CSRA Full Of Top Receivers

Ian Guerin August 14, 2023 @ 09:00 AM

The receivers in the western-most pocket of South Carolina run the full spectrum.   There are mega-speedsters and excellent route runners. Some who double up in other positions and those who are fully entrenched in their top priority. Those who've made commitments to major programs and others still waiting for the right shot.   The six CSRA receivers here are proven commodities; each enters the 2023 season with a head of steam and high expectations.    In less than a week, we'll start to see what they can do this fall.    [player_tooltip player_id='267472' first='Antrone' last='Butler'] Midland Valley   Not the biggest receiver of the bunch at 5-foot-10 and 155 pounds, Butler does an excellent job of putting his skills to good use. In addition to his 61 receptions the last two years, he's also just as likely to come across the field pre-snap and take a handoff around to the other edge. Butler has legit top-shelf speed in pads and is a huge part of the progress Midland Valley has made as a team under Early Chaptman.   [player_tooltip player_id='315319' first='Tamari' last='Daniels'] Blackville-Hilda   We easily could have left Daniels off this list for the defensive one, as the two-way standout is nearly as vital to Hawks' defense as he is on offense. It's why he was a Class A All-State honoree last fall. But we're going with the later here simply because is verified 4.4 speed puts every opponent on the schedule on notice. Whether he's taking a direct snap, end around, catching a bubble screen or going deep, he's an absolute blazer with great vision to boot.   [player_tooltip player_id='998689' first='Isaiah' last='Johnson'] Bamberg-Ehrhardt   There aren't many things Johnson hasn't done well during his time with Bamberg-Ehrardt. Look at some of his production from last year alone: 39 receptions for 624 yards and four touchdowns; 48 carries or 618 yards and two more touchdowns; 28 tackles, six interceptions and 14 pass breakups from his spot in the secondary. He can go deep, take a direct snap and return kicks, one right after the other. Johnson might not get to the 1,000-yard mark receiving, but there's little doubt he'll do it in total yards.   DesJuan McCorkle Silver Bluff   Not only did McCorkle lead the team with 41 receptions for 450 yards last year. Not only did new Silver Bluff quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='315098' first='Mickenzie' last='Atterberry'] Jr transfer in from Aiken. Not only did the graduation of Carson Browder (26 receptions, 409 yards, three touchdowns last season) open up some more opportunities. And not only is youngster [player_tooltip player_id='205787' first='Hiszari' last='Gantt'] going to take some of the pressure off McCorkle. He is the most polished receiver in the mix of a team ready to make some serious noise this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='208338' first='Braylon' last='Staley'] Strom Thurmond   The past few months have been a whirlwind for Staley. In May, he won the Class 4A state title in the 200-meter dash and the triple jump (by more than a full foot). Not long after he transferred from Aiken to Strom Thurmond. On June 30, he verbally committed to the University of Tennessee and took himself out of a huge recruiting circuit. There's no telling how much bigger the next few months could be.    [player_tooltip player_id='771039' first='Demarius' last='Tolen'] Strom Thurmond   The Staley/Tolen connection isn't done yet. Like his former Aiken teammate, Tolen (pictured) also transferred to Strom Thurmond. What he adds to the mix is a 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame who runs with fluid routes and is as much of a deep threat as he is on jump balls in the end zone. Tolen was already a top-60 player in our rankings, and his value only increases now that he's in an offense that's much more devoted to the passing game.

The receivers in the western-most pocket of South Carolina run the full spectrum.