West Columbia (SC) I talked about the Class of 2025 in Monday’s edition of Baxter’s Blitz and today, I’m going to spend a little time on the Class of 2024. The Class is loaded and should be about as difficult to rank as the Class of 2023 was.
QUARTERBACKS
I’ll begin with some of the quarterbacks. This is going to be a very talented bunch and there are going to be several of these guys playing on Saturdays. Lexington’s Taiden Mines (5’11,180) is probably the best dual threat in this group. He’s especially good at throwing the long ball and I think people will see this season how electric he is as an offensie weapon. Gray Collegiate’s Riley Staton (6’3,190) is more of a pocket guy, but he is moble enough to extend plays. He’s got a big arm and I feel like he’s going to get a Power 5 offer sometime this season. One of the sleeper guys in this class is Orangeburg-Wilkinson’s Deandre Simmons (6’3,205). He started out as a defensive back and they converted him to quarterback. He’s got a great arm and is dangerous as a runner. He’s still raw and learning to play the position but when it finally clicks, watch out. He’s going to be a good one. Gilbert’s Drake Braddock (6’1,175) is taking his first varsity snaps this season and if he can prove he’s capable of good decisions with the ball, the job will be his. He’s got a strong arm and is athletic. I haven’t seen him in live varsity games yet, but what I’ve seen of his sub-varsity work and his shorts warrior performances, he’s got the talent. Camden’s Grayson White (6’1,140) is a natural linebacker and would be starting there if they had anyone else that could throw the ball. As it stands, he’s what they have and he can flat spin the football. I don’t think he gets recruited as a quarterback, but do believe he will play at the next level.
RUNNING BACKS
The running back group is not deep – yet. There are always guys that step up and become the “next thing” at this position. /that said, the guy at the top is Gilbert’s
Jaden Allen-Henrix (6’2,230). This guy is an animal and already has an offer from Louisville. I believe there will be more offers to come. He is a definite next-level back. Crestwood’s Azian Yates (5’11,230) is a bruiser that rushed for 300 yards as a sophomore in limited action from down teh depth chart. He is a very physical runner and can move a pile. Brookland-Cayce’s Deshawn Washington (5’11,200) has speed and power and he burst on the scene last year as a sophomore for the Bearcats, winning the starting job by mid-season. He rushed for 700 yards, averagin 8.2 yards per carry. Andrew Jackson’s Trey Thompson (5’11,205) is a slashing runner with good speed and power. He hasn’t gotten a lot of press but if you take a look at his film, you will be impressed.
TIGHT ENDS
I’ve got about six or seven tight ends on the watch list but only one so far in the unwritten rankings in my head and that is Lexington’s Cam Sutton (6’3,230). This guy is an absolute beast of a blocker and he’s got good hands to boot. He’s strong running the football and cold easily play H-back in a power game and catch balls out of the backfield. He will almost certainly be a Top Ten Midlands player when my rankings for this class begins.
WIDE RECEIVERS
The wide receiver group is always deep but there are a few guys that already stand out as they enter their junior year. Lugoff-Elgin’s KJ Golden (6’2,175) is a guy that I expect will do big things in their offense. He’s long, he’s fast, he has great hands and he is a weapon. I also think he cold be a heck of a safety prospect if they decide to give him a shot on defense. One of my favorite players in the Midlands is Dutch
Fork wide receiver Jacob Hamilton (5’10,190). He is a blue-collar type of player, tough as nails and will sacrifice his body to make a play. He reminds me of Wes Welker and if you don’t believe it, look him up on hudl and watch. I will be shocked if he is not the Silver Foxes’ top target this season. Lexington’s Brayden Woolbright will take his first varsity snaps this year and do it on both sides of the football. But his talent is undeniable and he is a long line of talent in the Woolbright family. He will be in the rotation at WR this year and start at safety on defense.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The offensive line position is difficult to judge this early, as so many of these guys are juniors before they get starting jobs because of development. But there are some that need to be in this conversation. Airport’s Dylan Barbery (6’6,275). He’s got great feet and is explosive with his hands and is athletic enough that he will more than likely play both sides of the football for the Eagles this year. Andrew Jackson’s Brooks Horton (6’4,300) is a guy that is going to get some looks. He’s strong and started his sophomore year. Sumter’s Braylen Burris (6’2,265) is a guy
that is explosive with good feet. His height will hurt him in recruiting but could be a good guard prospect for an FCS school. Brookland-Cayce’s Jakori Jones (6’5,330) is a dominating force for the Bearcats big offensive line. I look for him to start generating some interest during this season. Richalnd Northeast’s Marquel Moser (6’5,320) is a guy that has already gotten some interest and is only going to see his stock soar. He’s a solid run blocker and holds his blocks well. Irmo’s Elijah Williams (6’5,285) is another big bodied guy that is generating interest early. He’s a powerful guy that is explosive from the hips. Gray Collegiate’s JT Sowell (6’3,225) is a guy that needs to get bigger but he has the talent already. He’s got a frame that can hold more weight and his height makes him a tweener, more attractive as an FCS level guy.
DEFENSIVE LINE
The defensive line, like the offensive line, alwasys starts slow until some of these guys physically catch up. But early on, we have a couple that need to be mntioned. Dutch Fork’s Dakota Jordan (6’6,220) is going to get a start this year. He played in seven varsity games last season for the Foxes and he is developing well. If he can put some weight on that frame he will be a monster prospect. AC Flora’s Braxton Burton (6’3,315) is a big body defnsive tackle who can play as a run-gap stuffer and he can also rush inside to wreek a backfield. He is a high level DII and possibly an FCS type of guy.
LINEBACKERS
The linebacker group is still up for evaluation. Lakewood’s Seneca Moore (6’2,205) is the top of this list for me. This guy has excellent range in covering a field and he is physical. I beleive he has a chance as a Power 5 player but definitely Division I. This guy is athletic and runs a 4.5 40, an 11.4 100m and high jumps 6’4. I can tell you that I also like Irmo’s Xavier Montgomery (6’2,220). White Knoll’s Deminico Banks (5’11,230) is a phyical hitter and he racked up 79 tackles as a sophomore. He will have the height enigma that stifles so many outstanding high school linebackers and that will keep him at the DII or Group of 5 type of programs.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The defensive backs group will be deep once the smoke clears. The 2023 class is so deep that a lot of 2024 guys will be in rotation only. There are a few that right now jump out and I want to mention. Eau Claire safety Christian Anderson (6’2,205) may be the best in the class. This kid has a lot of range with his speed, is excellent in aerial battles and sees the field very well. I look for him to be a high level Division I guy. Richland Northeast’s Myles Pratty (5’10,170) is a solid coverag guy. He needs polishing on his technique but he has the raw skills and talent to be a very good prospect. Crestwood’s Khalil Moody (6’1,165) is a player that already has an offer from Charlotte and I believe will field more offers this season.
