Milton's prized transfer kicker Ryan Jung is eligible to play after all.

The Georgia High School Association reversed an initial ineligibility ruling against the five-star junior, clearing him just days before the Eagles' season opener Aug. 21 against North Cobb. Jung, the No. 1-ranked kicker in the 2028 recruiting class and a University of Michigan commit, had been ruled ineligible Aug. 5 after transferring from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

The reversal came after Milton appealed the GHSA's decision, which had cited a strengthened bylaw requiring additional residency proof for transfer students. Jung's family had moved from Tennessee to Georgia, with his father relocating first and his mother following earlier in 2026. Jung then left IMG, a boarding school, to join them. The GHSA initially determined the move did not qualify as a bonafide family relocation.

"We're just happy as a team that he's not going to lose an entire year off of a rule misinterpretation," head coach Ben Reaves told Appen Media after the ruling. Reaves added that the GHSA was "showing on their part that they do want what's best for kids."

Jung wasted no time making an impression. In his first practice back with the Eagles, he drilled a field goal from 60 yards out. Reaves said the session had "a good vibe" and that Jung brings a different dynamic to special teams, noting the value of a kicker who can reach the end zone on every kickoff.

At IMG in 2025, Jung connected on four of five field goal attempts with a long of 46 yards, made 50 of 52 extra points and recorded 36 touchbacks on 66 kickoffs through nine games, according to On3.

Season opener and rankings surge

With Jung in the fold, Milton edged North Cobb 30-29 on Friday, Aug. 21. Quarterback Derrick Baker, a Tennessee commit playing his first game back after a wrist injury that cost him most of the 2025 season, threw for 189 yards and rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Grant Haviland, a Vanderbilt commit, connected with Baker on a two-point conversion that gave the Eagles the lead.

Jung went three-for-five on touchbacks in his Eagles debut but missed his lone field goal attempt from 52 yards.

The one-point win vaulted Milton to No. 7 in Rivals' statewide rankings, No. 54 nationally and as high as No. 2 in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Class 6A poll. MaxPreps ranks the Eagles No. 46 in the country. Milton is now the highest-ranked team in Region 7-6A after Gainesville fell 39-19 at Buford.

The Eagles, who went 8-4 with a second-round playoff exit in 2025, return 15 of 22 starters and carry back-to-back state championships from 2023 and 2024 on their record.

Milton travels to Blessed Trinity on Friday, Aug. 28. The Titans opened their season with a 44-0 shutout of Decatur in the Corky Kell Classic. Last year's meeting between the two programs ended 21-10 in Milton's favor.