2024 Zone Reads: Big Arms, Playmakers Dominate Upstate

The Class of 2024 Prep Redzone rankings in the Upstate Zone encompass a bunch of guys across a bunch of position. There's strength up front on both lines, there's a bunch of guys in the defensive backfield, there are a ton of top-tier running backs.   But the area is absolutely loaded with guys who are explosive playmakers, and who can change games in an instant.   [player_tooltip player_id='1055627' first='Kolton' last='Chapman'] QB, Daniel   Chapman (pictured) was the latest in a long line of top-tier Daniel QBs, and the Lions didn't miss a beat as they earned another state title. Chapman threw for 2,409 yards and 24 touchdowns, adding 454 yards and 10 more scores on the ground.   [player_tooltip player_id='448984' first='Eli' last='Hudgins'] QB, Powdersville   Hudgins started for the Patriots from the time he enrolled in high school, and his fourth year at the helm of the Patriots was another good one. The Army West Point baseball commit can make every throw, and he's just as dangerous with his legs.   [player_tooltip player_id='119009' first='Riley' last='Staton'] QB, Gaffney   Staton had a strong finish after transferring to Gaffney in the off-season. He finished with 2,787 yards and 28 touchdowns, adding another score on the ground and helping to pace the Indians to a third-round playoff appearance.   [player_tooltip player_id='1142563' first='Luke' last='Gray'] QB, Pendleton   Gray quietly put together a fantastic senior season, and had the Bulldogs played one more game, he'd likely have thrown for 4,000 yards. He ended the season with 3,811 yards and threw for 53 touchdowns, running for five more.   [player_tooltip player_id='1144060' first='Ethan' last='Anderson'] QB, J.L. Mann   Anderson helped put together the Patriots' best season in a generation. The big-armed, efficient QB threw for more than 3,000 yards and 39 TDs as J.L. Mann made a deep playoff run.   [player_tooltip player_id='998700' first='Coleman' last='Gray'] QB, Chapman   There's just about no way to quantify how important Gray was to the Panthers. Yes, he played exceptionally well at QB, completing 64 percent of his passes for 2,076 yards and 17 touchdowns. But he also led the team in rushing, picking up 895 yards, rushing for more than eight yards per carry, and scoring 15 times.   [player_tooltip player_id='267431' first='Avery' last='McFadden'] WR, Hillcrest   McFadden is, to quote Rams head coach Bennett Swygert, "a football player". He's an absolute stat machine, and in 2023 he threw, caught, rushed, and returned kicks for touchdowns, as well as notching tackles and picking off two passes. Anything the Rams needed, McFadden got it done.   [player_tooltip player_id='139296' first='Jimmar' last='Boston'] WR, Westside   Playing with a club on his hand and almost exclusively on defense for the bulk of the year, Boston still found a way to be second on the team in receptions, receiving yards, receiving yards per game, and receiving touchdowns. He saved his very best for the very biggest stages, catching a touchdown and the game-ending interception in the Upper State final, and coming back the next week with the touchdown catch that delivered the 4A title to Westside.   [player_tooltip player_id='1142457' first='Mikel' last='McClellan'] WR, J.L. Mann   McClellan gave the Patriots a reliable, dynamic downfield threat, and seemed to excel the most when the pressure was on him to perform. He led the Patriots in every receiving category except yards per reception, where he was off by less than a yard. His final line was 78-1,481-14, and that came on a team with another 1,000-yard receiver and a back with 20 TDs.   [player_tooltip player_id='448976' first='Chase' last='Byrd'] WR, Greer   Greer had a ton of success on the ground in 2023, behind a new QB and a talented group of RBs. But when the Yellow Jackets needed a play, they turned to Byrd. The Clemson signee had 884 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, the bulk of those when Greer absolutely had to have something. He's a true burner, a nightmare in space, and a guy who can reliably go and get it.   [player_tooltip player_id='139314' first='Josh' last='Williams'] WR, Westside   Williams was called upon to play defense and to return kicks, but his main focus was at WR, particularly with Boston hurt for much of the year. He responded with 64 catches for 1,340 yards and 18 touchdowns through the air.   [player_tooltip player_id='1142680' first='Rashawn' last='Cunningham'] WR, Chapman   Cunningham was by far the Panthers' biggest downfield threat, with nearly three times as many receptions as Chapman's second-leading receiver. He caught 61 balls for 864 yards and nine touchdowns, added a punt return TD, and helped the Panthers secure another region championship.   [player_tooltip player_id='997216' first='KD' last='Mosley'] WR, Greenville   The Red Raiders' run to the 4A Upper State title game was marked by incredible offensive balance. Four guys caught at least 19 balls and accounted for at least 300 yards. Mosley was tops in both categories, with 39 catches, 618 yards, and a team-high five receiving touchdowns. In Greenville's signature win, a third-round victory over then-No. 1 Northwestern, Mosley went OFF. He had six catches for 161 yards and a pair of scores.   [player_tooltip player_id='997398' first='Will' last='Patton'] WR, Easley   What did the dynamic Patton mean to the Green Wave? Let's see: he was the team's second-leading passer, second-leading rusher, and leading receiver, combining for 16 total touchdowns. He also returned kicks, and averaged more than 120 total yards per game.   [player_tooltip player_id='163871' first='Mazeo' last='Bennett'] ATH, Greenville   Bennett truly was Greenville's heartbeat. He missed some time with an injury, and the Red Raiders struggled to find an identity in his absence. On the field, he did it all. He rushed for 10 touchdowns, caught four more, completed three passes, made four tackles, recovered a fumble, and returned kicks, including one for a touchdown.   [player_tooltip player_id='139310' first='Dee' last='Robertson'] ATH, Westside   Robertson can do a little bit of everything, and did for the state champion Rams. A running back by trade, he shifted over to WR where he was third on the team in receiving yards and caught five touchdowns. He was third in rushing yardage as well, with nine scores on the ground. He finished with nearly 900 yards of combined offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1142728' first='Carmello' last='Canty'] ATH, Greenville   This season's stats show Canty with 19 catches for 309 yards and a touchdown. He actually caught 24 balls - five of them were thrown by opposing QBs. Those five interceptions tied him for the team lead, and he also forced two fumbles and turned in an all-around performance for the Red Raiders.

The Class of 2024 Prep Redzone rankings in the Upstate Zone encompass a bunch of guys across a bunch of position. There's strength up front on both lines, there's a bunch of guys in the defensive backfield, there are a ton of top-tier running backs.