2024 Preview: Summerville Green Wave

The Summerville football program has continued to make its way back among the state's elite under the guidance of former player Ian Rafferty. The Green Wave own 12 state championships in school history, but the last one came in 1998. Rafferty has installed that past history and had Summerville on the brink last season when they breezed through 13 straight victories before losing to White Knoll in the Class AAAAA state semifinals.   The Green Wave return six starters on offense but will be a new look on defense with just defensive backs [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1253992' first='Rhyan' last='White'] returning. But the cupboard is far from being bare as several backups played extensive minutes last season despite some of the scores being lopsided.   “Our kids are big and fast and strong,” Rafferty said. “Some of the guys might not have played as much so they just have to get that on the field experience. Overall, we might be more athletic than last year. We have some good-looking kids that just haven't been in the fire yet. They played last year when we were up four or five touchdowns.”   One potential star on defense might be defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1359137' first='Yasir' last='Smith'] (pictured). The younger brother of former standout Yannick Smith, Yasir switched from tight end to defensive line this offseason and so far, it's been a hit.   The recruiting efforts for Smith's services heated up with the move.   “The transition has been great,” Smith said. “I can take some things from tight end and bring it to the defensive line. The footwork and things are almost the same.”   The offensive returns [player_tooltip player_id='367350' first='Jaden' last='Cummings'], who threw for 3,220 yards with 36 touchdowns and four interceptions a season ago. But his top three receivers graduated so it's been starting over with a mostly new group.         Luckily, three starters return on the offensive line – John Corley, Avian Kinard and Francis Roberts.   “We had a bunch of guys graduate on both sides of the ball, but we have a bunch of young players that are extremely talented,” Cummings said. “We're working on getting them motivated and into the weight room so they can compete every day.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='367350' first='Jaden' last='Cummings'] QB, 2025 – What's not to like about Cummings. He has a big arm, is accurate and plays with a swagger that a quarterback needs. His biggest adjustment this season is going to be throwing to a new crop of receivers and a revamped running game behind him.     [player_tooltip player_id='1249768' first='Keshon' last='Washington'] H-Back, 2025 – Washington is the leading returning receiver with 31 catches for 383 yards. His role is likely to expand this season and he could be inline for over 50 catches. He also could touch the ball more coming out of the backfield.   [player_tooltip player_id='1359137' first='Yasir' last='Smith'] DL, 2025 – The transition from tight end to defensive line has been seamless. He's athletic, about 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds and will be fits for offensive linemen. The more he learns and becomes comfortable will only make him better as the season progresses.   John Corley OL, 2025 – Corley has a mean streak and plays his offensive tackle position with it. He's a powerful run blocker and uses his hands well on pass protection.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray'] WR/DB, 2027 – Kelly-Murray came on the scene as a freshman and became a defensive back standout. He registered 110 tackles with four interceptions and he's just 15 years old. While he will play defensive back more when the temperatures cool, expect him to open the season as the top target at wide receiver.    BIGGEST LOSS(es)   Yannick Smith WR – Smith did a little bit of everything, but his biggest contributions came on offense – 69 catches, 1,528 yards and 19 touchdowns – and as a dangerous return man. He also played defensive back   Kayden Gaddist LB – The entire linebacking group was lost but Gaddist was the team's leading tackler with 138 last season.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Jayvyn Williams RB, 2026 – All Williams did last season was rush for over 2,000 yards on the junior varsity level. He's been electronically clocked with 4.4 speed in the 40.   [player_tooltip player_id='1578901' first='Melvin' last='Teal'] DB, 2025 – Teal is a two-time All-State basketball player and hasn't played football since the eighth grade. But he's already picked up a football offer from UNC-Pembroke at their camp in June.    Walker is another intriguing prospect that missed all his junior season with an injury. He's been a leader this offseason and could have a huge impact as a senior. He was an expected starter last season and will be counted on heavily this fall in a new-look defense.

The Summerville football program has continued to make its way back among the state's elite under the guidance of former player Ian Rafferty. The Green Wave own 12 state championships in school history, but the last one came in 1998. Rafferty has installed that past history and had Summerville on the brink last season when they breezed through 13 straight victories before losing to White Knoll in the Class AAAAA state semifinals.

