SC Rich in Receiver Talent, Oceanside’s Kelly-Murray Is State’s Top Senior Prospect
Northwood Academy senior Drew Wolfe (6-1, 165) returns its top receiver from last season, this photo from the 2025 SCISA state title game.
By Roger Lee
Contributing Writer
Goose Creek - South Carolina has an abundance of talented receivers playing in the high school ranks.
This Summer two talented pass catchers who battled for the 2025 SCISA AAAA Football Championship talked to the High School Sports Report regarding returning to their teams for the 2026 season.
“We put more work in this Summer because we want to get back there and win it this time,” said Heathwood Hall senior Keon McKinley. “One of the keys for any receiver is staying composed and not getting frustrated when things don’t go your way.”
His team had to settle for state runner-up after falling to Northwood Academy in the championship game. McKinley (5-8, 175) entered this season as one of the HSSR’s Top Football Prospects for the state’s Class of 2027, receiving a ranking of 90th overall on the list that includes both athletes in the South Carolina High School League and SCISA ranks.
Northwood also returns its top receiver from last season in senior Drew Wolfe (6-1,165), who promises the Chargers will again feature a dynamic offense.
“It will be a show,” Wolfe said. “Me and quarterback Kevin Johnson (6-1, 195) work well together and I feel confident about what we can achieve as long as we keep doing that. He’s one of a kind and our chemistry is strong.”
Wolfe is ranked 136th on the list while Johnson is ranked 17th. Their chemistry helped the Chargers win the Shane Beamer 7 on 7 competition this Summer. His advice to upcoming receivers is to give it their all.
“I run my route full speed even if the ball isn’t coming to me,” he said. “You have to go 100 percent every time or those DBs will catch on.”
The overall top prospect for the Class of 2027 is Jaiden Kelly-Murray (5-10, 170), who lines up as both a receiver and defensive back. Before transferring from Summerville to Oceanside Collegiate for his senior season, the highly recruited receiver had more than 150 catches for the Green Wave for more than 2,200 yards and nearly 30 touchdowns.
His willingness to lineup in the slot, out wide or even in the backfield and to work all parts of the field, combined with his acceleration, ball tracking skills and general command of the receiver position make him highly sought by many college recruiters. South Carolina, Arkansas, Duke, Florida, Indiana and Stanford are just a sampling of programs that have expressed interest, but he has verbally committed to Colorado.
Murray has shown he is a dangerous runner and explosive kick returner who special teams coaches have to plan for. He also excels as a defensive back. Last season he had 10 tackles, two interceptions and a punt return for a TD.
Don’t think Oceanside is a one-trick pony. This year the Landsharks also have Anthony Williams (6-1, 170), the HSSR’s No. 7 ranked senior who is also the publication’s second-highest ranked receiver.
Last year he made more than 60 catches to top the 1,000-yard reception mark, score 12 TDs and help Oceanside win the AAA state championship.
Before transferring to Oceanside from Fort Dorchester, as a sophomore he caught 25 passes for 504 yards and three TDs.
He is drawing interest from colleges such as Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and West Virginia, but is committed to North Carolina.
The senior receiver who pulled in the third-highest ranking from the HSSR is Bluffton’s Amare Patterson (6-1, 190). Ranked 12th overall for the class, the speedster is drawing interest from colleges such as Georgia, Georgia Tech, Arkansas and Colorado, but is committed to North Carolina.
Daniel’s Trey Wimberly (6-0, 175), Westside’s Tajeh Watson-Martin (5-10,170) and Dutch Fork’s Maleek Miller (5-11, 175) are ranked in the overall Top 25.
Other seniors who are top receiving prospects include Chanin Harris (Byrnes), Malik Ratliff (Northwestern), Eric Richardseon (Lugoffd-Elgin), Dai’Shian Watkins-Hymes (Dorman), Darius Carter (River Bluff), Kadin Vassel (Northwestern), Kyson McLeod (South Aiken), Julian Brown (Myrtle Beach) Kelvion Manning (Dillon), Jason Youmans (Bamberg-Ehrhardt), Peyton Vining (Northwestern). Nyren Bowman (Scott’s Brach), Nasir Waldrop (Powdersville), Keandre Allen (Colleton County), Kyson McLeod (South Aiken), Deion Suber (Boiling Springs), Corey Gleaton (Gray Collegiate), Nicholas Gordon (Cheraw), Xavier Huggins (Powdersville), Braydon Simpson (Broome), Deondre Allen (Colleton County) and Ja’Mere Ross (Johnsonville).
Juniors
Gaffney defensive back/receiver Zion Dawkins (5-11, 181) is the HSSR’s top-ranked player of the Class of 2028. Teru Davis (6-0, 170) of Summerville, who is ranked 10th overall for the class, is the highest ranked player whose primary position is receiver.
Davis is looking to lead the Green Wave back to the AAAAA finals. Summerville fell to Dutch Fork in the title game the past two seasons.
Last season Davis, who began his career at Goose Creek, made 42 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns. He is drawing interest from schools such as Virginia Tech, East Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Liberty and Clemson.
“Teru is an explosive playmaker who catches the ball well,” said Summerville coach Ian Rafferty. “He runs good routes and can really stretch the field vertically and give people problems.”
Raphael Puiu (6-1, 190) of James Island, DeMarius Arrington (6-0, 175) of Dutch Fork and Kenneth Wilson (6-2, 185) of Indian Land round out the Top 5 junior receivers.
Others on the list include Emerson James (Byrnes), JJ Campbell (Dillon), Scoop Dennis (Laurence Manning), Jeremiah Hunter (Seneca), Samaj Parker (South Florence), Ziggy Offord (Lakewood) and Holden Lowery (Chesterfield).
Tight Ends
