Midlands watch list: Top high school football players for 2020 season
Here are 10 Columbia-area players to watch at each position and others to keep an eye on for the 2020 high school season. Players are listed in alphabetical order.
Quarterbacks
- Ethan Beamish, AC Flora — Threw for 1,202 yards and 11 TDs at Hillcrest High in Greenville last year.
- Angelo Donato, Blythewood — Threw for 2,543 yards and 29 touchdowns last year at Wake Christian Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina.
- Alex Lewis, Heathwood Hall — Has thrown for 352 yards and five TDs this season. Had almost 2,000 all-purpose yards and 21 TDs last year.
- Jaffari Pearson, Camden — Had 2,378 total yards and 33 total TDs last year.
- Tre Robinson, Gray Collegiate — Threw for almost 1,700 yards and 14 TDs at Batesburg-Leesville last year.
- DQ Smith, Spring Valley — Threw for 2,317 yards, 30 TDs and rushed for 650, 9 TDs.
- Jackson Stone, River Bluff — Threw for 1,387 yards and 17 TDs last year.
- Will Taylor, Dutch Fork — Threw for 1,647 yards, rushed for 1,549 yards with 25 total touchdowns at Ben Lippen last year. Clemson baseball commit.
- Andre Washington, Ridge View — Threw for 2,225 yards, 24 TDs and rushed for 385 yards, 4 TDs.
- Dylan Williams, Irmo — Threw for 1,063 yards and 11 TDs last year.
Others to watch: Brooks Bentley, River Bluff; Jayden Bradford, Chapin; Joshua Drayton, Dreher Stephon Gadson, Fairfield Central; Hunter Sheppard, Chapin
Running backs
- KZ Adams, Gray Collegiate — Rushed for 1,631 yards, caught 35 passes for 535 yards and scored 35 total TDs last year.
- Marvin Gantt, Batesburg-Leesville — Rushed for 1,082 yards and 12 TDs last season.
- Kalab Haven, North Central — Rushed for more than 1,000 yards last year.
- Willis Lane, Camden — Rushed for 2,372 yards and 24 TDs last year.
- Riley Myers, River Bluff — Had 862 yards and nine TDs last year. Injured hand during first scrimmage but should be back for River Bluff’s first game on Oct. 9.
- Matt Pack, AC Flora — Rushed for 1,185 yards and 14 TDs last year.
- Ronnie Porter, Heathwood Hall — Rushed for 380 yards, 3 TDs and has 37 tackles, 2 sacks this season in 3 games this year. Last year, had 2,000 yards total yards, 18 TDs and 117 tackles..
- MJ Reed, Swansea — Ran for 1,089 yards and 6 TDs last year.
- CJ Stokes, Hammond — Has 405 yards, 9 TDs in 3 games already this season. Had 1,100 total yards and 13 TDs last year.
- Will Way, Brookland-Cayce — Had 2,185 all-purpose yards and 20 total TDs last year.
Others to watch: Will Barber, Fairfield Central; Montrevious Baker, Saluda; Desmond Boatwright, Blythewood; Tyrell Coleman, AC Flora; Jalen Crumpton, Spring Valley; Tyler Dixon, Lugoff-Elgin; Colton Mason, Gllbert; Julian Milligan, Westwood; David Mitchell, Ridge View; TJ Peebles, White Knoll
Receivers, tight ends
- Joshua Burrell, Blythewood — Florida State commit had 57 catches for 950 yards and 11 TDs last year. No. 4 prospect in state according to 247SportsComposite.
- Zack Chalmers, Newberry — Caught 31 passes for 418 yards with 5 TDs and had 38 tackles on defense. No. 8 prospect in state for Class of 2022 by 247Sports.
- Devin Hyatt, Dutch Fork — Sophomore has Division I offers already and should be big factor in Dutch Fork’s passing game. Ranked No. 93 in country by 247Sports for Class of 2023.
- Kendall Long, River Bluff — Syracuse commit had 33 catches for 504 yards and six touchdowns last season.
- Tysean Osby, Spring Valley — Played QB at Richland Northeast last year but will be big weapon for Vikings’ passing attack.
- Banks Pope, AC Flora — Appalachian State commit had 27 catches for 432 yards and and four TDs last year
- Zavier Short, Chapin — Caught 75 passes for 1,297 yards and 17 touchdowns last year. No. 7 prospect in state for Class of 2022 by 247Sports.
- Elijah Spencer, Dutch Fork — Caught 50 passes for 843 yards and 8 TDs. University of Charlotte commit.
- Jordan Smith, Ridge View — Had 46 catches for 894 yards and 10 TDs last season.
- Nykeim Smith, Gray Collegiate — 6-foot-5 receiver had 27 catches for 437 yards and 5 TDs last season.
Others to watch: Amere Cherry, Richland Northeast, Noble Cooper, Blythewood; Darius Derrick-Jones, White Knoll; Chris Lofton, AC Flora; Bryce Rucker, Airport; Cam Scott, Hammond, Latrell Jamison, Brookland-Cayce; Dustin McCombs, Lower Richland; Eriq Rice, AC Flora; Shyheem Shropshire, North Central; Chase Smith, Blythewood; Antonio Williams, Dutch Fork; Jordan Wise, Brookland-Cayce
Offensive linemen
- Drew Bobo, Hammond — Junior tackle has offers from Tennessee, South Carolina and Maryland.
