Top Underclassmen From Weekend Of Champions

Other than a handful of all-stars games remaining, the 2024 season ended with the Weekend of Champions this past weekend. The Prep Red Zone staff were on hand for all six championship games and came away with several thoughts as we provided in-depth coverage of each individual game.   But before we close the book on this season, we wanted to look at several names from the weekend that you will want to be aware of going into the 2025 season. These underclassmen stood out to us on the biggest stage of all.   CLASS OF 2026   [player_tooltip player_id='1592650' first='Ethan' last='Cash'] OL, South Florence   When a team rushes for 361 yards in a champion-winning performance, something up front must be working right. Cash at right tackle was a huge reason for those yards and being able to control the time of possession from 38:45 to just 9:15. The Bruins converted eight-of-15 third and fourth down conversions and many of those were short yardage situations when they decided to run behind Cash. He is 6-foot-5, 340 pounds and can move well for someone that size. His power at the point of attack was critical and he could end up being a big-time prospect.   [player_tooltip player_id='1161156' first='Javen' last='Cook'] RB, Clinton   It's not by accident that you run for 1,917 yards and 21 touchdowns. Cook is on the smaller side at 5-foot-6, 150 pounds, but he is shifty and can make defenders miss in the open field. Despite his smaller frame, he can run between the tackles for tough yardage as well. We all know the Red Devils like to run the football as evidence of only throwing six passes in claiming the Class 2A state championship over Barnwell so Cook will be set up to have a monster senior season.      [player_tooltip player_id='816736' first='Terry' last='Gordon'] LB, South Florence   The fact the Bruins defense only played 28 plays is amazing in itself but Gordon was a leader either way. He was the second leading tackler with two, but his impact was still felt. He's a heady player that makes sure the defense is in the right position. He finished the season with 86 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and four sacks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1166986' first='Messiah' last='Jackson'] QB, South Florence   Jackson (pictured) is just a player that got better week by week this season. His coach, Drew Marlowe, raved about his work ethic and ability to continue learning. Jackson finished the season with over 2,000 yards passing and another 373 yards rushing but his decision-making and knack for the big play is uncanny. He accounted for five touchdowns in the 42-41 win over Westside that will go down in the annuals as one of the best state championship games in history. Jackson threw for three touchdowns and 134 yards and added 49 yards rushing with two touchdowns.   [player_tooltip player_id='1592182' first='Terence' last='Johnson'] ATH, Oceanside Collegiate   Johnson is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound athlete that will create a lot of matchup problems no matter where he lines up. In the 35-17 win over Belton-Honea Path, Johnson caught five passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. He's too fast to be matched up against a linebacker and too physical for a defensive back. He also plays defense but has a future as a pass-catcher.   Michael Jones DL/OL, Oceanside Collegiate   Jones is a monster on the line of scrimmage, regardless of what side of the ball it may be. He is 6-foot-2, 280 pounds and helped Oceanside Collegiate to pile up 368 yards of total offense in a 35-17 victory over Belton-Honea Path in the Class 3A state championship. The Bears came in with 34 sacks on the season but only got to the quarterback twice. He added six tackles and two tackles for loss on defense. The Landsharks held BHP to 250 yards of total offense and while [player_tooltip player_id='605525' first='Marquise' last='Henderson'] ran for 188 yards on 42 carries, Jones led a defensive front that had its way most of the afternoon.    [player_tooltip player_id='1734478' first='Cooper' last='Kafina'] QB, Summerville   We were not expecting to see much from Kafina this weekend but when [player_tooltip player_id='367350' first='Jaden' last='Cummings'] went down with an injury, the junior was pressed into action. He threw for 173 yards and a 77-yard touchdown pass and accounted for himself very well against a stingy Dutch Fork defense. Kafina showcased a strong right arm that could make throws over the middle as well as along the sidelines. He was pressured heavily but never let that rattle him despite the fact he only had 10 pass attempts on the season before Friday.     KJ Miles DB, Belton-Honea Path   Miles is an intriguing prospect at defensive back. He's only 5-foot-8 but has no issue making the big hit or covering a taller, speedy receiver. He plays under control and can turn from one side to the next quickly. He finished the state championship game with a team-leading six tackles, a 0.5 tackle for loss and an interception. He finishes the season with 67 tackles to go along with five interceptions, eight passes defended and a sack.   [player_tooltip player_id='473021' first='Caden' last='Ramsey'] ATH, Cross   Ramsey garners attention just by walking onto the football field and once the action begins, he doesn't disappoint. The 6-foot-5 two-way standout finished with three catches for 76 yards and a touchdown and added 11 tackles from his safety position on defense. We have Ramsey No. 4 in the 2026 Class and it's because his numbers leap off the charts. He led the state with 13 interceptions and had over 50 tackles. He also hauled in 40 passes for 749 yards and nine touchdowns. He's a combine warrior and his film backs up everything you see.     [player_tooltip player_id='1025776' first='Raleigh' last='Salters'], LB Dutch Fork   Salters was all over the football field against Summerville with 10 tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss. The hit he had late in the first quarter against the Green Wave could have been the hardest hit of the weekend. He played in the middle and has been responsible for guys being in the proper position all season. He is already a two-year starter and finished second on the team with 83 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. Salters added two interceptions and seven quarterback hurries to his resume.      [player_tooltip player_id='1592529' first='Julian' last='Walker'] DE, Dutch Fork   Walker seemed like he was unable to be blocked at times. He finished with six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks against Summerville. His late season emergence was an added bonus to an already strong Silver Foxes defense. Walker was the talk of people that had not seen the 6-foot-6, 244-pounder this season. His body type is what a Power 4 prospect looks like, and he is just scratching the surface on how good he can be. He finishes the season with 19 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1267200' first='Tamarion' last='Watkins'] DB, Northwestern   It was easy to see why the likes of Georgia and South Carolina have already offered the 6-foot-4 safety. Watkins has a large presence in the secondary and he sometimes plays more like a linebacker than a defensive back. He finished the game with seven tackles, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble early in the game. He finishes the season with over 70 tackles with 10 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three interceptions, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165096' first='Jaxx' last='Wilson'] LB, Westside   When your defense plays 75 plays, a defender will have a lot of opportunities to impress. Wilson had five tackles to finish with 77 tackles on the season, but he always seemed to be around the ball even if he wasn't credited with a tackle. He was able to shed blockers and find his way to the ball-carrier. He plays in the middle and is key for making a lot of the defensive calls so he's a heady, smart player that will likely be counted on heavily as a senior next year.   CLASS OF 2027   [player_tooltip player_id='1165753' first='Tre' last='Aiken'] OL, Clinton   We have Aiken as the third rated offensive lineman and 12th ranked prospect in the 2027 Class currently and he showed why with a dominating performance in the win over Barnwell. He is 6-foot-5, 275 pounds and plays with a nasty streak until the whistle blows. The Red Devils rushed for 312 yards and averaged nearly six yards per carry and a lot of those yards came running behind Aiken at right tackle. Aiken moves well for such a big guy, and he displayed tremendous footwork.       [player_tooltip player_id='1422604' first='Jailyn' last='Broughton'] OL/DL, Cross   It's not often you see a two-way starter on the line of scrimmage, but Broughton did it for the Trojans. His seven tackles were second on the team in the loss to Abbeville and he dominated from his right tackle position. The 6-foot, 215-pound sophomore had over 90 tackles and one of the main reasons for that is his quick first step. And once he becomes engaged with a defender as a blocker, he usually wins the battle. It will be interesting to watch his development on both sides of the ball but his more natural position might be defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='755914' first='Jaiden' last='Bryant'], DE Irmo   Bryant at times saw a double team but that didn't stop the Yellow Jackets standout from recording a sack to give him 19.5 on the season. He had three tackles in the loss to Northwestern, but his motor was relentless as he also added two quarterback pressures to his resume. Bryant is only going to get better and as he continues to grow and mature; he could end up being one of the top players in this Class.   [player_tooltip player_id='1394980' first='Chris' last='Coleman'] OL, Northwestern   Northwestern attempted 39 passes and only allowed one sack to an Irmo defense that had a knack for getting to the quarterback all season long. Coleman was in the middle of everything and used his 6-foot-2, 270-pound frame well against a huge Yellow Jackets front line. He moves well and uses his arms and hands well when engaging with a defender. Northwestern was young on the offensive front and having most of the players returning could make them the favorite to repeat.      Damajhai Devoe ATH, Barnwell   Devoe is a player that shows great promise. He plays safety on defense and shows great support in the running game as he finished with five tackles in the loss to Clinton. He finishes the season with 75 tackles and four interceptions. His reaction time is quick, and he can switch from attack mode against the run to defend mode against the pass quickly. That change of direction and being able to read the play is why he stood out.   Jo'Vareon Dixon DB, Abbeville   Dixon is another youngster that found his way into the starting lineup for the state champion Panthers. He tallied a tackle and a pass-breakup in the 58-20 win over Cross for the Class A state title.  He had 16 tackles coming into the championship and three tackles for loss. Dixon's role will expand next season and the 5-foot-11, 160-pounder could easily be a two-way contributor with his speed and play-making ability.    [player_tooltip player_id='1603772' first='Rhett' last='Gilliam'] RB, Clinton   Gilliam and Cook, who we talked about earlier, provide the Red Devils with a solid 1-2 punch. Gilliam is the bigger of the two at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds and he bullied his way to 59 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Barnwell. He was just shy of 700 yards rushing on the season with 12 touchdowns. Gilliam keeps his feet moving and even when it looks like he's stopped, he usually can power ahead for another two or three yards.