2024 Preview: JL Mann Patriots

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>JL Mann had a strong finish to 2023 as they finished 11-3, advancing to the semifinal round of the playoffs before falling to Dutch Fork. Now with the 2024 season on the horizon, the Patriots are focused on continuing with the momentum from last year's surge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“The offseason is going outstanding with our players as far as growth. And we've been getting bigger, faster and stronger. We're just trying to get them to come together as we did last year. We want to start this season off playing the way we were playing at the end of the season last year. Our expectations are state (championship) or bust. We always push our guys. We want to be the best. We work to be the best,” said JL Mann defensive backs coach Thomas Mack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest question the Patriots will need to answer between now and the season opener on August 23 on the road against Midland Valley is who will replace Ethan Anderson as the starting quarterback? Mack said they aren't ready to name a starter yet but that the battle will be settled as fall camp opens in early August.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the notable names that you'll hear about in 2024 for the Patriots offensively is running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1012565' first='LaDainnian' last='Martin'] </strong>who transferred in from Greer after rushing for nearly 1,000 yards for the Yellow Jackets in 2023. We expect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259367' first='Obadiah' last='Jones'] </strong>will be a part of a loaded running back room for JL Mann in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One name to watch defensively will be <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390438' first='Ramani' last='Bruton']</strong> who transferred in from Greenville this spring. He had 5 interceptions last year for the Red Raiders and has great instincts and can react quickly when the ball is in the air. College coaches have taken note as he has offers from Georgia State and Marshall, to name a few.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mack emphasized that the offensive and defensive lines will be key for them in 2024. <strong>Jeremiah Hammonds </strong>and<strong> J'Quavius Rivers </strong>will be a part of an offensive line that returns a lot of experience. The defensive line is where they'll need to figure things out as they graduated a lot of seniors in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249737' first='Wyatt' last='Ward']</strong> LB, 2025 – Ward will be one of the leaders for the Patriots defensively. He had 155 tackles in 2023 and finished with All-State and All-Region honors in 2023. He has led the team in tackles for the previous two seasons. He has an offer from Erskine.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249774' first='Nacyus' last='Morrison']</strong> RB/LB, 2025 – Morrison (pictured above) is listed as a running back but he'll see time at linebacker in 2024, according to Mack. He ran for 1,287 yards last year and 24 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Morrison on 2024 preparations: “We've just been focusing on integrity and not turning on each other when times get hard. That's where it matters the most.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249825' first='Keyshun' last='Henderson']</strong> WR, 2025 – Mack says he will lead that group and will be a downfield threat in 2024. He had 48 receptions for 1,114 yards. He has offers from UVA Wise, Gardner Webb and Lenoir Rhyne.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359130' first='Jordan' last='Sullivan']</strong> OL, 2025 – Sullivan is aggressive at the point of attack and has excellent leg drive. He walked away with All-Region and All-State honors for his play in 2023. He has offers from North Carolina Central, Richmond, North Carolina A&amp;T and Elon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marquavis Thomas</strong> DL, 2025 – As a 6-foot nose tackle, Thomas is a nightmare to try and block on the inside. There were several plays in which he swung the ball carrier down to the ground once he got his hands on him. He can plug up running lanes well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16750038/65811d44dfd96d0cd4228f0a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668b0ab7e3f4e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ethan Anderson </strong>QB – Anderson threw for more than 3,000 yards and 39 touchdowns during his senior year. He is now at Clemson University as a preferred-walk-on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacari Bennett</strong> DL – A North South selection who is now at the University of Buffalo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP AND COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jadyn Rice </strong>WR, 2027 – Ricewill see action on both sides of the ball – at corner and at receiver. He can line up in the backfield and make plays and make people miss with great speed to go along with it. He can blitz off the edge and he provides great run support.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jeremiah Hammonds</strong> OL, 2025 – Hammonds has good instincts for the position. He can get out in front of screens and has good speed once he gets out into the open field, creating space for his teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Da'Mauri Wright","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"JL Mann","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668b0ab7e57ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 6-foot-4, Wright has great size for the position. He can move people off the ball with a good first step and has good hands to help keep his quarterback's blindside clean. He has an offer from West Virginia Wesleyan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17680230/65cd48cd578d751154506c86' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668b0ab7e57f0"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->