Class of 2023 Rankings: Stock Risers
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We’re all about the movers and shakers when it comes to updated player rankings. And between new additions to the Class of 2023 and some players who earned jumps up the rankings, we’ve got you covered on the biggest changes.…
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Continue ReadingWe’re all about the movers and shakers when it comes to updated player rankings.
And between new additions to the Class of 2023 and some players who earned jumps up the rankings, we’ve got you covered on the biggest changes. Consider this the one-stop shop for stock risers.
Zolten Osborne Zolten Osborne 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Fort Dorchester | 2023 State SC , QB, Fort Dorchester (↑ 11 spots)
We knew coming into the season that Osborne was among the best quarterbacks in the state of South Carolina. And in three games, he’s proved he belongs near the top of the list, regardless of position. In the Patriots’ first three games this season, Osborne has either thrown for more than 300+ yards (twice) or four touchdowns. He’s completing roughly two-thirds of his passes, and he’s showing incredible arm strength and a freelance style when necessary.
LaNorris Sellers LaNorris Sellers 6'3" | 215 lbs | QB South Florence | 2023 State SC , QB, South Florence (↑ 28 spots)
We’re big buyers on Sellers, who has made one of the most impressive leaps in abilities we’ve seen between his sophomore and junior seasons. Through four games this fall, the big quarterback has thrown for 750 yards and 10 touchdowns (versus just one interception), has completed 61 percent of his passes and has also run for 243 yards and six scores. He’s verbally committed to Virginia, but other potential suitors are likely to try to change his mind.
Daryl DePass, DB, Beaufort (↑ 20 spots)
The 6-footer is a defensive coordinator’s dream. He is frequently matched up against an opponent’s best receiver, and even when he’s giving up an inch or two, DePass is a lock-down cornerback who can handle just about anyone in one-on-one coverages. What boosted him over the top, though, was a concentration on improving his tackling. The Eagles’ junior isn’t afraid to stick his helmet into a tight end coming across the middle or a running back who broke free.
Clay Pender Clay Pender 6'1" | 165 lbs | ATH Barnwell | 2023 SC , WR, Barnwell (↑ 16 spots)
The only thing preventing Pender from being a bigger college recruit is that he’s maybe not playing for one of the huge Class 5A or 4A recruiting factories. But believe us, Pender has all the tools. At 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, Pender frequently lines up on the outside and can burn defenders. Meanwhile, he has no issues accepting slip screens and making them count or out-leaping a corner and safety.
UNRANKED NO MORE
Obviously, by expanding our rankings and adding 45 more juniors, there are a whole bunch of new faces we’ve come to know very well. Each of them have taken the strides to jump into the list.
Three, in particular, moved directly into our top 50. A.C. Flora offensive standouts – receiver Chris Lofton Chris Lofton 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR AC Flora | 2023 State SC and Markel Townsend Markel Townsend 5'8" | 170 lbs | RB AC Flora | 2023 State SC – and River Bluff receiver Apollos Cook Apollos Cook 6'2" | 205 lbs | WR Aiport | 2023 State SC have had great starts to their junior years after impressive offseasons in which they continued to develop.
In the case of Lofton and Townsend, they have proven they were much more than just cogs in the Falcons’ Class 4A championship run fro a year ago.
And, with Cook, his 6-foot-2, 205-pound frame is getting the attention of college recruiters.
A few of other players who jumped into the rankings who have made big impressions:
Kendarius Kinard Kendarius Kinard 6'4" | 300 lbs | OL AC Flora | 2023 State SC , OL, A.C. Flora
Kameron Durant Kameron Durant 6'4" | 315 lbs | OL Cane Bay | 2023 State SC , OL, Cane Bay
Cameron Faircloth Cameron Faircloth 6'1" | 195 lbs | LB Loris | 2023 State SC , LB, Loris
Robinson Sanders Robinson Sanders 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Riverside | 2023 State SC , QB, Riverside
Qua Howard Qua Howard 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Keenan | 2023 State SC , RB, Northwestern
Jaylen Brown-Wallace Jaylen Brown-Wallace 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Daniel | 2023 State SC , WR, Daniel
Jace Kraftchick Jace Kraftchick 6'3" | 205 lbs | WR Oceanside Collegiate | 2023 State SC , WR, Oceanside Collegiate
They were joined by plenty of others we’ll continue to evaluate throughout the 2021 season prior to our next rankings update in January.