Community Film Room, Episode 58
In this article:
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…
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Continue ReadingOur 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.
But we’d be naive to think we’ve evaluated everyone or didn’t miss a few along the way.
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.
Now, the Community Film Room is back.
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.
In Episode 58, we’re breaking down five more athletes from around the state prior to our next rankings update.
Squire only scratched the surface of what Stratford believes he could be last season, when he rushed for 461 yards and four touchdowns on 106 carries. Squire’s workload should increase with the graduation of Markell Holman, and if all goes to plan, he and rising junior quarterback Jachin Davis Jachin Davis 6’1″ | 180 lbs | QB Stratford | 2026 State SC should be able to form a nice one-two punch out of the backfield.
When it comes to Squire, specifically, his added size (roughly 20 pounds this offseason) and strength should pay significant dividends.
Because while his film from last season showed he could already break some tackles here and there, his home-run capability has improved. Stratford will throw the ball, but it will all need to start with first having some success on the ground.
Kenton Caldwell
Kenton Caldwell
Described by coach Cedric Jeter as arguably the top overall athlete at Newberry, Caldwell is given every opportunity to prove it for the Bulldogs. The 5-foot-10, 155-pound rising junior is a two-way starter.
As a quarterback, he threw for 811 yard and seven touchdowns last year while completing 57 percent of his throws. He also ran for 335 yards and five more touchdowns. As a defensive back, he put up 23 tackles, three picks and three pass break-ups.
Caldwell is probably thought of as more legs than arm in the pocket, but let’s also not forget that he has a huge target on the outside in Jamel Howse Jamel Howse 6’4″ | 210 lbs | WR Newberry | 2026 State SC and BJ Jones BJ Jones 5’9″ | 185 lbs | RB Newberry | 2026 State SC also in the backfield. The lefty has time to showcase both skill sets, all with the bonus of a defensive component added on to his repertoire.
Jamarcus Smith Jamarcus Smith SC
Jamarcus Smith Jamarcus Smith SC
Smith is going to enter his senior season with a yard shy of 1,300 receiving for his career, as well as 12 touchdowns receptions. He added nearly four yards per reception from his junior season over his sophomore one, and his growth probably isn’t done yet.
Clearly, he’s got some has length to spare, as his 6-foot height is coupled with an 80-inch wing span and a long stride and breakaway-type speed when he hits the open field.
Last year in 13 games, Smith was credited with 49 receptions for 767 yards and six touchdowns. And with fellow Gaffney receiver Emazon Littlejohn Emazon Littlejohn 6’0″ | 180 lbs | WR Gaffney | 2024 SC out of eligibility, Smith’s role is set to increase, both in terms of targets and exposure.
Ryan Carter
Ryan Carter
Carter has spent the last two seasons steadily increasing his role while playing alongside and as a backup for some of the bigger defensive names in the Catawba River Region. Now, with six key seniors from last year’s squad moving on, the middle linebacker’s job gets even bigger.
He’s adept at slipping past and splitting opposing offensive linemen, something that allows him to get to the ball carrier in the backfield or at the very least disrupt plays. He’s also an above-average tackler in traffic or space.
The plan for now appears to keep him in the middle of the defense, but his range shouldn’t be overlooked and with so many openings the staff could elect to move him around more than we’ve seen in the past.
Artem Kalinken Artem Kalinken 6'1" | 250 lbs | DL Lexington | 2025 State SC
Artem Kalinken Artem Kalinken 6'1" | 250 lbs | DL Lexington | 2025 State SC
In a game where strength has to matter, Kalinken has it to spare. He threw up 35 reps on the bench at the Joanne Langfitt Challenge in December, then topped it with 37 at the Carolinas Coaches Combine last weekend. He also had a 405-pound bench and a 550-pound squat during the strength season.
Needless to say, he’s got no issue taking on larger offensive linemen in the thick of it all.
Kalinken moves well for his size and he’s got multiple clips of him just dismissing tackles and guards with ease. There will be questions about where he falls on the next level since he sort of falls into the tween space. But there’s no doubt he has proved himself in the highest level of South Carolina high school ball.