Community Film Room, Episode 6
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After each rankings update, we still have scores of players we’ve yet to evaluate. Considering South Carolina has just shy of 10,000 prep football players between the SCHSL and SCISA ranks, it’s an inevitable part of the process. But even…
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Continue ReadingAfter each rankings update, we still have scores of players we’ve yet to evaluate.
Considering South Carolina has just shy of 10,000 prep football players between the SCHSL and SCISA ranks, it’s an inevitable part of the process. But even now, with two months before our next ranking update, we’re constantly looking for talent.
We want you to see what we’re looking at.
In our weekly series dubbed the Community Film Room, we’re going to break down players who have yet to find their way into the rankings. Maybe they’re young, haven’t had a chance to get their film out or – yes, it’s entirely possible – we just missed them the last time around.
In Episode 6, we’re breaking down a multi-talented athlete from the Midlands, an edge rusher capable of dropping back and a trio of offensive linemen who are all on the rise.
Marquis Lane-Owens, ATH, Sumter
Lane-Owens is one of those players who goes unnoticed simply because he does a little bit of everything well. Last year for the Gamecock, the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder played safety, returned a few kickoffs and a punt, caught a touchdown and took another in on a sweep handoff. Lane-Owens’ calling is on defense, where he is a viable safety behind some top-tiered front seven players, and the chances of him having a really good senior season are high.
Darrell Brannon, OL, Spartanburg
There’s an early season clip of Brannon (pictured) from last year where it looks as if he’s a slow, lumbering guy just tugging his 6-foot-4, 315-pound frame around. It was an anomaly, as the rest of his highlights the rest of the way continued to show. The honors student and Vikings’ starting right tackle is a menacing and tenacious blocker capable of pulling with ease and getting downfield to continue on or pick up new targets. We’d recommend checking out some of his individual game film from later in the season, too.
Josh Daniels, OL, West Florence
With just one year of full football experience under his belt after concentrating on hoops prior, the 6-foot-4, 285-pound right tackle started to get his feet under him as the season progressed. He was able to play in some big games en route to the Class 4A Lower State title game. You can see he’s still a bit green behind the ears, but the size and fact that he’s got the full attention of his head coach (a former OL coach himself) are part of why he’s showing some potential.
Slaton Ragsdale, OL, Barwnell
Another right tackle with some good size, the 6-foot-3, 295-pound Ragsdale has a wide reach and does a good job of keeping his arms in to steer defenders away from the action. That’s important, as Barnwell has a shifty tailback in Tyler J Smith Tyler J Smith 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB Barnwell | 2023 State SC who makes a ton of decisions before he gets to the line of scrimmage. Ragsdale has two more years of high school, and we expect him to start dominating during that time frame.
Jebari Gamble, DE/LB, Ridge View
The 6-foot, 245-pound edge led the Blazers with 11 tackles for loss to go along with this 30 total tackles. He recored six sacks in 10 games, as well as three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. His numbers are a direct credit to his motor, which doesn’t stop – whether he’s pursing an open-field tackle in the backfield or coming back downfield to chase down a ball carrier. Gamble makes use of an extended wingspan that makes every kid he tackles look skinny.