Byrnes at Myrtle Beach Prospect Thoughts

Byrnes

Shakeem Wharton, RB (2012)- Coming into this game, I along with many others, expected Wharton to be the focal point of the Byrnes offense. While he did end up with a solid number of carries (21 for 66 yards and 2 touchdowns of 2 and 8 yards) it was evident from the first drive that this wasn't the same overly conservative Byrnes offense that so many saw on ESPN a week earlier. Wharton went about a drive and a half into the game without a touch and then toted the ball 6-7 straight times, resulting in his first touchdown and the bulk of his yards. After that drive, Wharton wasn't as effective as I expected him to be and had limited running room for the remainder of the night. This game didn't do too much to change my initial impression of Wharton's game...he's a compact runner who runs hard and has good vision and feet through the hole. My biggest question about Wharton remains to be his open-field running ability and ability to break off long runs. In his defense, he has played two teams.

Greg McHam, WR (2014)- With Byrnes missing tight end Craig Weick and receivers Tony Hillman and Akia Booker, McHam, only a freshman, became Blair's go-to target. McHam was impressive, especially when you consider that this was only the second game of his career. Byrnes stuck with a quick passing attack for most of the game and McHam played a big role in the plan's relative success, hauling in 10 passes for 62 yards. From what I saw Friday night, McHam has a promising future in Byrnes's offense. I expect he and Booker (once he returns) to continue to jell with Blair as the season progresses.

Zach Blair, QB- Blair would be my pick for the game's MVP (considering his stats and game-winning TD pass). In only the second start of his career, Blair took several steps in the right direction, following a spotty performance vs. Hoover in week 1. In an attempt to increase production after the program's first scoreless outing in a decade, Byrnes opened up the offense considerably. Blair threw a bunch of passes and found most of his success in the short passing game. Blair was 27-40 for 301 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He was at his best on he game winning drive, hitting several short passes as the clock wound down, before hitting Evan Suddeth on a 36 yard touchdown pass with 24 seconds left on the clock. Blair's a guy with good size and arm strength that just needs more game reps and added confidence. He should continue to improve throughout the regular season and have Byrnes primed for a deep run into the Big 16 playoffs.

Myrtle Beach

Everett Golson, QB- The game's top prospect, Golson performed as I expected he would and looked much better than he did against Byrnes last season. Golson opened the game with an outstanding 45 yard touchdown run on an option keeper that was ultimately called back on a holding penalty. The play showed an explosive side of Golson's game that you don't see very much, as he looks to pass first nearly all of the time. It's easy to forget he's an elite athlete. Despite all this, the big story of the night was a foot/ankle injury that Golson sustained after being tackled awkwardly with seconds remaining in the first half. He was out for the remainder of the game and will miss a number of regular season games.

Tyler Knox, DE (2012)- Knox had the best game of his young career and led a Myrtle Beach defensive line unit that gave the Byrnes front trouble for most of the night. Knox had two drive-ending sacks on consecutive Byrnes third downs with the first pushing the Rebels out of plausible field goal range (attempt was well short). Knox has a nice first step and good speed off the edge. I look for him to continue to improve as the season moves forward.

Daiquone Ford RB- If Blair was the game's MVP, Ford was the obvious pick for MOP (most outstanding player). Playing healthy for the first time since his sophomore year, Ford had the best game of his career (considering the competition). Ford rushed 15 times for 124 yards (8.3 yards a carry) and had one reception for 16 yards. Ford's best moment came on one of the top three plays of the night (with Blair's game-winning TD pass and Golson's run being the two others) when Ford, with five minutes remaining, took a pitch to the outside and hurdled a Byrnes defender on the way to a 16 yard, game-tying touchdown run. Ford isn't a guy that's going to wow anyone off the hoof (listed at 5'8, 165 but probably shorter), but he's cat-quick, runs hard, and is very difficult to tackle. He's primed to be Myrtle Beach's first 1,000 yard rusher in over 5 seasons and the first since the Seahawks have switched to a spread offense. He'd be an absolute steal for the right FCS program.

Alex Holoman, S- Holoman had a busy night from his safety spot and was the most productive defensive player, on either side, by a pretty good margin. Holoman had 2 interceptions (64 INT return yards), 7 solo tackles, and a fumble recovery. Holoman's presence in the secondary limited Byrnes's success in the vertical passing game and his drive-killing turnovers kept Myrtle Beach in the game. Holoman will see increased recruiting attention should he continue this high level of play.