2025 Rankings: Athletes Everywhere

Of the 190 players we have ranked in the Class of 2025, we had little choice but to classify 21 of them as Athletes.   It's a catch-all term that can mean just about anything. Traditionally, it's been used for skill-position players who play both receiver and defensive back. And while we have a few who fit into that category, we have others who don't even begin to scratch the definition.    For instance, Lake View's [player_tooltip player_id='1012841' first='Daniel' last='Ray'] is among our ranked athletes. He plays defensive end and tight end. We've also kept Andrews quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1013054' first='Brandon' last='Cumbee'] there for now, despite the fact that he's so vital to the Yellow Jackets' offense now that he almost rarely plays in the defensive backfield after being named to the all-state team there as a sophomore.   From one corner of the Palmetto State to the other, and with all spots in between, the athletes in the class of 2025 are able to move the needle for their respective teams.    [player_tooltip player_id='1157733' first='Abijah' last='Webb'] Pendleton    It's hard to believe that Webb's 1,146 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns were actually second on this squad. But he was vital toward the Bulldogs' pass-happy offense. He'll enter his senior season with 2,123 career receiving yards. On the flip side, he's also played some defensive back in eight games this year. He picked off three passes and added 16 total tackles.     [player_tooltip player_id='1012695' first='Acie' last='Hatfield'] Christ Church    Hatfield broke up nine passes, picked off two more, recovered a fumble and finished with 80 total tackles. That was his first priority, and he succeeded in making Christ Church's defense more than good enough to support the top-notch offense. And when he was called in to play quarterback in a mid-September game, all he did was complete eight-of-nine passes for 185 yards and four touchdowns.    [player_tooltip player_id='464893' first='Treshon' last='Burgess'] Lake City    We could have ranked Burgess as a tailback. Or a receiver. Or a corner or safety. We don't have a specific location for return specialists, but he does that pretty darn good, too. Burgess is an electric player who turned into Lake City's most versatile player last fall. If he was a bigger school, everyone in the state would know who he is and give him even more respect.     [player_tooltip player_id='809757' first='Will' last='Viriglio'] Oceanside Collegiate    No one is going to question that Oceanside played its cards right en route to the Class 2A state championship. But had it not been for the emergence of freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian'], Viriglio (pictured) might have been the selection to replace starting quarterback Edward Reidenbach. Instead, he developed into the team's top receiver and even scored on a pair of rushing touchdowns in the state championship.    [player_tooltip player_id='1013042' first='Kentrell' last='Brown'] Wagener-Salley   When Brown rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns in an opening-round playoff win over CA Johnson, it put a nice exclamation point on what was another strong season for him. Yet, this time around, the team's hybrid safety/linebacker also led the way with those rushing yards. The next few months will include a search for a new head coach, but whomever that is likely leans on Brown first and foremost.    [player_tooltip player_id='1158006' first='Avery' last='Alexander'] Lancaster    We'll admit we were late to find Alexander. In fact, we didn't know he existed until the first round of the state playoffs when he hauled in 49 yards worth of receptions and picked off a pass to help the Bruins upset Ridge View. We're obviously sorry we didn't see him earlier. While Lancaster was getting busted up during the regular season, the gauntlet also set the tone for what should be a much stronger 2024 season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1158010' first='Zion' last='Job'] Gray Collegiate    Job is going to take on a much larger role next season since Gray graduates two of its other two two-way threats. In job, the Eagles will have a player who had 29 tackles, a forced fumble and two interceptions on defense to go along with 512 receiving yards and two touchdowns. One of those came in the state championship loss to Oceanside, when he also recorded three of tackles.     [player_tooltip player_id='1013113' first='Zayvion' last='King'] Ninety Six   King has got some wheels, as in he hit 21.4 miles per hours at the Joanne Langfitt Challenge in December. As a junior, he rushed for 1,200 yards and 18 touchdowns (and added nine receptions for 126 yards) and was named his region's player of the year. There's a strong possibility we're going to shift him to running back down the line. But for now, the jury is still out because of his ability to help on special teams.

Of the 190 players we have ranked in the Class of 2025, we had little choice but to classify 21 of them as Athletes.