2025 Preview: North Augusta Yellow Jackets

While a solid chunk of the programs across the state are still answering the big questions, North Augusta is tinkering.   The Yellow Jackets bring back eight offensive starters and six on the defense, and most of the gaps were already long since taken care of in advance of the June 7-on-7 slate and definitely prior to the start of preseason camp, which will open July 31.    We mention that first, because all those returning standouts will be going into 2025 with the motivation of being so close to their ultimate goal.    “It's like a little pin needle. You try to sit down and get comfortable, but there's something there so you really can't,” offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1251916' first='Malcolm' last='Gaston'] said last week during the Prep RedZone Media Day at Westwood. “You've always got to keep straining. We were so close and we didn't pay close attention to details so we didn't get it right. It's a reminder to pay close attention to those details.”   Gaston, of course, is referring to the Yellow Jackets' Class 4A Lower State championship game loss at home to South Florence. North Augusta jumped out to a 20-0 first-quarter lead in that game before the Bruins scored 27 unanswered to advance to Orangeburg.   Head coach Richard Bush said moments after that the loss would hurt for a while. However, pain quickly turned into motivation. And motivation stacked on this type of talent could mean even more for the Jackets.   Gaston and tailback [player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Mike' last='Doe'] will be joined by fellow 2024 stars [player_tooltip player_id='1592679' first='Zeddius' last='Tillman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='617719' first='Donte' last='Bell'] (defensive back), receivers [player_tooltip player_id='1734528' first='Toian' last='Nabriat'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1734538' first='Isaiah' last='Smith'] and a trio of experienced defensive linemen in [player_tooltip player_id='1536398' first='Simeon' last='Jones'] [player_tooltip player_id='1214944' first='Davion' last='McKinnis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1811094' first='Josh' last='Simpkins'].   There's also experienced Silver Bluff transfer [player_tooltip player_id='816737' first='Cam'Ron' last='Frazier'] and four other seniors joining Gaston on the line. [player_tooltip player_id='1643820' first='Seth' last='Short'] (LT), Travon Reed (LG), Ceasar Grant (RG) and John Burke (RT) average out to 6-foot-1 and 256, even before Gaston's huge frame is factored into the mix.    Junior kicker Jacob Degennaro will also be back after nearly finishing 2024 perfect on his PATs and field goals. Yes, from top to bottom, North Augusta has a claim to being among the best programs in Class 4A heading into season. What the Yellow Jackets do with that talent and potential is TBD.   “We know we're going to be everybody's target,” Bush said. “Building off last year's success, everyone knows who we are and who's coming back. That's what you want. They were working for that.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Mike' last='Doe'] RB, 2026 - One of the state's most productive tailbacks from last fall verbally committed to Gardner-Webb earlier in the week after sailing past 2,000 yards last fall rushing and receiving. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield or split out wide makes him a difficult assignment from one play to the next.    [player_tooltip player_id='1251916' first='Malcolm' last='Gaston'] OL, 2026 (pictured) - Despite a hectic final phase of his recruiting window that has seen some twists and turns, the 6-foot-4, 340-pound Gaston should finish out his North Augusta career as one of the elite linemen in South Carolina. This fall, he's going to be making at least a temporary move to center after previously playing mostly at tackle.   [player_tooltip player_id='1536398' first='Simeon' last='Jones'] DL, 2027 - Make no mistake about Jones's ability: He's a budding star at the nose guard spot and the All-Region IV-4A honorable mention nod he received as a sophomore is likely going to feel like small potatoes very soon. He's got a huge reach and doesn't give an inch against his 310 pounds.    [player_tooltip player_id='1811094' first='Josh' last='Simpkins'] DL, 2027 - Simpkins will start at one of the team's defensive tackle spots in the Yellow Jackets' 3-4 outside Jones and between he and [player_tooltip player_id='1214944' first='Davion' last='McKinnis'] North Augusta will have no shortage of size up front. Simpkins is 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds and - also like Jones - has a ton of upper and lower body strength to clog up the trenches against opposing rushing attacks.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1734528' first='Toian' last='Nabriat'] WR, 2026 - After losing an all-state receiver, there's really little question where North Augusta will turn with the top spot. Nabriat made a smooth transition to the football field from hoops and showed much of the same athleticism that made him a solid basketball player. He's got great hands and at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds has little issue fending off defenders to make catches in traffic. Once in the open field, Nabriat is excellent at opening up his stride to max out his 21.65 mile-per-hour speed.     BIGGEST LOSSES   Corey Tillman QB - The Citadel signee completed 59 percent of his passes for 2,100 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior.    Connor Brown WR - The Class 4A All-State and Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas selection signed with Wofford in February after hauling in more than 500 yards worth of passes.    UP-AND-COMING TALENT   Derrick Thurmond LB, 2027 - The outside linebacker didn't play the entire 2024 season, but he made enough appearances to kickstart his own offseason plans. That now includes a starting spot at outside backer in the Yellow Jackets' 3-4 defense.    [player_tooltip player_id='1811107' first='Javon' last='Ryans'] LB, 2027 - Another part-timer from last fall has climbed the ranks, as Ryans will be starting at one of the team's two middle linebacker spots next to senior Nigh Quiller. Ryans is 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds and should be effective immediately.     Tillman is still locked into a battle for the QB one spot with AJ Hillary and it likely won't be settled for weeks, if not well into the season. But much like we saw last year when Tillman's big brother was starting, he's likely to see playing time either way. In 2024, he threw for 219 yards and a touchdown.

