Rising Tide: Players to Watch in Region 7-4A

Last year’s Region 7-4A slate proved a big point: these Lowcountry kids can ball, too. And this crop of stars is ready to take the spotlight again. With the 2022 campaign fast approaching, here’s a list of names that should dominate under the Lowco lights.   [player_tooltip player_id="302853" first="Bryce" last="Rothwell"], TE, 6-4, 240 pounds, Lucy Beckham, 2024   An athletic and explosive receiver, [player_tooltip player_id="302853" first="Bryce" last="Rothwell"] is primed to explode on the scene in his junior year at Lucy Beckham. Rothwell is a special talent with impressive quickness and strength that allows him to excel as a blocker and a receiver in ways rarely seen at the high school level. The budding star has the agility and motor to break tackles and find open space down the field for big plays. Rothwell shined at last month’s Palmetto Combine Series and should take Region 7-4A by storm this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id="139291" first="Braylen" last="Kitty"], OL, 6-5, 270 pounds, Hilton Head, 2024   Another budding star developed by Hilton Head coach BJ Payne, [player_tooltip player_id="139291" first="Braylen" last="Kitty"] has continued to shoot up the rankings heading into his junior season on the island. The 6-foot-5 lineman showcased his exceptional strength and footwork in 2021 and has become a reliable blocker that can perform in whatever assignment he is called upon. Kitty plays with a nonstop motor and uses his strong frame and physicality to assert his presence on the line. Already with multiple SEC offers on the table, Kitty’s recruiting stock and potential are surging as he prepares for a key junior season.   [player_tooltip player_id="89341" first="Eamon" last="Smalls"], DL, 6-3, 300 pounds, Beaufort, 2023   With his college commitment now behind him, [player_tooltip player_id="89341" first="Eamon" last="Smalls"] is prepared to charge full-speed ahead into his senior season at Beaufort High. The beastly defensive tackle announced his commitment to the University of West Virginia last week, and he will bring a menacing run-stopping presence to Morgantown next fall. Smalls delivered a dynamite junior season in 2021, storming into the backfield with his unrelenting strength and power in the trenches. He should be a go-to run-stuffer to put his opponents behind the sticks all season long and has emerged as one of the most valuable talents of any SCHSL lineman heading into this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id="91365" first="Braxton" last="Scott"], QB, 6-0, 170 pounds, James Island, 2024   With Beaufort’s Tyler Haley now graduated, [player_tooltip player_id="91365" first="Braxton" last="Scott"] will be the quarterback to watch in a talented region. The six-foot junior is lightning-quick on the field and has proven himself as a true mobile threat to complement his growing abilities through the air. He took home a pair of titles at last month’s Palmetto Combine Series in both the L Cone and the pro shuttle drills. Scott has become a terrific deep-ball passer who can stick throws with impressive accuracy. He’s got all the tools to maintain his reign as the top-ranked quarterback in his class.   [player_tooltip player_id="262573" first="Chris" last="Marable"], DL, 6-4, 280 pounds, Hilton Head, 2023   It’s been a quick rise through the rankings for Hilton Head’s [player_tooltip player_id="262573" first="Chris" last="Marable"] after a monstrous junior year. The standout defensive tackle is tenacious on every snap and wins with his exceptional power and footwork on the line. He will stop at nothing to pursue the ball-carrier and excels at wrapping up tackles. Marable will be the anchor of a BJ Payne-led defense with some shoes to fill in 2022.   [player_tooltip player_id="204429" first="Jaquinn" last="Williams"], LB, 5-11, 190 pounds, Bluffton, 2023   A terrific mix of speed and power at the linebacker position, [player_tooltip player_id="204429" first="Jaquinn" last="Williams"] is emerging as a strong talent in the heart of Bluffton’s defense. The rising senior is quick off the snap with the explosiveness to blow up plays in the backfield. He rarely misses opportunities to make key stops and is excellent in the open field. A grinder with a high motor wherever he is put on defense, Williams’ stock is on the rise as he enters his senior season.   [player_tooltip player_id="208337" first="Jeremiah" last="Curry"], LB, 6-0, 195 pounds, Bluffton, 2024   Right beside Williams is another Bobcat poised for a standout season. [player_tooltip player_id="208337" first="Jeremiah" last="Curry"] is a versatile linebacker who can play with quickness and physicality to punish the opposition. He knows where to be at the right time and is excellent at following and pursuing the ball-carrier. With a strong frame and the skills to make plays behind the line of scrimmage and in coverage, Curry should take the next step in his development this season under first-year head coach Hayden Gregory.   [player_tooltip player_id="336140" first="Colton" last="Phares"], DB, 6-1, 185 pounds, Beaufort, 2023   A hard worker who has made his mark on Beaufort High’s program, [player_tooltip player_id="336140" first="Colton" last="Phares"] is in line for an excellent senior year under head coach Bryce Lybrand. Phares is a dynamic safety who excels at playing the ball with blazing quickness. A ferocious playmaker with a high-level knowledge of the game, Phares can quickly anticipate a read and make the stop with his textbook tackling abilities. He made a splash in the recruiting scene earlier in the week, receiving an offer from Appalachian State. With a variety of skill sets plus the hands and speed to make game-changing plays, Phares has earned his distinction as a top defensive back in the Lowcountry.   Jaylin Linder, WR, 6-4, 180 pounds, Bluffton, 2023   An athletic receiver with breakout potential in his senior year, Jaylin Linder will be a name to watch on Hayden Gregory’s Bluffton Bobcats. Linder is explosive off the snap and has the height and the wingspan to thrive in one-on-one matchups. He has great footwork and has improved his abilities to run efficient routes and open up big plays over the top. If he can consistently showcase his promising hands on deep balls, he could become one of the most dangerous wideouts in the Lowco and beyond.