2025 Preview: West Ashley Wildcats

There are teams dealing with new faces heading into the 2025 season.    And then there's however you would describe what's happened at West Ashley over the last several months.    The biggest change, of course, was bringing in first-time head coach Rashad Graham, previously the defensive coordinator at Boiling Springs after serving as a defensive assistant at North Myrtle Beach during the Chiefs' 2020 state runner-up season. But Graham was only the tip of the changes iceberg with the Wildcats.   Behind the likes of offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1295662' first='Matthew' last='Atkinson'] and defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='367827' first='Bristol' last='Biegenzahn'] - two players who entered this week with at least nine college offers each - stands scores of inexperienced varsity players, most of whom were on the West Ashley junior varsity squad last fall.    And, yet?   “There's a high expectation and everyone believes that. It's a big difference,” 2027 linebacker Spencer Rockers said. “We have unlimited potential.”   Rockers (pictured) and the rest of the bunch have reason for optimism, no matter how little varsity playing time this bunch brings to the table.   And it's all about competition and strong numbers.    Graham can look to players like Dorian Bond at nose tackle or Brady Whetzel at safety (someone Graham referred to as one of the best at the position he's been around) or the competition between quarterbacks Chase Townes or [player_tooltip player_id='1646857' first='Gibbs' last='Isom'] at quarterback and see the opportunities for the next wave of players to make a difference immediately.    “We're transitioning to where I'm expecting [players to be] and what I want. But you never really know until you know,” Graham said. “Just feeling it in a game will be the last little bit that makes it surreal. But the spring game was a really cool time. We separated the staff and had a really good showing and really good support. I stood back and took it all in.”   This won't be a one-season rush to glory. After all, West Ashley has won more than six games in a season just one time in the 24 years since the school opened. But for a coach looking for building blocks, he's certainly got those.    STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1295662' first='Matthew' last='Atkinson'] OL, 2026 - We initially added Atkinson to our rankings last year while he was playing center. And while he likely transitions back to position at some point in his career, his blocking ability and 6-foot-3, 315-pound frame gives him the power to play anywhere on the line. This time around, he's going to start off at left    [player_tooltip player_id='367827' first='Bristol' last='Biegenzahn'] DL, 2026 - The team's undeniable defensive leader, Biegenzahn has been a consistent name in the recruiting charts this fall. He ultimately verbally committed to Elon after drawing 11 different college offers from up and down the East Coast. At 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, there's no reason he should be a highly productive edge rusher one more time for West Ashley.   [player_tooltip player_id='473031' first='D'Anthony' last='Coleman'] RB, 2026 - After missing the majority of the last two seasons, Coleman is back with the Wildcats and looking like a strong contender to become the focal point of this offense. He's going to be asked to run the ball, catch an occasional pass and be a constant contributor for an offense that is replacing a ton.   Spencer Rockers LB, 2027 - One of the newest faces that you're going to likely hear a decent amount this year (and next) will belong to Rockers. He's going to be making the jump from the JV ranks but is already slated to start at the weak side linebacker spot. His ability to cover a lot of ground will come in handy as West Ashley continues to develop its trenches.    FILM REVIEW   Josh Bradley WR, 2027 - West Ashley had a near-singular focus when throwing the ball in 2024, so the looks for others were few and far between. But in Bradley, the Wildcats will have a player who spent a good chunk of the season on the field and who made his targets count. He's got 21-mile-per-hour speed, great jumping ability and no worries about hauling in passes in traffic.     BIGGEST LOSSES   David Dounian QB - The dual-threat signal caller rushed for team-leading 650 yards and 12 touchdowns while also throwing for another 481 yards and four scores last fall before graduating. He also also the team's second-leading receiver in spot duty on the outside.   Davion Kinard-Taylor DL - The electric edge rusher tacked on another 21 tackles for loss to his career ledger as a senior. He also had seven sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.    UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL (PLEASE NOTE BOTTOM PLAYER)   Nick Reynolds TE, 2026 - The West Ashley offense is probably going to look rather vanilla this year as the new systems are put into place. And with Coleman looking like he's going to get a bulk of the touches, blocking will be even more vital. Enter Reynolds who gives the Wildcats another helmet up front to spring holes and catch the occasional pass.    Sha'quan Mulligan OL, 2028 - Mulligan played JV ball a season ago north of 270 pounds, and the taller he gets, the more potential he has to turn his first season as a varsity starter this fall into a three-year gig. He's slated to start at right tackle after playing a ton of guard last year. He can move and tends to finish off his blocks with some authority.     Williams hasn't locked down a starting spot just yet, but you better believe he's going to get more than his fair share of snaps this fall. Between the depleted roster and his own abilities, there's little to believe he won't get reps galore.   He can jump in at either safety spot and we wouldn't be surprised to see him playing some corner in a pinch, either.

There are teams dealing with new faces heading into the 2025 season.