2025 Rankings: Quarterback Room For The Ages

We're not breaking any new ground when we tell you that the South Carolina Class of 2025 is at least flirting with <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/01/class-of-2025-quarterback-room-nothing-short-of-absurd/">if not re-setting the bar</a> when it comes to its current crop of quarterbacks.   For some time, we've seen this position group develop exponentially, growing off what was just a handful of names in the early years of its prep days to one that has decided it will put it stamp not only on its final high school season but is positioned to be remembered as the best this state has ever produced.   Let's break the position down with some numbers in regards to our latest <a href="https://prepredzone.com/south-carolina/rankings/2025-rankings/">rankings update</a>:   *33 quarterbacks ranked (not including several more we list as “athletes”)   *14 inside the top 100 overall   *15 who threw for at least 2,000 yards last fall   Here's the list in its (current) entirety.    South Carolina's quarterback crop has given us a lot to digest, so let us diving into all that information for you to give you an even better picture of the position as a whole.   BREAKING DOWN THE TOP FIVE   [player_tooltip player_id='346189' first='Cutter' last='Woods'] Westside   Woods put himself into the South Carolina history books last season by throwing for 3,915 yards and 42 touchdowns en route to leading the Rams to the Class 4A state championship. Westside will be among the favorites in a new-look Class 4A this fall, and Woods will have two new top-35 overall targets in [player_tooltip player_id='272705' first='Armoni' last='Weaver'] and [player_tooltip player_id='272708' first='Chamarryus' last='Bomar'] - a pair of Byrnes transfers. Woods has verbally committed to Wake Forest.    [player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'] Irmo   Brand (pictured) was nothing short of magnificent as a junior. Despite throwing for 2,932 yards and a state-high 45 touchdowns with 253 pass attempts, he was picked off only twice in 14 games. As a result, the Yellow Jackets advanced all the way to the Class 4A Lower State finals and finished the season 13-1. Oh, did we mention he also ran for 1,113 yards and another 17 touchdowns? Brand appears to be a sure-fire FBS signee.    [player_tooltip player_id='272698' first='Will' last='Wilson'] Richland Northeast   The North Carolina State verbal commitment has lit up opposing offenses and the offseason circuit alike in the last nine months. After throwing for more than 2,300 yards, rushing for another 1,500 and combining for 47 total touchdowns last fall, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound rising senior has essentially earned top quarterback honors at three high-profile events since the end of the 2023 season.    [player_tooltip player_id='241044' first='Finley' last='Polk'] Northwestern   Surprisingly, Polk might be the underdog of the top five, if such a thing exists, and we're still not sure exactly why. Polk threw for 98 yards shy of 3,000 last fall and has 6,159 career passing yards and 75 career passing touchdowns to his resume entering his senior season. There's nothing too suggest he won't top 9,000 and 100 by the time its all said and done. Adding another inch in the last calendar year hasn't hurt his recruiting chances, either.   [player_tooltip player_id='367350' first='Jaden' last='Cummings'] Summerville   If there were any questions how Cummings would adjust to transferring up two classes prior to his junior season, he put those to rest quickly during his first season at Summerville. While leading a talented offense, he threw for more than 3,300 yards and 36 touchdowns. He's got excellent accuracy on deep throws and knows how to move out of the pocket with efficiency when things break down around him.     TEN RISING STARS   [player_tooltip player_id='272720' first='Cameron' last='Austin'] Barnwell - Austin has spent significant time transforming himself from baseball star moonlighting as a football player. We think he's got something special lined up for everyone in 2024.   [player_tooltip player_id='1158040' first='Colten' last='Bagwell'] Wren - Most rankings services aren't going to spend time evaluating a 5-foot-8 quarterback. And while we agree he might not be college signal-caller material, it's hard to believe someone won't find a place for him after he put up 2,700 combined yards.   [player_tooltip player_id='1254143' first='Samari' last='Bonds'] Beaufort - Bonds has gone from a quarterback who didn't attempt a pass in a state championship victory as a sophomore to a junior who threw for 1,200 yards and continued to earn more and more of the responsibility in the Eagles offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1254177' first='Gibson' last='Goodroe'] Myrtle Beach - A year ago, no one knew how a baseball catcher who hadn't seen a football field in a few years would translate to the complicated Seahawk offense. And then it clicked Goodroe started to complete the circuit.   [player_tooltip player_id='809751' first='Ian' last='Grissom'] Rock Hill - As good as Grissom was at Lewisville (2,615 yards, 35 touchdowns last fall) the weapons he has at his disposal now at Rock Hill include one of the top receivers in the country and an even bigger spotlight.   [player_tooltip player_id='1013068' first='Tucker' last='Hendrix'] Christ Church - Anti-private/charter school chatter was about the only knock on Hendrix. But the move to Class 3A might be the opportunity for him and his teammates to prove how potent they can be.    [player_tooltip player_id='1253917' first='TJ' last='Morris'] Woodruff - Of Woodruff's three region opponents in 2024 that it faced last fall (Broome, Chapman and Union County), Morris threw as many touchdowns (nine) as he did interceptions over the duration of the entire season.   [player_tooltip player_id='922678' first='Wade' last='Poston'] Hannah-Pamplico - Poston dipped some in our rankings after his initial appearance after he suffered through some nagging injuries last fall. But he's back, as is the Raiders' top rusher. It adds up to a net positive in Poston's favor.   [player_tooltip player_id='1149066' first='Josh' last='Sims'] Blacksburg - Like Tillman, Sims returns with two of his favorite targets and a head of steam. He's a mobile quarterback who isn't simply running for his life. In fact, forcing him out of the pocket seemingly makes him better.   [player_tooltip player_id='1031336' first='Corey' last='Tillman'] North Augusta - Last year was a feeling-out process for a lot of players at North Augusta. But Tillman, the team's top tailback and some solid receivers are all back with a chemistry that clearly formed in the back end of the year.    FIVE DARK HORSE 2024 CANDIDATES   [player_tooltip player_id='421471' first='Jordan' last='Sink'] Woodmont - It's hard to call a top-100 quarterback a dark horse (especially in this class), but Sink is developing quickly and might dwarf his junior numbers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1012830' first='Tushawan' last='Richardson'] Clinton - The region sets up nicely, and Richardson has the experience to cut through the noise even before that point.    [player_tooltip player_id='349806' first='Bryson' last='Drummond'] Greenville - Everyone is talking about what Greenville lost. More should be talking about what the Raiders are returning. Starting with Drummond.   [player_tooltip player_id='502413' first='Tavien' last='Orellana'] Philip Simmons - With fire breathing down his neck all Orellana has done is held onto the QB1 job and performed well during the offseason combine circuit.   [player_tooltip player_id='463121' first='Austyn' last='Grady'] Northwood - A quick release and willingness to fire into tight windows led him to throw for 2,700+ last year. If he cleans up the picks, the sky's the limit.     PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER   We can't say strongly enough how good and how diverse this quarterback crop truly is. From [player_tooltip player_id='346189' first='Cutter' last='Woods'] to [player_tooltip player_id='1254205' first='Amazay' last='Robinson'] this class going to be remembered for some time. We say that knowing full well all of them have another season on the field to prove their overall value.   For now, we're going to sit back and enjoy the ride.

We're not breaking any new ground when we tell you that the South Carolina Class of 2025 is at least flirting with if not re-setting the bar when it comes to its current crop of quarterbacks.