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The Midlands Class 5A is loaded with talent and here is a breakdown of each position along with some accolades.
CLASS 5A TOP PLAYER: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Dutch Fork
My pick as one of the best football athletes in the state, period. He’s uncoverable by one guy and is a deep threat anytime someone fails to play a man over the top.
CLASS 5A TOP POSITION: Defensive Backs
While the wide receiver position may give it a run for its money, the Defensive back position in the Midlands is LOADED. With Guys like O’Donnell Fortune of Sumer, Tyrik McDaniel and DiMarco Johnson of Dutch Fork, Chase Atkinson of Blythewood…these guys and every other one on this LB list will be playing on Saturday’s somewhere.
CLASS 5A MOST HIGHLY RECRUITED: Jalin Hyatt, WR, Dutch Fork
Hyatt committed to Tennessee in July, but prior to his commitment he had fifteen Division I offers, most of which were Power 5 conference schools.
CLASS 5A MOST UNDER RATED: Trey Irby, DL, Dutch Fork
Irby is a disruptive force in the middle of that Dutch Fork defensive line and will be the reason that all but one of the other DF stars will miss the Shrine Bowl because they are gonna have to take this kid. He is the best DL force in the middle of the defense of any other team in this state. So why no big time offers? Because he only measures 6-0 tall. So, because of some magic template, the DI majors are going to miss out on a kid who could help them. Just some FYI for the college coaches…the best defensive lineman in the NFL is only 6-1.
These are the top players to watch in the Class 5A in the Midlands. They are broken down by position. The player listed first at the position is the one I feel is the best in the Midlands at that position; all other players are in no particular order.
QUARTERBACKS
Ty Olenchuk, Dutch Fork
Aveon Smith, White Knoll
Roger Pedroni, Chapin
Hayden Vasquez, Sumter
RUNNING BACKS
Braden Walker, River Bluff
Jon Hall, Dutch Fork
Brandon Edwards, Blythewood
Justice Wells, Sumter
Murray Newell, White Knoll
Taylor Mathias, Lexington
Hunter Rogers, Spring Valley
Marquel Brown, Spring Valley
Ahmad Bynum Scott, Lexington
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Parker Clement, Lugoff-Elgin
Tashawn Brooks, Dutch Fork
Nick Taiste, White Knoll
Josh Taylor, Chapin
Miles Riley, Blythewood
Thornton Gentry, Chapin
Mike Koromah, Sumter
Walker Anderson, Lexington
Weston Harmon, Lexington
Jabari Avery, Irmo
Dallas Carroway, Spring Valley
Sean Sullivan, Spring Valley
Zane Derrick, River Bluff
WIDE RECEIVERS
Jalin Hyatt, Dutch Fork
Elijah Spencer, Dutch Fork
Tylee Craft, Sumter
Tony Dinkins-McCall, Sumter
Josh Burrell, Blythewood
David Patten, Blythewood
Tyson Trottier, River Bluff
Manny Moore, Spring Valley
Zavier Short, Chapin
Darius Derrick-Jones, White Knoll
Kobe Taylor, Irmo
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Trey Irby, Dutch Fork
Garrett Hyuck, Chapin
Kaseem Vauls, Irmo
Jamon Thames, Sumter
Isaiah Boyd, Lexington
Coby Cornelius, Spring Valley
Jakari Davis, River Bluff
Shelton Bibbs, White Knoll
LINEBACKERS
OT Nkiri, Spring Valley
David Cromer, Lexington
Brandon Edwards, Blythewood
DJ Hutcherson, Blythewood
Donte Coleman, Sumter
Levi Gulasa, Lexington
Sam Greer, Chapin
Jajuan Johnson, White Knoll
Adam Molnar, River Bluff
DEFENSIVE BACKS
O’Donnell Fortune, Sumter
Tyrik McDaniel, Dutch Fork
DiMarco Johnson, Dutch Fork
Chase Atkinson, Blythewood
Jordan Burrell, Blythewood
Chad Ishmael, Blythewood
Tristan Allen, Lexington
Calvin Johnson, Spring Valley
Connor Lehman, Chapin
Drew Beard, River Bluff
Shagquawn Garvin, River Bluff
KICKERS
Louis Orellana, White Knoll
Graham Newboult, Dutch Fork
Brayden Rivers, River Bluff
Mason Suber, Chapin
