2025 Preview: Greer Yellow Jackets

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Greer had a strange season in 2024. The Yellow Jackets battled injuries and attrition, and still came up with the program's first win over Byrnes in 2000 and a chance to win a region title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year, the Yellow Jackets have guys who gained valuable experience, nine starters back on defense, and a healthy offense ready to roll.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"We had a good year last year," Greer DL coach Marco Jones said. "We're looking to the senior leadership we have this year. We've got around 20 seniors on the team this year, with nine starters returning on defense this year. They know the expectations. They know the history of the school and the program, and they know what it takes. Right now, we just need to get it on the field and get to display it."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those nine starters back on the defensive side of the ball can go. Among them is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1405166' first='Aiden' last='Jones']</strong>, a disruptive monster on the DL. Jones is the marquee name, but the Yellow Jackets are strong up front across the board. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1405194' first='Paden' last='Armstrong']</strong> is another three-year starter on the DL, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734653' first='Lewis' last='Bussey']</strong> another returner up front and <strong>Anius Smith</strong> moving into a starting role. Jones, Armstrong, and Bussey combined for an eye-popping 52 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and 42 hurries last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I don't really have to say a lot to them," Jones said of his position group. "They know what needs to be done."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1405166' first='Aiden' last='Jones'] said that going against a top-flight offensive line coached by Greer head coach Will Young in the Yellow Jackets' best-on-best period is a key to the DL's success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"It helps prepare us physically and mentally," he said. "Having to go against those guys, and having Coach Young scheming against us, it really just makes us better every rep."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734552' first='Sammy' last='White']</strong> is back at LB to lead the defense, with<strong> Quay Wilson</strong> beside him starting full-time for the first time. <strong>Chase Free</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734657' first='Noel' last='Sitton']</strong> will lead a fast, active defensive backfield. Newcomers AJ Jackson and Cortez </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On offense, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1757028' first='Dallas' last='Williams']</strong> and <strong>Nathan Huff </strong>bring size and experience, and are expected to anchor the offensive line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"They understand what Coach Young expects," Jones said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"He teaches us everything, and he's seen everything," Williams said. "And we use it all."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yellow Jackets will have a new QB at the helm of the offense, as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1672932' first='Dawson' last='Fowler']</strong> takes the reins. <strong>Tucker Hudson</strong> and <strong>Mike Williams</strong>, a couple of big-play threats, will be among his top targets. Williams was the team's leading receiver a year ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734552' first='Sammy' last='White']</strong> LB, 2026 - White is a force on defense for the Yellow Jackets, and one of the leaders of a very good LB group. He had 78 tackles with 11 for loss a year ago, along with three sacks, seven hurries, an interception and a forced fumble. Greer's front four are so good, White and the other guys at LB have tons of chances to run around and make plays. That's something he excels at.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1734657' first='Noel' last='Sitton']</strong> DB, 2026 - Sitton, likewise, had a fantastic junior season with 44 tackles and two tackles for loss. He was also a virtual no-fly zone, with four picks and four more pass deflections. Those numbers will likely see a decrease, because when a guy's as good as Sitton, you just don't throw it over there. He doesn't have to pick off passes or knock them down to make Greer better - but it's a safe bet that he will.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1757028' first='Dallas' last='Williams']</strong> OL, 2026 - If everybody followed Greer football closely, we could just write "this guy is a Will Young offensive lineman" and be done with it. But for those who need explanation, he's physical, strong, and plays with a nasty streak. He's also very technically proficient while being all of those things, something that Young demands and something that Greer OL take pride in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1405194' first='Paden' last='Armstrong']</strong> DL, 2026 - Greer's "swarm and sting" defense is predicated on getting pressure with the defensive line. Armstrong is a key part of that pressure. Last year's 11 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and eight hurries only tell part of the story. Armstrong's length, skill, and ability to collapse the edge funnels a lot of plays back toward his teammates. Greer had a pair of LBs combine for 160 tackles and 20 tackles for loss last season, and Armstrong deserves some credit for a bunch of those.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1405166' first='Aiden' last='Jones']</strong> DL, 2026 - Watching Jones' film is a reward for Greer on Saturday morning, and nightmare fuel for opponents on Sunday afternoon. He's the guy you've got to account for in your game plan, but the question is how. Nobody seems to have quite figured that out. His 76 tackles are borderline absurd for a DL, and that's before you throw in 27 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and 26 hurries. Jones makes Greer's defense go. Good luck blocking him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17404484/67844c1f9a7f3cced9c1b57e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-687b8cac9a7f7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nick Holmes</strong> RB - Holmes was Greer's biggest offensive threat in 2024. He rushed for nearly 1,400 yards and 19 touchdowns, adding another score on a receiving TD. Holmes' style suited the Yellow Jackets' offense perfectly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brody Diggins</strong> RB - An active, physical LB, Diggins led the Yellow Jackets in tackles with 82, adding nine tackles for loss and four sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tucker Hudson</strong> WR, 2026 - Hudson has put in the work to emerge as one of the Yellow Jackets' threats in the passing game, and should give Fowler a go-to target.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anius Smith</strong> DL, 2027 - On a deep, veteran defensive line, the fact that Smith is poised to step into a spot says a lot about his play, and about the expectations Greer's coaches have for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1672932"],"_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-687b9ba27681c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fowler spent most of last year running Greer's JV offense, and now he's got a chance to step into the varsity role and keep it for a while. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fowler's tall and still growing. He throws a pretty ball, particularly on deep and intermediate routes. He's got the rare ability to bring a different dimension to Greer, as his arm strength and athleticism can take the top off a defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/21856566/6732634f2d1f23f3e9fd36b4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-687b9ba27684b"} /-->