2027 Rankings Update: Loaded Catawba River Region Defensive Group

While the Class of 2027 will be juniors next season, this is an impressive group in the Catawba River Region, particularly on the defensive side. Several on that side of the ball have already picked up Power Four offers and we expect them to make a big splash as the offseason and eventual 2025 season commence. There are also a few names you'll want to keep your eye on offensively.   [player_tooltip player_id='1591712' first='Seth' last='Tillman'] | DL | South Pointe   Tillman burst on to the scene in 2024 and was tough to block all year for opposing offensive linemen. He uses his size and quickness to plug up run lanes and get into the backfield before the play has a chance to get going. He can also move well from sideline-to-sideline and create negative plays when an offense tries to pitch it outside to the back, or when they try to move the pocket. Expect his stock to rise as we head in the 2025 season.    [player_tooltip player_id='1036748' first='Sequel' last='Patterson'] | ATH | Indian Land   Patterson's versatility on the field is what stands out when you turn on the film. If you need him to play quarterback, he can keep it on designed keepers and get you five to 10 yards. If he's at receiver, he can go up and make the contested catches with a defender draped over him. He even threw a pass on a trick play when the Indians used motion out of the backfield. That athletic ability translates well to the defensive side of the ball because he's able to anticipate well what the opposing offense will do and bat balls down and limit the explosive plays. Power Four schools have been knocking on the door as he already has numerous offers, including recent ones from NC State and Texas A&M.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422524' first='Josh' last='Dobson'] | DB | Catawba Ridge   Dobson's physicality and ability to make tackles in the open field is what made him a leader for the Copperheads' defense in 2024. He diagnosed plays quickly and showed good eye discipline to stay with some of the more speedy receivers in the area. He stays in phase with them and while it may not be an interception all the time, completed passes were not the norm with him. He can also make a difference on special teams. His recruiting continues to gain steam as he has picked up recent offers from Georgia Tech and East Carolina.    [player_tooltip player_id='1271263' first='KJ' last='Burg'] | LB | South Pointe   Burg was another leader like his counterpart Tillman on the front seven for the Stallions in 2024. He can make open field tackles and limit the play for a short gain, like on a third-and-short against Daniel in the playoffs. He makes good form tackles and has great gap integrity to know where the play is going and react quickly to make tackles, many times before the offense can get past the line of scrimmage. He also plays well out in man coverage and can stay stride for stride with opposing receivers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1283361' first='Jaylon' last='Richardson'] | DB | Catawba Ridge   Richardson is a ball hawk in the secondary for the Copperheads. When passes came his way in 2024, the majority of the time it was a pass breakup or an interception. He has great size for the position to be able to move and make tackles in space, like on run plays or hang one-on-one with opposing receivers – once he sees the route, his quickness is impressive to react to the play.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036779' first='Kaiden' last='Watkins'] | ATH | Rock Hill   Versatility and quickness is what sets Watkins apart, and he was a leader on both sides of the ball for the Bearcats in 2024. He can take a quick out, make a few moves and the next thing you know it's a long touchdown, like against River Bluff in the season opener. There are other examples of that when you turn on his tape on other plays in the quick passing game. But let's not forget about his ability on the defensive side of the ball, where he can jump routes quickly and turn them into pick sixes for his team.    [player_tooltip player_id='1603697' first='Zymier' last='Gordon-Miles'] | RB | Northwestern   As much attention as the passing game got for the Trojans in 2024 on their way to an undefeated state championship season, they had a 1,000 yard runner in the backfield with Gordon-Miles. His jump cut and first move once he gets the ball is fun to watch and once he gets into the open field, look out because most of the time it's a first down and then some. He has good vision and he's tough to bring down. He ran for 16 touchdowns in 2024, and he'll be a focal point for the Trojans in 2025.    [player_tooltip player_id='1603727' first='Alex' last='Johnson'] | DL | Catawba Ridge   Johnson had an impressive season at the nose tackle position for the Copperheads. He can plug up run lanes well and get good penetration into the backfield. He has good size for the position and can move well to get pressure on the quarterback to create negative plays. And if he can't get there, he'll get his hands up to try and affect the throw from the opposing quarterback.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422617' first='Jackson' last='Conner'] | LB | Indian Land   Conner is a hidden gem in Lancaster County that not a lot of people know about now, but you will know him as time progresses. He has a motor that is always running and can react to plays quickly. He is not afraid to get his hands dirty and can go out and play man coverage against receivers when needed. He brings a level of physicality that is fun to watch as well at the position.   [player_tooltip player_id='1088328' first='Nigel' last='Lightner'] | DB | Rock Hill   The thing that is fun to watch about Lightner is his ability to jump and react to plays when they are in the air from his free safety position. He has good eye discipline to stand back there and read the quarterback's eyes and then once he recognizes the route, he moves well to either knock the ball away or pick it off. He can also make tackles in space and limit plays for short gains.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603804' first='Colton' last='McCauley'] | WR | Catawba Ridge   McCauley is an excellent receiver in the quick passing game. He can help keep the Copperheads on schedule and should see more time on the field as preparations begin for the 2025 season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603816' first='Grady' last='Stone'] | RB | Clover   The duo between Grady and his older brother, Landon at the running back position was one of the best in the area and maybe the state in 2024. Grady ran for over 800 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has an excellent burst of speed and good vision to find the open run lanes and make people miss in the process.    [player_tooltip player_id='1603965' first='Luke' last='Reed'] | DL | Chester   Reed was one of the stars on the defense for the Cyclones in 2024, and figures to be an even larger part of the equation in 2025. He can string out run plays and get penetration into the backfield to limit the gain on the play, like we saw against Union County on film and he can shake opposing blockers quickly to get after the quarterback.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603999' first='Caleb' last='Feaster'] | RB | Chester   Feaster is a power running back with great speed to go along with it. He's patient enough to wait for his blocks to develop and then once he finds green grass, especially if it's wide open, he'll explode for a huge gain on the play. We were also impressed with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and be able to keep the offense on schedule.   [player_tooltip player_id='1604056' first='Kahlil' last='Williamson'] | DB | Northwestern   Williamson's size and ability to play in man coverage is what stands out when you turn on his film. He made plays on special teams with several blocked kicks as well. We saw multiple times on his film where he stayed right in the opposing receiver's hip pocket and got his hands up without interfering. He does a good job of recognizing routes and then reacting to them. He finished the 2024 season with 21 tackles and 15 pass breakups.    [player_tooltip player_id='1407416' first='Aaron' last='Shealey'] | QB | Clover   Shealey split time with Brody Woolbright at the controls for the Blue Eagles' offense, but when he got in, he made his reps count. He excels on throws where the play is designed outside of the pocket and he has the arm strength to get it to his receivers and they can do the rest. He can lead his receivers well and put it in a spot where only they can get it. He threw for over 1100 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024.

While the Class of 2027 will be juniors next season, this is an impressive group in the Catawba River Region, particularly on the defensive side. Several on that side of the ball have already picked up Power Four offers and we expect them to make a big splash as the offseason and eventual 2025 season commence. There are also a few names you'll want to keep your eye on offensively.