Ahead of the 2021 high school football season, MaxPreps is breaking down
the top senior prospects in the country state-by-state as rated by
247Sports. We continue the series with South Carolina, which opens play Aug.
27.
Mauldin is the only team in the Palmetto State with multiple players on the list of the state's top-ranked prospect Top state recruit Jaedyn Lukus is regarded as the nation's No. 7 overall cornerback prospect, while linebacker Randy Caldwell is regarded as the No. 17 overall prospect in the state.
By position, offensive linemen and wide receivers dominated the Top 25 with five selections each, followed by defensive linemen (four), cornerbacks and linebackers (three each), quarterbacks (two) and one athlete and running back. Destination points for these elite recruits are primarily Clemson (three) and South Carolina (two). As of Aug. 1, 14 of the 25 had committed to colleges.
The state's No. 7 recruit C.J. Stokes has committed to Michigan.
File photo by Jamie Hassan
South Carolina's Top 25 players from Class of 2022 1. Jaedyn Lukus | Mauldin
6-2 | 185 | CB | Clemson commit
Nation's No. 7 cornerback prospect totaled 36 tackles and one interception across six games. Committed to the Tigers over 24 other offers, including Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oklahoma.
6-2 | 210 | LB | Notre Dame
The nation's No. 11 linebacker prospect had 28 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in a shortened junior season. Held 35 additional offers including Alabama, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and USC.
6-3 | 198 | WR | Clemson commit
Top 20 wide receiver prospect racked up 46 receptions for 1,011 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He held 22 other offers including Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Oregon, Tennessee and West Virginia.
6-0 | 180 | WR | Undecided
The nation's No. 25 wide receiver prospect had 51 receptions for 837 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Cut his finalists down to Auburn, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas and Clemson, although he is still awaiting an offer from Dabo Swinney at Clemson.
6-5 | 285 | OT | Clemson
Regarded as the No. 32 offensive tackle prospect in the senior class, Sadler picked the Tigers over 33 other offers including Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State and USC.
6-3 | 208 | S | South Carolina
Top 50 safety prospect committed to the Gamecocks over Charlotte, Georgia Southern and Richmond. Piled up 100 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks and two interceptions in nine games last season.
5-11 | 190 | RB | Michigan
Top 50 running back prospect picked the Wolverines over 15 other offers including Louisville, Minnesota, Missouri, Penn State, Vanderbilt and West Virginia.
6-2 | 208 | WR | Appalachian State
Top 100 wide receiver prospect selected the Mountaineers over offers from Army, Charlotte, Coastal Carolina, Eastern Michigan, Liberty, Middle Tennessee State, Pennsylvania, Wake Forest and Yale.
6-3 | 190 | WR | South Carolina
The No. 95 wide receiver prospect nationally hauled in 41 receptions for 898 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior. Also averaged 36 points and 17 rebounds per contest in basketball.
6-2 | 215 | QB | Undecided
Top 50 quarterback prospect in the Class of 2022 has received offers from Coastal Carolina, East Carolina, Liberty, South Carolina, Tulane, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. Dual-threat prospect has rushed for more than 1,800 yards in three seasons.
6-4 | 200 | ATH | Undecided
Two-way impact player holds 15 offers including Appalachian State, Army, Duke, East Carolina, Indiana, Kansas, Navy, Virginia and Wake Forest.
6-3 | 187 | WR Undecided
Grid-hoops dual star grabbed 24 receptions for 440 yards and a pair of touchdowns in five games, while also averaging over 20 points per contest in basketball. Among his offers: Middle Tennessee State, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and West Virginia.
6-1.5 | 208 | QB | Undecided
Accounted for 1,258 passing and 378 rushing yards with 18 total touchdowns as a junior. Holds offers from Michigan, South Carolina, Temple and Virginia Tech, among others.
6-2.5 | 285 | DL | Undecided
Three-star prospect boasts six offers: Arizona State, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Syracuse and Virginia Tech.
6-6 | 370 | OT | Virginia Tech
Top 100 offensive tackle prospect also competes in track and field, competing in the shot put, discus and javelin. He picked the Hokies over Georgia State.
6-5 | 300 | OT | Undecided
Holds 15 offers including Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Penn State, Tennessee and West Virginia.
6-1 | 210 | LB | North Carolina
In an abbreviated six game junior season, Caldwell recorded 37 tackles, four tackles for loss and one sack. Holds at least 20 offers.
6-2 | 235 | DL | Undecided
Regarded as the No. 139 defensive lineman prospect nationally. Among his offers: Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia State, Liberty and Tennessee.
6-2 | 270 | DL | North Carolina State
Tallied 72 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and nine sacks last season. He also finished Class AAAA state runner-up in wrestling in the heavyweight division.
6-6 | 240 | OT | Undecided
Nation's No. 123 offensive tackle prospect overall has offers from Appalachian State and Georgia State.
6-1 | 180 | CB | Wake Forest
Recorded 22 tackles and one interception across seven games last season.
6-4 | 290 | OG | Arkansas
Regarded as the nation's No. 56 inside offensive lineman prospect, Henderson has other offers from Arizona State and Georgia.
6-3 | 203 | LB | Undecided
Top 150 linebacker prospect nationally has an offer from Georgia State with interest from Coastal Carolina and South Carolina.
6-3 | 285 | DL | Undecided
Ranked as the nation's No. 163 defensive lineman prospect, Harrison holds 21 offers including Arizona State, Cincinnati, Indiana, Michigan and Washington State. Hopes to lead the Vikings to their first winning season since 2017.
6-1 | 175 | CB | Syracuse
Earned an all-State selection in basketball after leading the Stallions to their first state championship on the hardwood. Had a dozen football offers other than Syracuse.