2023 Rankings Update: Stock Risers

Ian Guerin January 6, 2022 @ 11:18 AM

Since we’re still being ultra-selective with our Class of 2023 rankings, player movement is relatively limited when compared to our Class of 2022 that was bolstered to nearly 350 athletes. That doesn’t mean a bunch of previously ranked players didn’t make quality jumps. These six all pushed themselves up their rankings with great junior campaigns that gave us every reason to slot them up at least 10 spots - if not way more. Here’s why. [player_tooltip player_id="146354" first="Monteque" last="Rhames"], Sumter (↑ 10 spots) Rhames started his junior season at an impressive 6-foot-6. But what we noticed along the way was how influential he could be as the (italics) guy along the Gamecocks’ defensive line. With all eyes on him, he piled up 66 total tackles, seven sacks and an eye-popping 20.5 tackles for loss in 11 games. Rhames is a player to watch for top-10 consideration (and maybe even higher) over the next few months. [player_tooltip player_id="146380" first="Cameron" last="Avery"], Cane Bay (↑ 14 spots) Cane Bay’s strides were all about its defense. The Cobras gave up fewer than 20 points per game, with two huge losses (Goose Creek and Dutch Fork) accounting for a massive chunk of the overall total. The reason for the increased effort centered around Avery, who chocked up 10 total stops per game and also spent a ton of time in the offensive backfield blowing up the action. The fiery middle linebacker will be in contention to lead the state in tackles next fall. [player_tooltip player_id="202738" first="J’Shawn" last="Anderson"], Hartsville (↑ 19 spots) Although he was hobbled some by a minor lower leg injury down the homestretch, Anderson’s regular season proved he was capable of inspired play - and production. He rushed for nearly 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns out of the Red Foxes’ Wing-T set up. Anderson wasn’t simply a system tailback, either. He routinely broke tackles and has the size at 6-foot and 185 pounds to initiate contact and the speed to make it count on the back end of the play.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> [player_tooltip player_id="146372" first="Elijah" last="Caldwell"], Northwestern (↑ 29 spots) Caldwell isn’t the top-ranked receiver in the class. That honor still belongs to Daniel’s [player_tooltip player_id="91140" first="Eli" last="Merck"]. But keep close watch on Caldwell during the first few games of 2022. After all, this is a kid who has already caught 110 passes in 20 varsity games, including 77 receptions for 1,247 yards and 15 touchdowns this past fall. If Caldwell takes on a bigger role in the return game, his importance to Northwestern (and recruiters) will only increase. [player_tooltip player_id="202743" first="Zyeir" last="Gamble"], Sumter (↑ 51 spots) It remains to be see whether Gamble will play as much running back as a senior as he did this past fall. After all, he’ll be the Gamecocks’ leading returning rusher in 2022. More importantly, he’s going to be - along with Rhames - a huge reason the Sumter defense will have such high expectations next year. A starting strong safety as a junior, Gamble had 34.5 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and (seriously) nine interceptions. He’s been playing varsity ball since his freshman season, and his experience is really starting to show. [player_tooltip player_id="202775" first="Zion" last="Agnew"], Ridge View (↑ 84 spots) The recruiters are slowly starting to see what we have with Agnew. The 5-foot-11, 160-pound speedster is an elite-level route runner with great hands and even better field awareness. Many of his 65 receptions, 1,030 yards and 12 touchdowns during his junior season were the product of being in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. He projects to the slot in college, and if that ends up being the case, that school is going to get a sure-handed receiver capable of moving the sticks and extending drives.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>