Commentary

Byrnes vs. Oscar Smith

ESPN High School Football Kickoff preview

Originally Published: August 24, 2012
By Dave Hooker | ESPN RecruitingNation

Two of the nation's top teams face off when Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes visits Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith on Saturday, Aug. 25 (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET) as part of the ESPN High School Football Kickoff.

BYRNES REBELS

Coach: Chris Miller
Record: 0-0
Team overview: Byrnes doesn't have the experienced talent it once did, but it has certainly managed to remain well-respected across the nation. Moreover, there is an incredible sense of optimism around the group of younger players.
Prospect history: Byrnes was a football powerhouse as recently as 2009. Following the 2008 season, defensive back Justin Bright and receiver Ricco Sanders signed with Florida State and Mississippi State, respectively. The 2010 class was even better. Tailback Marcus Lattimore signed with South Carolina. Defensive end Corey Miller and Brandon Willis, enrolled at Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively. In all, seven prospects signed with BCS schools.
Top prospect: Trey Barron has received college interest from Missouri State, North Carolina A&T, North Carolina State and South Carolina State. Clearly the pressure is on for the 6-foot-2, 195-pound receiver to have a big season in order to land his first college scholarship.
New face: Barron's counterpart could give Byrnes a tough receiving duo. Akia Booker also has good size at 6-0 and 180 pounds. Like Barron, he is awaiting scholarship offers.
Keep an eye on: Junior quarterback Shuler Bentley could certainly show up on recruiters' radars with a strong season. He should be helped by a strong receiving corps. Bentley is the son of Byrnes coach and playcaller Bobby Bentley.
Other prospects: At 6-4 and 200 pounds, Tavin Richardson may prove to be the best receiver on Byrnes' roster. Clemson and South Carolina have shown interest. During his freshman season, Richardson caught 26 passes for more than 400 yards. The defensive line should also showcase growing, young prospects who have yet to emerge.
Bet you didn't know: Byrnes High School student Sydney Sill, 16, was recently named Miss South Carolina Teen, replacing Rachel Wyatt, who was forced to vacate her crown when she was named Miss USA Outstanding Teen.

VS.


OSCAR SMITH TIGERS

Coach: Richard Morgan
Record: 0-0
Team overview: Oscar Smith got hammered in its season opener last season by Baltimore (Md.) Gilman, losing 51-27. No matter. The Tigers reeled off 14 straight wins and a state championship.
Prospect history: Oscar Smith has continually produced top-flight talent for years. Recently, linebacker Jerod Askew signed with Tennessee in 2009 while receiver Tim Smith and Perry Jones signed with Virginia. In 2010, quarterback Phillip Sims signed with Alabama and defensive tackle Devin Hailes signed with Penn State. In 2011, receiver Quinta Funderburk signed with Arkansas. Last February, running back J.C. Coleman signed with Virginia Tech.
Top prospect: By all indications, the next star prospect at Oscar Smith is junior defensive tackle Andrew Brown. The 6-foot-4, 295-pound prospect has a long list of scholarship offers from the nation's top football powerhouses. Barring an unforeseen setback, he'll get to chose any school in the nation.
New faces: Two juniors figure to break onto the scene and help their stock this season: receiver Jaylon Bradshaw and defensive back DaiQuan Lawrence. Both should have scholarship offers by the time the 2012 season is complete.
Keep an eye on: Kanyia Anderson has an intriguing list of schools pursuing him. California, Cornell, Furman, James Madison, Old Dominion and Richmond have offered him a scholarship. Cal's inclusion makes one think that the 6-2, 215-pound linebacker could be close to more BCS offers if he has a big senior season.
Other prospects: Zach Jones is certainly the highlight of a solid senior class. The 6-0, 180-pound receiver committed to Virginia over Illinois in April, essentially ending his recruitment with other schools early. Jones caught 49 passes for 903 yards last season. Clearly, he has a nose for the end zone, proven by the fact he scored 16 touchdowns last season.
Bet you didn't know: In 2008, Barack Obama held a town hall meeting on Oscar Smith's campus -- in the J. William Myers Gymnasium -- as part of his presidential campaign.

Dave Hooker

Reporter, RecruitingNation
  • Covers recruiting in the East and Southeast
  • Joined ESPN in 2011

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