Community Film Room, Episode 17

After each rankings update, we still have scores of players we’ve yet to evaluate. Considering South Carolina has just shy of 10,000 prep football players between the SCHSL and SCISA ranks, it’s an inevitable part of the process. But even now, immediately following our latest ranking update, we’re constantly looking for talent. We want you to see what we’re looking at. In our weekly series dubbed the Community Film Room, we break down players who have yet to find their way into the rankings. Maybe they’re young, haven’t had a chance to get their film out or - yes, it’s entirely possible - we just missed them the last time around. In Episode 17, we’ve pinpointed five players who bring quite a bit to the table for their respective teams, all of whom made the playoffs last fall. <strong>Tyler Brantley</strong>, DB, West Florence At 150 pounds, Brantley’s size (he’s also 5-foot-10) doesn’t jump off the roster. His play does. Last season, Brantley was fourth on the Knights’ defense with 44 solo tackles (53 total). He also put up eight pass break ups and one each in the TFL, interception and forced fumble categories. Brantley’s film shows a kid who loves the contact. He’s got no issue going after guys 50-70 pounds heavier. Brantley (pictured) will start at corner in 2022 and could catch someone’s eye. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15073364/617388f4478d5d0f081073d2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Chris Edge</strong>, RB, Daniel Edge quietly put up one of the more well-rounded tailback performances in 2021, when he rushed for 929 yards and 14 touchdowns and caught another 34 passes for 255 yards and two more scores. The quick-fire Daniel offense that led this team to back-to-back state titles will rely even more upon him during his season year. Edge can take the quick pitch to the outside or the inside handoff up the gut and has no problem juking and jiving his way upfield. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12839666/6182dcbef31c94044cf03dce" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Will Jenison</strong>, OL, South Aiken Jenison flip-flops from the right two left side of the line as needed, as this offense bends around its star-studded backfield. And his flexibility at both tackle spots has been a boon for a South Aiken team that is constantly going up against stout defensive lines. With non-region games against Lexington, Gilbert, River Bluff, White Knoll and Clinton this fall, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound Jenison will have every opportunity to prove his value each week. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14403203/61a6b1026e811508e84baac5" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Jordan Perry</strong>, WR, Orangeburg-Wilkinson The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder has a 78-inch wingspan and a 28-inch vertical leap. Want to guess where he’s a handful? Spoiler, it’s not just in the end zone on fade routes. Perry is an outside threat who is much faster than his 40 time when the pads are on. He has great reach and vision that - as you’ll see in his clips - allows him to often catch passes when there’s a defensive back otherwise prohibiting the possibility.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13169556/61943ef2f31c620918c73220" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>DeAnte Hopkins</strong>, LB, Ridge Spring-Monetta Hopkins led the team in both solo tackles (43) and total stops (66.5) last season. He also had 10 tackles for loss, four sacks and two picks. At 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, he could stand to put on a little weight, but so far his frame has worked out just fine. So far, it’s allowed him to keep an extra gear and take care of large sections of the field from his spot at middle linebacker. Hopkins was a huge reason the Trojans won nine games a year ago.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14596291/61ad49db64df76065c0e4305" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>