Carolinas' top juniors are already making a splash

I wrote about the top ten juniors in each of the Carolinas for the July 12 paper, but I’ve received several emails recently asking me to post the list on our blog. So here you go, in alphabetical order:

NORTH CAROLINA

STEPHONE ANTHONY, LB, Wadesboro Anson—How about a linebacker who has intercepted 14 passes in two years? Speed and quickness in a 6-foot-3, 220-pound package.
K.J. BRENT, WR, Marvin Ridge—At 6-foot-4, possibly the best big receiver in his N.C. class. Injured last year, but great hands and an ability to come down with the ball.
NIGEL KING, WR, Wakefield—At 6-2 and 195 pounds with a chance to get bigger, King should develop into the prototypical big WR. As a sophomore, he had 853 receiving yards and 15 TDs.
VAD LEE, QB, Durham Hillside—A remarkable athlete at 6-1 and 200 pounds, Lee runs a 4.5-second 40 and could play a number of positions collegiately, including quarterback.
CHRISTIAN LEMAY, QB, Butler—Already poised and in control, with two years left to play. Possibly the most mobile quarterback in the state. And possibly the best in the country by his senior year.
PRICE LITTON, QB, Providence Day—Litton is 6-2 and 205 pounds and throws bullets. Transferred after playing sparingly at Weddington, and should be a dominating QB this fall.
DREW OWENS, TE, Ardrey Kell—He’s 6-5 and 230 pounds and can run the 40 in 4.59 seconds. Add good hands and a 35-inch vertical and you can see why everyone’s interested.
B.J. SHERRILL, QB, West Rowan—Solid and muscular at 5-11 and 230 pounds, Sherrill led the Falcons to a 15-1 record and the state 3A title. Also an outstanding basketball player.
BRIAN TAYLOR, QB, Hartnett Central—Had the Trojans undefeated before breaking his leg in the sixth game and missing the rest of the season. He’s 6-3 and 200 pounds, and had already thrown for over 1,000 yards and 10 TDs when he was hurt.
MARQUISE WILLIAMS, QB, Mallard Creek—A dual-threat quarterback, The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Williams has 4.7 speed and was an ME-CA 7 all-conference pick as a sophomore after totaling more than 3,000 yards of total offense and 37 TDs.


SOUTH CAROLINA

RODERICK BYERS, DL, Northwestern—Saw limited varsity play on a deep team, but he’s already 6-4 and 250 pounds with outstanding quickness. Could wind up in the defensive interior in college, but also has the speed for DE.
SHON CARSON, RB, Lake City—As a freshman, he rushed for 1,300 yards, and followed that up with 1,600 last year. Carson (5-9, 195 pounds) has 4.4 speed and a number of verbal offers.
JADEAVEON CLOWNEY, DE, South Pointe—We talk a lot about QBs here, but this could be the best prospect of all. Clowney is already 6-6 and 245 pounds—and runs a 4.55 40. “I’ve been in this game 27 years and haven’t seen one like him,” says Stallions coach Bobby Carroll.
HAKEEM FLOWERS, WR, Greenville Hampton—Try 6-3, 180 pounds with 4.4-second speed. Flowers still has some developing to do, but his natural ability has everyone interested.
EVERETT GOLSON, QB, Myrtle Beach—A combo quarterback with a strong arm, he led MB to the state 3A title. Golson has already broken the school passing record with over 5,000 yards in two seasons.
TONY MCNEAL, QB, Chester—As a sophomore, the 6-1 McNeal led the Cyclones to the state title game while throwing for 3,577 yards and 39 touchdowns.
CHARON PEAKE, WR, Roebuck Dorman—You find very few wide receivers who are 6-3 with 4.4 speed, but Peake is just that. As a freshman, he turned his first four catches into TDs.
ROBERT SMITH, QB, Dorchester Woodland—The top run-pass threat at the position, he piled up almost 3,500 yards of total offense and 36 touchdowns last season.
DEXTER STALEY, LB, Williston-Elko—Not as well known as others on this list, but he’s 6-2, 230 pounds and runs a 4.6 40. In a playoff game last year, Staley ran for three TDs, threw for another, caught a pass for yet another and blocked a punt.
JUSTIN WORLEY, QB, Northwestern—Led team to SC Class 4A Division II title game. Good height at 6-5 and will get stronger as he increases his 180-pound weight. Also a baseball and basketball standout.

--Stan Olson