Most Productive New Additions to the 2024 Rankings
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Rankings aren’t totally based off statistical production, but it always boosts a prospects stock when he has verified on field stats as well. Across the state of Mississippi, many members of the 2024 class produced at a high level last…
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Continue ReadingRankings aren’t totally based off statistical production, but it always boosts a prospects stock when he has verified on field stats as well. Across the state of Mississippi, many members of the 2024 class produced at a high level last season, with many being in the top percentile across all classes. We added multiple new additions to our 2024 rankings this month, with several of them putting up monster stat lines this past year. Today, we will be highlighting some of the new members of the 2024 rankings that led their position group statistically during the 2022 season.
With 50 catches for 840 yards and 6 touchdowns on the 2022 season, Gautier’s Kelvin Beavers Kelvin Beavers 5’11” | 165 lbs | WR Gautier | 2024 State MS was a huge asset in the air raid attack. At 5’11” 170, Beavers primarily plays slot receiver, but could easily play outside in different offensive schemes at the next level. The rising senior does a great job at finding open space against zone coverage and making the quarterback’s job really easy. He has good speed with the ball in his hands and shows some pretty impressive yards after catch ability once he gets going. Naturally athletic, Beavers can make some really impressive leaping grabs when the ball is in the air. This is a guy that is going to catch anything coming his way. Although he does not currently have an offer, watch for Beavers to gain traction as the year progresses.
An explosive playmaker out of Camden, Mississippi, Gavin Griffin Gavin Griffin 5’10” | 185 lbs | RB Velma Jackson | 2024 State MS rushed for over 1,663 yards and 25 touchdowns during his junior season. Griffin stands at 5’9″ 190, but looks like he is still growing significantly. Athletically, the rising senior is off the charts. Griffin is the type of player that can score from anywhere on the field with the ball in his hands. He has great speed and burst and knows how to kick it into another gear when he hits the second level of the defense. Griffin runs with quick feet, allowing him to set up his blocks and change direction well for big gains. While he has a ton of speed to him, Griffin can also lower his shoulders and run through contact when he needs to push through a defense. The Velma Jackson product has yet to receive his first offer, but interest in the speedster is there.
Mendenhall’s Tayton James Tayton James 6’3″ | 185 lbs | QB Mendenhall | 2024 State MS made the most out of his first year under center, throwing for over 2,149 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for an additional 1,052 yards and 8 touchdowns. At 6’3″ 185, James has great size for the position and a ton of natural athleticism to go along with it. As a passer, James throws a good ball with a ton of velocity under it. What stands out most about his game is the amount of pure arm strength that he has. James can make some ridiculously long throws downfield that you do not see often at the high school level. The rising senior shows the ability to make reads and knows where to put the ball in order to set his teammates up for success. As a runner, James uses his long strides to create huge gains on the ground. He is best utilized on designed quarterback runs and read style runs and can execute them to near perfection. While James has yet to receive his first offer, big things are in store for him over the coming months.
With 21 tackles for loss and 14 sacks as a junior, Christopher Thomas Christopher Thomas 6’3″ | 215 lbs | DL Desoto Central | 2024 State MS was one of the most productive trench players in the state this past year. Thomas is a long and wired pass rusher that could either play defensive end or outside linebacker at the next level depending on how he continues to grow. On passing downs, this is a guy that plays with a motor that runs hot. Thomas uses his speed and burst off the line of scrimmage to create havoc for opposing team’ quarterbacks. He has good bend off the edge and plays with enough quickness to force pressure fast. As a run stopper, he uses his length to create separation between himself and the opposing offensive lineman and can easily drive them back as well. Thomas runs well in space and can chase down ball carriers all over the field. Thomas currently holds one offer from FAMU, but should easily continue to generate a ton of interest as the year goes on.
Totaling over 40 tackles, 12 pass break ups, and 8 INTs on the 2022 season, Prince Cottonham Prince Cottonham 6’0″ | 185 lbs | DB Gulfport | 2024 State MS put together one of the best seasons overall from the in-state defensive backs. The 6’1″ 160 pound cornerback has a ton of athleticism to him and shows a lot of promise for a future college prospect. Cottonham has smooth hips with little stiffness to him that allow him to transition and break on the football quickly. He has great speed and burst and can run with almost anybody in the state. Cottonham’s best attribute to his game is his football intelligence. This is the type of player that can easily identify route patterns and obvious tendencies, allowing him to create easy turnovers off the quarterback. Primarily a zone corner right now, Cottonham could just as easily project as a safety prospect at the next level. He currently holds one offer from Southwest Mississippi Community College, but that list should grow this offseason.
With 95 solo tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and 2 INTs on the season, Amarion Tyson Amarion Tyson 5’7″ | 170 lbs | ATH Picayune Memorial | 2024 State MS was an absolute game wrecker for Picayune’s defense this past year. Tyson plays a hybrid linebacker-safety type role right now, but could best project as a nickel back at the next level. Although he is not very tall right now, Tyson makes up for his lack of height with a ton of athleticism. This is the kind of guy that just flies around the field making plays. On designed blitzes, the rising senior knows how to time it up to easily jet by opposing offensive linemen. Tyson also has some hand moves that help him get around incoming blockers with ease. In coverage, he can easily lock up on receivers in man to man or zone coverage and create a big play on the football. He currently holds an offer from Texas A&M – Commerence, and this list should continue to grow over time.