Community Film Room, Episode 37

Our Spring rankings update pinpointed even more players from the 2024, 2025 and 2026 classes. For a variety of reasons, our team decided that each of those new additions 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, the Community Film Room is back.   In each edition, 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 the start of the 2023 football season and - not long after - our next rankings update.   In Episode 37, it's all about the defense, with us taking a look at a linebacker, a pair of defensive backs and two rising defensive ends.    [player_tooltip player_id='997363' first='Landon' last='Armstrong'] LB, Rock Hill   While many still looked at the 5-foot-11, 210-pound Armstrong as a block-first H-Back, he exhibits some serious pop from his other spot, middle linebacker. has every chance to put himself on the map in a hurry with a skill set that shows he knows how to shave off straight-line distance between him and a ball carrier and a reliable tackling ability. Armstrong is strong enough to make the play when he can't get his pads lower, yes, but he consistently puts himself in excellent position to wrap up the right way and get the stop. Pitching in on special teams doesn't hurt his notability, either.     [player_tooltip player_id='1142644' first='Najib' last='Yunusah'] DB, York   We can't help but think “gamer” when we watch Yunusah do his thing. After moving from the Pee Dee to the Rock Hill area during the offseason, Yunusah dealt with an injury for a chunk of the offseason, including during the Palmetto Combine Series, when he struggled some because of it. But it's obvious that when Yunusah (the nephew of former East Carolina standout and current York assistant Mitchell Galloway) has the skills to make an immediate difference at his new home. The 5-foot-9, 175-pounder has excellent instincts with the ball in the air and doesn't get burned deep.    Griffin Burns DB, Chapin    Eagles coach Justin Gentry has a near-carbon copy of safety/corner/outside backer [player_tooltip player_id='771241' first='Russell' last='Gentry'] (no relation) in Burns. The 5-foot-9, 150-pounder is able to play all over the backside of a defense that will need to make major strides in a tough Class 5A region this coming year. Thankfully for the Chapin coach, Burns (pictured) can help fix some things. Last year - when he tallied 29.5 total tackles - Burns showed some significant range, from covering receivers on deep throws to tracking ball carriers closer to the line. He's not big by any means but he makes the most of his speed and a pretty good jumping ability.     Nazir Stevenson DL, Lamar   The word on Stevenson is definitely going to get out. The 5-foot-10, 255-pound defensive end could end up being one of the very best in all of Class A ball this fall. Both his past and current coaches rave about his natural ability, and his film shows a player who can dominate when he wants to. Stevenson has bull-rush capabilities. He can also play out of more of a reactive stance on run plays and seal the edge. Stevenson allows Lamar to play a three-man front because he can move north and south and laterally. If the light comes on all the way, the rest of Region VI-1A is going to absolutely hate him.    [player_tooltip player_id='898032' first='Will' last='Axon'] DL, Porter Gaud   Axon is a 6-foot-5, 225-pound edge rusher who's got two years of high school eligibility and a little bit of momentum fueling the sails. Last fall was his first year playing organized football, and he went out and picked up an SCISA All-State selection for his efforts. Axon has the type of length that can disrupt just about every offensive play that's run in his direction. Axon bats down passes, chases down quarterbacks and covers a wide home base from his spot at defensive end. There's no telling what he's going to look like this time next year, and if he latches on to some of the combine opportunities that tend to follow players with his frame, everything could take off in a hurry.

Our Spring rankings update pinpointed even more players from the 2024, 2025 and 2026 classes. For a variety of reasons, our team decided that each of those new additions were worthy of a coveted spot in our rankings.