2025 Rankings: New Additions, Defense and Special Teams Part 2
In this article:
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 second 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 second 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 second half of new additions who primarily play defense or special teams.
Kolten Kellerman Kolten Kellerman 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Philip Simmons | 2025 State SC DB, Philip Simmons – Goes from on-field understudy who put up 48 tackles to one of the Iron Horses’ leaders.
Tyquawn Murphy Tyquawn Murphy 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Lugoff-Elgin | 2025 State SC DB, Lugoff-Elgin – Corner/safety finished 2023 with 22 pass break-ups and three picks.
Derek Smith Derek Smith 5'9" | 160 lbs | DB Dutch Fork | 2025 State SC DB, Dutch Fork – One faction of the embarrassment of riches in the Dutch Fork secondary.
Treyshawn James Treyshawn James 5'11" | 185 lbs | DL Darlington | 2025 State SC DL, Darlington – Undersized lineman has high-octane motor that makes him valuable to the upstart Falcons.
Shamon Black Shamon Black 5'9" | 165 lbs | DB Chapman | 2025 State SC DB, Chapman – One of the fastest players in the state will pitch in on special teams and receiver, too.
Rhyan White Rhyan White 5'10" | 155 lbs | DB Summerville | 2025 State SC DB, Summerville (pictured) – Experienced corner will put his facemask into the belly of an opposing ball carrier without thinking twice.
Justin Lathon Justin Lathon 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH Belton-Honea Path | 2025 State SC ATH, Belton-Honea Path – Standout defensive player also got more than 100 carries on offense last season.
John Henderson John Henderson 6'2" | 185 lbs | LB Pendleton | 2025 State SC LB, Pendleton – More than doubled his defensive production from his sophomore year to his junior one.
Eli Smith Eli Smith 6'1" | 235 lbs | DL Blue Ridge | 2025 State SC DL, Blue Ridge – Transitions smoothly between edge and middle linebacker and has the numbers to back it all up.
Rafael Little Rafael Little 6'1" | 185 lbs | ATH Seneca | 2025 State SC ATH, Seneca – From returning kicks to running the wildcat to playing in the defensive backfield, Little is a weapon.
Torrance Wilson Torrance Wilson 5'9" | 185 lbs | LB Lake City | 2025 State SC LB, Lake City – Spark plug of a linebacker moves well sideline-to-sideline and should prosper in full-loaded Panthers’ defense.
Jacob Adams Jacob Adams 6'0" | 140 lbs | K West Ashley | 2025 State SC K, West Ashley – On the cusp of moving up a whole bunch of small-college recruiting boards.
Jack Merriman Jack Merriman 6'1" | 180 lbs | LB Riverside | 2025 State SC LB, Riverside – With the look of a coach on the field, Merriman had 89 tackles and 18 tackles for loss last season.
Titus Bowman Titus Bowman 6'1" | 260 lbs | DL Keenan | 2025 State SC DL, Keenan – Bowman blends great game strength and the ability to shed blockers to get to his desired location.
Fletcher Ethington-Carl Fletcher Ethington-Carl 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Bishop England | 2025 State SC LB, Bishop England – On just about every defensive snap, Ethington-Carl is in the vicinity of the play, if not getting the tackle.
Noah Perrin Noah Perrin 5'8" | 180 lbs | K Greenwood | 2025 State SC K, Greenwood – Perrin has made himself indispensable to the Greenwood offense, defense and special teams.
Davion Kinard-Taylor Davion Kinard-Taylor 6'2" | 225 lbs | DL West Ashley | 2025 State SC DL, West Ashley – His 19 tackles for loss, 10 QB hurries and six sacks were big for an already tough defense.
Peyton Jones Peyton Jones 5'10" | 185 lbs | LB Spartanburg | 2025 State SC LB, Spartanburg – Part of a dynamic linebacker tandem that makes the Vikings such a strong defense.
Damarcus Leach Damarcus Leach 6'2" | 185 lbs | DB Abbeville | 2025 State SC DB, Abbeville – College recruiters are all over Leach and his 6-foot-2 frame.
Tremaine Davis Tremaine Davis 5'9" | 150 lbs | DB Daniel | 2025 State SC DB, Daniel – Cover corner showed out during the state championship victory with a pair of picks.
Artem Kalinken Artem Kalinken 6'1" | 250 lbs | DL Lexington | 2025 State SC DL, Lexington – Doesn’t shy away from any of the big dogs and their huge offensive linemen on the schedule.
Jordan Joe Jordan Joe 6'4" | 180 lbs | DB North Central | 2025 State SC DB, North Central – Joe can abuse opponents on offense, too, thanks to his 6-foot-4, 180-pound build.
Omarion Davis Omarion Davis 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH Indian Land | 2025 State SC ATH, Indian Land – Big-hitting safety seamlessly floats over to tailback, where he is nearly as dangerous.
Tye Kelly Tye Kelly 6'0" | 175 lbs | LB Belton-Honea Path | 2025 State SC LB, Belton-Honea Path – Kelly’s 76 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and six quarterback hurries pushed him way up our board.
Josh Merriweather Josh Merriweather 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Strom Thurmond | 2025 State SC DL, Strom Thurmond – A beastly edge rusher, Merriweather should be in contention for plenty of post-season hardware.
Zach Rogers Zach Rogers 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Lewisville | 2025 State SC DB, Lewisville – Rogers has an it quality that he brings to the safety position and opposing teams are earmarking him constantly.
Wyatt Ward Wyatt Ward 6'0" | 225 lbs | LB JL Mann | 2025 State SC LB, JL Mann – Ward is asked to make a lot of stops. He followed directions and made 155 of them as a junior.
Onis Konanbanny Onis Konanbanny 6'1" | 170 lbs | DB Heathwood Hall | 2025 State SC DB, Heathwood Hall – One of the state’s hottest prospects is making the most of his short time in South Carolina.