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Signing day is a ways off and this is normally the time of year we see offers streaming out for the prospects. But times have changed. The “transfer portal” in college has hurt high school football prospects, particularly the players that so called “recruiting services” call two-star and three-star players. Fewer scholarships are being offered because colleges can now fill more immediate needs from the portal. What they get are players who have played one or two years of college football, have been in a college weight room, as well as the college classroom, along with the fact that they are now 20 and 21 years old. So, I get it. I honestly believe we are going to see more players from that slice of players I mentioned opt for a junior college situation, where they can develop, get some class room experience, get bigger, stronger and faster and in two years when they are done with JUCO, transfer to the bigger schools. But this new situation in recruiting is a mistake in a lot of cases. I think some of these schools are missing out on some kids who could be vital assets to their programs. There was a time when some of the smaller schools would compete with each other so much that some of them (Gardner Webb, Newberry, Presbyterian, etc) would throw out early offers to these kids. Now, FCS schools, for the most part, are not going for the most part, FCS schools are NOT going to offer that quarterback that some recruiting service hasn’t listed as a high three star or above. They will take their chances on the Portal. Again, I think this is a mistake. So, here is my STOCK REPORT listing those kids that are being overlooked in my opinion. There are SO many kids that need to be listed here that I will do another Stock Report on Monday.
CLASS OF 2023
Jonah Norris, RB, Lexington (5-10,195): This is a head scratcher. This kid is a freaking animal running the football. He’s got power, vision, he’s twitchy in traffic and when he sticks his foot in the ground to go North-South, he is gone. He’s a definitely FCS/G5 caliber player and these schools need to get off their asses and offer this kid.
Cooper Johns, RB, River Bluff (5-10, 190) Another head scratcher. This kid has an undying work ethic and has great vision, power, and, like Norris, has a second gear when he hits daylight. He’s rushed for 590 yards and 9 touchdowns in four games. He’s got great hands out of the backfield. I see a kid who reminds me of a Ryan Brewer type of back.
Landon Danley, DB, Dutch Fork (6-3,190) Danley has a couple of small school offers but guys, this kid is a Power Five player in the secondary. This kid has range and coverage ability to cover slot guys if there is no nickle on the field or come up in strong run support. He’s got very good open field tackle abilities and is a ball hawk. At the very least, he’s a G5 player.
Fuller Sims, LB, Andrew Jackson (6-2,200) Another big sleeper. If he played anywhere other than a small 2A school in Kershaw County, he’d have offers. He’s a physical player and a field general on defense. He comes down hill hard and reads the plays as good as anyone. This kid has 36 tackles, an Interception, a forced fumble and 3 PBUs in just three games.
Kendell Williams, TE, Spring Valley (6-5,220) I get this one. It’s the kids first year playing football so he has no film from last year. He’s a basketball guy. But watch THIS year’f film. He hasn’t been beaten by a single DE this year. He blocks his ass off and he’s got great hands. He’s physical and he has a frame that can pack another 20lbs on. Watch his film against some of the DE’s that have offers. This kid can play.
Patrick Swygert, OL, Batesburg-Leesville (6-5,235) Patrick has played all over for the Panthers. He’s a heck of a TE and DE but his best spot is offensive tackle. He’s a monster, violent with his hands and drives his oppenent either downfield or to the ground. He’s athletic with great feet (varsity starter in basketball). Some coach is going to be kicking himself in the tail for not getting in on this kid early.
Nigel Johnson, WR, Crestwood (6-3,185) this kid showed out this Summer and is so far this season, as well. He’s got 14 receptions for 398 yards and 4 touchdowns. He’s got a ton of schools showing “interest” but no one has pulled the trigger yet. He’s got a 3.7 core and he’s a state qualifier in the 400 meters, finished 4th in state last year. What are we waiting on guys?
CLASS OF 2024
This junior class is loaded but, as I said, early offers are fewer and farther between these days. These are the guys I think the colleges need to get on NOW.
Riley Staton, QB, Gray Collegiate (6-3,190) Staton is one of the top signal callers in the state. He’s 65 of 100 for 1068 yards and 8 touchdowns this season. He’s got a strong arm and very good field vision. The ball leaves his hand quickly with velocity. I know that there are a couple of P5 schools talking to him and I believe one will come through soon but this is a case of the whole “star” thing hurting him.
Taiden Mines, QB, Lexington (5-10,190) I get it; his height has schools worried. Listen, just watch the dang film. This kid can flat spin the ball. He throws the long ball as good as anyone, with accuracy, and he’s very dangerous when flushed out of the pocket. He prefers to extend plays and find the open receiver but he can move the chains with his legs. I believe his height will hurt with the P5 guys but this kid can definitely play G5 or FCS.
Javion Martin, QB, Cresttwood (6-1,190) Co-Offensive player of the year for his region as a sophomore. He’s a dual threat with 955 yards and 11 touchdowns passing and has rushed for 231 and 3 more scores in four games. Before Tranfer portal, this kid would already have been offered. But, again, schools aren’t offering early to a kid without stars, which by the way mean nothing. Look at who’s voting on the starts – mostly former newpaper beat writers who have never coached nor played the game beyond high school.
Trey Thompson, RB, Andrew Jackson (5-11,205) I LIKE this kid. He’s a freaking beast running the football. He’s physical and gets the tough yards even when there is no daylight. He’s rushed for 487 yards in just three games against some pretty good defenses. This kid will, more than likely, be the No. 2 RB in the Midlands for the 2024 Class next year.
Devan Crumpton, DB, Spring Valley (5-10, 165) – Crumpton is a little light but this kid can flat play football. He’s got great coverage skills, good hips, and is rarely out of phase in bump and runs down the field. He’s got 24 tackles from corner and 4 PBUs. He’s got great speed so good range and breaks on the ball.
Christian Sexton, LB, Lexington (6-0, 195) I like this kid as an OLB. He’s quick in diagnosis and gets over trash well to the ball. He’s physical and a hound when it comes to sniffing out the ball. He has 35 tackles and has been in the Top Ten tacklers in the Midlands all season. He’s got 5 TFLs and 3 PBUs. He missed half of his sophomore season with a hand injury but is making up for lost time as one of the the Wildcats’ best defenders. OFFER him.
Jaheim Rose, LB/DE, Sumter (6-0,215) Definitely a player worth risking an early offer on. He’s physical and athletic. He’s got 18 tackles on the season and creates chaos in the backfield. He’s athletic enough to drop back into coverage if needed. He will be one of the top defensive prospects in this cycle for the Midlands.
I will focus on the Class of 2025 and 2026 in a separate report, as most of these guys won’t be getting offers until later in the season, or even into September of their junior year.
