Biggest Offseason Storylines in Class 5A Division II

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The smaller side of Class 5A football should provide for an exciting spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've already seen transfers affecting the landscape, one that was going to be turbulent at times, no matter what. What we're also preparing for is the window between March and the end of June, when combines, the open session, more combines and then spring ball and 7-on-7 leagues take center stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a division of the Palmetto State where quarterbacks will quickly become a major talking point. But who is suiting up at QB1 is only part of what we're watching like hawks over the next few months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Quarterbacks, Quarterbacks, Quarterbacks&nbsp;</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of the signal callers of the final four teams competing for last season's state title, only Gaffney's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284134' first='Jayvon' last='Gilmore']</strong> (pictured) will be back in uniform. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northwestern's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='241044' first='Finley' last='Polk']</strong> (Gardner-Webb) is gone, with multiple players competing to take over. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272713' first='AJ' last='Brand']</strong> (Virginia Tech) leaves a similar situation at Irmo And while White Knoll's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='346199' first='Landon' last='Sharpe']</strong> (Presbyterian) appears to have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1732517' first='Jhais' last='Mckiever'] </strong>leading the way to replace him, nothing is set in stone.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those three high-powered quarterbacks' departures means we're about to get much more acquainted with some players who started to exhibit some significant skill in 2024, if not earlier.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In two seasons at Berkeley, 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1036733' first='Henry' last='Rivers'] has thrown and rushed for 5,700 combined yards and 59 touchdowns. His offseason got a little more interesting last week when James Island 2028 receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1016577' first='Elijah' last='Mitchell']</strong> transferred in to play for the Stags. Mitchell gives Rivers a big target after Berkeley lost its top three receivers from last fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the Upstate, Region I-5A will give fans every reason to pay attention over the coming months.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greenwood's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639712' first='Triston' last='Lewis']</strong> will be using his offseason to build upon a nice junior year in which he threw for 1,444 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for another 843 and 11. Hillcrest's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604046' first='Jackson' last='Free']</strong> will heading into the spring as the full-time starter after going for 1,144 yards and 14 touchdowns in a split role during his sophomore season. And Greenville's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1403906' first='Banks' last='Bouton']</strong> (2,253 yards, 18 touchdowns) will have the next few months to adjust to incoming coach Scoot Watson.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In nearby Region II-5A, Riverside's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='463113' first='Gideon' last='Merhib']</strong> (1,925 yards, 28 touchdowns) enters his first offseason as the team's expected starter. The Warriors had high hopes for him a year ago but couldn't have foreseen it went as well as it did. Developing <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734598' first='Peyton' last='Schrader']</strong> at Eastside is a priority for the Eagles, as the dual-threat quarterback is now a focal point on an offense full of rising juniors and senior. In the fall, he stepped int at the position and threw for 749 yards while rushing for another 470.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An absolutely loaded Indian Land squad will again ask 2028 quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1467825' first='Matt' last='Kucia']</strong> to corral all that talent. Having him actually on campus this spring should do wonders for his development and rapport with the likes of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036748' first='Sequel' last='Patterson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592288' first='Jamol' last='Horton']</strong> and plenty of other dangerous skill guys.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Socastee's<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1429140' first='Christian' last='Royals']</strong> and St. James' <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267347' first='Alex' last='Sandt']</strong> will both face even more expectations this spring as rising seniors despite playing different versions of the position. Royals is often asked to lead with his legs, while Sandt is a pass-first guy who relies on his strong right arm.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That leads us to some expected spring “starters” or those with the pole position for various jobs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Myrtle Beach's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672909' first='Camden' last='DeBruhl']</strong> is moving up from the junior varsity ranks and will get first crack at running Mickey Wilson's offense this spring. <strong>Brock Smith</strong> is the expected replacement for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro']</strong> at Chapin after throwing for 365 yards in reserve duty last fall. <strong>Will Griggs</strong> is in the same boat at Catawba Ridge after occasionally spelling <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1574007' first='CJ' last='Couch']</strong> in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First-year Nation Ford coach Jake Bentley is expecting his quarterback competition to come down to <strong>Emmanuel Young</strong> or <strong>Asher Beck</strong> - a pair of players looking to replace <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1575359' first='Carson' last='Sanford']</strong> (2,148 yards, 21 touchdowns).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Managing the Here and Now vs. the Future</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A number of players inside the division are going to have to manage the potential distractions of their recruiting cycles this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gaffney's Gilmore has already verbally committed to Arkansas, while teammate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212409' first='Scottland' last='Dover']</strong> did the same with Appalachian State. However, most of the top prospects from Class 5A, Division II are still wide open - meaning they're simultaneously exploring options and pursing offers from schools who have yet to offer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gaffney tailback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473029' first='Jaiden' last='McDowell']</strong> (nine offers) will be hoping to show everyone he's fully healthy again after missing much of 2024. Berkeley's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165076' first='Marcus' last='Henderson']</strong> has had two huge seasons but is also fighting concerns from potential colleges over his 5-foot-9 frame.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White Knoll athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025815' first='Caleb' last='Geronomi']</strong> is a two-way starter who will be expected to be the team's top receiver and defensive back, a relative rarity at this level. He's got a pair of offers, with others probably close to pulling the trigger.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northwestern receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267334' first='Kameron' last='Vance']</strong> lost Polk to graduation, but his style of play could be exactly what a team breaking in a new starting quarterback needs. In the meantime, he's starting to pick up some traction in the recruiting game and this role should help expand that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the month of February was an indication, Riverside's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402507' first='Somad' last='Eaddy']</strong> will have plenty to think about this spring. He picked up offers from Boston College, Ball State and Charlotte to go along with a bunch he had previously.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goose Creek's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473027' first='Meliq' last='McGowan']</strong> was already going to have an interesting offseason, given his return from an injury that sidelined him for much of 2024 and his recruitment. Even with the loss of games, he's considered one of the state's top recruits. Earlier this month, it all got a little more interesting when six players - including starting quarterback <strong>Kymani Clary</strong> and top receivers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1061146' first='Teru' last='Davis']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402495' first='Jaylin' last='Grant']</strong> - transferred out of the program. Four of the transfers have moved to different in-state programs, while Clary and his younger brother moved to Alabama.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chapin offensive tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395031' first='Caden' last='Muskus']</strong> will have to juggle a similar situation at Chapin, albeit one brought about mostly by graduations, not transfers. His first real wave of recruiting interest has come since the end of last season. Appalachian State, Liberty, The Citadel and Gardner-Webb have all offered in 2025, and we think more are coming prior to spring ball starting in May.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This division is also chock full of 2027s who aren't simply considered college prospects, but the guys whose cycle is advanced enough that we consider them full-fledged national recruits.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Indian Land's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036748' first='Sequel' last='Patterson']</strong> and Irmo's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='755914' first='Jaiden' last='Bryant']</strong> are both not only inside the Prep RedZone Class of 2027 top 10, they have offer sheets that already include multiple Power 4 programs. Bryant's includes Florida State, North Carolina and South Carolina, among others. Patterson already has offers from those three and another dozen or so.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Catawba Ridge defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422524' first='Josh' last='Dobson']</strong> and White Knoll defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172366' first='Tyrone' last='Jennings']</strong> aren't far behind, and this spring could be their ticket to a wide open college offer list.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Five Unranked Players To Watch</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it comes to Class 5A, Division II, we already have a lengthy list of those we'll be evaluating prior to the next rankings cycle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We think five in particular have already seen their situations get to a point where this spring could be huge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greenville defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664361' first='John' last='Conners']</strong> not only got hurt midway through the regular season, he then got sick and needed to miss more time. With him back to 100 percent, we expect to see more of what we did during his first three varsity games. During that span, he had 11 tackles, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Myrtle Beach receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664545' first='JJ' last='Brown']</strong> saw his progression into his sophomore season slowed at the beginning of the year due to an ankle injury. However, once he was fully healed, we saw a constant deep threat who also knows how to work the sideline.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664489' first='Ayden' last='Montgomery']</strong> was a lightly used receiver for Daniel during his sophomore season last fall. However, he showed glimpses of some big-play potential. Now, after transferring to Gaffney, we're excited to see how he works in on an offense full of established stars. He could be a big wild card for the Indians right away.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lugoff-Elgin linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639661' first='Fernando' last='Simuel']</strong> is a solid spring away from an explosive senior season. He's already taken on a major leadership role and has the type of production to back it up. Keep your eyes peeled for him during the combines and spring ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TL Hanna athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1664203' first='Travonne' last='Johnson']</strong> saw the field in a number of ways last fall, primarily as a receiver and defensive back. As he prepares for his junior year, his role probably will only continue to expand as the Yellow Jackets make even more use of his abilities.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->