2025 Rankings: New Additions, Defense and Special Teams Part 1
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The massive list of additions we now include in our Class of 2025 rankings featured 56 players on the defensive side of the ball or special teams. The first half of that group features dynamic safeties and corners, linebackers who…
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Continue ReadingThe massive list of additions we now include in our Class of 2025 rankings featured 56 players on the defensive side of the ball or special teams.
The first half of that group features dynamic safeties and corners, linebackers who put up ridiculous numbers and linemen who can wreak havoc on opposing backfields. But we don’t want you to have to guess which players are appearing in our rankings for the first time.
Below, you’ll find the first 28 new additions who primarily play defense or special teams.
Kai Morrison Kai Morrison 6'3" | 185 lbs | DB St. James | 2025 State SC DB, St. James – Speed demon has only played one season of football at the high school level.
Mehki Hentz Mehki Hentz 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Wade Hampton | 2025 State SC DB, Wade Hampton – One part corner, one part safety, one part linebacker; Hentz wears a lot of hats.
Carson Gregory Carson Gregory 5'8" | 185 lbs | LB Pendleton | 2025 State SC LB, Pendleton – Will enter his senior year with 185 career tackles and 17 career tackles for loss.
Freddie Gillens Freddie Gillens 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Cardinal Newman | 2025 State SC DB, Cardinal Newman – We’re looking forward to seeing Gillens live, and when we do, we anticipate him rising up the ranks.
Tristyn Carrington Tristyn Carrington 6'2" | 195 lbs | DL Daniel | 2025 State SC DL, Daniel – Carrington had a strong junior season; thanks to some departures, his numbers will only continue to increase.
Rakwon Stradford Rakwon Stradford 5'10" | 210 lbs | DB Rock Hill | 2025 State SC DB, Rock Hill – Bearcats’ safety isn’t simply trying to make a tackle; he’s trying to force turnovers.
Jaidyn Ferguson Jaidyn Ferguson 6'2" | 225 lbs | DL Byrnes | 2025 State SC DL, Byrnes – Edge rusher knows how to turn it on in big moments and shine under some pretty bright lights.
Kyler Turner Kyler Turner 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Easley | 2025 State SC LB, Easley – Linebacker about to step into some huge shoes following the graduations of the team’s top defenders.
Zy’on King Zy’on King 5'10" | 175 lbs | LB Rock Hill | 2025 State SC LB, Rock Hill – His closing speed is very real, and we’re liking him for a huge senior season under new leadership.
DJ Henderson DJ Henderson 5'10" | 205 lbs | DL Hillcrest | 2025 State SC DL, Hillcrest – Henderson brings a middle linebacker quality to the edge and makes every bit of his strength and quick first step.
Gabe Roper Gabe Roper 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Northwood | 2025 State SC DL, Northwood – Averaged 10 tackles and two tackles per loss over the course of the 2023 season.
Messiah Brayboy-Singletary Messiah Brayboy-Singletary 5'10" | 180 lbs | LB Lake City | 2025 State SC LB, Lake City – Took on a larger-than-expected role at the last minute and finished the year with 78 total tackles.
Jake Duncan Jake Duncan 6'1" | 300 lbs | DL Crescent | 2025 State SC DL, Crescent – Carried an all-region junior year right on into what has been a monster offseason.
Royce O’Tuel Royce O’Tuel 5'11" | 235 lbs | OL St James | 2025 State SC DL, St. James – Giving small colleges a lot of different looks, thanks to the Sharks’ needs in the trenches.
Preston Short Preston Short 5'9" | 150 lbs | K Berkeley | 2025 State SC K, Berkeley – Two missed extra points were the only thing preventing him from a perfect kicking season.
Alonzo Allen Alonzo Allen 5'10" | 170 lbs | LB Whale Branch | 2025 State SC LB, Whale Branch (pictured) – High-energy hybrid has the type of impact numbers that can turn a game on its head.
Donovan Robinson Donovan Robinson 5'10" | 145 lbs | DB Thomas Heyward | 2025 State SC DB, Thomas Heyward – Eight interceptions is eight interceptions, and his 91 total tackles weren’t bad, either.
Brody Diggins Brody Diggins 5'10" | 175 lbs | LB Greer | 2025 State SC LB, Greer – Brings a lot of different qualities to the middle linebacker position, showing off mobility galore.
Donavan Briggs Donavan Briggs 5'10" | 225 lbs | DL Hillcrest | 2025 State SC DL, Hillcrest – Many of the stat-stuffing defenders on the Hillcrest roster have Briggs’ log-jam capabilities to thank.
Will Watts Will Watts 6'4" | 195 lbs | DL Northwood Academy | 2025 State SC DL, Northwood – By our count, Watts played approximately a gazillion snaps on offense and defense as a junior.
Malichi Smith Malichi Smith 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Dutch Fork | 2025 State SC DB, Dutch Fork – Irmo transfer will see plenty of field time for defending state champs.
Deandre Baskett Deandre Baskett 6'0" | 225 lbs | DL North Augusta | 2025 State SC DL, North Augusta – Baskett is asked to play against a multitude of schemes and handles all of them well.
Beau Pinckney Beau Pinckney 5'10" | 180 lbs | LB Thomas Heyward | 2025 State SC LB, Thomas Heyward – THA middle line backer will enter his final season with 220 career tackles and 21 tackles for loss.
Charles McCray Charles McCray 5'9" | 150 lbs | DB Carolina Forest | 2025 State SC DB, Carolina Forest – Panthers’ top returning tackler will have every chance to shine in 2023.
Malachi Dickerson Malachi Dickerson 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Cane Bay | 2025 State SC DB, Cane Bay – His 50 tackles and three picks from last season proved pivotal in a bunch of close games.
Lex Thomas Lex Thomas 6'0" | 180 lbs | LB Barnwell | 2025 State SC LB, Barnwell – Thomas is one of the reasons Barnwell has such high hopes for 2024.
Brody Runion Brody Runion 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB Greer | 2025 State SC LB, Greer – Outside linebacker finished with 91 total stops in addition to earning some all-region nods for his punting.
Jordan Conner Jordan Conner 5'10" | 195 lbs | LB Ben Lippen | 2025 State SC LB, Ben Lippen – Six single-digit games led Conner to 120 tackles as a junior in 11 games.