UA Next 8th Grade All-American Game: South Carolina Selections

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The southern part of the United States is home to some of the best football talent in the nation, and South Carolina is no different. Despite how talent rich the area is, these five stand a little above the rest as the stars of tomorrow from the Palmetto State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1595005"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-678126d95cba8"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In 2025 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1595005' first='Bishop' last='Allen'] was selected to the UA Next 2025 All-American Game, representing Team Icon.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Speed is the name of the game when it comes to [player_tooltip player_id='1595005' first='Bishop' last='Allen'], not only showcasing his quickness on the gridiorn, but on the track as well.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Standing at 5'11 Allen profiles well to size into a true X receiver, but his breakaway speed and impressive footwork could also serve him well droping into the slot.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1595007"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-678126d95cc13"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In 2025 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1595007' first='Khayel' last='Sam Fong-Talia'] was selected to the UA Next 2025 All-American Game, representing Team Icon.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Fong-Talia's best ability is his work in the pocket, able to flawlessly execute three and five step drops, before firing off a tight and quick spiral downfield with ease. Fong-Talia already stands at 6'1 so height for the position is no issue.&nbsp;<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Overall Fong-Talia is a star prospect with incredible potential, he has all the tools and talent to make it at the next level</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1595010"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-678126d95cc70"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In 2025 CB [player_tooltip player_id='1595010' first='Taddrick' last='Gibson'] was selected to the UA Next 2025 All-American Game, representing Team Icon.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Gibson's combination of size and speed makes him a natural boundary corner, able to jam receivers at the line, then backpedal and match them in coverage.&nbsp;<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Gibson isn't just physical with receivers mind you, as he also shows the willingness and ability to tackle in space coming down hill against the run as well, a trait that is increasingly rare in a Corner these days.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1131146"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-678126d95ccbd"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In 2025 G/C [player_tooltip player_id='1360325' first='Malachi' last='Watson'] was selected to the UA Next 2025 All-American Game, representing Team Icon.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Above all else there are two things to look for in a young IOL prospect, toughness, and power. Saluda Trails [player_tooltip player_id='1360325' first='Malachi' last='Watson'] checks both boxes in spades.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Technique is a skill that comes with time, however Watson is well above his peers in that regard. But his best ability is just how mean he is as a blocker, able to move up in the run game and block at the second level, and stand his ground firmly in pass pro.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1301740"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-678126d95cd06"} --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In 2025 RB Rasean Brown was selected to the UA Next 2025 All-American Game, representing Team Unstopable.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Standing at 5'7 Brown is smaller than most kids his age height wise, but he makes up for that by being much faster and shiftier than anyone he plays agaisnt.&nbsp;<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Brown perfectly fits the mold of the new age tailback, quick acceleration, big play ability, and most importantly the ability to catch out of the backfield. His sure fire hands as a check down option will make him a quarterbacks best friend at the next level.&nbsp;<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->