Combine Jump Start: 20 2025 Prospects To Watch

The Carolinas Coaches Combine provided an opportunity for the rising seniors across the state to provide an early look at what we should expect come this fall, and they did not disappoint. But there were 20 players who we think you'll be hearing a lot from when the season kicks off in late August.   [player_tooltip player_id='1012834' first='Malik' last='Clark'] | WR | Rock Hill   Clark walked away <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/ccc-york-2025-mvp-and-award-winners/">with MVP honors </a>at the York combine. His ability to go up and make catches near the sideline or over the middle is impressive to watch. He is not only a difference maker from his receiver spot, but he can also make plays on special teams.   [player_tooltip player_id='241044' first='Finley' last='Polk'] | QB | Northwestern   After throwing for 2902 yards in 2023, Polk's spiral on the ball is impressive to watch and he puts the ball where his receiver can get it. With the receiving core returning, that number could go up.   [player_tooltip player_id='1149042' first='Brandon' last='Waldrop'] | RB | Powdersville   We wrote back during the combine that he runs through contact, and it's exactly what we saw  going back and watching his film. Arm tackles won't work against him and he runs with a unique combo of speed and power. He has great leg drive as well – he wants to get the yards in between the tackles.   [player_tooltip player_id='809751' first='Ian' last='Grissom'] | QB | Rock Hill   Grissom threw for 2904 yards and 37 touchdowns in 2023 at Lewisville. He can get the ball up high to where his receiver can go up and make catches. He'll be playing his senior season for the Rock Hill Bearcats and we think the combo between him and Clark could be lethal in 2024.   [player_tooltip player_id='1249764' first='Jordan' last='Collins'] | WR | South Pointe   Collins walked away with the Top O-Combo Award at the York combine and has numerous Division 1 offers. He is a dynamic receiver who can make plays from his slot position, and we expect him to have a huge senior season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1249747' first='Zach' last='Rogers'] | DB | Lewisville   Rogers (pictured above) ran a 4.52 in the 40 at the combine a few weeks and registered 14 reps on the bench press as well. On the field, he is an enforcer from his safety spot. He can come up and make big hits when it looks like the receiver has a completion and he's really good in run support as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1157988' first='Aakil' last='Brown'] | LB | South Pointe   Brown ran a 4.75 in the 40 at the combine while registering 14 reps on the bench press as well. On the field, he had 12.5 sacks in 2023 and did a great job of coming off the edge, showing great speed, applying full pressure for opposing offenses.   [player_tooltip player_id='1253958' first='Elijah' last='Huggins'] | WR | Powdersville   Huggins made some great catches and kept going in stride in the process. He ran a 4.48 in the 40-yard dash while registering 17 reps on the bench.   [player_tooltip player_id='1246944' first='Tanner' last='Mays'] | WR | Fort Mill   Mays is an impressive route runner and is a downfield threat for the Yellow Jackets when they take their shots deep. He can make people miss and is a difference maker on special teams from what we were able to gather from film. He registered 17 reps on the bench press as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='605531' first='Will' last='Massey'] | LB | Northwestern   The leading tackler for the Trojans on defense returns after totaling 61.5 tackles in 2023. He's tough to scheme and run against standing at five-foot-nine. He registered 24 reps on the bench press during the combine.   [player_tooltip player_id='1149046' first='Chris' last='Livingston'] | RB | Carolina Forest    Livingston hit 21.6637 mph on GPS and put up 12 reps on the bench. 5-10, 205 lbs. Had a decent season as a backup last year but likely takes over the starting gig for a team that likes to focus on the run anyway.    [player_tooltip player_id='1254211' first='Kai' last='Morrison'] | DB | St. James    Morrison has only played one year of organized HS football and no one was really sure what he could do physically. Measured in at 6-3 and 185 pounds and was clocked at 21.5494 mph. He was lightly used last year but is now expected to become a starter on defense and contribute on special teams. He is a definite college prospect.    [player_tooltip player_id='272701' first='John' last='Simmons'] | WR | Myrtle Beach    Simmons has spent the last three years on varsity and has been a focal point for the Seahawks offensively. Yet, him measuring at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds while he's also competing for a top-5 finish in the high jump in Class 4A shows he's doing the right things in the weight room.    [player_tooltip player_id='1157942' first='Cleve' last='Tellery'] | DL | Ridge View    We've been hearing his name for two seasons, but we haven't really been able to gauge his explosiveness yet. Tellery was 5-foot-11 and 281 pounds at the West Florence combine and still ran a sub-5.2 40 and got up 21 reps on the bench.    [player_tooltip player_id='272722' first='Zion' last='Gilbert'] | RB | South Florence    Heading into the combine, the only question about Gilbert was if he possessed breakaway speed. He measured in at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, so his size is there. Him running a 4.72 40 (and hitting 21.3704 MPH) was a big stride in showing he's got another gear possible. Oh, and he's about to get even more carries than he did a year ago, when he ran for 1,535 yards and 13 touchdowns.    [player_tooltip player_id='1012625' first='Dylan' last='Polansky'] | LB | Ashley Ridge    AR coach Jeff Tate has been telling anyone who will listen how fast Polansky is. The rising senior showed up and ran 22.1558 mph, a 4.58 40 and 4.44 pro shuttle. It all sorta makes sense heading into his senior year.   [player_tooltip player_id='272720' first='Cameron' last='Austin'] | QB | Barnwell    Earlier this week, Austin verbally committed to USC for baseball. Yet, some DI college football programs are going to continue to come after him. He showed up and looked the part of a potential college QB, zipping passes around and running a 4.54 40.    [player_tooltip player_id='1012698' first='Hendrix' last='Beran'] | DL | James Island    All of Beran's measurables looked good and he moved really well in one-on-one drills. Among other things, he had an 82-inch wing span. He's gonna need it against the OL JI will be playing this year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1157754' first='JJ' last='Fludd'] | RB/DB | Porter Gaud    One of the coolest moments of the opening combine was watching Fludd - a 2,000-yard rusher last year - elect to take positional reps with the DBs instead of the tailbacks. He did very well there, working in as if it's all he's been doing for the last couple years. Fludd showed in a short period of time he should be recruited for both spots, if not more.   [player_tooltip player_id='1254118' first='Daniel' last='Dounian'] | OL | West Ashley    Dounian is an undersized OL playing against some of the biggest defensive linemen in the state in his pocket of the Lowcountry. Yet, he holds his own and he gave everyone a good glimpse why with his bench, pro shuttle and broad jump numbers.

The Carolinas Coaches Combine provided an opportunity for the rising seniors across the state to provide an early look at what we should expect come this fall, and they did not disappoint. But there were 20 players who we think you'll be hearing a lot from when the season kicks off in late August.