Stock Riser Watch: A Player At Every Position
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The Class of 2023 rankings won’t be updated for another two months, but that doesn’t mean we’re not tracking the entire class looking for potential stock risers. Some of these guys are finding ways to stand out in the offseason…
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Continue ReadingThe Class of 2023 rankings won’t be updated for another two months, but that doesn’t mean we’re not tracking the entire class looking for potential stock risers.
Some of these guys are finding ways to stand out in the offseason crowd.
Via some combination of offers, conditioning, 7-on-7s and some other normal progression, we can already spot a player at every offensive and defensive position who appears ready to climb the rankings.
DB – Avery Duncan Avery Duncan 5'8" | 165 lbs | DB North Myrtle Beach | 2023 State SC , North Myrtle Beach (Currently: Overall 97/Position 11)
Duncan missed a chunk of last season with an injury. However, he’s getting back to normal and has new head coach Greg Hill moving up from his spot as defensive coordinator. The Chiefs will be young, but Duncan will be a focal point.
LB – Chandler Perry Chandler Perry 5'9" | 200 lbs | LB Dutch Fork High | 2023 State SC , Dutch Fork (Currently: Overall 54/Position 6)
Cj Wicker Cj Wicker 5'11" | 210 lbs | LB Dutch Fork | 2022 SC ’s departure puts more of the onus on this powerful defense on Perry. The 5-foot-9, 200-pounder can shoulder the burden. With or without some DI interest of late, Perry could be the next big thing at Dutch Fork.
DL – Tim Castain Tim Castain 6'1" | 240 lbs | DL Oceanside Collegiate | 2023 State SC , Oceanside Collegiate (Currently: Overall 44/Position 4)
Castain came on huge toward the end of last season and has gained some traction in recent weeks with camp circuit invites and the like. Eventually, word of his insane TFL number from his junior year was going to get out.
OL – Logan Locklear Logan Locklear 6'5" | 270 lbs | OL Cardinal Newman | 2023 State SC , West Florence (Currently: Overall 155/Position 22)
The 6-foot-5, 270-pound tackle is on the verge of offers, and we can see why. His long reach and some production at the Joanne Langfitt Junior Showcase in December – not to mention some solid film and an offense that shows off his skills – are doing him wonders.
TE – Tracy Stephens Tracy Stephens 6'4" | 240 lbs | TE Ridge View | 2023 State SC , Ridge View (Currently: Overall 112/Position 4)
Ridge View is bringing back a decent amount of its production from last season, but it will be replacing an electric QB and might need a nice safety valve. Enter Stephens, who at 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds is capable of getting open in a hurry.
WR – Chris Lofton Chris Lofton 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR AC Flora | 2023 State SC , AC Flora (Currently: Overall 36/Position 6)
Admittedly, Lofton doesn’t have much room to improve in the rankings when looking at the big picture. But if any receiver in the class could bump another player from the top five, he’s certainly in the mix. His skill set supersedes his relatively smaller frame.
RB – Tyler J Smith Tyler J Smith 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB Barnwell | 2023 State SC , Barnwell (Currently: Overall 39/Position 7)
Smith (pictured) has a Division-I body (he’s 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds), some serious production on his resume – he rushed for 2151 yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior – and the type of potential so rarely seen at this position.
QB – TJ McElmurray Jr TJ McElmurray Jr 6'4" | 195 lbs | QB Midland Valley | 2023 State SC , Midland Valley (Currently: Overall 149/Position 17)
The quarterback position is loaded for the Class of 2023. There are huge arms and great scramblers and excellent IQ guys. In McElmurray, we see enough of every quality and a budding squad around him to think it’s only a matter of time for him.