Statewide Players To Watch In 2023: Episode 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our Statewide Players To Watch series continues with one quarterback who can stand in the pocket and deliver the ball with accuracy and touch. There's an Upstate running back who is a threat to take it back to the house on special teams and can get north/south progress on his run along with a two-way player from the CRSA who can do more than just catch the ball out of the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you missed last week's episode, <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/03/statewide-players-to-watch-in-2023-episode-1/">check it out here.</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DeAnte Hopkins, Ridge Spring Monetta (2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hopkins is a dynamic, two-way player who can make an impact wherever he is on the field. We'll start on the defensive side of the ball where he lines up at the outside linebacker position. He is a great “scraper” off the edge, not allowing the quarterback to get into the pocket and make throws. He is relentless with his effort and won't stop until he gets to the quarterback. On offense, he'll line up at running back and does a great job of catching the ball out of the backfield. He can make people miss in space. He finished the 2022 season with 88 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and a sack. On offense, he finished with 913 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14596291/6366aa17e97a7b0224345806' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6411212fd16de"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Colton Link, Landrum (2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Link lines up at the running back position and runs like he is shot out of a cannon on most running plays. He knows what to do once the ball is in his hands and you won't see him dancing in space – he just goes north and south. He is a difference maker on special teams as he's able to find a lane and take it to the house. He finished the 2022 season with 21 touchdowns and 1267 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15089903/6369b3b44210b6012ca5251e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6411212fd1709"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464809' first='Jackson' last='Bibee'], Hilton Head (2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bibee has nice size at the position as he is listed at 6'5, 205 pounds. That height advantage gives him the ability to see the whole field and make some nice throws in the pocket. The ball comes out of his hands smoothly and accurately. Part of that is a credit to his offensive line who gives him plenty of time to step back and make solid reads, whether it's a 5-yard slant or a deep ball for a touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16135730/635ebd6e688fbe042c96dcc8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6411212fd1727"} /-->