2027 Rankings: QBs Developing With Experience

We've spent large chunks of the last 18 months detailing the progress of some known quarterback commodities from South Caroina's Class of 2027 Rankings.   Oceanside's [player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian'] chased his 2023 state playoff breakout run with an even better showing as a sophomore, when the Landsharks walked away from Orangeburg with another title. Berkeley's [player_tooltip player_id='1036733' first='Henry' last='Rivers'] reaffirmed he's the best dual-threat quarterback in the class, having added another 800 rushing yards and 2000 passing yards to his career ledger. And Ridge View's [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'] continues to prove that his relative lack of pure height now is of little consequence to his ever-growing production value.   Those established stars, however, only tell one small part of the story when it comes to how the 2027 quarterback class is shaping up here in the Palmetto State. We often remind ourselves that this is still a young crew charged with big asks. But the foundation for a strong graduating class of quarterbacks two years from now is there.   Let's first start with a global view.    READY FOR THE NEXT JUMP?   [player_tooltip player_id='429920' first='Sam' last='Holliday'] Fountain Inn (pictured)   If you asked Siri to tell you about a prototypical high school linebacker, it may very well point you in the direction of Holliday. He's a shade over 5-foot-10 and a hair under 200 pounds. He maybe loves contact a bit more than a quarterback should, and his toughness factor is sky high. He rushed for 1,076 yards and 15 touchdowns by exhibiting that toughness. But how he continues to develop with his arm and if he throws for more than the 1,430 he did last year will ultimately open up more doors.   [player_tooltip player_id='463113' first='Gideon' last='Merhib'] Riverside   Merhib threw for 1,925 yards and 28 touchdowns last fall. He completed 59 percent of his passes. And he finished with only eight interceptions in 228 throws. Ready for the best part? He did much of that without his favorite target for two-thirds of the year. Given he's had the entire offseason to stay in a solid work flow and continue to develop with his two senior receivers, Merhib has the making of someone who could flirt with 3,000 passing yards.   [player_tooltip player_id='1581467' first='Brooks' last='Dow'] Pickens   Dow may look like he's much older than he is - being 6-foot-5 and 202 pounds will have that effect. But he was green beyond last fall when he threw for 943 yards and 10 touchdowns. As time progresses, his designed running plays should be more calculated and his need to scramble should decrease as he gains even more comfort in the pocket. All the signs point to his next big leap happening sooner rather than later.   [player_tooltip player_id='1664222' first='Derrick' last='Raniszewski'] Hilton Head   There is a lot to like about Raniszewski's game that we didn't get to see a lot of last fall, when the Seahawks made the most of a pair of talented tailbacks en route to a ball-control offense. Believe us that the skill set is most definitely there. Raniszewski will get to air it out a bit more than he has, and while he might sacrifice some efficiency (he completed 62 percent of his passes last fall), his volume should increase significantly.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603963' first='Mason' last='Evans'] Crescent   The Tigers were still running the ball more than twice as much as they threw it last fall, when Evans managed to go for 1,460 passing yards and 10 scores. Not only did that safety net still earn him another season of, well, seasoning. He cranked up a great connection with [player_tooltip player_id='1395080' first='Amiri' last='Acker'] - the team's speed-riffic receiver. The latter is going to get a lot of attention until he graduates, but Evans' relationship with the rest of the offense has expanded dramatically.    [player_tooltip player_id='1664364' first='Dwayne' last='Louallen'] Central   Louallen is every bit of 6-foot, 210 pounds. He's strong and initiates contact like a tailback when he elects to run. What that's done is cover up a strong right arm that hasn't yet been fully unveiled. Central has more weapons than it's had in some time, something that will continue to take some of the pressure off the Eagles' quarterback as prepares for just his second year reading defenses. Yes, the game should slow down even more.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603798' first='Jervaze' last='Salley'] Woodland   At times last fall, Salley and his older brother, Ja'Kease, turned the Woodland offense into an old-school version of back-yard ball that opponents struggled to defend. Now, with big brother off to college, Jervaze's own skill set comes more into the forefront. He's agile as all get up, can throw while rolling either direction or off his back foot and has the size to maintain a pocket presence.    [player_tooltip player_id='1603974' first='Franklin' last='Richardson'] Sumter   Richardson has the type of skills that make defensive coordinators traditionally charged with stopping the spread go nuts. He's a 5-foot-10, 215-pound quarterback in a running back's body. After all, he rushed for 984 yards and 11 touchdowns. But don't sleep on his arm. He threw 57 passes last year, and 15 of them went for touchdowns.     KEEP TABS ON…   [player_tooltip player_id='1344583' first='Brayden' last='Moore'] River Bluff   The quick-trigger lefty has a successful 2024 while playing behind a senior starter. Now, he's had an offseason as the presumed starter. The only question is how many snaps it takes him to eclipse his production from last fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1604028' first='Tyler' last='Harris'] Cross   What Harris added to the Trojans' offense via the passing the game during his sophomore year helped propell Cross back to another state championship game. He needs to cut down on his picks; that's something that should happen with experience.   [player_tooltip player_id='1407416' first='Aaron' last='Shealey'] Clover   During one stretch of last season, Shealey went six games without throwing an interception. That type of ball security will not only keep him on the field, it gives Clover every reason to expand what it asks him to do.

We've spent large chunks of the last 18 months detailing the progress of some known quarterback commodities from South Caroina's Class of 2027 Rankings.