Developing the player rankings is something that I not only enjoy doing, but take pride in doing. It is a long, tedious task of watching film, evaluating data, considering coaches' evaluations, and eye-balling the players either on the field or in camps. There are specific criteria that I evaluate from an athletic standpoint, as well as specific criteria for each position on how the player excels at his job. Toss in the very subjective "potential" thoughts and you have the beginnings of the rankings list.
One of the things I always begin with is separating the players by position and then determining which player is the best - in my eyes - at each individual position. Once I'm able to begin some form of position rankings, I will go back and try to develop the overall player ranking list.
Here is a peak at the very first step in the process - my first thoughts at the best at each position for the Class of 2012. While this could very well and probably will change before the final rankings come out, this is the first set based don evaluations that have been done so far. I'll talk about the positions in alphabetical order, so not to give the idea that any one of these players are ranked any higher than any other.
ATHLETE
It used to be that being labeled "athlete" in recruiting was a bad thing - almost an insult to your abilities as a player at the position you play. But the evolution of the game and the players has made this label a good thing now. The players listed in this category are often one of, if not the, best players and biggest impacts on the team. That is certainly true of the young man I have at the top of this list. Lexington's Shaq Roland is a thriple threat on the offensive side of the football as a passer, rusher, and receiver, is dangerous on special teams, and, with time in position, could be one of the best defensive backs in the state. I have had the pleasure of
watching this kid since he was eight years old and he has always been a phenom on the field. I seriously doubt that further evaluations will discover a player more suited for the No. 1 spot than Roland.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
For the time being, I will not separate the safties from the corners. Keep in mind, this is one of the most difficult positions to rank because it is difficult to evaluate on film, either because they are out of the frame or you just can't see the things you need to see on the film. They are much easier evaluated live and at camps. Right now, based on what I have completed in evals, Chester's Tony Wright (6-0, 175) is at the top of this list. He is a sticky corner who plays physical and he has great hips and good closing speed.
DEFENSIVE ENDS
This is going to be a strong position for the state again, but right now, there is one kid that I really like and has set himself apart from the others. Wando's Gimel President(6-4, 242) is a young man who really captured my attention this past season. He is ferocious off of the edge and finished 2010 with 6 sacks and more than 80 tackles with teams running away from him most of the time this past season. He's got 4.6 speed and combined with his strength, makes him almost unblockable for the high school opponents. He reminds me a lot of Carlos Dunlap with his athleticism.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
This is another position that we'll see change in rankings as the evaluations continue. Right now, Bamberg-Ehrhardt's Martin Aiken (6-3, 240) is at the top. He finished 2012 with more than 90 tackles and 8 sacks. He'll definitely have to add some weight but has a good, solid frame that can do it. His quick feet and athleticism are a huge asset for him in the rankings.
LINEBACKERS
Once again, the linebacker spot is very shallow in the Palmetto State. Because of the style of play that most of the offenses are playing, smaller, more athletic players are being lined up at the linebacker spots. For that reason, we have a shortage of the guys who have the speed and size to play at the IA level. At the top of the list right now are three players. Greer's Adam Ah Ching (6-0, 205), Goose Creek's T.J. Burrell (6-0, 190), and Gaffney's Savon Dukes (6-2, 207) are the players that have shined in early evaluations. If I had to put them in order right now, I'd say Dukes, Burrell, Ah-Ching in that order.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Currently, the offensive line crowd appears to be a solid crop. I've got three that I'm debating in my mind for the top spot - Dorman's Patrick DeStefano (6-5, 279), Ninety-Six's Oliver Jones (6-6, 285), and Woodruff's Javarius Leamon (6-6, 260). All three are solid picks and each have IA offers on the table.
QUARTERBACKS
After a class like we had with 2011, this class looks empty in comparison. The truth is, it is a shallow pool in terms of prospects and I currently have no one who has solidified the top spot at the position for me. I like Greer's Reese Hannon (6-3, 190). I had an opportunity to see him in the SCVarsity.com Passing Camp last Summer, as well as on film. He completed 55% of his passes for more than 1,700 yards this past season. He's got a strong arm and throws up to
mid-range balls with great accuracy. Summerville's Dalton Saunders (5-11, 180) lacks the size that most of the recruiters are looking for but Saunders will be the top returning passer (statistically) in the state next year for the public schools. Porter Gaude's Hudson Worthy
has the best stats of any returning starter with 43 touchdowns and more than 4,000 yards passing.
RUNNING BACKS
This position will have a very strong group of players. The top spot will be debated. I've got three that I really like right now at the top - Hampton's Dondre Brown (6-2, 215), Ridgeland's Torray Amlett (6-2, 210), and Williston-Elko's Kendric Salley (5'11, 195). But the group of guys pushing them for the top spot is strong. Byrnes' Shakeem Wharton (5-9, 195), Greenwood's D.J. Goodman(5'11, 195), and Nation Ford's Jay Jay McCullough (6'3, 225) are all strong at the position, as well.
WIDE RECEIVERS
As with Roland at the Athlete spot, I have little doubt that evaluations will find anyone better than Gaffney's Quinshad Davis (6-3, 190) at this spot. Davis has a chance at being the state's top player and I don't think he'll be challenged in the position rankings. Behind him is a solid group, including Hanahan's Chris Brown (6-2, 178), Blythewood'sDamar Hall (6-1, 176), and Calhoun County's Mark Irick(6-4, 180).
No comments:
Post a Comment