The Green Wave return six starters on offense but will be a new look on defense with just defensive backs Jaiden Kelly-Murray Jaiden Kelly-Murray 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH/WR Oceanside Collegiate Academy | 2027 State SC and Rhyan White Rhyan White 5'10" | 155 lbs | DB Summerville | 2025 State SC returning. But the cupboard is far from being bare as several backups played extensive minutes last season despite some of the scores being lopsided.

“Our kids are big and fast and strong,” Rafferty said. “Some of the guys might not have played as much so they just have to get that on the field experience. Overall, we might be more athletic than last year. We have some good-looking kids that just haven't been in the fire yet. They played last year when we were up four or five touchdowns.”

One potential star on defense might be defensive lineman Yasir Smith Yasir Smith 6'4" | 265 lbs | DL Summerville | 2025 State SC (pictured). The younger brother of former standout Yannick Smith, Yasir switched from tight end to defensive line this offseason and so far, it's been a hit.

The recruiting efforts for Smith's services heated up with the move.

“The transition has been great,” Smith said. “I can take some things from tight end and bring it to the defensive line. The footwork and things are almost the same.”

The offensive returns Jaden Cummings Jaden Cummings 5'11" | 195 lbs | QB Summerville | 2025 State SC , who threw for 3,220 yards with 36 touchdowns and four interceptions a season ago. But his top three receivers graduated so it's been starting over with a mostly new group.

Luckily, three starters return on the offensive line – John Corley, Avian Kinard and Francis Roberts.

“We had a bunch of guys graduate on both sides of the ball, but we have a bunch of young players that are extremely talented,” Cummings said. “We're working on getting them motivated and into the weight room so they can compete every day.”

STARS SET TO SHINE

Jaden Cummings Jaden Cummings 5'11" | 195 lbs | QB Summerville | 2025 State SC QB, 2025 – What's not to like about Cummings. He has a big arm, is accurate and plays with a swagger that a quarterback needs. His biggest adjustment this season is going to be throwing to a new crop of receivers and a revamped running game behind him.

Keshon Washington Keshon Washington 5'10" | 205 lbs | TE Summerville | 2025 State SC H-Back, 2025 – Washington is the leading returning receiver with 31 catches for 383 yards. His role is likely to expand this season and he could be inline for over 50 catches. He also could touch the ball more coming out of the backfield.

Yasir Smith Yasir Smith 6'4" | 265 lbs | DL Summerville | 2025 State SC DL, 2025 – The transition from tight end to defensive line has been seamless. He's athletic, about 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds and will be fits for offensive linemen. The more he learns and becomes comfortable will only make him better as the season progresses.

John Corley OL, 2025 – Corley has a mean streak and plays his offensive tackle position with it. He's a powerful run blocker and uses his hands well on pass protection.

FILM REVIEW

Jaiden Kelly-Murray Jaiden Kelly-Murray 5'11" | 175 lbs | ATH/WR Oceanside Collegiate Academy | 2027 State SC WR/DB, 2027 – Kelly-Murray came on the scene as a freshman and became a defensive back standout. He registered 110 tackles with four interceptions and he's just 15 years old. While he will play defensive back more when the temperatures cool, expect him to open the season as the top target at wide receiver.

BIGGEST LOSS(es)

Yannick Smith WR – Smith did a little bit of everything, but his biggest contributions came on offense – 69 catches, 1,528 yards and 19 touchdowns – and as a dangerous return man. He also played defensive back

Kayden Gaddist LB – The entire linebacking group was lost but Gaddist was the team's leading tackler with 138 last season.

UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL

Jayvyn Williams RB, 2026 – All Williams did last season was rush for over 2,000 yards on the junior varsity level. He's been electronically clocked with 4.4 speed in the 40.

Melvin Teal Melvin Teal 6'3" | 180 lbs | DB Summerville | 2025 State SC DB, 2025 – Teal is a two-time All-State basketball player and hasn't played football since the eighth grade. But he's already picked up a football offer from UNC-Pembroke at their camp in June.