Community Film Room, Episode 53

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our Winter rankings update pinpointed even more players from the 2025, 2026 and 2027 classes who have stood out in their respective positions. For a variety of reasons, our team decided that each of those new additions were worthy of a coveted spot in our rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But we'd be naive to think we've evaluated everyone or didn't miss a few along the way.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PRZ South Carolina is constantly looking at as many of the 10,000-plus prep football players in the SCHSL and SCISA ranks as possible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, the Community Film Room is back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In each edition, we'll break down five unranked players from across the state to let you see what we're seeing. The series will lead right into the the start of the spring rankings cycle, the ever-growing importance of the summer schedule and then the 2024 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Episode 53, we've got an offensive lineman making drastic improvements in a short window, a state championship corner, a hybrid defensive back who just joined a state champ, a linebacker with all-state on his resume and a defensive end who plays much bigger than his measurements.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["790770"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1223397,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"By the time Smith earned top honors among the offensive linemen at the Carolinas Coaches Combines at West Florence last weekend, we were ready to highlight him. We're glad we waited.rnrnOfficially measuring in at 6-foot-3.5 and 276 pounds, Smith is super active whether he's playing guard or tackle (he's got plenty of film at both). And now here's the part that should be getting a lot of attention.rnrnDuring the Joanne Langfitt Challenge, Smith weighed 14 pounds less than he did at West Florence this weekend. He also ran nearly a full mile-per-hour faster (19.01 vs. 18.19) in the most recent testing. Yes, he's getting faster and stronger. His award from the CCC was further proof.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66030b7c2ab4d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16070878/654bb1f99a911b0b0465984b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66030b7c2ac10"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1213961"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1223414,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A strong corner at Christ Church during the Class A back-to-back state championship runs was crucial, as the Cavs were routinely jumping on opponents and then holding off pass-heavy comeback attempts.rnrnNow in Class 4A after realignment, Atkins's experience helps pad the blow from a three-class jump. He's bigger than most corners at 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds. He can jam receivers at the line and defer potential blockers against outside runs.rnrnLast fall, he had a pair of picks, 14 pass break-ups and a fumble recovery, figures that only added to his 33 total tackles.u003cspan class=u0022Apple-converted-spaceu0022u003e u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66030b7c2ac8c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19379677/65761ce4d21b3f06e895fcb2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66030b7c2acb2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["426647"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1223427,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Smith spent the 2023 season helping Irmo win a bunch of games and advance all the way to the Class 4A Lower State finals. Now, he's going to be suiting up for team that not only will be facing the Yellow Jackets during region play, but is coming off yet another state championship.rnrnThe multi-positional defensive back transferred to Dutch Fork earlier this month and is certainly in line for a starting position, albeit where is still up for debate.rnrnWhile at Irmo, he played corner and safety, putting up 46 total tackles last fall. If he fits into the established system, his tackling ability in space and playability on the ball when its in the air will only bolster one of the state's most effective defenses.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66030b7c2ad07"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15239725/6565434e32dc7307d47dbf0a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66030d3c7616a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1223435,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1254097' first='Deandre' last='Baskett']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"225","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"North Augusta","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"It's not exactly uncommon for a hand-in-the-turf defensive end to lead the team in sacks and tackles for loss. But when you add overall tackles to the mix, that's something you don't see on most teams.rnrnYet, that's what Baskett did in 2023 for the Yellow Jackets. While lining up on both the left and right sides of the line as necessary, he earned Region IV-4A Defensive Player of the Year honors and helped North Augusta to a second-place finish in the region.rnrnHe counters a lack of pure height with a huge stop-start explosiveness at the snap and an ability to fight off the hand battles that opposing tackles use to neutralize defensive ends.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66030d3c7622e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16726500/656f86f0f327b61384fae3fe' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66030d3c7626d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1223433,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1254065' first='Lex' last='Thomas']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"180","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Barnwell","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Initially a defensive back, Thomas made an early fluid transition to linebacker and proved right away this was where he belonged. The 6-foot, 180-pounder typically is in the middle of the defense pre-snap, but he can just as easily start on the edge or even drop back to his old safety spot when necessary.rnrnHe's got good size for the Class 2A level and will compete for all-state honors again with an expanded demand on his abilities following some graduations.rnrnThis is one of those names you might hear plenty of in November, too, as the War Horses look like a put-together bunch capable of making a deep playoff run.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66030d3c76310"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16313284/65cf65f36655fc0a0828456d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66030d3c76333"} /-->