Bryant Meeks

Bryant Meeks was one of the strongest athletes who ever wore the blue and white of Fannin County High School. His exploits in the Rebel weight room were legendary. At Fannin, he set all-time school records in the bench press and squat weightlifting categories, and he finished third in the 2008 GHSA Area III weightlifting competition. His strength, complemented by an ample supply of athleticism, made Bryant a formidable force as an interior lineman for the Fannin football squad from 2005 through 2009. Bryant garnered a host of honors during his football career at Fannin County, where he was a starting offensive and defensive lineman for three seasons. He was named to the all-region first team as a junior and again as a senior. The Georgia Athletic Coaches Association made him a first-team all-state selection after his junior season in 2007. The next season, 2008, saw him honored again as a first-team all-state selection by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He had an overall blocking efficiency rating of 86% for his career and was selected as the team's defensive lineman of the year in 2007 and 2008. Following his senior season, he was selected to participate in the Georgia North vs. South All-Star Game in Columbus. Team highlights during Bryant Meeks' career at Fannin include a 2007 region championship and three consecutive victories over archrival Gilmer County. Bryant had a monster season during the 2007 region championship season. He was one of the team's leading tacklers and was named Defensive Player of the Week twice for his performances in games against Gilmer County and Putnam County. He recorded six tackles, including two for a loss, in the Gilmer game and seven tackles against Putnam County. In the final regular season game versus Morgan County, Bryant had a team-high 11 tackles, including three sacks, leading the Rebels to a 21-14 victory and the Region 7-AA championship. Coach Clark Drennan used Bryant at several positions defensively, primarily as a defensive end. Following his graduation from high school in the spring of 2009, Bryant was awarded a scholarship to continue his athletic career and education at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia. A chronic knee condition had plagued Bryant late in his high school career. He had been able to play through the pain and perform at a very high level, but after one year at Georgia Southern the condition made it impossible for Bryant to continue his playing career. He stayed at the school and went on to earn a degree in kinesiology and exercise science. He also earned his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certificate and worked with the GSU strength and conditioning staff during this period. At present, Bryant lives in the Atlanta area and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist with BAM Fitness and Nutrition. He also works as a guide at Ocoee Rafting, leading groups in whitewater rafting on the Ocoee River, the site of the 1996 Olympic whitewater events. Bryant is enjoying life in the big city, building his career and enjoying a lot of outdoor time. He and his girlfriend Sandra have two dogs, a pit bull and a half miniature schnauzer, half chihuahua mix. Please welcome Bryant Meeks to the Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame.