Who They Remind Me Of: 2011 Quarterbacks

Disclaimer: These comparisons are made in relation to physical attributes and playing style rather than career projections (unless noted). If I left someone off, it's not an indictment on their skill level or where I think they should be ranked. This is NOT my ranking of top 2011 quarterbacks. Prospects are listed in alphabetical order.

Michael Brewer (Texas Tech Verbal)- Todd Reesing (Kansas)
Why? Undersized playmakers at the high school and college level...have been prolific in pretty much every situation...gun slinger mentality, not afraid to stick the ball in a tight window...products of Big XII style spread offenses that are all the rage in Texas high school football.
Why Not? Doubtful Brewer will see as many reps early in his career as Reesing, considering Texas Tech has a bevy of talented quarterbacks on roster.
If not Reesing, then- Chase Daniel (Missouri, New Orleans Saints)

Jacoby Brissett (Florida State, South Carolina, Wisconisn, etc. in contention)- Josh Freeman (Kansas St., Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Why? Big, athletic quarterbacks with tools...very strong arms...could have a similar career trajectory, in that potential isn't realized until four or five years out of high school (see Freeman's recent success in the NFL). Underdeveloped at the high school level, but very high ceiling as a player.
Why Not? Both play(ed) basketball (very well at that), with Brissett being the better player but Freeman being the better athlete (Brissett is more of a savvy player). Freeman was a bit stronger and more explosive at similar points in their careers. It's also difficult to predict a path like Freeman, who benefited from early playing time at Kansas State.
If not Freeman, then- Ben Roethlisberger (Miami (OH), Pittsburgh Steelers)

Jeff Driskel (Florida Verbal)- Jay Cutler (Vanderbilt, Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears)
Why? Both have huge arms and a gun slinger mentality...fairly similar mechanically...have a tendency/need to put the team on their backs which can lead to both great plays and mistakes due to pressing...underrated athletically (Driskel runs well and Cutler doubled as a star safety and basketball player in high school).
Why Not? Driskel is much bigger and stronger than Cutler was at the same stage in their careers. It will be interesting to see how Driskel is used at Florida...it's possible that he'll play in a scheme that's differs from Vandy's during the Cutler era.
If not Cutler, then- Rhett Bomar (Oklahoma, Sam Houston St, New York Giants) or Brady Quinn (Notre Dame, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos)

Everett Golson (North Carolina Verbal, taking official visit to Notre Dame)- Charlie Ward (Florida State, New York Knicks (NBA))
Why? Similar point guard mentality while running a spread offense...great pocket presence and able to steal (not buy) time in the pocket to extend plays...excellent agility and change of direction...excellent vision as a passer and ability to make almost every throw at the college level.
Why Not? Ward is an inch or two taller and was a tad thicker in college (played at 190), but I expect Golson to be in that weight range by the time he's an upperclassman. Playing in a pass-heavy scheme Golson is more experienced as a passer at this stage, whereas Ward was a better runner/scrambler early on.
If not Ward, then- Joe Hamilton (Georgia Tech, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Cody Kessler (Southern Cal Verbal)- Chad Henne (Michigan, Miami Dolphins)
Why? Stocky pocket passers with ability to make every throw...strong arms...polished at similar points in their careers...great fit for pro-style offenses...similar competitive mindset as both have the moxie and attitude you'd like to see from your starting quarterback...despite holding the ball differently, have a similar throwing motion and release point.
Why Not? Kessler holds the ball higher (near his ear) while Henne holds it down near his chest. Kessler is a better athlete at this point (star basketball player).
If not Henne, then- David Garrard (East Carolina, Jacksonville Jaguars)

Christian LeMay (Georgia Verbal)- John Brantley (Florida)
Why? Very polished mechanically...spin the ball exceptionally well...played in similar balanced offenses for great programs at the high school level...similar size and physical tools as prospects...not huge running threats, but mobile in the pocket and can pick up yards when needed...both groomed to be quarterbacks.
Why Not? Appear to differ mentally...Brantley is laid back, while LeMay is more of a vocal leader.
If not Brantley, then- Chris Leak (Florida)

Braxton Miller (Ohio State Verbal)- Robert Griffin, III (Baylor)
Why? Similar physically...both long-striding and electric...exceptional cutback ability as a runner...can really bust through the crease...long arms offer the ability to really "ride out" reads in the spread option game...strong arm capable of making every throw at the college level...raw as a passer coming out of high school.
Why Not? Griffin has better passing mechanics overall with a more natural throwing motion...Miller is a better leader at similar points in their careers.
If not Griffin, then- Pat White (West Virginia, Miami Dolphins)

Jerrard Randall (Oregon Verbal)- Tyrod Taylor (Virginia Tech)
Why? Shorter QB with a big arm...raw and underdeveloped as a passer in high school...plays/played a sandlot style of offense at the high school level...athletic and quick in the run game on both designed runs and scrambles.
Why Not? Since he's going to Oregon to play in a spread option offense, Randall's career trajectory is going to be different than Taylor's, who is in more of a pro-style system at Virginia Tech. Taylor is thicker than Randall and a little ahead fundamentally at the same stage.
If not Taylor, then- Brent Schaeffer (Tennessee, Ole Miss)

Bubba Starling (Nebraska Verbal)- Cam Newton (Florida, Auburn)
Why? Jumbo athletes who can really, really run...ability to run with both power and breakaway speed...strong arm...raw as passers at the high school level
Why Not? Starling is more experienced as a runner at the high school level...Newton really blossomed as a runner late in his senior year and early on at Florida...Newton has much better passing mechanics and appears to be more of a natural at the position. It should also be noted that Starling is a top baseball prospect and it's unlikely he'll be in a football uniform next season.
If not Newton, then- Tim Tebow (Florida, Denver Broncos)

Jamal Turner (Nebraska Verbal)- Russell Sheppard (LSU)
Why? Athlete playing quarterback moreso than quarterback who happens to be an athlete...run-first mentality...position change (slot wide receiver) eminent.
Why Not? It's not debatable at this point that Sheppard is more explosive than Turner.
If not Sheppard, then- Tyrik Rollison (Auburn, Sam Houston State)

Justin Worley (Tennessee Verbal)- Nick Foles (Michigan State, Arizona)
Why? Finesse rhythm passers...capable ball distributors with nice touch...accurate in the short passing game...good size with ability to see over the defensive line...limited mobility...can be a statue in the pocket which can lead to problems vs. pressure-oriented defenses...solid leadership ability and calm under pressure.
Why Not? Foles is thicker and has a quicker release (though Worley's has improved a little)...Foles also has a stronger arm, but not by a wide margin.
If not Foles, then- Tony Pike (Cincinnati, Carolina Panthers)

Dillon-Loris Game/Prospect Thoughts

I was on hand to watch the Wildcats defeat region foe Loris (6-2 entering the game) 35-6. Despite winning the last two AA state championships, Dillon came into this game with an 8-0 start for the first time since the 2004 season, which saw the Wildcats rip off a 14-0 start, only to fall to Belton Honea-Path in the AAA state final. Since 2004, Dillon has moved down in classification, but has struggled against Pee Dee powers Cheraw, Marlboro County, and Myrtle Beach. The Wildcats were 56-13 from 2005-2009, with 11 of those 13 losses shared between the aforementioned three teams. The 2010 season has seen Dillon exorcise those demons; the Wildcats have soundly beaten Cheraw and Marlboro County and removed Myrtle Beach from their schedule after the Seahawks scored the most points for a team visiting Dillon in memory.

This year's team might not be Dillon's deepest, but has the most high-end talent in years. It's been a while since Dillon has had a sure-fire FBS player (to my knowledge, Derrick Hamilton (Clemson) was the last).

Kwinton Smith, WR, (2012)- Despite only catching 3 or 4 balls, I was very impressed with what I saw from Smith. For starters, Smith passes the eye test. He's in the 6'4 range, has long arms, and is a bouncy athlete. Smith displayed great concentration, hands, and speed on a slant pattern, extending to catch the ball and finishing the play with an impressive spin move. He also showed willingness to block and even recorded a pancake on one occasion. I've seen some early film on Smith from this season, and I was surprised by his speed. There's no doubt in my mind that Smith is positioning himself along Gaffney's Quinshad Davis as the early favorites for the top receiver in South Carolina for the 2012 cycle.

DJ Park, OL, (2013)- Park, like Smith, passes the eyeball test. He has very little fat on his body, is solidly built, and moves very well. Park lined up at left tackle for the Wildcats, and played well for the most part, but is understandably raw from a technique standpoint. He has a tendency to block with his forearms, and like almost all young linemen, he doesn't yet realize how much more powerful he than his competition. Park is the early favorite for the top offensive lineman in South Carolina for the 2013 cycle.

Others from Dillon to watch:
Jabo Lee, RB, (2012)
Bryce King, OL, (2013)
Breden Alford, OL, (2013)
Tyquan Hayes, ATH/QB, (2011)

Big Junior Season for Solomon

Hemingway, SC 2012 athlete Jabril Solomon is in the midst of a great junior campaign.  The Tigers find themselves 8-0 thanks in large part to Solomon's play on both sides of the ball. Up to this point, Solomon has 30 catches (team has only completed 68 passes total) for 644 yards (21.46 avg), 10 receiving touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.

Solomon had his best game to date last week versus cross-town rival Johnsonville. Check this stat line... 3 receiving touchdowns and 3 interceptions, with one returned for another touchdown.

Solomon gets credits for style points, too, with acrobatic catches becoming the norm on a weekly basis. This Hemingway team is very fun to watch and has one of the best defenses in the state, having only given up 20 points the entire season (five shutouts).

As a prospect, Solomon is obviously versatile, but at this point I like him a little more as a safety. He's long, has excellent ball skills, and isn't afraid of contact.

You can watch game highlights of Solomon and Hemingway here.

South Pointe-Fairfield Central Game/Prospect Thoughts

Last Friday, I made the trip to Winnsboro, SC to take in a big region match-up featuring two of AAA's top three teams. Fairfield Central came into the week undefeated, making this their biggest home game in recent memory. Having the consensus number one player in the nation for the class of 2011 coming into town certainly doesn't hurt, either.

The game, as a whole, was a very sloppy affair. I didn't keep count, but I'd say there were anywhere between 6-8 fumbles between both teams, with the majority being recovered by the defense. Both teams are going to have to improve throughout the rest of the season if they want to win a state championship.

South Pointe


Jadeveon Clowney, DE (2011)- Clowney didn't have one of his better games, by any stretch, but still made a huge impact, on both sides of the ball. Fairfield Central ran away from him on nearly every play and in passing situations would chip him with left guard and running back if he were to beat the left tackle. This wasn't a game where Clowney had a ton of sacks, in fact I don't recall him having one. Despite that, he still had some of his patented plays in pursuit. Clowney's biggest impact came as a situational B-Back in South Pointe's flexbone offense, finishing with 61 yards on 8 carries and a touchdown. It was boom or bust with Clowney carrying the ball, which is to be expected, considering he hasn't played a lot of running back. Apart from three 15+ yard runs (including the touchdown and another impressive run where he trucked two defenders) Clowney was stopped for short gains and had a fumble in the red zone. But hey, it's not every day you see a 6'6', 250 lb running back, especially at the high school level.

Gerald Dixon, DL (2011)- Dixon like Clowney didn't have his best game. With Fairfield Central running away from Clowney on nearly every play, Dixon saw a lot of action on his side of the field. Fairfield Central did have some success running right at Dixon and most of their 155 rushing yards were to Dixon's side. Dixon did step up when needed, though, and made a big stop on a pivotal 4th and 5 and had a sack that iced the game.

Montay Crockett, ATH (2012)- In a game that didn't have many explosive plays, at least offensively, Crockett provided two huge catches for South Pointe, including pivotal 25 yard touchdown where he beat man coverage on a post route. Crockett might not be as explosive as Neely or Hicklin, but he's consistent and continues to get better every time I see him.

Corey Neely, DB (2012)- Neely wasn't tested a bunch at safety, considering Fairfield Central's receivers only ran go routes and comebacks the entire game. Neely did affect the game with several nice kickoff and punt returns in addition to a big 11 yard run on 4th down on a drive that would result in South Pointe's first of two touchdowns.

Tay Hicklin, ATH (2012)- Hicklin had a rough night from his QB spot, only running for 9 yards on 7 carries and getting ejected in the second quarter for an altercation on the sidelines after a late hit. Under SCHSL rules, if a player is ejected, they must sit out the following game. South Pointe could appeal the suspension, but it would take pretty strong video evidence for that to happen.

Landon Ard, K/P (2011)- Ard showed a strong leg kickoffs, putting them in the endzone with relative ease. He also had nice hangtime on most of his punts, but did shank both a punt and a field goal attempt.

Fairfield Central


Ralph Cooper, LB (2011)- Apart from a fumble recovery and a few tackles, I didn't hear Cooper's name called much at all. Despite already knowing that he straddles the 5'11-6'0 mark, I still thought he looked short for a linebacker from where I was sitting.

JUCO Spotlight: Cordarrelle Patterson

Cordarrelle Patterson

Patterson is a 6'3, 190 pound wide receiver for Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, KS and is originally from Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, SC. Despite being a 2009 recruit coming out of high school, this is Patterson's freshman season at Hutchinson. He spent the 2009 season at the beleaguered North Carolina Prep Tech, a post-graduate program. 

I had the opportunity to see Patterson play his final high school game vs. arch-rival South Pointe in the class AAAA Division II state championship. Patterson more than held his own against a South Pointe squad that ended the season ranked as high as number two in the country and featured current University of South Carolina starters Stephon Gilmore and DeVonte Holloman as well as a sophomore Jadeveon Clowney, who is currently the consensus number one player in the nation for the class of 2011. Patterson made one of the more impressive plays of the game when he leaped over Holloman, who was in good position to make a play, snagging a fade pass from Justin Worley for a touchdown. 

People around Northwestern, and Rock Hill in general, rave about Patterson's talent, with some even claiming that he is one of the better athletes to come out of York County in recent memory (called "a dunking machine" in basketball and also ran track).

Patterson has been just as impressive this season at Hutchinson and through four games has 18 catches for 334 yards (18.5 yard average) and four touchdowns and three kickoff returns for 137 yards and one touchdown. 

Last January, I came across some clips of Patterson in action his senior year of high school and made this brief highlight video.

Not to get ahead of myself, but doesn't he kind of look like a Vikings-era Randy Moss with the number 84 purple and gold jersey and long stride? All hyperbolic comparisons aside, as you can see above, he's pretty talented.  To add to his high level of overall athleticism, he's long, rangy, explosive (reportedly runs in the 4.3 range), and has great ball skills (particularly tracking the ball in the air).  And he's still raw as a wide receiver. There's really not much to dislike here. 

Given his post-graduate year, I'm not sure where Patterson stands academically as far as when he'll be eligible to enroll at a four-year school. Regardless, I'd rank him as the top JUCO wide receiver prospect regardless of class. If he ends up as a class of 2012 prospect, I'd expect for him to make a strong case for the top JUCO prospect in that cycle.

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.

Northwestern (SC)-South Pointe (SC) Prospect Thoughts

South Pointe (Rock Hill, SC)  v. Northwestern (Rock Hill, SC)

South Pointe

Jadeveon Clowney- Clowney's mere presence dominated the flow of the game in the first half, as Northwestern made it a point to find Clowney pre-snap and adjust the play in an effort to avoid him. Despite this, Clowney still made some big plays, including a few sacks and a huge stop in the backfield on fourth and short. In an apparent (and mostly successful) effort to create confusion, South Pointe played him all over the field, including both end spots, inside on several run situations, and at the "Jack" OLB position. At the high school level, Clowney is going to be successful at nearly any spot, but it was evident Saturday that he's most effective rushing the passer with his hand on the ground. There's no need for smoke and mirrors with his physical tools. It's not a coincidence that Northwestern scored on a deep touchdown pass when Clowney dropped back in coverage.

Tay Hicklin (2012)- It was rough day for Hicklin. With Hicklin running the new flexbone triple option, South Pointe really struggled to move the ball consistently and had a number of costly turnovers. Despite these inefficiencies, it's not like the game was an indictment on Hicklin's talent. Even though he struggled, I thought Hicklin flashed solid athleticism at times. Was he a dynamic playmaker Saturday? No, but it shouldn't be lost that Hicklin projects as a defensive back. Additionally, I think you'll see South Pointe's offense improve drastically as the season progresses.

Corey Neely (2012)- Neely had a very good first half, making a number of plays, including a big interception. The second half was a different story for South Pointe's entire secondary, as Northwestern made some adjustments and really took advantage of some advantageous scenarios. Over the past few years, I've noticed that South Pointe has probably the most aggressive secondary I've seen at the high school level, in terms of running to the ball, gambling on passes, etc. There's a good and bad to this. Most of the time, particularly vs. lesser competition, this works in South Pointe's favor due to their hellacious pass rush. In this particular game, Northwestern noticed that South Pointe was bringing up the secondary to stop short passes and as a result, started running vertical passing plays. South Pointe didn't have an answer for this and their secondary, Neely included, was a mess in the second half. At this point in his career Neely's a very solid player, but the game highlighted a few things he can improve upon (man coverage and adding overall bulk).

Gerald Dixon- With Northwestern devoting a ton of attention to Clowney, Dixon had an opportunity to make some plays and did so by making a few stops behind the line of scrimmage and recovering a fumble and nearly scoring. While Dixon's performance didn't do too much to hurt him, he didn't do a whole lot to stand out in a game with several other BCS-level prospects. I may have overestimated Dixon's overall athleticism given his size in my previous evaluation (seen here). As far as state rankings go, after Saturday, he seems more like a fringe top 30 prospect rather than number 23, where I originally ranked him.

Northwestern

Justin Worley- It was the tale of two halves for Worley. Early on, he battled constant pressure, threw a few bad interceptions (one was a bad throw, the other a bad decision), and just looked uncomfortable. He caught fire in the second half and was 12-12 for 240 yards and 5 touchdowns in the 3rd quarter alone. This fits in with my earlier assertion that Worley is a rhythm passer with a lot of intangibles. It's been said many times before that Worley's mobility is a concern. While he's by no means a threat to run, Worley did a very good job of side-stepping the rush and showed nice ability to recognize pressure.  Conversely, it was apparent that he needs to really improve his footwork (as well as tweak his release). There were several points in the game where these inefficiencies resulted in the ball not coming out cleanly or coming up short. After re-watching film on Worley, I found that even on his highlights, he doesn't step into his throws and has a tendency to rely solely on his arm. Worley's arm strength/velocity should improve if/when he corrects these issues.

Gerald Dixon, Jr.- Dixon's stock has been on the rise for me throughout the back end of the summer and his performance Saturday went a long way to cementing his status as a top 20 recruit in-state after he took a step back from his sophomore to junior seasons. Dixon played a key role in stymieing South Pointe's option attack and did so by blowing up the fullback gives and making high-level plays sideline-to-sideline. It's rare to find big defensive tackles that can move, and Dixon fits the bill.

Roderick Byers- Byers's game was somewhat like Worley's but on a smaller scale. I almost forgot Byers was on the field in the first half and didn't hear his name called until well into the third quarter. In his defense, South Pointe's offense doesn't necessarily provide defensive ends with a lot of opportunities to make plays. However, once South Pointe fell behind and was forced to open things up, flashed his potential by making a couple of nice plays behind the nine of scrimmage.

Josh Shelton (2012)- Shelton had the most consistent performance of the 2012 prospects. Although he wasn't tested a bunch through the air, Shelton was active and physical in run support and looked impressive throughout the course of the game.

South Carolina Class of 2012 Watch List

I will go into more detail about individual players as the 2010 season unfolds, but I think the time is right to unveil my watch list for South Carolina's class of 2012. I have a rough ranking, but at this early juncture in the prospects' careers, I think it's a bit premature to rank them numerically. Therefore, this list of thirty is arranged in alphabetical order.

• Adam Ah Ching, ILB, Greer- Strong ILB who specializes against the run
• Martin Aiken,DL, Bamberg-Ehrhardt- Expect improvement as he becomes a starter this season
• Samson Baldwin, WR, JL Mann- Smaller WR who projects in the slot
• Javontae Brown, DT, Calhoun County*- Compact NT with very good quickness off the ball
• Quinshad Davis, WR, Gaffney- Early top WR in the state, good size (6'3) and great ball skills
• Patrick Destefano, OL, Dorman- Fundamentally sound with good size  
• Preston Durham, LB, Chapman- Top student-athlete is a tackle machine
• Malik Ford, ATH, Marlboro County*- Undersized but versatile
• DJ Goodman, RB, Greenwood- very productive back with nice cutting ability
• Damar Hall, WR, Blythewood- polished WR, probably projects in the slot
• Blake Hayes, RB, Wade Hampton- productive high school back
• Tay Hicklin, ATH, South Pointe- Plays QB for South Pointe, but will be a slot WR or CB in college
• Mark Irick, WR, Calhoun County*- Jump ball specialist with good height and length
• Shacorey Jeter, ATH, Carolina- Small track star
• Clyde Johnson, OL, Calhoun County*- Big lineman who probably projects on the interior
• Oliver Jones, OL, Ninety-Six- Passes the eye-ball test at 6'6 285
• Tyler Knox, DE, Myrtle Beach- Athletic DE with good first step
• Shaq Lawson, LB, Daniel- Plays DE for Daniel but projects as an LB in college
• Javarius Leamon, OL, Woodruff- Great height (6'6), length, and feet
• C.J. Meredith, TE, TL Hanna- Good receiving skills; most comfortable when flexed out
• Corey Neely, S, South Pointe- Ballhawk at safety; highly physical
• Lamichael Pushia, APB, Hemingway- Undersized back with nice play-making ability
• Gimel President, DE, Wando- Raw DE with nice motor and physical tools
• Shaq Roland, S/ATH, Lexington- Early pick for top prospect in the state; also a top basketball player
• Kendric Salley, RB, Williston-Elko- Back with desirable size and feet
• Jabril Solomon, ATH, Hemingway- Raw athlete with upside; could play S or WR
• Bryson Washington, ATH, Ninety-Six- Great size at 6'4, 185
• Shakeem Wharton, RB, Byrnes- Hasn't played much thus far; will see bulk of carries this season
• Jaquan Wilson, CB, Myrtle Beach- Very strong athlete who projects well at CB
• Tony Wright, CB, Chester- Corner with good size 

* denotes in-game evaluation on 8/21/09

Marlboro County-Calhoun County Game/Prospect Thoughts

I was in Bennettsville, SC last Saturday night to take in the state's most hyped week zero match up.

Game Thoughts: Facing much tougher competition than normal, Calhoun County was over matched in every facet of the game. Marlboro County was up by three scores at halftime and rolled to a 34-12 victory. Depth issues, turnovers, and several special teams blunders were the main problems that contributed to Calhoun County's loss.  Marlboro County looked better than they did in preseason scrimmages, but it's still evident that they've taken a step back from previous years, especially on offense.

Prospect Thoughts: 

Marlboro County

Lateek Townsend- Townsend's play and behavior was exactly as I expected. This marked the eighth full game I've seen of him, so it's not like there was much I haven't seen. As usual, Townsend did more dancing and talking than actual playing.  He was probably more obnoxious than I've ever seen him, which is concerning. For more of my thoughts on Townsend as a player, scroll down to my rankings below (he's ranked number 12).

Sam Merriman- Merriman's play on Saturday helped him a bit in my eyes. Fresh off a transfer from Cheraw, Merriman finds himself playing out of position at safety for Marlboro County.  Saturday was the first time I've seen Merriman on the same field as Townsend, and it was evident that not only is Merriman bigger than Townsend, he's more instinctive and just a better overall football player at this point. The concern with Merriman is a number of off the field incidents that will more than likely hurt his recruitment. 

Malik Ford (2012 ATH)- Ford is the top 2012 prospect for Marlboro County. He's undersized at both WR and CB, but has shown a knack for making plays. Saturday's game was a mixed bag for Ford, as he had a nice return deep into Calhoun territory, but also had a would-be touchdown pass go off his chest. 

Calhoun County

Shamier Jeffery- I took a leap of faith last week when I was putting together my evaluation of Jeffery. After watching him play live for the first time in over a year, it seems that my gut may have been a bit off on this one. Saturday's game pretty much confirmed Jeffery is strictly a wide receiver on the next level.  While he has a nice arm, he struggled with decision-making and accuracy all night and just looked uncomfortable at QB.  I was also disappointed with his toughness at safety. I'll probably have to re-evaluate my ranking of Jeffery. Is he really better than Tony McNeal and Jerrell Adams? After Saturday, I'm doubtful.

Mark Irick (2012 WR)- Irick helped himself a little. Saturday was the first time I've seen him in person and he looked pretty good physically, as he's about 6'3 and is pretty long. He looked good catching the ball in limited opportunities and had a nice touchdown grab in the 3rd quarter where he caught a fade at its highest point over a Marlboro County defender.  

Javontae Brown (2012 DT)- Facing a larger offensive line than he's used to seeing, Brown didn't miss a beat and played well. Calhoun County's run defense was the bright spot for the Saints, and Brown played a large part in that. He was particularly active on a sequence of plays in the second quarter that saw Calhoun County stop Marlboro County on four consecutive run plays in the redzone, including a fourth and short attempt. 

South Carolina Class of 2011 Preseason Top 30, 1-10

I'll be releasing my class of 2011 state rankings over the next few days. I plan to start of with southern states first, and then I'll move on to other areas, national positional rankings, and then the class of 2012 (more than likely in a watch list type of form). As with all rankings, these are fluid and subject to change (many times) between now and signing day. Comments, questions, and criticisms are both welcomed and encouraged. 

1. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Pointe (Rock Hill)

Not only is Clowney the best prospects in the nation, let alone the state, he's one of the best that I've ever seen.  Clowney has great size and speed (6'6 240 and runs in the 4.5 range), and plays with a motor that is unmatched by any prospect in this recruiting cycle. It's rare to see a prospect with Clowney's immense physical tools play every snap as hard as he does. Due to this, Clowney isn't just a great prospect, he's a great player. Last season he had 144 tackles and 23 sacks. What's even more impressive is the number to turnovers (fumbles, tipped balls that are intercepted) he creates.  For most teams that play South Pointe, it's a victory if Clowney is held to 2 sacks with no turnovers forced. What's even scarier is the rate at which Clowney is improving. He's consistently improving his pass rush, particularly his hands at the line of scrimmage and his pad level (had a tendency to play high at times as a sophomore). If he does everything he's supposed to, Clowney has top 10 pick written all over him.

2. Charone Peake, WR, Dorman (Roebuck) Clemson Verbal

Peake is one the top receivers in the nation and is electric with the ball in his hands. Dorman is a run-dominated offense, so Peake doesn't see a ton of receiving opportunities on 1st and 2nd down. He does however get touches in about every way possible (returns punts and kicks and carries the ball via end-arounds, direct snaps, and hand offs). This really adds to Peake's versatility and has helped him fine-tune his skills as an open-field runner, which is rare to find in a 6'3 receiver at the high school level.  Despite his limited opportunities, Peake has shown immense promise as a pure receiver with ability to separate and nice ball skills when catching the ball in traffic. Peake will need to continue to refine his route-running skills, but should make an early impact in college due to his versatility.

3. Brandon Shell, OT, Goose Creek

Shell is a big tackle with a lot of promise. Although he's not as tall as listed (closer to 6'6 than 6'8), he still has great size for a tackle prospect.  Shell transferred to Goose Creek by way of West Ashley prior to his junior season. Goose Creek is a run-oriented team and as a result, Shell operates primarily as a drive-blocker.  On film, Shell comes hard off the ball, finishes his blocks, and plays with good intensity.  Shell, whose uncle is NFL Hall of Famer Art Shell, has a basketball background, and it shows in his overall athleticism.  After watching him in camp this summer, it's apparent that he's a natural knee-bender.  While Shell hasn't done a whole bunch of pass blocking, he has the tools to be very good in that regard, should he receive the necessary coaching.  Moving forward, Shell needs to improve on a few fundamental things, like hand placement (has a tendency to have his hands too far outside).  Improving his overall strength is also important to his development, but I seriously doubt that will be a problem.

4. Phillip Dukes, DT, Manning
Dukes is an every down DT, who is able to impact a game in a number of ways, which is quite rare on the high school level.  Dukes has a great combination of size and athleticism.  He's 6'3 285 with little fat and has the frame to gain more solid pounds. At a combine this summer Dukes ripped off a 4.95 40 yard dash, which is exceptional for his size. Dukes also stands out on film, and it's his sideline-to-sideline ability that really caught my eye. He also does a nice job of recognizing pass/run situations. Dukes lines up all over the place for Manning, but most likely projects as an attacking 3 technique at the next level. Like a lot of high school defensive linemen, Dukes needs to fine tune his game like playing with better leverage and pad level (has a tendency to be a bit high at times).  He would also be well-served to work on fending off cut blocks, as he gets chopped a few times on film with his knee exposed. 

5. Everett Golson, QB, Myrtle Beach North Carolina Verbal
I've had the opportunity, to watch most of Golson's illustrious high school career unfold. Going into his senior year, he already holds state records for career passing (126 passing touchdowns) and has the chance to rewrite the state record book and get close to Chris Leak-like stats with a great senior season. As a junior, he had one of the better years nationally for any QB, passing for 47 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. Being a smaller quarterback (between 5'11 and 6'0) with such prolific numbers, many on the outside try to force him into stereotypes like "the system QB who puts up huge numbers" or the "athlete playing quarterback" among others. It's easy to see how these thoughts come up, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're true. In fact I say that they aren't. Sure, he's well-coached and is a good athlete (holds a Clemson offer in basketball), but his arm strength, the way he spins the ball, and his ability to make every throw match up with the best quarterbacks in the nation. As far as raw skill-sets go, he's among the very best. Moving forward, Golson really needs to gain solid mass in order to take hits at the next level. It will also be interesting to see how he handles being a back-up in his first year or two considering he's played, and starred, ever since he stepped foot in high school. 

6. Dexter Staley, ATH, Williston-Elko (Williston)
Staley is the most versatile prospect in the state.  He's 6'2 215 and plays everywhere for Williston-Elko, excelling at running back, wide receiver, and outside linebacker.  Last season, he scored 31 touchdowns in about every which way possible, leading Williston-Elko to a class A state title. On film, Staley is an absolute man among boys. He's a violent and punishing runner at RB and has great ball skills and in-air ability as a WR. Despite this, he's most likely an OLB at the next level due to his size, aggressive nature, and burst off the line. He's still raw at the position and is mainly used in pass-rush situations, but his potential is limitless. Staley's academic situation is, by far, his largest hurdle.  You won't see Staley ranked this high by anyone else, due to the high likelihood that he'll be forced to attend junior college. I have him ranked this high for a few reasons. First off, I think there is a drop off from my top 6 players to the players that are ranked 7-10. It's by no means considerable, I just feel that Staley's definitely a top 6 player. Additionally, there's a lot of inconsistency on the weight of academic issues when ranking prospects. Whether their situations are unknown or ignored, it's inconsistent (see 2009 FSU signee Willie Downs as an example). It will probably remain inconsistent until there's more transparency as far as academic situations are concerned. Regardless, Staley's a top 100 type talent and reminds me of Lawrence Timmons when he was coming out of Wilson High School in 2004.

