Program Profile: Clayton Comets

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Happy July and welcome to Prep Redzone's Program Profile series. First up is Clayton, led by second-year head coach Scott Chadwick. The QB-whisperer turned Clayton into a 4A contender last year behind a strong offense and surprisingly stout defensse. The Comets have a new quarterback in 2024, one who could lead them to a conference championship and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Clayton Comets Key Offensive Players</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It all starts the offense for a Chadwick-coached team as the head coach has been known historically for his elite quarterbacks. That guy this year is Cardinal Gibbons transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1243204' first='Aiden' last='Smalls']</strong>. Smalls played receiver for Gibbons last season, putting up huge numbers, including over 1000 yards from scrimmage. Ironically, it was Smalls who had a huge part in ending Clayton's season last year, as he had two catches for 73 yards and a touchdown in the playoff game against the Comets, adding two completions for 97 yards and a touchdown as a passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smalls has a strong arm and might be the most athletic quarterback Chadwick has ever coached. Expect Smalls to have the green light to scramble and to take off when he has room. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Chadwick talks about his quarterbacks, I listen. It's no secret that Smalls is one of the best athletes in the state, already holding a few Power Four offers. He's in our system as an athlete not because he's not a quarterback, but because his best upside is as a receiver. After watching him throw in person, he's a better passer than I gave him credit for being. Chadwick told me that if he wasn't such an elite athlete, he'd still play college ball as an FCS quarterback. Expect a huge year from the junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smalls will have some athletes on the outside. I wrote about 2026 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1309271' first='River' last='Fiore']</strong> the other day as one of the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/06/six-raleigh-area-tight-ends-to-know/">top tight ends in the region.</a> He brings elite height and athleticism to the tight end position and provides a reliable target for Smalls.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rest of the receiving room is talented, even if there isn't one "star." The Comets will need someone to step up after losing their top four receivers last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='714587' first='TJ' last='Campbell']</strong> isn't the biggest receiver, but he's an intriguing slot option with good speed. He's a guy who will have many more opportunities this season compared to last.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1272117' first='Damarius' last='McKoy']</strong> should have a huge impact this season at receiver after coming in from Apex Friendship. He's a reliable target who gets open and has great hands. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1311164' first='Tayvon' last='Evans']</strong> adds a bit of size to the group and excels at making contested catches. If one of those three separates himself as a true No. 1 target, the passing offense should be elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive line is inexperienced, but senior <strong>Bayjon McLean</strong> should add some maturity to that group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Clayton Comets Key Defensive Players</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clayton's defense should be one of the strongest units in 4A this year, especially up front and in the secondary. The headliner is 2026 defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165755' first='Keshawn' last='Stancil']</strong>, a hybrid edge/tackle who can play anywhere on the defensive line and really gets after the passer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stancil will likely play inside more this season as the Comets also boast a strong edge rusher tandem in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1316547' first='Josh' last='Kelly']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1316551' first='Tyrell' last='Jeune']</strong>, both of whom are excellent run stuffers with good pass-rushing upside. Kelly is long and has good bend around the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everything runs through <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1316558' first='Codie' last='Witmer']</strong> in the middle, a guy who has Division 1 potential at linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The secondary is deep and versatile. [player_tooltip player_id='366314' first='AK' last='Crumel'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1311158' first='Codey' last='Larkins'] might be the best cover corner tandem in the state, both capable of being put on an island against top receivers. Crumel is our top 2027 corner in the state, boasting multiple Power Four offers after starting every game as a freshman. Expect the late-blooming Larkins to have a huge breakout year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The x-factor is senior [player_tooltip player_id='1311161' first='Malachi' last='Adkins']. He's probably a corner at the next level, but will play safety, nickel and even linebacker for the Comets in 2024. Strong safety Delmont Burt adds more experience to a talented group that could make things difficult on opposing receivers this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, kicker <strong>Chris Majaia</strong> has college potential and a good leg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Clayton's 2024 Expectations</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Chadwick's second year with the program, Clayton's expectations are through the roof. There's plenty of talent on the defense and if a couple of unproven skill players can step up, the offense should click. Smalls' athleticism gives Chadwick's offense a dynamic it hasn't had before and if he's as good as he can be, Clayton might be the team to beat in the Greater Neuse River Conference and a true contender in the 4A East.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->