2027 Midlands Offensive Names You Need To Know

The Midlands saw some record-breaking offensive numbers over the course of the last few years with the likes of Irmo's [player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'], Richland Northeast's [player_tooltip player_id='272698' first='Will' last='Wilson'] and White Knoll's [player_tooltip player_id='346199' first='Landon' last='Sharpe'] at quarterback. Don't forget about the efforts of Sumter's [player_tooltip player_id='809744' first='John' last='Peeples'] and Gray Collegiate's [player_tooltip player_id='605529' first='BJ' last='Montgomery'] at running back and Irmo's [player_tooltip player_id='377560' first='Donovan' last='Murph'] and Ridge View's [player_tooltip player_id='233146' first='Jordon' last='Gidron'] at wide receiver.   Where does the next crop of outstanding performers come from? We have several candidates from the Midlands in the 2027 Class but they're not quite ready to be mentioned in the same breath as the aforementioned players. But the potential is there.   We break down the options position by position.   Quarterback   [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'] QB, Ridge View   Howard was a part-time contributor as a freshman but had a strong sophomore campaign with 2,476 yards and 22 touchdowns despite missing some time. He's only scratching the surface on how successful he can be and that is the reason he's in the top 20 of the rankings. He has a strong arm and will have plenty of weapons around him given the fact that his top two receivers are also Class of 2027.   [player_tooltip player_id='1515057' first='Aiden' last='Fitzgerald'] QB, Lugoff-Elgin   Fitzgerald is an intriguing prospect that might end up being more of an athlete than quarterback before it's all said and done. He had over 1,400 passing yards and displayed a strong arm while doing it. He could see action at quarterback in 2025 but it's more than likely to be used all over the place. He could play some running back or wide receiver and might even see time at defensive back.      [player_tooltip player_id='1603974' first='Franklin' last='Richardson'] QB, Sumter   The Gamecocks averaged nearly 50 points per game and Franklin was the trigger man for that attack. Right now, he's a better runner than passer but both could improve drastically over the next two seasons. He finished 2024 with 1,209 yards passing and 15 TDs with just three interceptions. He was third on the team in rushing with 984 yards and 11 touchdowns for a unit that rushed for over 4,200 yards.    Running Back   [player_tooltip player_id='1036777' first='Trevon' last='Williamson'] RB, Gilbert   Williamson (pictured) took a slight step back than the numbers he had his freshman campaign but we fully expect him to rebound in 2025. He finished his season with 254 yards in the Indians final two games and that could spearhead him into a solid junior season. He's 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds so he doesn't mind pushing between the tackles and meeting guys head on. He can also get the corner and take it the distance.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036740' first='Tiyon' last='Fanning'] RB, White Knoll   Fanning had some injury issues in 2024 but still was a main clog in the Timberwolves offense that took them to the state semifinals. He runs between the tackles as well as any in the state and can only improve as he gets quicker and stronger. Fanning is very smooth and changes direction easily. That helps him avoid the big hits that many backs see.     [player_tooltip player_id='755890' first='Amire' last='White'] RB, Irmo   White missed some time with injury but still came within a carry or two of reaching the 1,000-yard plateau. He scored seven touchdowns in an offense that leaned heavily on the success of QB [player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand'] in both passing and rushing game. White should be the featured back again in the Yellow Jackets attack and the carries of Brand has to go to someone and he's looking like the best option. He's quick and shifty and built to run between the tackles at 190 pounds.   [player_tooltip player_id='1149057' first='Spencer' last='Bobian'] RB, Ridge View   As the season progressed, Bobian became the feature back with over 1,000 yards and five touchdowns in an offense that leaned heavily on the pass. He's dynamic on the outside but showed great burst between the tackles that put him in the secondary and beyond very quickly. He's quick, plants his foot well and runs a little bit bigger than his 5-foot-8, 165 pounds would suggest.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422608' first='Hunter' last='O'Neal'] RB, Keenan   The Raiders displayed an explosive offense at times and O'Neal was a huge part of that with 1,084 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 23 receptions for 273 yards and two touchdowns. O'Neal was also a factor in the return game. He's extremely strong at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds and will try to run at defenders as well as around them. He's sneaky fast and is a big play waiting to happen.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603902' first='Angelo' last='Rios'] RB, Westwood   Rios is never going to be the biggest back on the field at 5-foot-5, 150 pounds but that didn't stop him from rushing for over 1,000 yards and eight TDs. He's shifty and explosive when he gets in the open field. What we liked about him is the fact that he runs between the tackles well. He slips through the line quickly and next thing you know, it becomes a footrace. Rios is only going to get better with more reps.    Wide Receiver   [player_tooltip player_id='1172363' first='Khristian' last='Jackson'] WR, Ridge View   Jackson burst on the stage early and just kept getting better and better as the season progressed. He's a precise route runner that can blow by defensive backs or put his foot in the ground and make a move to find open space. Jackson uses his body well and can block away defenders or jump over them to make a catch. He finished with 49 catches for 737 yards and 10 touchdowns.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422528' first='Maleek' last='Miller'] WR, Irmo   Miller did a little bit of everything for the high octane Irmo attack. He filled in at running back when needed and flashed big-time on special teams as a return guy. He finished with 55 catches for 914 yards and eight touchdowns receiving and added over 300 rushing yards with three scores. He's the second ranked receiver in this 2027 Class behind Jackson and he easily could rise up the rankings. His role will expand even more next season and he's the type of player that thrives with the ball in his hand.     [player_tooltip player_id='1271244' first='Josh' last='Davis'] WR, AC Flora   Davis is a prospect we can't wait to see more from. He had his season cut short by injury but in two games he had seven catches for 107 yards and 3 TDs. The Falcons will likely have one of the most explosive offenses in 2025 with QB [player_tooltip player_id='1025784' first='Roper' last='Wentzky'] and WR [player_tooltip player_id='1165081' first='Kendall' last='Byrd'] back in the fold as well. Davis is a 6-foot-2, 180-pounder that will be a huge target for the offense. He can outjump defensive backs and has a huge burst off the line.     [player_tooltip player_id='1172370' first='Kanye' last='Reed'] WR, Blythewood   Reed has great length on his 6-foot-1, 190-pound body. He does a great job of getting the ball at its high point. He finished his sophomore year with 43 receptions for 581 yards and eight touchdowns playing in a spread attack. The Bengals will have quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1418100' first='Johnny' last='Collins'] returning in 2025 along with a host of playmakers. Reed can take his game to another level as those two continue to gel.   [player_tooltip player_id='1078102' first='Darius' last='Carter'] WR, Ridge View   Carter has been called one of the best route runners that Derek Howard has ever coached. That's going to transition well over the next two seasons. Carter was good in 2024 with 36 catches for 549 and three touchdowns, but we expect those numbers to increase drastically going forward. He always seems to be in the right spot and catches the ball away from his body extremely well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603854' first='Eric' last='Richardson'] WR, Lugoff-Elgin   The Demons were breaking in a new offense under first-year coach Leon Boulware and Richardson became one of the key pieces with 33 receptions for 600 yards and nine touchdowns. He can play inside or outside and has a knack for finding the open spot. He's shifty and can make defenders miss or just run past them with his speed. He's also used in a variety of ways.   [player_tooltip player_id='1149041' first='Beckham' last='Diimmler'] WR, Chapin   Diimmler only played in three varsity games in 2024, but he showed his promise with nine catches for 70 yards in that time. Chapin loses the school's all-time passing leader in [player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro'] to graduation but there is no reason to believe the Eagles won't try to air it out again in 2025.  Diimmler has top end speed and runs precise routes so that will help the new quarterback.     [player_tooltip player_id='1603911' first='Isaiah' last='Small'] WR, Richland Northeast   It's impressive when you can finish your sophomore season with 62 receptions for 778 yards as the second option in the passing game. Small benefitted from having [player_tooltip player_id='272698' first='Will' last='Wilson'] as his quarterback and from having [player_tooltip player_id='591391' first='Blake' last='Betette'] playing on the other side as the first option. He reads defenses well and finds open spaces against zone or man coverage. And if he gets a seam, he has a burst that leaves most defenders behind.   [player_tooltip player_id='1319663' first='Royce' last='Williamson'] WR, Gray Collegiate   Williamson is a speedster that lines up in the slot and creates mismatches at times. He is a threat any time he touches the ball and that is one of the reasons he will play some Wildcat QB as well. He finds open spaces and uses his hands well when catching the ball. He plays defensive back as well and can become a weapon on that side of the ball as well.    Offensive Lineman   [player_tooltip player_id='756223' first='Nate' last='Carson'] OL, Irmo   The Yellow Jackets breezed into the Class 5A, Division II championship behind a potent offense. The offensive line was young with Carson fitting right in despite being one of the younger ones upfront. Carson checks in a 6-foot-5, 275 pounds and might be around the 300-pound mark by the time next season begins. He shows great technique and power at the point of attack. His season ended before the playoffs began so he should head into 2025 with a chip on his shoulder.   [player_tooltip player_id='1172352' first='Reed' last='Paolucci'] OL, Blythewood   Paolucci still has growing potential, but he handled himself fairly well in 2024. He's 6-foot-3 and already up to 275, which is about 30 pounds more than last summer. He's strong and has great leverage and drive. He's as apt at run blocking as he is at pass protection. This is a name that could flirt with a top 20 ranking before his time in high school is over.   [player_tooltip player_id='1223929' first='Markest' last='Davenport'] OL, Calhoun County   Davenport is one of the biggest lineman in the 2027 Class at 6-foot-4, 330 pounds. He moves well and is very aggressive at the point of attack. He overpowers a lot of defenders, but his technique and nasty streak wins a lot of points as well. He can flat out bully defensive linemen or he can get out and create a running lane against a linebacker.   [player_tooltip player_id='1172369' first='Wells' last='Lewis'] OL, Cardinal Newman   Lewis already has two years of starting experience entering his junior season. He began 2024 at 6-foot, 245 pounds but could easily add weight as he continues to develop. He plays center and makes most of the calls along the offensive line. His coach for two seasons has been Cory Helms, who started on the offensive line at South Carolina. Helms is very high on Lewis and begins to realize how good he can be.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422610' first='Jack' last='Armstrong'] OL, Gray Collegiate   Armstrong is already one of if not the strongest players for the War Eagles. He's a weight room fanatic and that comes into play at his right tackle position. He had several pancake blocks in 2024 and once he engages with a defender, he usually wins the battle straight up. He uses his hands well and pushes defenders around.     [player_tooltip player_id='1153356' first='Ashton' last='Thompson'] OL, AC Flora   To say Thompson is a big body would be an understatement. He's already 6-foot-6, 285 pounds and likely not done growing. The biggest thing we take away from his Hudl film is how well he moves and gets out in front of the play. He can win match ups at the line of scrimmage, but he also can get downfield and block linebackers or safeties as easily as defensive linemen.