Top 10 | The most exciting players of 2008

1. Kwame Geathers
School | Carvers Bay
Year | Senior
Position | Offensive/defensive tackle
Of note | The next man-child (6-foot-6, 330 pounds) in his lineage, some believe he may be the best Geathers yet. He tormented quarterbacks at defensive tackle last year and will spend time protecting his own at offensive tackle this season.

2. Everett Golson
School | Myrtle Beach
Year | Sophomore
Position | Quarterback
Of note | Golson threw for nearly 2,800 yards and 35 touchdowns last year to draw the eye of college coaches around the country. Golson is rated as one of the top 100 players nationally in the Class of 2011.

3. Matt Smith
School | Myrtle Beach
Year | Senior
Position | Defensive end
Of note | Smith doesn't have elite size (6-1, 241 pounds) or speed (4.78), but he gives the type of effort that makes college coaches drool. A great motor helped him record a state-high 19 sacks in 2007.

4. Rashawn Grate
School | South Columbus (N.C.)
Year | Senior
Position | Tailback
Of note | Grate was the lightning to Justin Smith's thunder a year ago, rushing for 1,049 yards and 13 touchdowns on just 124 carries. With Smith gone, Grate will be the No. 1 option for the Stallions this season.

5. Demazio Skelton
School | Myrtle Beach
Year | Senior
Position | Safety
Of note | Skelton stands just 6-1, 182 pounds, but he is a strong safety who packs a powerful punch. He is more than willing to help in run support, but also has great instincts in the passing game.

6. Michael Frazier
School | Conway
Year | Senior
Position | Linebacker
Of note | The rangy middle linebacker burst onto the scene with 118 tackles and 10 pass breakups in 2007. He added weight in the offseason and will be counted on to anchor the Tigers' defense.

7. Jamere Valentine
School | Myrtle Beach
Year | Senior
Position | Wide receiver/running back
Of note | An elusive athlete with great size. His speed isn't elite, but he plays much faster and rarely gets caught. One of the premier receivers in the state, he knows how to use his frame to his advantage.

8. Pat Worley
School | South Columbus (N.C.)
Year | Senior
Position | Offensive line
Of note | Led a dominant offense in 2007 at right tackle, earning all-state honors. Worley has good size, good athleticism and is on the radar of many top college programs.

9. Heath Jackson
School | North Myrtle Beach
Year | Junior
Position | Wide receiver/defensive back
Of note | Jackson wasn't a difference maker in 2007, but he caught more than 100 passes as a freshman in Ohio. A great athlete, expect Jackson to see more of the ball in 2008.

10. Jason Livingston
School | Conway
Year | Senior
Position | Defensive back/wide receiver
Of note | One of the area's most underrated players, Livingston caught 40 passes for nearly 600 yards as a junior. He'll see some time on offense and defense this season.