2023 Rankings: Stock Risers
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As with any major addition to the Prep Red Zone rankings, some players were bound to make a significant jump. The following seven did just that more than the rest of the bunch. This crop of offensive and defensive standouts…
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Continue ReadingAs with any major addition to the Prep Red Zone rankings, some players were bound to make a significant jump.
The following seven did just that more than the rest of the bunch.
This crop of offensive and defensive standouts have made significant strides since the end of the 2020 season, both developmentally and in terms of recruiting. And their new spots in our Class of 2023 rankings reflect that.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The players with a “+” next to their name were previously unranked, meaning we credited them a move from the last possible spot of the initial Class of 2023 rankings we released in January.
Monteque Rhames Monteque Rhames 6'6" | 230 lbs | DL Manning | 2023 State SC , DL, Sumter (↑ 21+ spots)
The 2021 Gamecocks schedule is going to be a bear – it’s loaded with other Class 5A non-region games that will draw plenty of attention. We expect the 6-foot-6, 230-pound Rhames to be one of the biggest match-ups to watch week in and out, regardless of who Sumter is playing.
Thomas Williams Thomas Williams 5'11" | 170 lbs | RB Powdersville | 2023 State SC , RB, Powdersville (↑ 10 spots)
The 5-foot-11, 170-pound tailback rushed for better than 9 yards per carry, scored 18 total touchdowns and continued to improve as the 2020 campaign progressed. He’s part of a loaded running back class, but he’s also one of the best at catching the ball out of the backfield.
Jaylen Foster Jaylen Foster 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Emerald | 2023 State SC , RB, Emerald (↑ 9 spots)
Speaking of stat-stuffing running backs, Foster (5-foot-10, 185 pounds) went off last season for 1,075 rushing yards in just seven games. Emerald relies on the shifty player off the wing, in split sets and also more traditional formations. It’s why defenses have such a hard time against him.
Bryce Smith Bryce Smith 6'4" | 265 lbs | OL Daniel | 2023 State SC , OL, Daniel (↑ 9+ spots)
While we were all busy staring at all the skill position players who made the Daniel offense one of the best ever in the state last fall, we overlooked Smith, a 6-foot-4, 265-pound lineman who simply doesn’t miss blocks or assignments. He’s got good size and excellent footwork.
Kazi Bland Kazi Bland 6'0" | 225 lbs | LB Southside | 2023 State SC , LB, Southside (↑ 8 spots)
Also a candidate for the all-name team, Bland (6-foot, 225 pounds) is a match-up nightmare for opposing coordinators because he shifts from the middle of the defense to the line, even occasionally squaring up from the tackle position. He’s probably more of a long-term linebacker, but what Southside does with him works just fine for now.
TJ Wilson TJ Wilson 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB Ashley Ridge | 2023 State SC , LB, Ashley Ridge (↑ 7 spots)
Wilson (6-foot, 215 pounds) is a hit-stick tackler who covers the middle of the defense with equal parts power and field vision. And what we really like is his ability to disrupt at the line and behind it. Running backs who make one wrong move tend to end up in his grasp, and Wilson isn’t one to let those mistakes pass.
LaNorris Sellers LaNorris Sellers 6'3" | 215 lbs | QB South Florence | 2023 State SC , QB, South Florence (↑ 7+ spots)
Schools have been buying on Sellers all offseason, as the Bruins’ quarterback has made all the right moves. And thanks to one-part attrition and one-part improvement, Sellers’ stock will rise among the talented crop of Region VI-4A signal callers.