2023 Preview: Irmo Yellow Jackets

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's plenty of buzz emanating from W.C. Hawkins Stadium.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The combination of an established starting quarterback, the arrival of two transfers expected to make an immediate impact and the continued development of other position players lhas the Yellow Jackets aspiring for big things in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We do have an impressive team coming back, but this is kind of what we've waited on," Irmo head coach Aaron Brand said. "When we first moved down here four years ago, this was the undefeated middle school group. The group that's coming up that's going to be seniors now. So, we're super-excited about it."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His son, [player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'] (pictured right) is entering his second full season as a starter and has spent the summer months getting stronger and more proficient in his passing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the backfield, running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix']</strong>, formerly of Gilbert, will provide the Yellow Jackets with another ground threat with Brand. When Brand goes to the air, his main target is expected to be sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377560' first='Donovan' last='Murph']</strong>, who transferred from Our Lady of Good Counsel in Olney, Md., and whom the elder Brand favorably compared to former Irmo Class 4A All-State wide receiver <strong>DeAree Rogers</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1085401' first='Telvin' last='Smith']</strong> and tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142759' first='Caleb' last='Alexander']</strong> will also provide targets for Brand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive line has a pair of college prospects in Bryant Hamm and six-foot-six [player_tooltip player_id='771219' first='Elijah' last='Williams']. <strong>Mal Clay</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1146256' first='Xavier' last='Montgomery']</strong>&nbsp;will anchor the defensive line, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='996940' first='Jylil' last='Favor']</strong> (pictured left) has moved to inside linebacker, <strong>DeMarkio Campbell</strong>&nbsp;will play at free safety and <strong>Malachi Smith</strong>&nbsp;will pair with<strong> Isaiah McCrary</strong>&nbsp;at cornerback. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand']</strong> QB, 2025 – He completed 100-of-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><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix']</strong> RB, 2024 – The Gilbert transfer rushed for 1,610 yards and a team-high 26 touchdowns last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bryant Hamm</strong> OL, 2024 – Described as a "physical, two-way road grader with elite strength," the 250-pound senior started at center and played defensive tackle last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142508' first='Isaiah' last='McClary'] </strong>DB 2024 - He amassed 70 tackles, eight quarterback hurries, five sacks and two interceptions from the safety position last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='996940' first='Jylil' last='Favor'] </strong>LB 2024 – The Class 4A All-State linebacker tallied&nbsp;117 tackles, eight quarterback hurries, five sacks and two fumble recoveries last season. He shows a burst of speed on blitzes and rarely misses an opportunity to make a tackle. The strength Favor exhibits in the weight room, where he's consistently lifted 300 pounds this season, can be seen when he overpowers a blocker to make a sack. A vocal leader on defense, Favor encourages the underclassmen focused inside the building how to be “coachable”.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15438725/6375084bd21af40e70b6d434' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64c701edb0699"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Erick Tucker </strong>RB<strong> </strong>– Last year's leading rusher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Malichi Smith </strong>DB 2025 – He had 34 tackles, eight pass breakups and two blocked field goals last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377560' first='Donovan' last='Murph'] </strong>WR 2026 –A transfer from Our Lady of Good Counsel in Olney, Md., he's the best wide receiving prospect for the Yellow Jackets since DeAree Rogers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anton Jones </strong>RB 2025 - Versatile running back who is effective on third-down conversions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->