Midlands high school football players to watch for 2016 season
Some of the top players in the area to keep an eye on this year.
OFFENSE
Running Backs
Amir Abrams, Newberry – Rushed for 1,271 yards and 24 TDs, second most in Midlands last year.
Catriez Cook, Gilbert – Senior moving to tailback for first-year coach Chad Leaphart after playing on defense last year.
Tyquandre Davis, Richland Northeast – Went for 1,303 yards and 12 TDs on the ground.
Maurice Jones, White Knoll – Averaged 7.3 yards a carry and finished with 1,145 yards and 11 scores.
Ali Kelley, Ridge View – Gained 1,004 yards last season.
Rudy Mitchell, Westwood – Leading returning rusher in the Midlands. Rushed for career-high 1,953 yards and 23 TDs. Has offered from Gardner-Webb.
Jay Washington, Dreher – Fifth in Midlands in rushing last year with 1,347 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Kyle Wright, Ben Lippen – Rushed for 625 yards last year at Blythewood. But will get bulk of the rushing load this season. Has offer from ECU.
Receivers/Tight Ends
Jordyn Adams, Blythewood – Third on team in all-purpose yards with 780. Also might see time at QB this year. Has several Division I offers including South Carolina, East Carolina, North Carolina and Maryland.
Cam Butler, Ridge View – Caught 12 passes for 191 yards last season. Committed to Colorado State.
Roger Carter, Jr., Blythewood – Westwood transfer had seven catches for 85 yards last season. Committed to Florida Atlantic.
Austin Connor, Dutch Fork – Led Midlands with 26.8 yard average per catch. Caught 30 passes for 804 yards. Has several Division I offers including South Carolina, Georgia, Duke, Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt.
Keyon Hair, Lower Richland – Will figure prominently in Diamond Hornets’ passing game. Had 502 yards receiving last season.
Thomas Hollingsworth, A.C. Flora – Led Falcons with 48 catches and 691 yards last year.
Cole Owens, Chapin – Ben Lippen transfer had 57 catches for 731 yards last year.
Bernard Porter, Ridge View – Had 11 catches for 264 yards last year.
Lucas Prickett, Hammond – Led Skyhawks with 42 catches for 960 yards.
Will Register, Chapin – Caught 40 passes for 644 yards despite missing some games because of injury. Committed to South Carolina and on ESPN’s Top 300 for Class of 2017.
Kale Rhame, Chapin – Had 27 catches for 452 yards last year but will be bigger role in passing game with losses of Evan Estridge and Joe Flowers.
Jack Theodore, Hammond – Caught 45 passes for 556 yards last year.
Bryce Thompson, Ben Lippen – Dutch Fork transfer didn’t play football last year but is expected to play big role at Ben Lippen. Committed to Virginia Tech.
Chylon Thomas, Gray Collegiate – Second in Midlands with 1,001 yards receiving to go along with 63 catches.
Linemen
Elliott Campbell, Lugoff-Elgin – Committed to Furman to play tight end but will play on L-E’s line this year.
Hunter Blackmon, Lexington – Missed second half of season because of injury but will be at full strength this year.
Ryan Hiller, Westwood – Four-year starter recently committed to Charleston Southern.
Hank Manos, Chapin – A key on Chapin’s wrestling squad should help with one of Midlands’ best offensive lines.
Cam Muller, Ridge View – Blazers lineman is ranked No. 32 in 247Sports South Carolina rankings and committed to Old Dominion over summer.
Collyn Richardson, Airport – Junior set high school record in bench press at National Strength meet.
Jarrett Sandy, Swansea – Will be anchor of Tigers’ offensive line.
Andrew Storey – Senior is one of anchors on Wildcats’ veteran offensive line.
Malik Sumter, Dutch Fork – Two-way player missed some time with injuries last year. Has offers from Division I schools.
DEFENSE
Line/Linebackers
Joe Beckett, White Knoll – Had 107 tackles at linebacker last season.
Nathaniel Brunson, Blythewood – Westwood transfer named top defensive lineman at Top Gun Showcase this summer.
Zhadrian Burgess, Batesburg-Leesville – Had 99 tackles and seven sacks last year.
Micah Byrd, Blythewood – Second in Midlands with 179 tackles last year.
Darryl Camack, Fairfield Central – Had 120 tackles last season.
Cassius Garner, Blythewood – Had 121 tackles for Bengals last season.
Tim Gibson, Richland Northeast – Led Cavaliers in tackles for loss.
Darieus McCaskill, Westwood – Led Midlands with 188 tackles.
Octavious Pringle, Brookland-Cayce – 6-foot-2, 280 pounder is No. 16 ranked prospect in the state according to 247Sports. Committed to Coastal Carolina.
Brandon Serio, White Knoll – Had 137 tackles last year for Timberwolves
Damani Staley, Ridge View – Named The State’s Defensive Player of the Year after 22 sack season. Committed to South Carolina and 13th ranked prospect in state, according to 247Sports.
Secondary
Dinichie Ashe, Ridge View – Led Blazers with six interceptions
L.A. Anderson, Ridge View – Lakewood transfer will be big addition on both sides of ball. Division I prospect with several offers.
Lane Botkin, A.C. Flora – Had 113 tackles last year.
Cole Brown, Blythewood – Picked off four passes last year
Cedric Cunningham, North Central – Two-way player will be factor at running back and in the secondary.
Bobby Irby, Dutch Fork – Led Silver Foxes with four interceptions. Also will be a contributor at receiver.
Dayrun Keith, Pelion – Led team in interceptions last year and was second leading rusher.
Zafir Kelly, Irmo – Tied for second in Midlands with six interceptions.
Mike Joyner, Richland Northeast – Had 50 tackles and eight pass breakups last season.
DJ Ledell, River Bluff – State triple champion should help out with Gators’ secondary.
Shaun Moore, Spring Valley – Had 75 tackles and one interception last year. Has several Division I offers.
Kerryon Richardson, Airport – One of area’s most dynamic playmakers on both sides of ball. Had almost 900 all-purpose yards on offense and pair of picks in secondary. Has several Division I offers.
Eric Ricker, Lexington – Had 90 tackles and six picks last season.
Cory Riley, A.C. Flora – Had five interceptions last year.
Anthony Salters, Dreher – Key player in secondary and 99-yard kickoff return for TD in playoffs against Myrtle Beach.
Dai’Quan Wells, Lexington – Led Midlands with seven interceptions last season. Will be big contributor on offense as well.
This story was originally published August 13, 2016 at 3:11 PM.