Class of 2023 Rankings: The Best Player By Each Position
In this article:
In the weeks ahead, the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl crew will release its roster for the inaugural Joanne Langfitt Junior Showcase, a skills-style challenge for the top 88 juniors in South Carolina.
Who is gonna be there in December?
Chances are, this is a great place to start.
Using the recently released Class of 2023 statewide rankings, we picked the best player at each position group. From punter right on down to quarterback, this is a who’s who of the best juniors in the Palmetto State
Punter – Rush Sheppard, Greenville
Sheppard plays on the No. 2 team in the state, one that is full of other ranked prospects and prepared to make a deep playoff run. The 6-foot punter holds his own as a consistent weapon capable of flipping a field and putting the rest of the Red Raiders in prime position.
Kicker – Sam Spence Sam Spence 5'6" | 200 lbs | K West Florence | 2023 State SC , West Florence
Spence was among 39 kickers nationally named to the Chris Sailer Award watch list in August, and we can that type of ceiling for him. The Knights junior basically puts every kickoff into the end zone and has been consistent with his extra points and connected on an early field goal.
Defensive back – Misun Kelley Misun Kelley 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB DW Daniel | 2023 State SC , Daniel
Kelley has added a new subhead to his resume this season as a kickoff and punt returner, and we really shouldn’t be surprised based on the acumen he’s show as a fantastic cornerback. Kelley doesn’t allow much as a defender, and his in-air ball skills are excellent.
Linebacker – Jalen Rambert Jalen Rambert 6'1" | 240 lbs | LB Powdersville | 2023 State SC , Powdersville
Sideline-to-sideline quickness isn’t supposed to be this prevalent in a high school kid who weighs 240 pounds. But the 6-foot-2 Rambert makes it look effortless. Oh, did we mention he’s also a huge hitter who can bust up anyone on the other side of the ball?
Defensive lineman – Eamon Smalls Eamon Smalls 6'3" | 300 lbs | DL Beaufort | 2023 TX , Beaufort
The third-ranked player regardless of position leads a talented crop of defensive linemen around the state because, well, he’s a beast. Smalls recently drew an offer from Coastal Carolina, and it could open the floodgates.
Offensive lineman – Monroe Freeling Monroe Freeling 6'7" | 285 lbs | OL Oceanside Collegiate Academy | 2023 State SC , Oceanside Collegiate
Freeling can thank his coaches for putting together an impressive schedule that is only making him better. With Oceanside playing top-notch program after top-notch program, the 6-foot-7 left tackle is seeing all sorts of looks and improving in the process.
Tight end – Nic Brown Nic Brown 6'4" | 220 lbs | ATH Kingstree | 2023 State SC , C.E. Murray
Even with just one game under his belt this fall, Brown is a dynamic two-way star who has all sorts of potential on both sides of the ball. He’s a great defensive end/linebacker, but on offense, he can line up next to tackle or split out wide to create a match-up issue for defenses.
Receiver – Eli Merck Eli Merck 6'1" | 180 lbs | WR DW Daniel | 2023 State SC , Daniel
Thanks to the emergence of Jaylen Brown-Wallace Jaylen Brown-Wallace 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Daniel | 2023 State SC , opponents can’t put all fo their eggs into stopping Merck, although we’re not sure if it would matter much. Through three games, he’s reached the end zone nine times and has 318 yards receiving.
Running back – Jarvis Green Jarvis Green 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB Dutch Fork | 2023 State SC , Dutch Fork
Green is a jackknife in the making, the type of player who can rip off every-down yards, break off the occasional home run and also catch the ball out of the backfield. In the first three games of 2021, he put up 390 yards of offense and seven touchdowns against pretty good teams.
Quarterback – Zolten Osborne Zolten Osborne 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB Fort Dorchester | 2023 State SC , Fort Dorchester
We get that recruiting can be fickle business; finding the right quarterback can sink or swim a college program. But we’re also positive Osborne should be staring at something more than a doughnut on his offer sheet. He’s got every tool imaginable for a pocket passer.