Five Takeaways From PRZ Media Day At Hillcrest

There was a ton of talent on hand at Prep Redzone Media Day at Hillcrest High School. Twenty-one teams were represented at the event, with a huge talent pool among the players who attended. Here's a look at a few of the guys who were there, and what the expectations surrounding them look like this season.   Big-Time Backs   The guys who played primarily RB for their respective teams represented at Hillcrest rushed for just more than three and a half MILES last season, and all are in uniquely different situations headed into 2024. Blue Ridge's [player_tooltip player_id='833941' first='KB' last='Henderson'] (pictured) is unquestionably the Tigers' biggest offensive weapon, and will run behind a big, veteran OL that includes players he calls some of his closest friends. [player_tooltip player_id='1157743' first='Kedarrion' last='Patterson'] emerged from a crowded backfield and a run-first (and mostly always) offense at T.L. Hanna to lead the team. J.L. Mann's [player_tooltip player_id='1249774' first='Nacyus' last='Morrison'] was on a loaded offense a year ago, and this year the Patriots are back for more. With a couple of transfers, Morrison could be used in a bunch of different ways for Mann. [player_tooltip player_id='1359200' first='Carter' last='McCollum'] was a leader for Pickens with 1,500 yards of offense and 11 TDs, and he's a weight room animal who's getting bigger and stronger. [player_tooltip player_id='1360186' first='Landon' last='Robinson'] returns as Walhalla's leading rusher by a wide margin, and Mauldin's Nemo Floyd is looking to step in to a young backfield and carve out his role.   Talent Under Center   Four or the top QBs on hand at Hillcrest are also among the best the state has to offer. A couple of them are dual-threat guys. Fountain Inn's [player_tooltip player_id='429920' first='Sam' last='Holliday'] had a phenomenal freshman year in a young program, as he led the Fury with 1,100 yards of total offense and 16 TDs - eight passing and eight rushing. Boiling Springs' [player_tooltip player_id='1012707' first='Lincoln' last='Huskey'] brings a fullback mentality to the position. He threw for more than 1,700 yards and 17 TDs, and rushed for 229. That number is a bit deceiving, though, as Huskey excelled in short-yardage situations with his physical running style, and led the Bulldogs in rushing TDs with four.   The two other top guys who attended media day at Hillcrest are straight-up gunslingers. Both won state titles, as Christ Church's [player_tooltip player_id='1013068' first='Tucker' last='Hendrix'] led the Cavaliers to the 1A title, while Westside and [player_tooltip player_id='346189' first='Cutter' last='Woods'] won 4A. Hendrix threw for 2,800 yards and 43 scores last season, and Woods threw for nearly 4,000 and 42 TDs. Now here's the scary part: with a move to 3A and the possibility of closer games in which Hendrix will have to throw it a little more, and with Westside adding even more offensive talent, both could have even better seasons this year.   Top Guys Outside   Three guys who posted huge seasons out wide were on hand, and two of them directly helped one of the QBs above. [player_tooltip player_id='1012637' first='Jackson' last='Repp'] and [player_tooltip player_id='816751' first='Jude' last='Hall'] each bring a distinctly different set of talents to WR at Christ Church, and both are phenomenal players. Repp looks absolutely un-coverable at times, running by guys, finding soft spots in the defense, and beating you to the end zone, no matter who you happen to be. Hall is a big, long, go-get-it playmaker, and if it's close to him, it's usually a catch. Both put up insane numbers, and are capable of more. [player_tooltip player_id='1359184' first='Justin' last='Rice'] seems to wrap all of that into one package for Spartanburg. When you're looking for the Vikings' receiver who's the best at (fill in the blank), Rice is often the answer.   An Eye On Versatility   One of the most interesting things to see at Hillcrest was the number of players who do a ton of things well, and will be asked to do a bunch of things by their respective teams. Aside from two-way linemen, there were several players who will have an impact either on both sides of the ball or in two facets of the game. Landrum coach Brent Bridges said Titus Poore can line up at any offensive skill position, and he probably will. Poore listed slot, TE, H-Back, WR, RB, and QB as some possible spots where he'll play, along with safety and OLB. Westside's [player_tooltip player_id='1157819' first='Sharode' last='Richardson'] led the Rams in rushing, did a great job catching the ball out of the backfield, returned kicks, and played some DB a year ago, and expects more of the same. Tre'Sean Suber will have an increased role in Broome's offense, and he'll be counted on to do any number of things for the Centurions. And Riverside's [player_tooltip player_id='1012616' first='Mikkel' last='Skinner'] led the team in rushing and was second in receiving last season, accounting for 15 total TDs.   Don't Forget Defense   There were also some heavy hitters representing their teams at Hillcrest. Greenwood's [player_tooltip player_id='1247862' first='Khamari' last='Griffin'] was one of the top defenders in the Lakelands last season, with 80 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. Dorman's Kentravius Anderson and Dru Darby are just two of a host of players back from a defense that grew quickly and helped give Dorman some stability a year ago, and now they're looking for even bigger things. Spartanburg's [player_tooltip player_id='624354' first='Cam'Rich' last='Smith'] is one of the top defenders in the state, and was the heartbeat of a super-stingy Vikings defense. He's versatile, able to line up just about anywhere, and plays with a nasty streak.   Eastside's [player_tooltip player_id='1267215' first='Michael' last='Posey'] threw up some gaudy numbers a year ago, with 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks. [player_tooltip player_id='1359146' first='Isaiah' last='McCoy'] was a force up front for Greer, and will lead a DL that returns every starter. He had 49 tackles with five for loss and four sacks last season. Jeremiah Jackson is an imposing physical presence for opponents and a stabilizing force for Southside Christian. Byrnes' [player_tooltip player_id='1254251' first='Jaidyn' last='Ferguson'] and Sharrod Wilkins were among the top underclassmen on a senior-heavy Byrnes defense, and the keys to the Rebels' scheme now belong to them. And Hillcrest's [player_tooltip player_id='1254134' first='DJ' last='Henderson'] is a disruptive force for the Rams.

There was a ton of talent on hand at Prep Redzone Media Day at Hillcrest High School. Twenty-one teams were represented at the event, with a huge talent pool among the players who attended. Here's a look at a few of the guys who were there, and what the expectations surrounding them look like this season.