Spring Scouting Report: GSPD Quarterback Carousel in Full Effect
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Outgoing stars and those looking to take up the mantle. Realignment and bounce-back seasons. Factors galore are going to impact the 2024 football season in the GSPD and beyond. But before we get to that point, there are a whole…
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Continue ReadingOutgoing stars and those looking to take up the mantle. Realignment and bounce-back seasons.
Factors galore are going to impact the 2024 football season in the GSPD and beyond. But before we get to that point, there are a whole bunch of questions that need to be answered over the course of the next four weeks during spring ball.
In this portion of the state, most of the question marks revolve around the quarterback position. The vast majority of the teams will be starting May practices with new starters, and eight of the departing quarterbacks were ranked by Prep RedZone South Carolina. Clearly, there were some serious grinders in there who made their teams go. Now, it’s time for the next wave.
And it starts at the top.
Five of the area’s seven Class 5A programs will be starting fresh with new looks at quarterback.
the area’s next quarterback has been waiting in the wings for the last two seasons. St. James rising junior Alex Sandt Alex Sandt 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB St. James | 2026 State SC completed 17-of-34 passes last fall for 242 yards, three touchdowns and three picks in relief of Connor Schwalm Connor Schwalm 5'11" | 205 lbs | QB St. James | 2024 State SC – a two-year starter after moving in from out of state.
Staying inside the region, Conway rising sophomore Noah Legg will get first dibs at the position after top-100 quarterback Devin Grainger Devin Grainger 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Conway | 2024 State SC finished up his distinguished prep career.
Likewise, Carolina Forest will be looking to replace 2,000-yard passer/runner Ethan Hamilton Ethan Hamilton 5'10" | 175 lbs | QB Carolina Forest | 2024 State SC with either 2023 varsity back up Kam Long and Patrick Mullen, who missed all of last year with an injury.
Still inside Region VI-5A, Socastee will be charged with replacing four-year starter Rocco Wojcik Rocco Wojcik 5'11" | 165 lbs | QB Socastee | 2024 State SC and is first looking to two-year junior varsity quarterback Christian Royals (6-foot-1, 175 pounds).
While West Florence will be mostly playing Midlands teams post-realignment, the Knights will have to replace one of their most reliable players from the last three seasons. Franklin Emerson Franklin Emerson 6'0" | 220 lbs | ATH West Florence | 2024 State SC was a standout at both linebacker and quarterback during that span, and in his place, West Florence will start with rising junior Avery Weaver (6-foot, 155). Rising senior Kielen Thomas (5-foot-10, 165 pounds) and former junior varsity quarterback Chase Anderson will also be in the fold. The Knights will again be run-first, run second, but with a stable of tailbacks, whomever is at quarterback will have time to grow into the role.
Down in Class 4A, defending state runner-up South Florence will be using the spring to break the competition behind 2023 part-timer Messiah Jackson Messiah Jackson 6'1" | 215 lbs | QB South Florence | 2026 SC (6-foot-1, 215 pounds, pictured) and rising sophomore De’Eric Davis (6-foot-4, 200 pounds). The Bruins will be replacing not only traditional quarterback Bryan McCart, but also a wildcat first scheme from most of the back half of the season.
A little further own the classification ladder, Marion will be moving on from the lengthy and established Gabe Cusack Gabe Cusack 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Marion | 2024 State SC era and first look to rising senior Tyrice Davis (6-foot-2, 185 pounds). Davis saw decent playing time last season in a backup role while also catching a few passes and chipping in some limited time on defense and special teams.
Not every school will be starting fresh at quarterback. Dillon’s Josiah Oxendine Josiah Oxendine 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Dillon | 2026 State SC (1,236 yards, eight touchdowns last season), Myrtle Beach’s Gibson Goodroe Gibson Goodroe 5'10" | 170 lbs | QB Myrtle Beach | 2025 State SC (1,415 yards, 16 touchdowns) and North Myrtle Beach’s Landon Cloninger (1,629 yards, 12 touchdowns) will all be back and have the spring sessions to continue developing chemistry and timing with a slew of returning weapons.
Elsewhere, the rest of the schools in the zone have four weeks to start answering those questions. None of them are likely fully answered during the month of May. But we might get a more clearer picture.