Class of 2025 Midlands Quarterback Outlook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>College scouts are not waiting for 2025 to get their grasps on high school quarterback prospects in the Midlands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The five quarterbacks listed in the Prep Red Zone Class of 2025 have already racked up the college offers and with good reason. All have put up strong numbers through their first two seasons and, in most cases, led their teams to success in region play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the next two seasons, these quarterbacks will be judged by their post-season success. Here's a look at these prospects and how things look moving forward:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272698' first='Will' last='Wilson']</strong> (Richland Northeast) – The centerpiece of the Cavaliers' offense made an immediate impact for his head coach/father. He threw for 1,800 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for over 700 yards and 14 TDs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite his play, Richland Northeast still plays in a challenging region with teams like Irmo, Ridge View, Westwood and Lugoff-Elgin, all with equal talent. A key will be the continued development on offense of the Cavaliers' [player_tooltip player_id='771236' first='Mark'Quelle' last='Moser'] and <strong>Rashard Pickett</strong> at the line, continued production from wide receivers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='591391' first='Blake' last='Betette'] </strong>and <strong>Jerrell Turner</strong> and a breakout year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142696' first='James' last='Willingham']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offense is also expected to get a boost with the addition of former South Point state champion offensive coordinator Gregory Ruff.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On defense, head coach [player_tooltip player_id='272698' first='Will' last='Wilson'] is confident in his back seven. The Cavaliers bring back safties <strong>Enosh Jean-Phillippe</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='208886' first='Myles' last='Pratt']</strong>, cornerback <strong>Christian Ervin </strong>and outside linebacker <strong>Cordell Brown</strong>. If RNE can get strong play upfront, it could mean the difference in the team winning the close games it lost in region play last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand']</strong> (Irmo) – The rising junior has helped spearhead the Yellow Jackets' turnaround the past two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The heart and soul of the Irmo offense, the 6'2, 196-pound rising junior is coming off throwing 100-174 passes for 1,682 yards and 15 touchdowns and only three interceptions and rushed for 722 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of 11 seniors on the team, the Yellow Jackets looked poised for a championship run. The Yellow Jackets got an off-season boost with Gilbert transfer running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix']</strong> which will provide further balance to the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive line returns starters center<strong> Bryant Hamm</strong> and tackle<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='771219' first='Elijah' last='Williams'] </strong>and wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1085401' first='Telvin' last='Smith'] </strong>looks to provide the deep threat for Brand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The key will be how the Yellow Jackets' defense can match up with some of the offenses in their region. Irmo squandered a halftime lead to lose 20-14 to Richland Northeast, a victory which it turned out cost them a share of the region title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346199' first='Landon' last='Sharpe']</strong> (White Knoll) – The rising junior sparked one of the biggest turnarounds in Class 5A as the Timberwolves set a school record with six straight wins to open the season and finished 7-4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He threw for 2,208 yards and 25 touchdowns and rushed for five touchdowns. He's also shown his commitment to improvement through his performance at the Palmetto Combine Series.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Timberwolves return leading receivers<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='448995' first='Austin' last='Cunningham']</strong>, <strong>Hasan Lee </strong>and <strong>Evan Henderson</strong> and tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='467583' first='Tyson' last='Cox']</strong>. Head coach Nick Pelham is expected to have White Knoll up to speed on defense in a region dominated for a decade by current defending champion Dutch Fork.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464884' first='Parker' last='Murray']</strong> (River Bluff) – In his first year as a starter, Murray threw for 1,176 yards and 14 touchdowns to spark a turnaround from 3-7 to 7-4 last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although River Bluff loses running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443497' first='Cooper' last='Johns'] </strong>to graduation, River Bluff brings back one of Murray's leading weapons in<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='464880' first='Stephen' last='Collier']</strong>. He's also expected to return from a left labrum injury.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the Gators return the bulk of their secondary and defensive lineman <strong>Kaleb Long</strong>, how it matches up with expected potent offenses in the region will determine if they can finish at or near the top of the standings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro']</strong> (Chapin) – The rising junior was the fourth leading passer in Region 4-5A with 1,841 yards and 15 touchdowns. Unfortunately, the Eagles were unable to break into the playoff field after going winless in region play. Chapin was hit hard by graduation, although it will have key contributions at skilled positions like defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1255998' first='Anthony' last='Turnbow']</strong>, defensive end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771240' first='Hayden' last='Burriss']</strong> and defensive tackle <strong>Nathan Gilley</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->