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603697' first='Zymier' last='Gordon-Miles'] RB, Northwestern   The Trojans didn't run the ball very often in the 34-31 win over Irmo to claim the Class 5A, Division II state title but when they did, Gordon-Miles was a difference-maker. The sophomore carried it 12 times for 67 yards and got tough yards when Northwestern needed it. He finished with over 1,200 yards rushing on the season and averaged over seven yards per carry. The Trojans will have a new quarterback next season with the graduation of [player_tooltip player_id='241044' first='Finley' last='Polk'] so Gordon-Miles will be key to the Air Raid attack to begin next season.          Mah'ky Green RB/DB, Cross   Green ended up being the leading rusher for the Trojans in the loss to Abbeville with 62 yards and a touchdown to go along with two tackles on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1012859' first='Karmello' last='Jones'] and his over 2,200 yards of total offense will graduate and it's easy to see Green sliding into the role Jones played. He finishes with 794 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns to go along with 14 tackles, a sack and an interception on defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1604012' first='Jamar' last='Grissett'] DB, Irmo   Grissett was the Yellow Jackets leading tackler with eight against Northwestern and he added a pass break-up as well. The 6-foot-3 defensive back was tested against the Air Raid attack of the Trojans, and he seemed to be in position. He played over the top and while the Irmo defense allowed 427 yards passing, Grissett always seemed to be in place to make the tackle when the ball was on his side of the field.   [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray'] ATH, Summerville   Dutch Fork coach Tom Knotts might have summed up the play of Kelly-Murray very well after Dutch Fork's 35-21 win over Summerville. He said the 6-footer is someone we can expect to see play on Sunday, not just Saturday in the future. Kelly-Murray had seven catches for 152 yards and a 77-yard TD on offense and added a tackle and forced fumble on defense. Kelly-Murray is our top-ranked player for the 2027 Class after finishing with 82 receptions for 1,202 yards and 12 touchdowns.     [player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian'] QB, Oceanside Collegiate   The sophomore gunslinger obviously likes playing on the big stage and the last two seasons have proved that. In the Landsharks 35-17 victory over Belton-Honea Path in the Class 3A championship, Manavian completed 21-of-26 for 326 yards and four touchdowns. In consecutive state championship game performances, Manavian is 52-of-69 for 693 yards and six touchdowns. He has a quick release, makes great decisions and can throw it on a dime deep down the field. His development over the next two years will be key and he could turn into a Power 4 prospect.   [player_tooltip player_id='1664575' first='Malachi' last='Peterson'] LB, Westside   Peterson finished with eight tackles against South Florence, and he was quick to come downhill from his outside linebacker position to help in run support. That gives him 71 tackles on the season and a reason for us to believe his role will even be larger next season. Peterson is quick with his first step, arrives at the ball-carrier in a bad mood and plays with a physical presence that should only get better over the next two seasons.       [player_tooltip player_id='1267334' first='Kameron' last='Vance'] WR, Northwestern   It's not like Vance needed a huge game to be noticed but the junior made a statement on the biggest stage. He caught 11 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns, including an 8-yarder that gave the Trojans a brief 31-24 lead in the fourth quarter. But it was his one-handed grab near midfield that was Sportscenter Top 10 worthy. He made the grab right-handed, shed a tackler and finished off the 47-yard gain to the Irmo 10-yard line. Vance finishes the season with 72 catches for 1,126 yards and 16 touchdowns.   [player_tooltip player_id='779428' first='Tajeh' last='Watson-Martin'] ATH, Belton-Honea Path   Watson-Martin is an emerging prospect that had an outstanding performance in the state championship loss to Oceanside Collegiate. The 5-foot-11 speedster had four tackles and added four catches for 16 yards, which resulted in all the offensive receiving yards for the Bears. He finished the season with 45 catches for 899 yards and 13 touchdowns offense and seven pass deflections on defense.   CLASS OF 2028   [player_tooltip player_id='1151291' first='Brody' last='Lorenzo'] OL, Dutch Fork   Lorenzo more than held his own in the state championship with a seasoned senior lined up across from him all afternoon. The 6-foot-2, 280-pounder was able to push the much older defender around on occasion and was fantastic in pass protection. The Summerville offense only had one tackle for loss and no sacks all afternoon. Lorenzo is a mauler that just overpowers defenders despite not being able to drive legally yet. He could end up being near the top of the 2028 Class.   Jakari Wright RB/DB, Cross Wright played a key part of the Trojans defense all season long with 26 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. He only had two tackles in the loss to Abbeville, but he will play an even larger role next season on a Cross team that only loses five seniors. The Panthers only threw the ball five times, so he didn't get to show off his cover skills much but he's a big hitter in supporting the run and does show fluid motion in transition while watching film.

Other than a handful of all-stars games remaining, the 2024 season ended with the Weekend of Champions this past weekend. The Prep Red Zone staff were on hand for all six championship games and came away with several thoughts as we provided in-depth coverage of each individual game.