Community Film Room, Episode 22

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 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 22, we're breaking down a 1,000-yard rusher, two linebackers who pile up the tackles, a defensive back who could blow up in 2023 and an offensive lineman who blocks out the sun.    Javarus Guthrie RB, York   Yeah, yeah, yeah. We probably should have pounced on Guthrie earlier. His just had a 1,400-yard season while putting up ultra efficient numbers both rushing (126 carries, 1,065 yards, 8.5 ypc) and receiving (18 receptions, 342 yards, 19.0 ypr). His seven total offensive touchdowns  - he was also effective on special teams and played some defense - didn't necessarily match his other production, but the 5-foot-10, 210-pound 2024 is a nice mix of bruiser, directional changes and open-field speed. We're not sure how much higher his ceiling is, but we're all about finding out.     Noah Moore LB, South Florence   South Florence fans (and opponents) got to know [player_tooltip player_id='263156' first='Trokel' last='Prew'] and [player_tooltip player_id='263155' first='Jaylin' last='William Davis'] pretty well the last two years. The third part of the linebacking triad was pretty darn good, too. Moore (78.5 tackles, two TFL, two fumble recoveries, one interception) was third on the team in tackles behind only the two stars, and the two-sport athlete did it by just being solid all season. He rarely missed tackles and filled the void when the other two moving around. And if that isn't enough, go to the :37 mark of his (criminally short) highlight reel for a pretty good example of his tracking ability.    Timir Hickman-Collins LB, Indian Land   Hickman-Collins (pictured) had a boatload of tackles last season. Anyone who has seen him play knows that. What sets him apart more than even his ferocious hitting is that he is as good of a coverage linebacker as we've seen lately. The 6-foot, 210-pound combo linebacker is just as comfortable in the middle of the defense as he is spreading to more of an outside spot. In either one, he moves so well sideline to sideline that some opposing offensive players were probably confused as to his starting position. He brings a star quality and some flair to the job.    Grayson Freeling DB, Oceanside Collegiate   We saw why Oceanside coach Chad Wilkes is so high on Freeling very early in the 2022 season. As a sophomore playing just his third varsity game, the 6-foot-1, 170-pound safety served as a deep spy against a quarterback (Carolina Forest's [player_tooltip player_id='202739' first='Scott' last='Saylor']) with pretty good running ability. Freeling made at least two touchdown-saving tackles in that game, taking advantage of his ability to see the plays developing and then getting into the right spot. Given what we know about Oceanside, Freeling's numbers should shoot way up in 2023.      Dakarai Sumter OL, Lower Richland   We'd like to throw out a figure real quick to get your attention. Sumter is 6-foot-8. He's also 320 pounds. Despite his size, he's not a statue. Sumter has three NCAA Division-I offers (including a Power 5 one from Kentucky) because the college scouts are seeing much of the same thing we are. The left tackle takes up a ton of real estate, has a massive wing span and steps into position in both pass- and run-blocking situations with ease. Sumter's size is what gets him noticed. What he does with that size, though, should be the main attraction.

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.