2023 Rankings Update: Repping Their Schools

Among 161 ranked players in the Class of 2023, 32 of them came from just five schools. Clearly, an influx of talent sometime clusters. There’s also something to be said for developmental waves. This time around, we noticed it specifically with three programs - Northwestern, Summerville and Oceanside Collegiate. These are three dramatically different situations, but they’re all producing great individual talent.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> <strong>OCEANSIDE COLLEGIATE<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></strong> The charter has been finding itself all over our rankings for various classes since we started. And while 2023 has branched out some to include more skill position guys, the trenches are clearly one of the Landsharks’ go-to strengths still. Offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="89337" first="Monroe" last="Freeling"] and defensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id="146357" first="Tim" last="Castain"] and [player_tooltip player_id="146374" first="Marcus" last="Adams"] are bolstering the lineup. Not surprising, tailback [player_tooltip player_id="89344" first="Vaughn" last="Blue"] has fed off that, and a developing passing game in the coming year should do wonders for receivers Cole Stricker and [player_tooltip player_id="202746" first="Jace" last="Kraftchick"]. <strong>NORTHWESTERN</strong> The Trojans’ pass-happy attack has crafted itself as an offense that displays plenty of potential college prospects. Receiver [player_tooltip player_id="146372" first="Elijah" last="Caldwell"] is a top-flight name to watch next year, and fallow outside mate [player_tooltip player_id="202757" first="William" last="Brooks"] will have his chances, too. Tailback [player_tooltip player_id="202758" first="Qua" last="Howard"], while splitting reps with talented sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="265222" first="Turbo" last="Richard"], also managed to stand out.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> A big reason (pun intended) for that is the excellent blocking of lineman [player_tooltip player_id="89343" first="Jordan" last="Knox"], [player_tooltip player_id="202763" first="Ben" last="Acus"]<span class="Apple-converted-space">  </span>and [player_tooltip player_id="202764" first="Marcus" last="Macon"].<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> <strong>SUMMERVILLE</strong> The Green Wave stumbled down the stretch in 2021, losing each of their last five games. But what we saw throughout was a trial by fire for would-be returning players. Especially, defensive backs [player_tooltip player_id="89335" first="Keith" last="Elmore"] and [player_tooltip player_id="262617" first="Michael" last="Jenkins"], linebacker Steven Simpkins and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="89348" first="De’Andre" last="Jones"] were still holding their own. Their showing in losses to high-powered offense like West Ashley, Fort Dorchester and Goose Creek in those late-season games proved they could all be even better next fall. &nbsp; After Oceanside, Northwestern and Summerville, two other schools had at least five players each named to the Class of 2023 rankings. <strong>AC Flora (6)</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="202725" first="Chris" last="Lofton"], WR [player_tooltip player_id="202726" first="Markel" last="Townsend"], RB [player_tooltip player_id="202728" first="Kendarius" last="Kinard"], OL [player_tooltip player_id="202731" first="Adonis" last="McDaniel"], WR [player_tooltip player_id="202733" first="Carew" last="Bates"], DB [player_tooltip player_id="202750" first="Braxton" last="Burton"], DL &nbsp; <strong>Ridge View (5)</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="202775" first="Zion" last="Agnew"], WR [player_tooltip player_id="202754" first="Tracy" last="Stephens"], TE [player_tooltip player_id="262637" first="Chris" last="Lawson"], WR [player_tooltip player_id="262675" first="Josh" last="Sadler"], LB [player_tooltip player_id="262703" first="Marcus" last="Kelly"], RB