Top 10 Pee Dee And Grand Strand OL, TE To Watch

We readily admit we could have beefed up this list. It's a big sample size.   It's an even bigger task to cut them down to 10.   Between the tight ends, tackles, guards and centers, those charged with multiple roles in 2023 will dictate offenses across the board. They'll block for tailbacks and quarterbacks and receivers. And most of the play special teams.   These are the dudes paving the way without getting much credit.   TIGHT ENDS   Dunkin Lay Green Sea Floyds, 2024   At 6-foot-4 and 185 pounds, Lay would be a big outside target in a lot of offenses. However, after Green Sea Floyds has spent - well, basically forever - as a run-first program, Lay has found a need to improve his blocking. He's good at leveraging his height and reach against linebackers and safeties, two positions that will be coming at him off the edge.   Felder Gibson South Florence, 2024   The 6-foot, 205-pound tight end is going to be asked to be an extension of an offensive line is is now responsible for changing gears after the graduation of LaNorris Sellers. The Bruins are going to go much more run heavy. While that eliminates some of the freelancing that Sellers did, it also streamlines the blocking scheme and puts a premium on Gibson's blocking.   [player_tooltip player_id='393028' first='Rodney' last='Lesane'] South Florence, 2024   Another South Florence tight end? Seriously, between the times Drew Marlowe goes into a 12 personnel with both of them on the line or when he brings Lesane into more of an H-Back role from the backfield, his primary role is blocking. And he does it as well as probably anyone in the position in all of Class 4A.   INTERIOR   [player_tooltip player_id='459924' first='JacQari' last='Witherspoon'] North Myrtle Beach, 2025   While we recognize that Witherspoon has both the size at 300 pounds and the athletic ability to move to tackle at a moment's notice, we're also recognize what he's already done in the better part of two years at guard. He's been as consistent as anyone could possibly ask and its a prime example of how North Myrtle Beach is getting some looks after staying several courses.   [player_tooltip player_id='589058' first='Justin' last='Joe'] South Florence, 2024   Much like his two squad mates above, Joe spends a large portion of snaps at or outside the tackles. That's because while he lines up at left guard, he pulls to the right time and time again. He's an offensive line coach's dream, as he's cool not getting much credit while simultaneously getting the job done.   [player_tooltip player_id='208333' first='Slayton' last='Stokes'] Hartsville, 2024   As of this writing, Stokes is still slated to be the Red Foxes' starting center this year. We love the decision. For as much as Stokes could dominate at tackle or guard, this offense is set on timing and clean snaps. Stokes, maybe the best center in South Carolina, is the perfect person to handle that task for a team looking like it has state championship potential.   TACKLES   Will Hall Socastee, 2024   Let's put this out there first. Hall is not going to play tackle in college. It's not that we don't think some school couldn't have him ready for the next level. No, it's because we believe someone else is going to come along, fall in love with his ultra-athletic 6-foot-2, 250-pound frame and decide he could play somewhere else. For now, he's gonna do damage there for one more high school season.   [player_tooltip player_id='208344' first='Brady' last='Pickett'] Myrtle Beach, 2024   Not unlike most schools, the Seahawks routinely park their best offensive lineman at left tackle and run their sets with the notion that it will work out more often than not. Pickett is not only Myrtle Beach's best player along the line, he's among a very small number of players who should be considering in the second tier of tackles statewide. He's got three years of experience starting on this line already.   [player_tooltip player_id='762756' first='Kendall' last='Walton'] Lamar, 2025   Prototypical offensive tackle size? Check. Great footwork? Check. Ability to lead prior to his senior year? Check. At 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, Walton (pictured) is a kickstarter or two from absolutely blowing up on the recruiting scene. What's more, the offense he's leading looks to have everything going for it at exactly the right window. Start considering Walton for 2023 and 2024 season honors now.   [player_tooltip player_id='139295' first='Josiah' last='Thompson'] Dillon, 2024   We've been following Thompson since just prior to his sophomore season, when Dillon coach Kelvin Roller told us he saw something special in the then-youngster. Now, Thompson is a grown man masquerading as a high school senior. He's already verbally committed to the University of South Carolina and he's among the key reasons Dillon is on the short list of Class 3A state championship contenders this season.

We readily admit we could have beefed up this list. It's a big sample size.