Zone Reads: Primed To Blow Up Along The Grand Strand/Pee Dee
In this article:
The northeast corner of the state was well represented in the latest Class of 2024 rankings update. And amid all those players from the Pee Dee and Grand Strand were a handful who are probably closer to shooting up the…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe northeast corner of the state was well represented in the latest Class of 2024 rankings update.
And amid all those players from the Pee Dee and Grand Strand were a handful who are probably closer to shooting up the recruiting boards than we may have initially thought. From two tailbacks who are set up nicely at their respective programs to a pair of hard-hitting defensive standouts and a SCISA athlete who does both, we are seeing five names as potential stars in the years to come.
Caden O’Keefe Caden O’Keefe 5'7" | 170 lbs | RB Socastee | 2024 State SC , RB, Socastee
O’Keefe is 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds. He’s a weight room junkie and also wrestles and runs track. He was lightly used during his sophomore season, as Socastee had a senior tailback already in the position, but this fall will be different. O’Keefe could easily see 150 or more carries and will have every opportunity to become the guy.
Kelvin Hunter Kelvin Hunter 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB West Florence | 2024 State SC , DB, West Florence
Hunter already has some SEC and ACC offers, but he’s only scratched the surface of what he can do. As a sophomore, he put up 34.5 total tackles, 11 for loss, three sacks and recovered two fumbles. He’s a pure crash-down strong safety when he needs to be and could easily transition to linebacker. No matter what position he’s in during next two years at West, he’ll be among the top defensive players in Region VI-4A.
Malachi Washington Malachi Washington 5'9" | 160 lbs | RB Myrtle Beach | 2024 State SC , RB, Myrtle Beach
Washington spent last season slightly under the radar while a crop of talented seniors, led by Ryan Burger Ryan Burger 6'3" | 175 lbs | QB Myrtle Beach | 2022 State SC and Adam Randall Adam Randall 6'3" | 200 lbs | WR Myrtle Beach | 2022 State SC , got most of the attention. Still, he rushed for 758 yards and seven touchdowns. Washington spent the Spring getting faster with the Seahawks’ track squad and becomes an even bigger piece of an offense that will be working in new players at quarterback, receiver and on the line. That means he’ll get his touches.
Ben Thompson Ben Thompson 5'10" | 195 lbs | LB Green Sea Floyds | 2024 State SC , LB, Green Sea Floyds
As a first-year starter in 2021, the 5-foot-10, 195-pound linebacker notched 76 tackles in just nine games. With a season of experience and a full season and a coaching staff that knows how to develop linebackers, Thompson almost assuredly flirts with triple digits in 2022. He’s got a nose for the ball and the speed, hand technique and footwork to shed blockers in order to reach that rare figure.
Teague Ward Teague Ward 5'11" | 220 lbs | LB Williamsburg Academy | 2024 State SC , LB/RB, Williamsburg Academy
We listed Ward at his defensive position for the purposes of the rankings (we can only do one). But the SCISA standout is a true two-way threat for the Stallions. He helped Williamsburg Academy back to the state championship game by leading the team in tackles from his spot at linebacker and also rushing for just shy of 900 yards and nine touchdowns on offense. Ward has the size and strength to play at the next level – after two more years of high school, of course.