Community Film Room, Episode 21
In this article:
Our January rankings update pinpointed 508 worthy players across four classes. For a variety of evidence, our team decided that each of those 500-plus were worthy of a coveted spot in our rankings. But we’d be naive to think we’ve…
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Continue ReadingOur January rankings update pinpointed 508 worthy players across four classes. For a variety of evidence, our team decided that each of those 500-plus were worthy of a coveted spot in our rankings.
But we’d be naive to think we’ve evaluated everyone or didn’t miss a few along the way.
PRZ South Carolina is constantly looking at as many of the 10,000 prep football players in the SCHSL and SCISA ranks as possible. Now, a little over a year from its inception, the Community Film Room is back.
Each week, we’ll break down five currently unranked players from across the state to let you see what we’re seeing. The series will lead right into the next rankings update in May and beyond.
In Episode 21, we’re looking at a defensive lineman who has taken the recruiting circuits by storm, an ultra-efficient quarterback, a pair of first-year starting defenders who are now cornerstones of their teams and a two-way threat who proved he can put up huge offensive numbers.
Amare Adams DL, Lake City
The great thing about evaluations being an ongoing thing? We get to start correcting our mistakes. Adams is, without a doubt, one of the best individual talents in the entire state, regardless of class. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 285-pounds, the 2025 big man is a run-stopping force in the Panthers’ 3-4 defense, with the huge lineman often setting up shop on the end. If it wasn’t for Lake City playing only one pass-heavy team all season, his stats (67 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and four sacks) would have surely been more inflated. His first move is lightning quick, he transitions laterally extremely well and he doesn’t miss tackles. The Georgia and Alabama offers make sense after you see his 8-minute highlight from 2022.
Kalab Sutton QB, Easley
The first thing that jumps off about Sutton (pictured) is that he threw only three interceptions during his first season as the team’s varsity quarterback. Considering he attempted 213 passes, that’s a pretty good start. When you watch him, though, it makes sense why, but also why he’s so efficient. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound Sutton is rarely standing in the pocket waiting for something to come to him. Instead, he’s extremely mobile behind his offensive line and moving in conjunction with his receivers. He is more than proficient enough at throwing on the run, whether by design or not. Clearly, you don’t complete 62 percent of your passes (132-of-213) for 2,003 yards and 24 touchdowns in that scenario unless you’ve got some skill. The fact that he ran for 492 yards another another eight touchdowns almost seems obvious.
Cam’Rich Smith Cam’Rich Smith 5'9" | 200 lbs | LB Spartanburg | 2025 State SC LB, Spartanburg
Want to talk about a solid debut? Smith entered high school as a tailback, and he played there on JV as a freshman. But during the spring of last year, the staff converted him to linebacker and woo boy. The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder led the Vikings in tackles, tackles for loss, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries and was name to the all-region team. Smith is a true sideline-to-sideline threat, with a super quick burst that often has him screaming by teammates to make a stop. The added bonus for Spartanburg is that he’s flexible in his starting position, allowing the staff to scheme him from the middle or as an edge rusher when the time is right.
DJ Gause DE, North Myrtle Beach
North Myrtle Beach was in search of foundational pieces for its rebuild in 2022, and the Chiefs found one in Gause. The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder put up 22 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one pass break-up, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick for a team that won only two games (but qualified for the playoffs), and against Irmo in that postseason defeat, we got further indication of what Gause brings to the table. The 2025 edge continued to improve while playing the final eight games of the regular season against eventual playoff teams. All the while, he found ways to split linemen and close his pursuit angles to the ball.
Reggie Heath WR/DB, Chester
Heath’s debut season at Chester in 2021 was solid. His junior year was dynamic. And now we’re waiting to see what he can do as a senior this coming season. That’s because while he’s a cornerback with seven interceptions and 70 solo tackles to his credit already, Heath developed into Trooper Floyd Trooper Floyd 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Chester | 2025 State SC ‘s favorite offensive target in 2022. Heath has made a living out of turning opposing defenders around his with route-running and ability to change directions on the fly. And his stride opens up nicely when he’s space to allow him to maximize his 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame. For those reasons and more, he accumulated 1,004 receiving yards and five touchdowns last fall. We believe he’s only scratched the surface.