Community Film Room, Episode 26
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 26, we’re showing you a dynamic three-way Class A standout, a quarterback of one of the state’s best Class 4A programs, two edge rushers coming into their own and a SCISA linebacker with the potential to be playing this game for a few more years.
Ahmir Smith RB, Calhoun County
We start off this week’s edition with a touchdown machine in the making. Smith is a true Class A “Oh, yeah, he does that, too” type of player who scored touchdowns rushing, receiving, off interceptions and in the return game. All of them are credits to his breakaway speed and ability to break tackles. Smith’s good on defense (63 tackles, 9 PBUs, 4 INT). But he’s downright electric on offense, where the 5-foot-10, 190-pounder averaged 12.4 yards per carry en route to 1,108 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Malachi Marshall QB, South Pointe
The biggest knock on Marshall is that he’s surrounded by talent up and down the South Pointe roster. Sounds like a pretty ridiculous critique, huh? The 6-foot-2, 190-pound quarterback can make throws that most high school quarterbacks don’t have the confidence to attempt. And since he’s almost never standing still in the pocket, it means he’s impressing onlookers with those throws more often than not, too. We think Marshall’s 2,140 yards and 20 touchdowns from last fall are only the beginning.
Hayden Burriss DL, Chapin
At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Burriss is a traditional edge rusher who put up 34 total tackles, nine tackles for loss and three sacks during the Eagles’ 2022 season. He’s excellent with his arms and hands and has clip after clip of him being a complete lineman. What we can also see is coach Justin Gentry’s first comments about him: Burriss has a great motor and doesn’t give up on plays, even ones that are 10-15 yards away from him.
BJ Brownlee LB, Trinity Collegiate
Brownlee, who started at South Florence before transferring over to Trinity prior to the 2022 season, is a multi-tool linebacker who might just have college safety written all over him. Currently a 6-foot-2, 190-pound linebacker, Brownlee put up 39 tackles and 10 tackles for loss last season while moving sideline to sideline – both in pursuit and in coverage – gives him an advantage in most one-on-one matchups. He’s perfectly suited for the Titans’ defensive scheme, and he should continue to improve within next year, too.
Calvin Jackson DL, Boiling Springs
You don’t need to know Jackson’s weight room numbers to figure out he’s strong as all get up. His junior season highlights are full of him bull rushing opposing tackles en route to many of his 10 tackles for loss (and 26 total stops) from 2022. At the 3:52 mark of this video, however, Jackson might be showing off his best attribute. Jackson (pictured) changes direction much quicker than a 6-foot-2, 225-pounder should be able to, and it led to one of his five sacks from last fall.