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West Columbia (SC) When I go to a football game, I am rarely just watching the game unfold and progress. I go to watch the athletes perform. I’ve been a national recruiting analyst for close to 30 years and it is the evaluation part of this gig that I love and enjoy the most. So, when I go to a preseason game in a jamboree, even though it is a meaningless “game”, I always take away some valuable info. So, here are my takeaways from the jamboree weekend.
River Bluff’s Stephen Collier (6’3,195) is not only the best prospect in the Midlands for the Class of 2025, he’s the best in the state. He is the best football athlete I’ve seen in this state since Mark Barnes (RNE 2007). His range at safety is broad and he can read, come up and tackle as good as any linebacker. He’s displayed very good skills in open field tackling and he’s strong in coverage with incredible breaking/closing speed. His coverage skills are strong and he can cover man or zone and shows good ball skills in his coverage. He’s got great flexibility in his hips and is smooth in his turns and I believe he has great field vision. He going to get betetr. He’s still tackling a little high for my liking but he hits with power and is punishing and has the strength to “drag down” ball carriers. WEatch for this kid to catch a lot of balls on offense this season, too. He’s go the size and speed and can go up and get it. He caught a 12 yards touchdown pass this weekend and the catch, his body control going up for the ball and adjusting made him look like a top WR prospect, as well. I look for Collier to be a 5-star or either a very high 4-star. If the in-state schools don’t offer this kid this year and be the first to do so, they are going to kick themselves when the flood gates open from Power 5 schools.
I had the opportunity to see Ridge View in the same game, playing against River Bluff. Everyone knows this team has a solid wide receiver group but the question mark was whether they had someone that could get them the ball. Well, the question has been answered. Senior transfer Donald Tomlin (6’2,200) showed that he has the arm to hit any route and hit it on time and accurate. He can flat spin it and that ball comes out of his hand like it’s been fired from a rocket. I fully expect him to throw for more than 2,500 yards this year with the receiver group he has.
I said two months ago that Lexington was going to be strong this year and exciting on offense and they proved me right – or at least proved me not to be wrong, Friday night. Quarterback Taiden Mines throws the long ball as good as anyone in Columbia and I feel like RB Jonah Norris and WR Kamadi Maxwell are two of the most over rated players in the Midlands. Sophomore Brandon Cromer played well at WR, as well. This team has more unsuspecting weapons than you can count and I feel like they could end up with one of the top two or three offenses in the Midlands. Add to that Head Coach Perry Woolbright is one of the best situational play callers I’ve seen at this level.
I did a spotlight story on Batesburg-Leesville’s Patrick Swygert a few weeks ago and had a chance to see him live and can tell you the film didn’t lie. This kid is 6’5, 235lbs and athletic. His pass blocking skills are solid and he has the feet to shuffle and block edge rushers right out of the play. He, aggressive on first contact, though I’d like to see him more violent with his hands. Defensively, he’s athletic and can hold up his blocker while he diagnoses the play. If I had him on my team, he’s be at tight end and there would be two or three plays just for him because he’s athletic enough to play wide and he could create some serious mis-matches. Division I schools need to take notice of this guy. He’s a Shrine Bowl/North-South caliber player.
Airport has some work to do but I can tell you now that Apollos Cook is as good as advertised. He’s got a big, strong body, great hands and runs like a freaking deer. He’s sharp in his routes and for a big guy is able to sink his hips really well in transition. Yes, he is committed to Duke, but this kid can play even bigger than that.
River Bluff sophomore QB Parker Murray (6’1,170) showed some very good skills Friday night in a game that was shortened due to lightening. First of all, he executes the offense like a senior. His option plays were read correctly every time and he makes a nice pitch. But what I was inpressed with was in the passing game, he sees the field as good, if not better, than any sophomore I’ve seen. He reminds me a lot of Willy Korn (Byrnes 2007). Murray needs to get stronger so he can get faster. He’s a solid 4.8 right now but I’d like to see him as a sub 4.7 guy. He’s still a very mobile quarterback with better than average skill at extending plays. And his ball placement on his endzone pass to Stephen Collier was perfect in a place only his receiver could get to. This kid is a star and could end up being a top one or two QB in the Midlands in the Class of 2025.
AJ Brand is the real deal. The sophomore Irmo quarterback made it look like he’s been doing it for years, throwing for 3 touchdowns and rushing for two. He can throw the ball on a rope on his timing patterns, he can soft touch it in the basket down field and he can run! He’s going to be a force for the Jackets this season and I look for him to see his stock continue to grow. He already has an offer from Charlotte and Old Dominion and more will come his way this season. Right now, this is my No.1 QB in the Midlands for 2025 and, quite possilby, my overall NO. 1 QB right now.
Dutch Fork’s Linebackes and Secondary are as good as I thought they would be. We already know about Chandler Perry and John Buetow being forces in that Silver Fox linebacker group. What about Terrance Wells? Forcing a fumble and returning 26 yards for a touchdown. Jaylen Hinson, 8 tackles, and from the seconary, Landon Danley with 7 tackles. I’m telling you this defense is stacked and will give their offense time to catch up.
I’ve known that AC Flora has the ingredients of a good football team the entire off season. Their Offensive and defensive fronts are solid and they have athletes coming out of the woodworks at every position. The only concner I had was who was going to execute the offense and distribute the ball to those athletes. Well, that concern was put to rest as as Carew Bate (6’0,175) came into the match up having already played in a baseball showcase earlier in the day and threw three touchdown passes, looking like a veteran. With the missing piece in place, I could see this team winning nine or ten regular season games this year, possibly going unscathed.