- Donovan Edwards, Camden — Key returner on Bulldogs’ offensive line
- Gerald Gaither, Fairfield Central — Multiple year starter on Griffins’ offensive line.
- Thornton Gentry, Chapin — Top-ranked senior offensive tackle in Midlands for Class of 2021 by 247Sports. Committed to NC State.
- Will Jeffcoat, Pelion — Has offers from Army, Air Force, and Furman
- Alec Johnson, Gray Collegiate — Part of huge offensive line for War Eagles this year.
- Shammond Price, Dutch Fork — Return starter for Silver Foxes’ O-line.
- Bryce Smith, Gilbert — 6-foot-5, 315-pounder will be anchor to Gilbert O-Line.
- Chase Sweigart, Chapin — Occupies other tackle spot on Chapin line. Has offer from Old Dominion and other college interest.
- Trevor Timmons, Blythewood — Has several college offers including Illinois and Georgia Southern.
Others to watch: Langston Bryant, Irmo; Drake Davis, Camden; Ryan Frans, Blythewood; Mason Harrington, Hammond; Tyquaz Higgins, Newberry; Nick Solomons, Spring Valley; Tim Speaks, Richland Northeast; Lance Wilson, Westwood
Defensive linemen
- Jaylin Brown, AC Flora — Had 50 tackles last season.
Jakari Davis, River Bluff - Had 41 tackles, 14 1/2 tackles for loss and 3 1/2 sacks last year.
- DeShontez Gray, Pelion — All-state performer has several Division I offers and plays tight end on offense.
- Omarion Hammond, AC Flora — Had 73 tackles, 5 TFL last year. Georgia State commit.
- Xzavier McLeod, Camden — Sophomore had 24 tackles last season and has been offered from South Carolina.
- Shanyae Monsnato, Cardinal Newman — Had 50 tackles and 5 ½ sacks last season.
- Trey Peterson, Spring Valley — Had 88 tackles, 24 TFL, 16 sacks last season.
- Rondarius Porter, Heathwood Hall — Has 27 tackles and 3 sacks already this season. Last year, led team with 136 tackles and 13 sacks.
- Micaiah Settles, Dreher — Had 26 tackles, 14 for loss last season.
- Kaseem Vauls, Irmo — Had 15 sacks last season
Others to watch: Naejaun Barber, Ridge View; Joshua Belton, Eau Claire; Trexton Black, Keenan; Isaiah Boyd, Lexington; Max Drag, Ben Lippen; KJ Gary, Newberry; DJ Raysor, Airport; Amoree Stephens, AC Flora; Anthony Washington, Irmo
Linebackers
- Coby Cornelius, Spring Valley — Had 97 tackles and 2 INTs last year.
- Ethan Hix, Lugoff-Elgin — One of top tacklers in Midlands last season with 146.
- DJ Hutcherson, Blythewood — Had 82 tackles and three sacks last season.
- Chase Ishmael, Blythewood — 89 tackles, 5 Sacks, 3 forced fumbles last season
- Marcellus Juggins, Camden — Had 110 tackles, 64 solos, 4 sacks and 2 INTs last year.
- Miquel Mason, Ridge View — Had 40 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INT last season.
- Edward Owusu, Dutch Fork — Had 50 tackles, 9 TFL last season
- Preston Sansone, River Bluff — Had 63 tackles, 11 TFL and 5 1/2 sacks last season.
- Josiah Schrodt, Lexington — Led team with more than 80 tackles last year.
- Jabez Taylor, Lower Richland — Had 82 tackles last season.
Others to watch: Craig Austin, Newberry; Jahmad Barr-Williams, Batesburg-Leesville; Jani Broadnax, Columbia; Myles Cotten, Blythewood; Darius Footes, Ridge View; Winston Harrison, Westwood; Chase Ismael, Blythewood; Connor Lehman, Chapin; Adam Molnar, River Bluff; Will Owens, Ben Lippen; Owen Plane, Brookland-Cayce; Keaton Rogers, Ridge View; Josh Smith, Dreher
Secondary
- Jordan Burrell, Blythewood — Had 75 tackles, 11 pass breakups and four forced fumbles
- Joseph Byrnes, Camden — Had 108 tackles last year.
Paul Davis, Spring Valley — Had 40 tackles and and INT least year.
- Trace Danley, Dutch Fork — Had 55 tackles and 3 INTs last year.
- Chad Ishmael, Blythewood — Had 35 tackles, 12 PBU, INT last season
Nic Emmanwori, Irmo — Had 36 tackles, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and 2 sacks last year.
- Zi’kef Johnson, Westwood — Intercepted five passes last season
- John Javis, Spring Valley — Had 42 tackles and 3 INTs last year.
Desmond Martin, CA Johnson: Led Midlands with 8 interceptions, and also had 900 yards receiving and 15 TDs
- Chris Rhone, Gray Collegiate — Picked off five passes last season.
Marquise Walker, Westwood — Had 39 tackles and an INT last season at Jack Britt HS in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Others to watch: Devin Bowers, Airport; Paul Davis, Spring Valley; Skyler King, Brookland-Cayce; Landon Hucks, Dreher; Tyleke Mathis, Saluda; Tyler Robinson, AC Flora; DeAree Rogers, White Knoll; Josh Skelton, Spring Valley; Uriah West, River Bluff
This story was originally published September 24, 2020 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Midlands watch list: Top high school football players for 2020 season."
