2024 Rankings Update: Stock Risers
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The fall of 2021 was moving year for six sophomores. The updated Class of 2024 rankings reflect exactly that. Between four previously unranked players who jumped into the top 30 to a pair of standouts who made their mark this…
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Continue ReadingThe fall of 2021 was moving year for six sophomores.
The updated Class of 2024 rankings reflect exactly that.
Between four previously unranked players who jumped into the top 30 to a pair of standouts who made their mark this fall, the climbs were deserved.
Mazeo Bennett Mazeo Bennett 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH Greenville | 2024 State SC , ATH, Greenville (↑ 11 spots)
Bennett burst onto the scene this fall, hauling in 25 receptions for 661 yards and five touchdowns, picking off a couple passes and recording nine tackles from his spot in the secondary. He combines breakaway speed and great downfield blocking on offense and has a nose for the ball on defense. His production next season will only get better.
Kelvin Hunter Kelvin Hunter 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB West Florence | 2024 State SC , DB, West Florence (↑ 11 spots)
The way West Florence uses Hunter makes the rising junior a nightmare. While, yes, he is a safety by title, he can float anywhere – from the secondary right up to the line of scrimmage. Frequently, he lines up as a stand-up edge rusher. It was worth 34.5 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks, two fumble recoveries and a defensive score this past season.
Turbo Richard Turbo Richard 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Northwestern | 2024 State SC , RB, Northwestern (from UR to No. 13)
Richard has the look of a great third-down option, seeing as he caught 16 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown this year. But then you look at his rushing production and you see the whole picture. While averaging 6.1 yards per carry, he went off for 1,054 yards and nine scores on the ground. For a sophomore playing Class 5A football, that was saying something.
Jayden Wilson-Abrams Jayden Wilson-Abrams 6'3" | 270 lbs | DL Greenville | 2024 State SC , DL, Wren (from UR to No. 17)
We find ourselves talking about how the game slows down for quarterbacks all the time. Well, the game has slowed down for Wilson-Abrams. The flex tackle/end busted up opposing teams for 40 solo tackles and another 38 assisted stops, 10 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hurries as a sophomore. Consider the northwest pocket of the state fully warned.
Jaden Allen-Hendrix Jaden Allen-Hendrix 6'2" | 230 lbs | RB Irmo | 2024 State SC , RB, Gilbert (from UR to No. 25)
Allen-Hendrix has college prospect written all over him. From his size (he’s 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds already) to his production – he rushed for 1,064 yards and 18 touchdowns last fall – the big tailback is going to get plenty of looks. He chews through would-be arm tackles and has no problem taking down a defensive lineman who gets into the backfield.
Avery McFadden Avery McFadden 5'10" | 175 lbs | WR Hillcrest | 2024 State SC , WR, Hillcrest (from UR to No. 28)
Bennett Judy Bennett Judy 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Hillcrest | 2023 State SC ’s favorite target is still a work in progress. Oh, sorry. We meant stopping him is a work in progress. As a sophomore, McFadden piled up 71 receptions, 1,025 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in 12 games. He’s only 5-foot-9, but his speed and route running have negated the height issue. Look for his numbers to explode as Hillcrest’s offense continues to develop.