Most Intriguing Offensive Weapons Of The CSRA

After the last two years, everyone in the state should know the name [player_tooltip player_id="91348" first="Traevon" last="Dunbar"]. The Silver Bluff tailback has been a monster for the 2021 state runner-up Bulldogs. And then there’s South Aiken sophomore <strong>Terrence Smith</strong>, another Class of 2024 standout who took his first year behind center and piled up some 1,500 total yards in an abbreviated season. One of the reason we’re keeping a close eye on the CSRA, though, is all the talent around them. Every position on the offensive side of the ball is loaded with huge playmakers or those who pave the way for all the flashy highlights we’re seeing most Fridays out of that neck of the woods. We’ve looked at all of them, and here are some of the most intriguing players in the CSRA heading into next season. <strong>LINEMEN</strong> We got our first look at [player_tooltip player_id="267450" first="Bradyn" last="Kesselring"] mid-way through the 2021 season, and his film was quiet, if only because we noticed Midland Valley was just starting to put its offense into effect. Throughout the rest of the season, including an unexpected playoff berth, Kesselring stood out as one of this developing squad’s best bets in 2022. Over at Silver Bluff, [player_tooltip player_id="139306" first="Christian" last="Echols"] carved out a spot in our rankings very early. He’s going to be a junior this fall. And the technically sound big man already has two years of experience under his belt. Ridge Spring-Monetta’s [player_tooltip player_id="91139" first="Kanaan" last="Ligons"] might be the best of the bunch. The 6-foot-3, 285-pound tackle is everything most mid-range colleges want out of a lineman. He engages well, and his form has come along nicely since coach Brian Smith made him a starter. <strong>RUNNING BACKS</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="91147" first="Nehemiah" last="Brooks"] is going to find a college home. And while it projects to be as a full back since he’s 5-foot-7 and 230 pounds, his effectiveness in the red zone can’t be overlooked. Brooks is a load to bring down, and he fits perfectly in this offense mostly built around freelancers. Midland Valley’s [player_tooltip player_id="231445" first="Joenathan" last="Peeples"] is yet another Mustang we saw grow by leaps and bounds in the back half of the 2021 season. He’s short, stocky and doesn’t put the ball on the ground. Earl Chaptman will find ways to keep him involved moving forward. If Dunbar is the class of the CSRA running back crop, South Aiken’s [player_tooltip player_id="272702" first="Jevon" last="Edwards"] is the next best tailback in the area. During his freshman season, Edwards went for roughly 1,300 total yards of offense and ended up with 10 touchdowns (nine rushing). He was already 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds as a freshman, meaning he’s a weight room routine from blowing up.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> [player_tooltip player_id="272702" first="Jevon" last="Edwards"], RB, South Aiken <strong>RECEIVERS</strong> Saluda’s [player_tooltip player_id="262551" first="Zion" last="Wright"] is the tallest receiver in the Class of 2023 in the entire state. That doesn’t mean he’s just some goal-to-go receiver. Wright is an above-average route runner and does an excellent job of playing to the football.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> While Wright is the tallest in the rising senior class, Aiken’s [player_tooltip player_id="208338" first="Braylon" last="Staley"] is among the biggest in the Class of 2024. What’s more, he does so many different things well that it’s tough to pinpoint the best part of his game. Staley has Division-I talent in his pocket. Football traditionalists - and, by that, we mean folks infatuated with the spread - might not look at [player_tooltip player_id="91148" first="Gregory" last="Bryant II"] as a true receiver. But the Strom Thurmond receiver proves he belongs in this category. Although he usually comes out of the backfield in single-receiver sets, Bryant is a sure-handed receiver who is frequently catching passes at odd angles. Ridge Spring-Monetta’s [player_tooltip player_id="91353" first="Jamarious" last="Lockett"] draws most of the attention on the outside. And that’s something that plays into [player_tooltip player_id="208348" first="Tykeem" last="Martin"]’s advantage. The Trojans’ “other” big threat coming back went fo 473 yards and five scores last season. <strong>QUARTERBACKS</strong> Combine a big body with a bigger arm, and you see why Midland Valley’s [player_tooltip player_id="262690" first="TJ" last="McElmurray Jr"] is not only ranked, but entering 2022 with a lot of attention on him. The 6-foot-4, 195-pounder could go from project to polished in a short amount of time.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> Ask anyone in [player_tooltip player_id="91161" first="Maleik" last="Williams"]’ inner circle, and they’ll tell you they understand he’s probably not a college quarterback. But, man, do we love what the Silver Bluff signal caller has done for the last two seasons. As a junior, Williams connected on 68 percent of his passes for 1,791 yards and 16 touchdowns (against only four picks) and ran for another 782 yards (while averaging 9.7 yards per carry) and another 13 touchdowns. Athlete? At the next level. For now? He’s QB1 all the way.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>