College Offers Flying in for Area Athletes

The CSRA continues to grow as a hot bed for athletic talent. College coaches have been coming to town for many years, and it seems like those trips, and the scholarship offers that follow, are increasing each year. Obviously young athletes still need to perform during the high school seasons, but for almost every sport, the summer has become an important time for players to stand out and make a name for themselves. This summer, dozens of kids in the area have been doing that at tournaments, camps, and 7-on-7 events. Over the last few weeks, their performances have resulted in a massive number of scholarship offers - including a solid list of Power 5 offers.ffers.  

Below is a list of players that have been garnering real attention from college scouts over the past few weeks. Check them out this coming season in their sport of choice. 

Landen Jones (6’6” 205 pounds) North Augusta High School Class of 2027 

Jones is a hard-throwing right hander that recently pitched against some of the best players in the nation in an event in Cary, North Carolina - the home of Team USA Baseball. Jones was throwing an easy 90-91 mph and his frame projects that his velocity will increase. If he had not missed his sophomore season with an injury, he likely would have had a dozen offers before the summer even started. He is also a candidate to be selected in the MLB draft right out of high school. He is transferring from Strom Thurmond to North Augusta High School for his final two seasons. 

Recent Offer: Coastal Carolina (Committed) 

A.J. Williams (6’2” Point Guard) Harlem High School Class of 2027 

Williams is the son of Harlem coach Jeff Williams, and he can flat out play. Like Landen Jones, he was sidelined with an injury last season but is making the most of the summer circuit and turning heads at every event. He has long been considered a Division 1 prospect and had an offer from Oklahoma State prior to his sophomore season. He should have dozens of nice offers by this time next year. 
 

Recent Offer: Florida State 

Ty Shine (6’1” Point Guard/Shooting Guard) Harlem High School Class of 2027 

Shine averaged nearly 20 points per game last year, helping lead Augusta Christian to a State Title game. He has transferred to Harlem and will team up with Williams this season. He has a great body for his age and terrific genes, as his dad was a star point guard in the Big East at Seton Hall. 

Recent Offer: Tulane University 

Markevion Jones (6’2” Point Guard/Shooting Guard) Thomson High School Class of 2027 

I feel like I am late to the game on Jones. For some reason, I missed seeing Thomson play last year. I saw his name on the roster, but I knew him as the new starting quarterback for the football team. He is definitely a nice football prospect and will likely generate some gridiron offers as he matures and gets experience. However, he is a solid basketball prospect right now. Jones can flat out score, and colleges are taking notice. 
 
Recent Offer: Penn State 

Frashad Tisby (6’5 Guard/Small Forward) Cross Creek High School Class of 2027 

Unlike Jones, Tisby has been on my radar since he was a standout middle school player. Everyone knew it was only a matter of time before he started to get looks from the big-time basketball programs, and now that time has come. After leading Cross Creek to 27 wins during a stellar sophomore campaign, Tisby is primed to become a star this season.  

Recent Offer: South Carolina  

Malcolm Gaston (6’5” 345 pound Offensive Tackle) North Augusta High School Class of 2026 

Gaston is a mountain of a human being, so it is difficult for a college scout to come through North Augusta and not spot this young man. He has had dozens of offers, but now the top programs are starting to make offers as well - and his list will only get bigger. 
 
Offers: Georgia, Florida, University of North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Florida State 

Jack Rhodes (6’3” 180 pound Wide Receiver /Athlete) Aquinas High School Class of 2027 

Rhodes has been a standout for the Irish for three seasons. Whether at quarterback or wide receiver, he has been able to make plays. He has led the area in catches, yards and touchdowns receiving over the past two seasons. He will have plenty of solid programs to choose from and the list seems to get bigger each week. 

 Offers: Army, Navy, Air Force, Dartmouth, Samford, Eastern Kentucky, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Georgia State