Five Takeaways From PRZ Media Day At Hillcrest
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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…
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Continue ReadingThere 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 KB Henderson KB Henderson 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB Blue Ridge | 2025 State SC (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. Kedarrion Patterson Kedarrion Patterson 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB TL Hanna | 2025 State SC 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 Nacyus Morrison Nacyus Morrison 5'7" | 200 lbs | RB JL Mann | 2025 State SC 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. Carter 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. Landon 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 Sam Holliday Sam Holliday 5'11" | 185 lbs | QB Fountain Inn | 2027 State SC 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’ Lincoln Huskey Lincoln Huskey 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Boiling Springs | 2025 State SC 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 Tucker Hendrix Tucker Hendrix 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Christ Church | 2025 State SC led the Cavaliers to the 1A title, while Westside and Cutter Woods Cutter Woods 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Westside | 2025 State SC 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. Jackson Repp Jackson Repp 5'8" | 160 lbs | WR Christ Church | 2025 State SC and Jude Hall Jude Hall 6'4" | 185 lbs | WR Christ Church | 2026 State SC 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. Justin 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 Sharode Richardson Sharode Richardson 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Westside | 2025 State SC 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 Mikkel Skinner Mikkel Skinner 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Riverside | 2025 State SC 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 Khamari Griffin Khamari Griffin 5'8" | 175 lbs | ATH Greenwood | 2026 SC 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 Cam’Rich Smith Cam’Rich Smith 5'9" | 200 lbs | LB Spartanburg | 2025 State SC 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 Michael Posey Michael Posey 6'0" | 205 lbs | DL Eastside | 2026 State SC threw up some gaudy numbers a year ago, with 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Isaiah 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’ Jaidyn Ferguson Jaidyn Ferguson 6'2" | 225 lbs | DL Byrnes | 2025 State SC 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 DJ Henderson DJ Henderson 5'10" | 205 lbs | DL Hillcrest | 2025 State SC 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.
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading