2027 Rankings: Trench Talented
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Speed knows no age. Neither does football wisdom. But to show out along the offensive and defensive lines during the opening months of starting high school takes a different quality that the other positions in the game can’t possibly teach.…
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Continue ReadingSpeed knows no age.
Neither does football wisdom.
But to show out along the offensive and defensive lines during the opening months of starting high school takes a different quality that the other positions in the game can’t possibly teach.
Size.
Now, we’ll stop there to tell you that we’re not ranking just anyone who played valuable minutes in the trenches last fall. It takes power, blocking or tackling acumen and a lack a fear.
The guys who have made the cut so far in the Prep RedZone Class of 2027 rankings all have it.
All of it. Let’s break these two position groups down even further.
DEFENSIVE LINE
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Continue ReadingDennis Glenn Jr Dennis Glenn Jr 6'1" | 275 lbs | DL Boiling Springs | 2027 State SC Boiling Springs
The Bulldogs only had one freshman play significant minutes last fall. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that one first-year high schooler was Glenn. The 6-foot-1, 275-pound interior lineman finished the season with 28 total tackles and six tackles for loss. Where he did most of his damage was getting after the quarterback, where he put up 14 hurries in eight games.
Ray Harris Ray Harris 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL South Aiken | 2027 State SC South Aiken
Harris showed up in a consistent manner not typical to most high school freshman edge players. He made stops in all 11 games in which he appeared, putting up 30 total tackles and three sacks throughout the year. He also played a role in a couple turnovers.
Rahiem Saunders Rahiem Saunders 6'2" | 295 lbs | DL Whale Branch | 2027 State SC Whale Branch
Like Glenn, Saunders was the lone freshman putting in quality time for his team. He averaged better than three tackles for game and was second on the team with three sacks. He’s also going to get plenty of time on the offensive line, given his size and mobility.
Jaiden Bryant Jaiden Bryant 6'2" | 195 lbs | DL Irmo | 2027 State SC Irmo
Bryant made an instant splash at Irmo last fall, when he had six tackles, a sack and a pass break-up in the season opener against Chapin. The next week, he had a season-high 10 tackles and three sacks against Lancaster. Bryant isn’t going anywhere soon.
Tyrone Jennings Tyrone Jennings 6'2" | 285 lbs | DL White Knoll | 2027 State SC White Knoll
One of the most talked about players coming out of the Carolinas Coaches Combines was Jennings, who showed solid speed, quickness and power against some of the state’s best. It chased an effective freshman season in which he helped White Knoll to the Class 5A title game.
Matthew Ponkow Matthew Ponkow 5'11" | 175 lbs | DL Bishop England | 2027 State SC Bishop England
Either Ponkow is going to grow more into the defensive end position he was asked to play most of last year or he’s going to morph more into an off-line outside linebacker. Either way, he’s going to be effective. He’s got an excellent first step that allows him to start generating excellent straight-line speed.
Peyton Grant Peyton Grant 6'1" | 285 lbs | DL Crestwood | 2027 State SC Crestwood
Grant has gotten bigger since we initially ranked him back in the fall. He’s already got the size to navigate the high school landscape and one college recruiter already told us he believes he’s got the frame to develop into a 310-pound college tackle.
Jordan Johnson Jordan Johnson 6'2" | 290 lbs | DL Philip Simmons | 2027 State SC and Alex Tchoryk Alex Tchoryk 6'4" | 200 lbs | DL Philip Simmons | 2027 State SC Philip Simmons
While the Iron Horses’ offensive line is already known for its size, the defense is going to get rebranded thanks to Johnson and Tchoryk. Johnson last measured in at 6-foot-2 and 290 pounds, while Tchoryk, playing the edge, was 6-foot-4 and 200. That’s a great combination and provides some flexibility in how the rest of the defense is lined up around them in the not-so-distant future.
OFFENSIVE LINE
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Continue ReadingIsrael Harris Israel Harris 6'1" | 315 lbs | OL James Island | 2027 State SC James Island
Harris was introduced to the varsity level a few games into the 2023 season. Heading into 2024, he’s going to be counted on to learn how to dominate one-on-one. The move to Class 5A didn’t do the Trojans any favors, but his 315 pounds keeps James Island’s run-based offense from last season moving in the right direction.
Reed Paolucci Reed Paolucci 6'3" | 245 lbs | OL Blythewood | 2027 State SC Blythewood
With all the experience Blythewood has on its lines, Paolucci forcing his way into the lineup was saying something. True, he’s 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, so it’s not like he’s small, either. But what he’s bringing to the table is a 77-inch reach and a way to find a leverage advantage.
CJ Brooks CJ Brooks 6'4" | 325 lbs | OL Gaffney | 2027 State SC Gaffney
The Prep RedZone national crew identified Brooks during his middle school days. And while his adjustment to high school football has been tempered some to get him acclimated to the Indians’ schedule, he’s done enough in limited action to back up the early hype.
Wells Lewis Wells Lewis 6'0" | 245 lbs | OL Cardinal Newman | 2027 State SC Cardinal Newman
A Cardinal Newman offense that put up just shy of 5,000 yards of offense last fall all started with Lewis handling the snapping duties. He makes up a lack of sheer size by being pretty shifty left and right off the snap. There’s not a lot of defensive pressure up the middle.
Hayden Crockett Hayden Crockett 6'2" | 285 lbs | OL Hilton Head | 2027 State SC Hilton Head (pictured)
Crockett has always been bigger, and while he’s down to 285 now, it’s important to remember how much work he put in to knock off some 45-50 pounds. It pushed him to a starting tackle spot for Hilton Head as a freshman and has us wondering what he can do in the next three years.
Brayden Everette Brayden Everette 6'1" | 255 lbs | OL Travelers Rest | 2027 State SC Travelers Rest
Another starter at tackle as a freshman, Everette is still projecting at an interior lineman down the road. For now. But after watching his film, we can’t also guess how much that could change with a couple of vertical inches to help him seal off the edge more than he already does.