USC Gamecocks commitment Xzavier McLeod named SC Mr. Football for 2022
Camden High School defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod won one of the state’s top football awards on Saturday.
The University of South Carolina football commitment was named S.C. Mr. Football for 2022. The award’s recipient was announced at halftime of the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl.
McLeod is the second Camden player to win the award, joining Eric McCollom (2002) and is the 11th Gamecock commit to win the award and the fourth in last six years. He iis the first Midlands area player to win the award since Dutch Fork’s Matt Colburn in 2014.
McLeod is second-straight defensive player to win the award. Hilton Head’s Jaylen Sneed, who won it last year, is finishing his freshman season at Notre Dame.
“Bringing another trophy back is special,” McLeod said. “The last winner Eric McCollum said, ‘Bring it home,’ and that is what I did.”
McLeod was the lone defensive player among the finalists, which included state champions LaNorris Sellers and Jarvis Green. Many thought one of those two players might win the award. Sellers won the The State’s Mr. Football fan poll conducted this week.
“It is a big deal,” McLeod said. “Me being a defensive lineman and winning the trophy with a good group of guys like running backs and quarterbacks that put up numerous amount yards is a big complement.”
McLeod is the third-ranked prospect in the state according to the 247Sports Composite and will play in the Under Armour All-American game next month in Florida. He finished with 54.5 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback pressures and 6.5 sacks.
Camden coach Brian Rimpf said McLeod’s stats might have been bigger, but most teams ran away from where McLeod lined up each week. McLeod has been big part of the Bulldogs’ defense, moving up to varsity as a freshman and being part of two state championship final teams.
“It is a big honor,” Rimpf said. “Really proud of him. He is dominant. ... I’m very happy to see what he will do in the future.”
McLeod will play in the Under Armour game next month before enrolling early at USC. Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer is expected to visit again with him on Tuesday as he sees various USC commits before the Dec. 21 signing day.
Other 2022 SC Mr. Football Finalists
Jarvis Green, RB, Dutch Fork: Class 5A Lower State Back of the Year played a big role in helping the Silver Foxes to a sixth state championship in seven seasons. Green finished with 2,548 all-purpose yards and 41 touchdowns. Committed to James Madison
Bryson James, RB/LB, Clinton: Class 3A Upper State Back of the Year was a two-way standout for the Red Devils this season. James rushed for 1,529 yards and 34 total touchdowns, including four on special teams. On defense, he had 90.5 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and five quarterback sacks.
Raheim Jeter, QB, Spartanburg: The Class 5A Upper State Back of the Year threw for 2,344 yards and 23 total touchdowns. He is the 17th-rated prospect in S.C. by 247Sports Composite and committed to East Carolina.
Xzavier McLeod, DL, Camden: Class 3A Lower State Lineman of the Year had 54.5 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback pressures and 6.5 sacks. McLeod is the third-ranked prospect in S.C. by 247Sports Composite and is committed to South Carolina.
Jonah Norris, RB, Lexington: Norris had 2,059 all-purpose yards, including 1,950 rushing and 27 total touchdowns this season.
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Florence: Class 4A Back of the Year helped the Bruins to a first state championship in school history. Sellers threw for 2,948 yards, rushed for 1,338 and had 66 total touchdowns. He is the eighth-ranked prospect in S.C. by 247Sports Composite and committed to play at Syracuse.
Tyler Smith, RB, Barnwell: Class 2A Lower State Back of the Year rushed for 2,903 yards and 46 touchdowns, and caught passes for 120 yards and a score.
PAST SC MR. FOOTBALL WINNERS
Year, Name, Position, School, College
1995 — Jermale Kelley, WR, Berea, South Carolina
1996 — Kyle Young, OL, Daniel, Clemson
1997 — Chris Hope, DB, Rock Hill, Florida State
1998 — Derek Watson, RB, Palmetto, South Carolina
1999 — Mark Logan, QB, Greenwood, Georgia Tech
2000 — Roscoe Crosby, WR, Union, Clemson
2001 — Moe Thompson, DE, Stratford, South Carolina
2002 — Eric McCollom, QB, Camden, Iowa
2003 — Trey Elder, QB, Byrnes, Appalachian State
2004 — J.D. Melton, QB, Myrtle Beach, Navy
2005 — Prince Miller, DB, Byrnes, Georgia
2006 — Malcolm Long, QB, Gaffney, South Carolina State
2007 — Richard Mounce, QB, Blythewood, Charleston Southern
2008 — Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Pointe, South Carolina
2009 — Marcus Lattimore, RB, Byrnes, South Carolina
2010 — Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Pointe, South Carolina
2011 —Shaq Roland, WR, Lexington, South Carolina
2012 —Tramel Terry, WR, Goose Creek, Georgia
2013 —Jacob Park, QB, Stratford, Georgia
2014 — Matthew Colburn, RB, Dutch Fork, Wake Forest
2015 — Tavien Feaster, RB, Spartanburg, Clemson
2016 — Gage Moloney, QB, Northwestern, James Madison
2017 — Dakereon Joyner, QB, Fort Dorchester, South Carolina
2018 — Zacch Pickens, DE, T.L. Hanna, South Carolina
2019 — Luke Doty, QB, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
2020 — Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DT, Gaffney, Georgia
2021 — Jaylen Sneed, LB, Hilton Head, Notre Dame
2022 — Xzavier McLEod, DT, Camden, South Carolina
This story was originally published December 10, 2022 at 1:56 PM.
