Spring Outlook: Irmo Yellow Jackets

Thomas Grant

May 22, 2023 @ 08:00 AM

There's an unescapable “buzz” around Irmo High School football (no pun intended).   With high-profile players at the skill position attracting college scouts nationwide and what head coach Aaron Brand sees as his deepest roster in his four-year tenure, there's high expectations for this year's Yellow Jackets team.   “The vibe's a little bit different,” Brand said. “The expectations have changed tremendously. We're going into this thing as one of the favorites we feel and it's always us feeling that way. But I think there's been some outside shutterbug about us having a chance to be pretty good too. So, there's pressure.”   Irmo's hopes start at quarterback with Brand's son [player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand']. The rising junior has more than 10 offers, the latest being UNC Charlotte, and was ranked as one of the 10 best quarterbacks at the Elite 11 Camp held May 13 in Atlanta.   In addition to a shortened release to improve accuracy, the younger Brand has added 20 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot, 202-pound frame, something he hopes will work as an “X Factor” when running the football.   Speaking of running, rising senior transfer [player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix'] has settled into the Irmo system. The former Gilbert tailback has religiously hit the weight room while getting accustomed to Brand's system where he will also see time as a tight end.   "I've been lifting a lot,” said Allen-Hendrix, who has received nine offers. “I think I'm faster, stronger, really stronger. I think my arms have gotten bigger, too.”   The elder Brand said both players are “tremendous pieces to the puzzle” and praised both his son and Allen-Hendrix for leading by example.   Another player who has also stepped-up during spring practice is center [player_tooltip player_id='996935' first='Bryant' last='Ham']. The 6-foot 2, 250-pound rising senior has helped stabilize the middle of an offensive line where tackle [player_tooltip player_id='771219' first='Elijah' last='Williams'] has received the bulk of attention.   Such leadership will be needed to help Irmo avoid some of the lapses which proved costly in both region play and the post-season. The 24-22 loss to James Island in the final seconds of the second round of the Class 4A playoffs has especially served as motivation during the off-season.   Defensively, Brand is as excited by having as much quality depth as he does on offense. Among the changes he's made is moving DeMarkio Campbell from wide receiver to free safety to go with cornerbacks Isaiah McCrary and Malachi Smith and moving [player_tooltip player_id='996940' first='Jylil' last='Favor'] to inside linebacker.   Upfront, Mal Clay and [player_tooltip player_id='1146256' first='Xavier' last='Montgomery'] will anchor the defensive line with their pass rushing.   “I think the players, the energy has all been at a whole completely different level,” McCrary said. “The classes that we have are coming in rocking and rolling and are more of a team this year."   The only area which Brand hopes will get shored up in the fall is at wide receiver. Right now, Quentin Stroman and [player_tooltip player_id='1085401' first='Telvin' last='Smith'] are the lone returning experienced wideouts.   If the Yellow Jackets are to live up to the preseason buzz, Brand said staying healthy and maintaining depth will be key.   “There's a little bit of internal pressure that we put on ourselves,” Brand said. “We want to be good in a hurry early and often this year. So, there has been a different vibe, a different pace, a more attention to detail and guys are trying to speed it up just ahead.”

There's an unescapable “buzz” around Irmo High School football (no pun intended).