Eight Players Who Could Benefit From Offseason Changes
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Even before spring practices start and the next crop of seniors around the state take their place atop the pecking order, we can connect some dots and see big things coming. Or, in some cases, even bigger things. Thanks to…
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Continue ReadingEven before spring practices start and the next crop of seniors around the state take their place atop the pecking order, we can connect some dots and see big things coming.
Or, in some cases, even bigger things.
Thanks to reloaded positions, coaching changes and even realignment, these eight players are primed to have huge 2022 seasons.
Tyler Smith Tyler Smith 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Gaffney | 2022 State SC / Clay Pender Clay Pender 6'1" | 165 lbs | ATH Barnwell | 2023 SC , Barnwell
Two of the state’s best rising seniors are going to be lining up a few yards away from each other in the fall. And while Smith’s 2,151 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns and Pender’s team-leading 429 receiving yards and five scores (despite missing four games to injury) were eye opening, there’s a chance we ain’t seen nothing yet. Barnwell has been waiting for the type of quarterback to tie it all together, and rising sophomore Cameron Austin Cameron Austin 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Barnwell | 2025 State SC – a two-sport star in the making – gives the War Horses a big arm to take advantage of Pender while taking some of the heat off Smith. Class 2A, get ready.
Chris Lofton Chris Lofton 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR AC Flora | 2023 State SC / Markel Townsend Markel Townsend 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB AC Flora | 2023 State SC , AC Flora
When former coach Dustin Curtis departed for Dorman, the AC Flora job immediately became a big talking point among other coaches. It was a highly sought after opening – the Falcons were just a little over a year removed from a Class 4A state championship. But but promoting offensive coordinator Ken Floyd, receiver Chris Lofton Chris Lofton 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR AC Flora | 2023 State SC and tailback Markel Townsend Markel Townsend 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB AC Flora | 2023 State SC ’s respective meaning to this team probably took a nice step forward (if you can believe that given this team’s production). The two top-50 ranked standouts will be the centerpiece of Floyd’s first year at the helm, and he’ll use them early and often to establish some consistency.
Eamon Smalls Eamon Smalls 6'3" | 300 lbs | DL Beaufort | 2023 TX /Daryl DePass, Beaufort
You know what teams love to see? A defending state runner up that is bringing back the majority of its defensive stars dropping down a classification. Smalls and DePass each had huge junior seasons in leading the Eagles to Columbia. DePass (pictured) recently verbally committed to Charlotte, while Smalls is going to have his pick of FBS offers at some point in the near future. Until they’re both in college, though, the dynamic duo should be able to put up some gaudy numbers on that side of the ball and then add some serious flair to a crowded Class 3A Lower State field come playoff time.
Evan Javis Evan Javis 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB Spring Valley | 2023 State SC /Kenneth Jefferson, Spring Valley
With the Vikings’ standout quarterback DeQuandre Smith DeQuandre Smith 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Spring Valley | 2022 State SC off to South Carolina, coach Robin Bacon makes no qualms about what the plan is for 2022. The two-headed running back monster of Javis and Jefferson are going to have no choice but accept more touches. As juniors, these two combined fro 146 carries, 1,046 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games. Considering Smith threw for 1,752 yards and rushed for another 711, Jefferson and Javis’ time is now.