It’s time to vote for The State’s 2025 high school football Offensive Player of the Year from Midlands-area teams.
Voting ends at noon Monday, Dec. 15 , and the winner will be announced later that day with the all-area football team.
Below are the nominees. You can vote as many times as you would like.
Offensive Player of the Year Nominees
Patrick Belk , QB, Heathwood Hall: Senior threw for 2,264 yards, rushed for 484 and accounted for 27 TDs in helping the Highlanders to their first state championship game since 2009.
Kenton Caldwell , QB, Newberry : Senior threw for 1,890 yards, rushed for 1,116 yards and accounted for 41 touchdowns for the Bulldogs.
Nate Carson , OL, Irmo : Junior is starting tackle on Irmo’s squad that played for a second straight state championship. Carson is ranked as a four-star prospect by recruiting services and No. 4 in South Carolina for the Class of 2027 by 247Sports Composite.
Tylin Drakeford , ATH, Camden: Senior had 1,425 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns. Drakeford was a Shrine Bowl selection, Georgia Southern signee and also had 37 tackles and two interceptions on defense.
Corey Gleaton , WR, Gray Collegiate: Junior had 52 catches for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns. On defense, he had 50 tackles and six interceptions.
Brody Lorenzo , OL, Dutch Fork : Sophomore was the anchor of the state Dutch Fork offensive line the past two seasons. He starts at center but also has seen some time at guard and tackle this year.
Maleek Miller , WR, Irmo : Junior had 1,453 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns for the Yellow Jackets .
Hayden Myers , RB, River Bluff : Senior rushed for 1,682 yards and 14 TDs, including 300-yard performance against Lexington .
EJ Richardson, ATH, Lugoff – Elgin : Junior had 2,066 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns this season. On defense, he had 39 tackles (6 for loss) and four interceptions.
Roper Wentzky , QB, AC Flora: Senior threw for 2,877 yards and 29 touchdowns this season and finished his high school career with more than 8,000 yards passing.
Amadre Wooden, RB, Batesburg-Leesville : Senior rushed for 1,995 yards and 26 total touchdowns. Became the school’s all-time leading rusher this season and finished his career with 5,071 rushing yards.
December 8, 2025 | State, The: Web Edition Articles (Columbia, SC)
Author/Byline: Lou Bezjak, The State | Section: high_school