Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school football. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2025 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
J'Zavien Currence of
South Pointe (Rock Hill) is the 2025 MaxPreps South Carolina High School Football Player of the Year. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior quarterback/defensive back led the Stallions to a 14-1 record and Class 4A state title, the school's first since 2021.
For the season, Currence threw for 2,782 yards and 24 touchdowns to go with 130 carries for 1,621 yards and 20 more scores. Defensively, he recorded 87 tackles and four interceptions.
Projected as a defensive back at the next level, J'Zavien Currence helped South Pointe put up 35 points or more in its last nine games. (PHOTO: Chris Martino)
In a 35-14 win over South Florence (Florence) in the state title game, Currence ran 18 times for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He completed 2 of 4 passes for 18 yards while adding six tackles on defense.
In five playoff games, Currence threw for 959 yards and 10 touchdowns to go with 554 yards on the ground and eight more scores.
Currence led the Stallions to 14 consecutive wins after a season-opening 14-10 loss to unbeaten North Carolina state finalist Hough (Cornelius). He threw for 191 yards and ran for 75 yards and a score in that loss to go along with a team-high 16 tackles.
In a 27-23 win over eventual Class 5A state champ Northwestern (Rock Hill), Currence completed 17 of 20 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns to go with 10 carries for 121 yards and another score. He added 12 tackles and an interception on defense. The Stallions erased an 11-point fourth quarter deficit thanks in part to his game-winning, 22-yard touchdown pass with 35 seconds remaining.
Currence signed with South Carolina last week and is regarded as a top 100 prospect in the Class of 2026 by 247Sports.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team.
Past MaxPreps South Carolina Players of the Year
2020 — Will Taylor, QB, Dutch Fork (Irmo)
2021 — Antonio Williams, WR, Dutch Fork
2022 — Jarvis Green, RB, Dutch Fork
2023 — Cutter Woods, QB, Westside
2024 — Cutter Woods, QB, Westside
