason Clemons, Noah Long, Rashod Daniel, and Jamarion Robertson. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam football holds signing ceremony

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Last Thursday, Putnam County football held a signing ceremony for five players who will continue their careers at the next level.The event was held in the school theatre, where Kavar Andrews (Columbus State), Jason Clemons Jr.
Noah Long (65) recently committed to Cumberland University. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Noah Long (65) recently committed to Cumberland University. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Three more War Eagles commit to play at next level

Lance McCurley
Thursday, March 13, 2025
Over the weekend, three more Putnam County football players committed to play college ball. Seniors Kavar Andrews, Jason Clemons Jr., and Noah Long are headed to represent the War Eagles at the next level.
Putnam County’s Jamarion Robertson recently committed to play football at Clayton State University. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County’s Jamarion Robertson recently committed to play football at Clayton State University. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Robertson finds college ‘home’ at Clayton State

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Putnam County football senior Jamarion Robertson has found his college home.Robertson recently committed to Clayton State. He will play quarterback and defensive back at the next level.Robertson is happy to have the recruiting process over, and he called Clayton State “home.
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