2023 Rankings: Stock Risers

Photo: Prep Redzone

Ian Guerin May 24, 2021 @ 12:39 PM

As with any major addition to the Prep Red Zone rankings, some players were bound to make a significant jump. The following seven did just that more than the rest of the bunch. This crop of offensive and defensive standouts have made significant strides since the end of the 2020 season, both developmentally and in terms of recruiting. And their new spots in our Class of 2023 rankings reflect that. EDITOR’S NOTE: The players with a “+” next to their name were previously unranked, meaning we credited them a move from the last possible spot of the initial Class of 2023 rankings we released in January. [player_tooltip player_id="146354" first="Monteque" last="Rhames"], DL, Sumter (↑ 21+ spots) The 2021 Gamecocks schedule is going to be a bear - it’s loaded with other Class 5A non-region games that will draw plenty of attention. We expect the 6-foot-6, 230-pound Rhames to be one of the biggest match-ups to watch week in and out, regardless of who Sumter is playing. [player_tooltip player_id="91152" first="Thomas" last="Williams"], RB, Powdersville (↑ 10 spots) The 5-foot-11, 170-pound tailback rushed for better than 9 yards per carry, scored 18 total touchdowns and continued to improve as the 2020 campaign progressed. He’s part of a loaded running back class, but he’s also one of the best at catching the ball out of the backfield. [player_tooltip player_id="91151" first="Jaylen" last="Foster"], RB, Emerald (↑ 9 spots) Speaking of stat-stuffing running backs, Foster (5-foot-10, 185 pounds) went off last season for<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>1,075 rushing yards in just seven games. Emerald relies on the shifty player off the wing, in split sets and also more traditional formations. It’s why defenses have such a hard time against him. [player_tooltip player_id="146355" first="Bryce" last="Smith"], OL, Daniel (↑ 9+ spots) While we were all busy staring at all the skill position players who made the Daniel offense one of the best ever in the state last fall, we overlooked Smith, a 6-foot-4, 265-pound lineman who simply doesn’t miss blocks or assignments. He’s got good size and excellent footwork. [player_tooltip player_id="91157" first="Kazi" last="Bland"], LB, Southside (↑ 8 spots) Also a candidate for the all-name team, Bland (6-foot, 225 pounds) is a match-up nightmare for opposing coordinators because he shifts from the middle of the defense to the line, even occasionally squaring up from the tackle position. He’s probably more of a long-term linebacker, but what Southside does with him works just fine for now. [player_tooltip player_id="91158" first="TJ" last="Wilson"], LB, Ashley Ridge (↑ 7 spots) Wilson (6-foot, 215 pounds) is a hit-stick tackler who covers the middle of the defense with equal parts power and field vision. And what we really like is his ability to disrupt at the line and behind it. Running backs who make one wrong move tend to end up in his grasp, and Wilson isn’t one to let those mistakes pass. [player_tooltip player_id="146356" first="LaNorris" last="Sellers"], QB, South Florence (↑ 7+ spots) Schools have been buying on Sellers all offseason, as the Bruins’ quarterback has made all the right moves. And thanks to one-part attrition and one-part improvement, Sellers’ stock will rise among the talented crop of Region VI-4A signal callers.