Combine Jump Start: 20 2025 Prospects To Watch
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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.
Malik Clark Malik Clark 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR Rock Hill | 2025 State SC | WR | Rock Hill
Clark walked away with MVP honors 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.
Finley Polk Finley Polk 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Northwestern | 2025 State SC | 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.
Brandon Waldrop Brandon Waldrop 5'6" Powdersville | 2025 SC | 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.
Ian Grissom Ian Grissom 6'1" | 160 lbs | QB Rock Hill | 2025 State SC | 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.
Jordan Collins Jordan Collins 6'2" | 215 lbs | WR South Pointe | 2025 State SC | 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.
Zach Rogers Zach Rogers 6'0" | 175 lbs | DB Lewisville | 2025 State SC | 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.
Aakil Brown Aakil Brown 5'10" | 200 lbs | LB South Pointe | 2025 State SC | 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.
Elijah Huggins Elijah Huggins 5'7" | 165 lbs | ATH Powdersville | 2025 State SC | 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.
Tanner Mays Tanner Mays SC | 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.
Will Massey Will Massey 5'11" | 185 lbs | LB Northwestern | 2025 State SC | 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.
Chris Livingston Chris Livingston 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Carolina Forest | 2025 State SC | 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.
Kai Morrison Kai Morrison 6'3" | 185 lbs | DB St. James | 2025 State SC | 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.
John Simmons John Simmons 6'3" | 200 lbs | WR Myrtle Beach | 2025 State SC | 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.
Cleve Tellery Cleve Tellery 6'0" | 295 lbs | DL Ridge View | 2025 State SC | 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.
Zion Gilbert Zion Gilbert 6'0" | 195 lbs | RB South Florence | 2025 State SC | 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.
Dylan Polansky Dylan Polansky 5'10" | 195 lbs | LB Ashley Ridge | 2025 State SC | 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.
Cameron Austin Cameron Austin 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Barnwell | 2025 State SC | 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.
Hendrix Beran Hendrix Beran 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL James Island | 2025 State SC | 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.
JJ Fludd JJ Fludd 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Porter-Gaud | 2025 State SC | 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.
Daniel Dounian Daniel Dounian 6'0" | 230 lbs | OL West Ashley | 2025 State SC | 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.