While a solid chunk of the programs across the state are still answering the big questions, North Augusta is tinkering.

The Yellow Jackets bring back eight offensive starters and six on the defense, and most of the gaps were already long since taken care of in advance of the June 7-on-7 slate and definitely prior to the start of preseason camp, which will open July 31.

We mention that first, because all those returning standouts will be going into 2025 with the motivation of being so close to their ultimate goal.

“It's like a little pin needle. You try to sit down and get comfortable, but there's something there so you really can't,” offensive lineman Malcolm Gaston Malcolm Gaston 6'4" | 340 lbs | OL North Augusta | 2026 State SC said last week during the Prep RedZone Media Day at Westwood. “You've always got to keep straining. We were so close and we didn't pay close attention to details so we didn't get it right. It's a reminder to pay close attention to those details.”

Gaston, of course, is referring to the Yellow Jackets' Class 4A Lower State championship game loss at home to South Florence. North Augusta jumped out to a 20-0 first-quarter lead in that game before the Bruins scored 27 unanswered to advance to Orangeburg.

Head coach Richard Bush said moments after that the loss would hurt for a while. However, pain quickly turned into motivation. And motivation stacked on this type of talent could mean even more for the Jackets.

There's also experienced Silver Bluff transfer Cam’Ron Frazier Cam’Ron Frazier 6'1" | 180 lbs | ATH North Augusta | 2026 State SC and four other seniors joining Gaston on the line. Seth Short Seth Short 6'3" | 255 lbs | OL SC (LT), Travon Reed (LG), Ceasar Grant (RG) and John Burke (RT) average out to 6-foot-1 and 256, even before Gaston's huge frame is factored into the mix.

Junior kicker Jacob Degennaro will also be back after nearly finishing 2024 perfect on his PATs and field goals. Yes, from top to bottom, North Augusta has a claim to being among the best programs in Class 4A heading into season. What the Yellow Jackets do with that talent and potential is TBD.

“We know we're going to be everybody's target,” Bush said. “Building off last year's success, everyone knows who we are and who's coming back. That's what you want. They were working for that.”

STARS SET TO SHINE

Mike Doe Mike Doe 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB North Augusta | 2026 State SC RB, 2026 - One of the state's most productive tailbacks from last fall verbally committed to Gardner-Webb earlier in the week after sailing past 2,000 yards last fall rushing and receiving. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield or split out wide makes him a difficult assignment from one play to the next.

Malcolm Gaston Malcolm Gaston 6'4" | 340 lbs | OL North Augusta | 2026 State SC OL, 2026 (pictured) - Despite a hectic final phase of his recruiting window that has seen some twists and turns, the 6-foot-4, 340-pound Gaston should finish out his North Augusta career as one of the elite linemen in South Carolina. This fall, he's going to be making at least a temporary move to center after previously playing mostly at tackle.

Simeon Jones Simeon Jones 6'1" | 325 lbs | DL North Augusta | 2027 State SC DL, 2027 - Make no mistake about Jones's ability: He's a budding star at the nose guard spot and the All-Region IV-4A honorable mention nod he received as a sophomore is likely going to feel like small potatoes very soon. He's got a huge reach and doesn't give an inch against his 310 pounds.

Josh Simpkins Josh Simpkins 6'2" | 245 lbs | DL/OL North Augusta | 2027 State SC DL, 2027 - Simpkins will start at one of the team's defensive tackle spots in the Yellow Jackets' 3-4 outside Jones and between he and Davion McKinnis Davion McKinnis 6'1" | 275 lbs | DL North Augusta | 2026 State SC North Augusta will have no shortage of size up front. Simpkins is 6-foot-2 and 245 pounds and - also like Jones - has a ton of upper and lower body strength to clog up the trenches against opposing rushing attacks.

FILM REVIEW

Toian Nabriat Toian Nabriat 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR North Augusta | 2026 State SC WR, 2026 - After losing an all-state receiver, there's really little question where North Augusta will turn with the top spot. Nabriat made a smooth transition to the football field from hoops and showed much of the same athleticism that made him a solid basketball player. He's got great hands and at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds has little issue fending off defenders to make catches in traffic. Once in the open field, Nabriat is excellent at opening up his stride to max out his 21.65 mile-per-hour speed.

BIGGEST LOSSES

Corey Tillman QB - The Citadel signee completed 59 percent of his passes for 2,100 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior.

Connor Brown WR - The Class 4A All-State and Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas selection signed with Wofford in February after hauling in more than 500 yards worth of passes.

UP-AND-COMING TALENT

Derrick Thurmond LB, 2027 - The outside linebacker didn't play the entire 2024 season, but he made enough appearances to kickstart his own offseason plans. That now includes a starting spot at outside backer in the Yellow Jackets' 3-4 defense.

Javon Ryans Javon Ryans 5'10" | 200 lbs | LB North Augusta | 2027 State SC LB, 2027 - Another part-timer from last fall has climbed the ranks, as Ryans will be starting at one of the team's two middle linebacker spots next to senior Nigh Quiller. Ryans is 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds and should be effective immediately.