2025 Rankings Update: Defensive, Special Teams Additions
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We scoured the state, poured over our notes from last season and then locked ourselves in the lab watching film. What it led to was 46 more players who earned a right to be ranked. Of course, the process will…
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Continue ReadingWe scoured the state, poured over our notes from last season and then locked ourselves in the lab watching film. What it led to was 46 more players who earned a right to be ranked.
Of course, the process will continue for another 12 months, meaning we’ll update this list again in May, then September and then once more before the conclusion of these players’ high school careers.
But with all that still in front of us, we already know they should be ranked.
Here are the 22 new additions for defense and special teams.
Elisha Baker Elisha Baker 5'9" | 205 lbs | LB Lewisville | 2025 State SC LB, Lewisville – Despite missing significant time, Baker put up 10 sacks and more than 40 total tackles. He’s got another year to prove he can be even better.
Silas Parish Silas Parish 5'9" | 180 lbs | DB Walhalla | 2025 State SC LB, Walhalla – Parish is a monster who we like a little more every time we watch his film. His 112 total tackles, five forced fumbles and 12 tackles for loss were all further evidence.
Jared Acosta Jared Acosta 5'9" | 190 lbs | LB Newberry | 2025 State SC LB, Newberry – Acosta’s 10 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles were a nice tack on to his team-high 63 total tackles.
Brody Rowan Brody Rowan 6'2" | 235 lbs | DL Clover | 2025 State SC DL, Clover – If Rowan were two inches taller, he’d be on every recruiting board around. He’s effective and put up really good defensive numbers against top competition.
Bryant Cherry Bryant Cherry 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Airport | 2025 State SC LB, Airport – Cherry might just flirt with the state lead in overall tackles next season. He roams the middle and had 107.5 total stops this past season.
Tripp Bryant Tripp Bryant 5'10" | 160 lbs | P River Bluff | 2025 State SC P, River Bluff – Handled punting, kicking and kickoff duties for River Bluff and is showing signs of significant prowess in all three phases.
Zion Job Zion Job 5'10" | 185 lbs | ATH Gray Collegiate | 2025 State SC ATH, Gray Collegiate – Job went from lightly used reserve to a meaningful contributor on offense (38 receptions, 512 yards) and defense (two interceptions, 26.5 total tackles).
Will Axon Will Axon 6'5" | 235 lbs | DL Rabun Gap Nacoochee School | 2025 State SC DL, Porter-Gaud – Slightly limited by injuries, the relative newcomer to the sport had another impactful season as a junior.
Jonathan Goswick Jonathan Goswick 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB Socastee | 2025 State SC DB, Socastee – Goswick already saw decent time on special teams and offense, too, and he might be one of the most versatile returning players in the region next fall.
Avery Alexander Avery Alexander 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH Lancaster | 2025 State SC ATH, Lancaster – Also a receiver, Alexander earned all-region honors for his role in the defensive backfield for the Bruins.
Mycheal Wallace Mycheal Wallace 6'1" | 310 lbs | DL Kingstree | 2025 State SC DL, Kingstree – While he might ultimately turn into a college offensive lineman, we think his 11 tackles for loss as a junior were only the beginning.
Aakil Brown Aakil Brown 5'10" | 200 lbs | LB South Pointe | 2025 State SC LB, South Pointe – It really doesn’t matter where South Pointe puts Brown at the snap. He’s got the ability to do some damage from just about anywhere.
Javaris Logan Javaris Logan 6'2" | 295 lbs | DL Bamberg-Ehrhardt | 2025 State SC DL, Bamberg-Ehrhardt – Logan is bigger than we originally thought, and he used his 285 pounds to muster up 24 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
Montrelle Keys Montrelle Keys 5'9" | 200 lbs | LB Airport | 2025 State SC LB, Airport – The Eagles’ rover is part of an impressively rebuilt defense and gives Airport a chance to build upon its 2023 success.
Hank Aeppli Hank Aeppli 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB Lucy Beckham | 2025 State SC LB, Lucy Beckham – Aeppli is a defensive coordinator’s dream. He’s fast enough to blitz off the edge and spends his time in the backfield.
Spencer Conn Spencer Conn 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Daniel | 2025 State SC LB, Daniel – Conn is always in the right place at the right time. He led Daniel in solo tackles, total tackles and tackles for loss during the team’s 15-0 run.
Cleve Tellery Cleve Tellery 6'0" | 295 lbs | DL Ridge View | 2025 State SC DL, Ridge View – Tellery is a menace, using his 295 (or so) pounds to clog up the middle of any trenches he sees. He had six sacks and 15 tackles for loss as a junior.
Cameron Coe Cameron Coe 6'0" | 185 lbs | LB South Florence | 2025 State SC LB, South Florence – Despite missing four games due to injury, he put up 30 tackles, five tackles for loss and had two defensive touchdowns.
Jordan Crim Jordan Crim 6'1" | 160 lbs | DB Camden | 2025 State SC DB, Camden – While he might also be a star receiving in the making, his 67.5 total tackles and four picks from his junior campaign tells us he’s got stud college safety material.
Jackson Chavis Jackson Chavis 6'5" | 265 lbs | DL Hartsville | 2025 State SC DL, Hartsville – Definition of a bulldog used his skills from the wrestling mat to make his 18 tackles for loss look almost effortless.
Zarion Williams Zarion Williams 6'2" | 190 lbs | DL Blythewood | 2025 State SC DL, Blythewood – We’re not done with Blythewood’s defensive line, but either way, Williams’ 20 sacks, 27 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles are vital.
Kemuel Little Kemuel Little 6'1" | 215 lbs | DL Blythewood | 2025 State SC DL, Blythewood – The 6-foot-2, 225-pound lineman helps form one of the state’s best defensive lines and contributed 43 tackles and 11 tackles for loss last fall.