2025 Rankings: Players Ready to Drive Next Year's Playoffs

Change is good sometimes.   Every two years, South Carolina High School League football teams get to determine themselves whether that adage is true. Depending on the school, realignment can mean either a better opportunity at a state title or longer odds at reaching that goal.   There's also the annual challenge created by graduation as teams look to find new leaders to replace major contributors.   This year sees both issues simultaneously presenting itself for high school coaches. So which players from the Class of 2025 will have the opportunity to help their respective programs capitalize on that window of opportunity opening?   Here's a list of rising seniors who look to make that possible.   [player_tooltip player_id='605525' first='Marquise' last='Henderson'] RB, Belton-Honea Path   With perennial Class 3A champion Daniel moving up to 4A, the Bears appear poised to take the top mantle. They will be considered a favorite with the number one player in the Prep Redzone South Carolina Class of 2025. As a junior, Henderson rushed for 2,336 yards and 37 touchdowns. With he and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='283891' first='Noah' last='Thomas'] returning, dreams of the first state title since 2004 could become a reality.    [player_tooltip player_id='272699' first='Da'Marion' last='Coe'] DB, Hartsville   It was a smooth transition from cornerback to a Class 4A All-State safety for the 5-foot-9 junior. He was one of the team's leading tacklers throughout the season and helped Hartsville right itself after injuries slowed it down following a 4-0 start. The Red Foxes will move over to Region V-4A where Lower State champion South Florence looks to be their biggest competition.    [player_tooltip player_id='272702' first='Jevon' last='Edwards'] RB, South Aiken   The Thoroughbreds will compete in a more crowded Region IV-4A with the addition of Gray Collegiate, Gilbert, Airport, Brookland-Cayce, and Midland Valley. Having their top running back for another year should keep them in contention.    [player_tooltip player_id='1012706' first='Josh' last='Smith'] DL, Dutch Fork   Defense was a major factor in the Silver Foxes rebounding from an 0-3 start to claim their eighth state title. The junior was the team's sack leader and is expected to fill the role of the departing senior class.    [player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro'] QB, Chapin   The two-year starter kept the Eagles' offense afloat, throwing for close to 2,900 yards and over 20 touchdowns. He will now be counted upon in an even more competitive Region IV-5A with the addition to Lexington/Richland School District Five rival Irmo.   [player_tooltip player_id='464884' first='Parker' last='Murray'] QB and [player_tooltip player_id='464880' first='Stephen' last='Collier'] WR, both of River Bluff   The Gators have never had back-to-back losing seasons under head coach Blair Hardin. If they are to rebound next season, both Murray and Collier will be the centerpiece of the offensive production. Murray is entering his third season as a starter and Collier is one of his more reliable targets.     [player_tooltip player_id='1012579' first='Sterling' last='Sanders'] DL, Blythewood   (Pictured above) At 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds, the junior defensive tackle is an invitee of the U.S. Army National Combine Series on Feb. 18 in Charleston. He had 50 tackles, 11 for loss, and three sacks this past season. Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern and Charlotte have presented him offers. The Bengals move from Region III-5A to a more geographically friendly Region V-5A with Midlands-based schools Ridge View, Westwood, Spring Valley, Sumter, and Lugoff-Elgin    [player_tooltip player_id='762756' first='Kendall' last='Walton'] OL, Lamar   The 6-foot-5, 270-pound Class A All-State offensive tackle shows athleticism beyond his size. Off the field, he's shown a high vertical leap to where he can dunk a basketball with ease. His fierce run blocking and effective pass protection has enabled the Silver Foxes to continually dominate Region VI-A. They now move to Region II-A where that success could continue with Lewisville and McBee as the only other programs with proven success.    [player_tooltip player_id='272701' first='John' last='Simmons'] WR, Myrtle Beach   The 6-foot-4 wideout made the most of his receiving opportunities. He finished with 20 receptions for 538 yards and 10 touchdowns and received an early offer from South Florida under the previous coaching staff. With quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1254177' first='Gibson' last='Goodroe'] leading the team to a second-round appearance in his first year as a starter, expect Simmons to get more touches. Moving up to Class 5A, the Seahawks should be aided by familiarity in playing all Grand Strand teams in Region VI.    [player_tooltip player_id='276660' first='Christian' last='Henderson'] DB, Greenville   The past two seasons has seen Henderson show himself as one of the Palmetto State's top lockdown cornerbacks. He was even featured in a national commercial by Xenith, a Detroit-based manufacturer of football helmets and equipment. He came back from a season-ending broken arm injury as a sophomore to lead the Red Raiders in pass breakups. Opponents rarely threw in Henderson's direction, enabling teammates [player_tooltip player_id='1142728' first='Carmello' last='Canty'] and [player_tooltip player_id='390438' first='Ramani' last='Bruton'] to each collect five interceptions. Henderson will be counted upon to help Greenville maintain its success moving up to Class 5A in Region I with three 10-win teams last season in Class 5A Upper State runner-up J.L. Mann, defending region champion T.L. Hanna and Hillcrest.    [player_tooltip player_id='1013068' first='Tucker' last='Hendrix'] QB, Christ Church   The Class A champion Cavaliers were among the charter/private schools moved up at least two classifications as a result of the new South Carolina High School League multiplier formula for counting student populations. Rivals St. Joseph's and Southside Christian will join them in Region II-3A. Another familiar face is its returning Class A All-State quarterback. He emerged from a three-way battle for the starting nod to lead Christ Church to five playoff wins and the state title where he threw for 242 yards and five touchdowns.    [player_tooltip player_id='1013073' first='Jaquavious' last='Dodd'] DL, Eastside   The Eagles needed to win their final two games to reach the Class 4A playoffs for the first time since 2019. If they are to stay competitive moving up to Region II-5A, they will need improved defensive play. Expected to set the tone is the 6-foot-5 Dodd who had 53 tackles and a team-high 13 sacks last season.    [player_tooltip player_id='922678' first='Wade' last='Poston'], QB, Hannah Pamplico   The Raiders managed to reach the Class A playoffs despite a young group and new head coach in Trey Woodbury. Even with two senior offensive linemen, the Raiders had a productive running game sparked by their dual threat quarterback. The 2022 Region VI-2A Player of the Year is entering his third year as a starter. How Hannah-Pamplico fares with newcomers state runner-up Johnsonville, Carvers Bay and Hemingway will depend on getting improved play from Poston.    [player_tooltip player_id='1012653' first='Jaylen' last='Jay'] RB, Gilbert   Any concerns about the Indians' backfield following the departures of their two, 1,000-plus rushers [player_tooltip player_id='267430' first='Jaden' last='Allen-Hendrix'], who went to Irmo, and graduate Alias Graham-Woodberry were alleviated by the start of region play. The junior had a breakout game against Saluda with 251 total yards and four touchdowns. A two-game absence due to injury and the emergence of freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1036777' first='Trevon' last='Williamson'] cut into Jay's touches. He still finished with 1,002 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. Having a complete backfield should allow the new head coach to slowly work in the replacement for quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='782263' first='Drake' last='Braddock'] as Gilbert moves up to Region IV-4A.    [player_tooltip player_id='1012871' first='Terrell' last='Thomas'] ATH, Edisto   The Cougars' fortunes took a nosedive after the 5-foot 10, 190-pound junior suffered an ankle injury. After winning five straight games with a healthy Thomas (596 rushing yards, nine touchdowns and 142 passing yards, three touchdowns) at quarterback, Edisto finished the season with a four-game losing streak and missed the playoffs. With Thomas back at full strength, the Cougars could earn a chance at a playoff run out of a revamped Region V-2A with newcomers Lake Marion and Whale Branch.   [player_tooltip player_id='1157988' first='Aakil' last='Brown'] LB, South Pointe   Playing from the outside, the 5-foot-10, 200-pound junior tallied 53 tackles and 12 sacks last season. This helped the Stallions average 12.7 points per game allowed on defense last season. With the departure of Northwestern from Region III-4A, South Pointe looks like the early front-runner in the revamped division.    [player_tooltip player_id='605524' first='Amor' last='Scott'] RB, James Island   The younger Scott just edged out senior [player_tooltip player_id='589055' first='Amontrae' last='Scott'] for the team lead in rushing with 757 yards and 14 touchdowns. He now takes the top spot with the Trojans moving up to Region VIII-5A where Lowcountry juggernauts Summerville and Fort Dorchester reside. The release of the playoff format for Class 5A Division I and II will determine how James Island can fare in the post-season.    [player_tooltip player_id='346199' first='Landon' last='Sharpe'] QB White Knoll   It was truly a breakout season for a notoriety standpoint for the leader of the Class 5A Lower State champions and state runner-up. From top performances at individual camps to earning Class 5A All-State honors, Sharpe played a vital role in leading the Timberwolves to their first-ever undefeated regular season. He threw for a career-high 2,521 yards and 29 touchdowns and rushed for 372 yards and five touchdowns. It will be a competitive region from a quarterback perspective with Irmo's [player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'] moving up to Region IV-5A and Chapin's [player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro'] and River Bluff's [player_tooltip player_id='464884' first='Parker' last='Murray'] returning as well.    [player_tooltip player_id='1012718' first='TyDarion' last='Grier'] WR, Fairfield Central   A two-time Class 2A All-State selection, the 5-foot-9, 170-pound rising senior is a dual threat both rushing and catching the football. If anything, he's a luxury for a team which relies greatly on the passing game with Class 2A All-State quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='473002' first='Cameron' last='McMillon']. The Griffins are a favorable choice to benefit from the departure of charter schools Gray Collegiate and Oceanside Collegiate from Class 2A with their key offensive players returning.

Change is good sometimes.