Breaking Down The 2024 Rankings (Part 3)
In this article:
The release of our initial Class of 2024 rankings warrants some explanation of how this first crop of players for the age level made the cut. Simply, it’s about what we’ve seen and where we think they’re going. Over the…
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Continue ReadingThe release of our initial Class of 2024 rankings warrants some explanation of how this first crop of players for the age level made the cut.
Simply, it’s about what we’ve seen and where we think they’re going.
Over the next three years, this list will grow and evolve, as players boost their worth to not only their own high schools, but the colleges they may end up calling home. For now, those, they’ve given us every reason to believe what we’ve seen so far is only the beginning.
Jordan Boyd Jordan Boyd 6'3" | 215 lbs | DL Silver Bluff | 2024 State SC , TE, Silver Bluff (Pictured)
Big wing spans at the freshman level mean potential growth (at-best) and position changes (at-worst). Boyd is the type of player who is drawing eyes because because a 6-foot-3 freshman who can catch passes or rush the passer doesn’t come along every day. At Silver Bluff, he’s going to create match-up problems as a pass-catcher and likely rush the passer with ease.
Jyron Waiters Jyron Waiters 5'11" | 180 lbs | WR Wilson | 2024 State SC , WR, Wilson
Waiters plays in the toughest region in Class 4A football in the state, and he’s also going to get a steady diet of high-quality non-region opponents in 2021. And, yet, his chances of standing out as a receiver who can handle his own against all those DBs means something. He may not always put up big numbers, but his chances for stardom are there.
Jimmar Boston Jimmar Boston 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Westside | 2024 State SC , WR, Westside
The third member of Westside’s skill-position freshman triad played four games in 2020 – as a starter – and caught seven passes for 127 yards and three touchdowns. He’s already got senior-level size (6-foot, 170 pounds) and an inside-out ability worth of consideration. Boston’s targets about to shoot through the roof, even if he’s not the Rams’ top target.
Josiah Thompson Josiah Thompson 6'7" | 290 lbs | OL Dillon | 2024 State SC , OL, Dillon
More than one or two coaches who are charged with playing Dillon have already noted how Thompson is going to be a handful for the next three years. They note his 6-foot-6, 290-pound frame, of course, but his skill set is equally impressive. Thompson doesn’t rely on his weight alone, moving his feet and getting into position to block multiple defenders.
Matthew Wilson Matthew Wilson 6'1" | 200 lbs | QB Rock Hill | 2024 State SC , QB, Rock Hill
The quarterback of Rock Hill’s immediate future definitely got his feet wet last fall. Wilson completed better than 50 percent of his passes for more than 400 yards. And while Bearcats weren’t very good (they finished without a victory in the pandemic-shortened season), getting Wilson ready for the coming years was a huge first step toward recovery.