2023 Rankings Zone Read: CSRA Strong At Top Of Class

The Class of 2023 is a strong one in the Central Savannah River Area. Of the Top 100 in the final Prep Redzone 2023 rankings, eight players - nearly a 10th of the field - are from the CSRA. Here's a look at the guys at the top of the class.   [player_tooltip player_id='262552' first='Tyler' last='J Smith'], RB, Barnwell   Smith is, put simply, one of the best backs in the state. He finished his senior year just short of 3,000 yards, averaged more than 230 yards per game on the ground, banged out 9.8 yards per carry, scored 46 rushing TDs, and topped 100 yards rushing in 12 games. He caught 8 passes for 120 yards and another score, and he threw a TD pass. Smith's got all the tools. Take a look.    [player_tooltip player_id='91139' first='Kanaan' last='Ligons'], OL, Ridge Spring - Monetta   Ligons is a glimpse at what's special about small-school linemen. He plays both ways by necessity, and is quick and agile enough to shed blockers and track down the ball as a defensive lineman. Where he shines, though, is at OL. He's just a road-grader. Look for Ligons, and you'll find him engaging defenders and either locking them down and neutralizing them, knocking them off their feet, or finishing off blocks WAY down the field.    [player_tooltip player_id='91145' first='A'Chean' last='Durant'], RB, McCormick   Durant's a burner first and foremost. He has the speed to return kicks, which he did well for the Chiefs, and to line up out wide in the passing game occasionally. He's phenomenal, though, between the tackles. His speed helps a ton, but he's physical enough to run through tacklers, and elusive enough to get out of a crowd. When he does, it's off to the races.    [player_tooltip player_id='262551' first='Zion' last='Wright'], WR, Saluda   Wright's a monster on both sides of the ball for the Tigers. He was the team's second-leading receiver, and led the Tigers in interceptions, picking off three passes on the year. Offensively, he's a big, tall target who has no problem going up to get it. He's shifty enough to make defenders miss, and his enormous stride just eats up yardage.    [player_tooltip player_id='124455' first='Clay' last='Pender'], ATH, Barnwell   Pender did a little bit of everything for the Warhorses. He totaled just three carries on the year, but those went for 88 yards and one touchdown. He caught 35 balls for 534 yards and nine scores, Barnwell's leader in those categories by a wide margin. He had nine tackles and picked off two passes, and was a standout in the return game. Any time he's around the ball, Pender looks electric.    [player_tooltip player_id='91153' first='Cam' last='Davis'], RB, Wagener-Salley   Davis' stat line for his senior year is eye-popping, on both sides of the ball. Lining up at QB for the War Eagles, he finished with 1,808 yards rushing and 24 TDs, adding 740 yards and eight touchdowns through the air. He accounted for 19 two-point conversions. On defense, Davis had 75 tackles, six tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He's Wagener-Salley's all-time leading rusher, and with 4.6 speed, he's an absolute nightmare once he's on the edge.    [player_tooltip player_id='91161' first='Maleik' last='Williams'], ATH, Silver Bluff   Williams threw for 1,790 yards for the Bulldogs, with 11 TD passes. He led the team in rushing, with 726 yards, and scored 10 more times. He added 17 tackles and two interceptions, and was the offensive focus for Silver Bluff. He's got a combination of speed and vision that make him especially dangerous.    [player_tooltip player_id='443517' first='Will' last='Jenison'], OL, South Aiken   There's something that jumps out immediately when you're watching film on Jenison. Watching him blocking linebackers at the second level isn't fair. Jenison is a strong run-blocker, and equally good in pass-block situations. But when he's pulling, or just getting to the second level as a design of the play, he's dangerous. He's big and quick enough to overpower guys, and has enough of a nasty streak to finish plays 10, 15, even 20 yards downfield.

The Class of 2023 is a strong one in the Central Savannah River Area. Of the Top 100 in the final Prep Redzone 2023 rankings, eight players - nearly a 10th of the field - are from the CSRA. Here's a look at the guys at the top of the class.