Week 4 Player of the Week: Valdosta’s Eric Brantley

With his team banned from the playoffs last season, Valdosta’s Eric Brantley Jr. didn’t get the opportunity to showcase himself but did what he could with 40 tackles for losses in nine games as a sophomore. He was his region’s defensive player of the year.

This season, Valdosta is free of sanctions, 4-0 and ranked No. 9 in Class 7A after a 25-0 victory over Warner Robins. Brantley Jr. contributed four tackles for losses and two sacks in the shutout.

The only thing holding him back now seems to be his size. Brantley Jr. is 6 feet, 1 inch and 240 pounds.

“People have got to look past his height,’’ said Valdosta coach Shelton Felton, a former Tennessee assistant. “If he was 6-4, he’d be a top-five player in the country. You’re not going to find a more explosive, powerful player with the ball smarts and quickness than him.”

As it stands, Auburn, N.C. State and South Carolina are on the defensive end’s trail.

Brantley Jr. is GHSF Daily’s state Player of the Week. The award is sponsored by Sports Turf.