Fab 50: The Midlands’ best high school players for 2018
Here are 50 players (in alphabetical order) compiled by The State’s sports staff to keep an eye on in the Midlands as football season begins.
Kendrick Allen, Dutch Fork – Had 93 tackles and nine sacks last season.
Darrius Bell, DE, Gilbert – 50th-ranked prospect in state by 247Sports. Had 113 tackles and nine sacks last year.
TJ Blanding, DB, Westwood – Defensive back had 123 tackles last season.
Cortes Braham, WR, Westwood – Caught 46 passes for 750 yards and nine TDs last year.
Jordan Burch, DE, Hammond – No. 2 ranked prospect in state and 50th nationally for class of 2019 by 247Sports. Had 56 tackles and six sacks last year.
Jacob Burgess, OL Gilbert – Has offers from Tennessee Tech and Newberry.
Keyshawn Capers, RB, Lower Richland – Rushed for 1,050 yards and seven TDs.
Keenan Coats, QB, Swansea – Leader of Tigers’ offense. Threw for 1,546 yards and 14 TDs last year.
Reed Charpia, QB, Brookland-Cayce – Threw for 1,759 yards and 14 TDs last year. Has offer from S.C. State.
Dallaz Corbitt, TE/DE, Gray Collegiate – Member of Gray Collegiate hoops team is out for football and should be an impact player for War Eagles. Has Division I offers despite playing football since his freshman year.
David Cromer, LB, Lexington – South Carolina baseball commit is one of Wildcats top tacklers.
Justin Dingle, LB Dreher – Had 84 ½ tackles, four sacks and two defensive touchdowns last year.
Jacob Drag, DL, Chapin – Wofford commit had 41 tackles last year.
Jaylin Dunbar, OL, Ridge View – One of big pieces to Blazers’ offensive line.
Kendrell Flowers, RB, Irmo – Wake Forest commit and eighth-ranked prospect in state by 247Sports. Rushed for 747 yards and seven TDs last year.
Gerald Gaither, OL, Fairfield Central – Injured but will be key for Griffins’ up-front.
Jalen Geiger, CB, Spring Valley – Kentucky commit is 17th-ranked prospect in state by 247Sports.
Patrick Godbolt, DE/LB, Blythewood – Had 55 tackles and 8 ½ sacks last year.
Rob Gordon, QB, Ben Lippen – Split time at QB at Chapin last year but will lead Falcons’ offense.
Jeremiah Green, RB, Pelion – Rushed for almost 1,300 yards and nine TDs last year.
Dewey Greene, DE, A.C. Flora – Senior’s offers include Air Force and The Citadel.
Juwan Hayes, OL, Heathwood Hall – One of four starters back on offensive line.
Hunter Helms, QB, Gray Collegiate – Threw for 2,242 yards and 17 TDs last year.
Alex Herrara, P/K/QB, Spring Valley – Ranked as 15th-best kicker and 25th-best punter by Kohl’s Kicking service. Also competing for Vikings’ starting QB job.
Ron Hoff, RB, Dutch Fork – Missed time with injuries last year, still managed almost 800 yards and 13 TDs.
Alex Huntley, DT, Hammond – No. 4 prospect in state for class of 2020 by 247Sports. Had 61 tackles and seven sacks last season.
Jalin Hyatt, WR, Dutch Fork – Had 43 catches for 947 yards and 10 TDs last year.
Noah Johnson, DE, River Bluff – Had 59 tackles and 5 ½ sacks.
Mikey Jones, WR, Swansea – Caught 43 passes for 605 yards and 10 TDs last season.
Kyrell Michael, S, Dreher – Had 84 tackles and an INT last season.
Sean Miller, OL, Airport – Eagles’ top lineman has offers from Old Dominion and North Carolina A&T.
RJ Mobley, WR, A.C. Flora – Had 42 catches for 573 yards and three TDs last year.
Walyn Napper, WR, Ridge View – Had 43 catches for 776 yards and eight TDs last year.
Ty Olenchuk, QB, Dutch Fork – Clemson baseball commit threw for 1,685 yards and 17 TDs.
Quinton Patten, QB, Blythewood – Missed several games with injury last season but will be difference-maker for Bengals’ offense.
Akele Pauling, DB, Spring Valley – Had 38 tackles and three INTs last year at Ben Lippen.
Jordan Puch, QB/DB, Columbia – Threw for 1,543 yards and 13 TDs last season.
A’lajuwan Robinson, QB/ATH, Keenan – Led Keenan with 1,300 yards of total offense last season
Tyrik Richardson, Lugoff-Elgin – Was second in Midlands in tackles last season with 174.
Aveon Smith, QB, White Knoll – Timberwolves’ leader in total offense with 1,223 last season.
Cam Smith, CB, Westwood – Moved back to Midlands from Maryland for senior season. No. 2 prospect in state for class of 2019 by 247Sports.
Kameran Stewart, OL, Dutch Fork – Committed to Coastal Carolina.
Josh Strickland, QB, Gilbert – Part of Indians’ two-quarterback system. Threw for 2,110 yards last season.
Cody Temples, RB, Gilbert – Midlands’ top returning rusher from last year. Had 1,271 yards and 21 TDs last season.
Jy Tolen, QB, Gilbert – Part of Indians’ two-quarterback system. Threw for 1,063 yards and 13 TDs last year.
Twontae Wallace, Richland Northeast – Cavs’ top offensive weapon. Rushed for 738 yards last season.
Malik Wesley, WR, Spring Valley – Had 551 yards and seven TDs in his first season with Vikings last year.
Greg Williams, LB, Swansea – Clemson commit and 10th-ranked prospect in state by 247Sports. Had 103 tackles last season.
Keshaun Williams, DB/RB, Batebsurg-Leesville – Had three interceptions on offense and nine TDs on offense last year.
Anthony Wilson, RB/DB, Spring Valley – Wofford commit will be factor on offense and defense for Vikings.
This story was originally published August 13, 2018 at 4:20 PM.