2021 Name to Watch and 5 Early 2022 Names to Watch: Part 1

<strong>2021 Name to Watch and 5 Early 2022 Names to Watch: Part 1</strong> <strong> </strong> With the 2021 cycle almost over we take a look at one player who is a late add to the board. <strong> </strong> <strong>QB/WR [player_tooltip player_id="91642" first="Kyle" last="Watkins"], Carolina Forest, 6’0, 170</strong> One of the more under the radar names for this cycle was [player_tooltip player_id="91642" first="Kyle" last="Watkins"] who was a three-year starter at Carolina Forest where he passed for 792 yards and 11 touchdowns, along with 1,324 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns over nine games. He was a receiver and quarterback as a junior with 74 catches and 12 touchdowns.  Watkins is a two-time All-Region pick in football and basketball as well. While he played quarterback as a senior he will move back to receiver for Wofford where he should absolutely be a steal for them. He is our #86 overall prospect in the state now. <strong> </strong> <strong> </strong> <strong>5 Early 2022 Names to Watch</strong> Here is an early look at 5 names to watch in the 2022 cycle as we will continue the next couple of months looking at some of the big names to watch this spring and summer as offers pick up. <strong> </strong> <strong>CB [player_tooltip player_id="59459" first="Jeadyn" last="Lukus"], Mauldin, 6’2, 180</strong> There is no question that Lukus is the best prospect in the state right now as he possesses long arm, great speed, and the ball skills you want in an elite cover corner. He currently has over 25 offers with Clemson, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, and App State among them. We believe he will commit to Clemson and should be an early impact player for the Tigers. <strong> </strong> <strong>WR [player_tooltip player_id="59467" first="Zack" last="Chalmers"], Newberry, 6’4, 200</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="59467" first="Zack" last="Chalmers"] first got on our radar after a good year in 2019 but he absolutely solidified himself as a top prospect in the state in 2020. He has a big body that he uses well on possession throws, has strong hands, can high point the football, return punts, and also is a good defensive back. We expect Chalmers to be a very good possession receiver at the next level. Chalmers is starting to put together an impressive offer list with App State, Duke, Liberty, Virginia, and Wake Forest among his early offers. <strong> </strong> <strong>WR [player_tooltip player_id="61070" first="Antonio" last="Williams"], Dutch Fork, 6’0, 180</strong> Williams is the first of two sleepers on this list for me who does not have near the offer list that he should. He recently played in the East vs. West All-Star Game in December where he stood out with his ability to get open, smooth route running, and good hands. His junior tape was crazy with 1,504 yards and 10 touchdowns in 10 games. He is a smooth runner who can take the top off the defense and turn on the jets. Williams can also make defenders miss and break a big gain as a punt returner.  So far Arizona State, Duke, South Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Louisville, Missouri, Oregon, USC, and Wake Forest are among them but he should have offers from everyone in the Carolinas and surrounding areas before it is all said and done. If you look around he is not really rated by anyone but is a top 10 player in the state. <strong> </strong> <strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="59480" first="DeQuandre" last="Smith"], Spring Valley, 6’2, 210</strong> Smith should easily be the top quarterback in the state with his athleticism, speed, and arm talent. He can pick up a first down any time and is not afraid to run through tacklers. He has the arm strength to his the deep ball, the footwork to evade tacklers and complete a pass on the run. There is a slight hitch in his throw but he gets the ball out fairly quickly and is a player to keep an eye on. Expect Smith to pick up more offers as he just holds one from Michigan right now. Through seven games he sold us on being a D1 starting quarterback at the next level. <strong> </strong> <strong>WR/KR [player_tooltip player_id="91178" first="Reggion" last="Bennett"], Trinity Collegiate School, 5’9, 170</strong> Many people will overlook Bennett because he plays in the SCISA and is small but don’t forget his name. He had 1,894 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2020 as an unstoppable playmaker. He can absolutely fly and is one of the most explosive players in this class. Bennett is quick, smooth, and is hard to catch. He was also very good in the return game where he is a threat to score at any time or be used on reverses and at running back. While he only has an offer from Miami (Ohio) he is starting to get interest from Clemson, App State, Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, among others. <strong> </strong> <strong> </strong> <strong>2023 NAME TO WATCH</strong> &nbsp; While we did not advertise it in the headline here is a snippet on a name from the 2023 cycle to know before they blow up with interest. <strong> </strong> <strong>OL [player_tooltip player_id="91138" first="Jack" last="Beachum"], Indian Land, 6’4, 270</strong> Beachum played left tackle for Indian Land where he is a two-year starter and was named Tri-County Coaches Association Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year as a sophomore. He did not give up a sack and graded out at 84% for them. Keep an eye on this kid as he will be a rising prospect over the next 12 months that we think could eventually get high 3-star ratings from the analysts despite not being listed anywhere right now. We expect him to eventually land more than a dozen offers before it is all said and done.