7. Shon Carson, RB, Lake City
Carson is a thick, compact runner (5'8 185).  I've seen Carson play in person a number of times (in what by chance turned out to be statistically the worst games of his career) and what jumped out to me is his combination of productivity and durability.  He's a very patient runner who is adept at hiding behind the offensive line and accelerating once he finds his hole. This style of running has proven to be highly successful as Carson has already run for over 5,000 career yards.  On film, Carson shows great balance and a very nice power base (very strong in the weight room), thus making him difficult to tackle.  Carson also has very nice speed (has clocked multiple sub-4.4 40's) and is able to pull away from defenses on a consistent basis. As Carson progresses into college he needs to improve on hitting the hole harder (can be overly patient at times) and his cutting ability (not bad by any means, but can be a little soft in the ankles at times). Baseball could play a factor in his recruitment as he is a standout on the diamond and could be drafted anywhere from the 6th to potentially the 2nd round.

8. Shamier Jeffery, ATH/WR, Calhoun County (St. Matthews)
Over the past year, Jeffery has been somewhat enigmatic as far as recruiting is concerned.  Coming off a hyped sophomore campaign, Jeffery switched to QB for Calhoun County midway through the season and hasn't made many camp stops in the summer besides 7-on-7's with his team (playing at QB). This is somewhat atypical for players from Calhoun County, as in the past they've been all over the camp circuit.  As a result, in the past year, I really haven't had too much of a chance to evaluate Jeffery against top competition, while playing at his projected position, wide receiver.  The majority of Jeffery's film from his junior season is at QB. While he does show some promise with good athleticism and a capable arm, he looks to be raw as a QB at this point and only shows the ability to make fade passes to the corner of the endzone on a consistent basis.  On film at WR, he shows the ability to go up and get the ball at it's highest point and is strong in the air. It's difficult to get a great read on his speed due to the aforementioned jump-ball propensity of the Calhoun offense. Regardless, it's safe to say he's a step faster than his brother (South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery), but is also shorter at 6'2. I'm anxious to catch Jeffery in person this season to see how he's progressed. 

9. Jerrell Adams, ATH, Scott's Branch (Summerton)
Adams is somewhat of a late riser.  He plays QB and LB in a run-dominated scheme that found him handing off on nearly every play.  Due to this, Adams has had very little opportunity to show playmaking ability, at least offensively. He's raw, but he has very nice tools to work with (6'4.5, 215 and runs in the 4.6 range).  Up to this point, Adams has showcased most of his athleticism on the basketball court for Scott's Branch and on the AAU circuit. There's some uncertainty about his future position (expressed early preference for defense, but since backed off) so he's best characterized as a jumbo athlete (TE/DE) at this point. Regardless, his size/speed combo can't be ignored and while he will need to gain weight either way, Adams has a lot of upside.

10. Tony McNeal, QB, Chester Clemson Verbal
As far as high school careers and attention goes, McNeal has operated in the shadows of Golson and Worley.  This, in part, is due to an ACL tear that sidelined him for the majority of his junior season. McNeal has rebounded strongly, however, and has come back taller and with added weight (about 6'1 180ish). He's always had a strong arm and nice feel for the game.  McNeal showcased his talents on national television in a star-studded all-star 7-on-7 event that found him as one of the top performers of the entire tournament.  I'm still curious to see how he moves on his knee during his senior season, but all indications are that it shouldn't pose a problem.  Prior to the injury, he wasn't a guy that was going to blow by anyone, but was definitely a capable runner. McNeal is a very nice fit for Clemson's offense and reminds me a lot of current Tiger QB Kyle Parker, who like McNeal was initially underrated nationally as a QB.

South Carolina Class of 2011 Preseason Top 30, 11-20

I'll be releasing my class of 2011 state rankings over the next few days. I plan to start of with southern states first, and then I'll move on to other areas, national positional rankings, and then the class of 2012 (more than likely in a watch list type of form). As with all rankings, these are fluid and subject to change (many times) between now and signing day. Comments, questions, and criticisms are both welcomed and encouraged. 

11. Dominique Cooper, ATH, Darlington

Cooper is an intriguing prospect and has gone relatively unnoticed (only a few offers) at Darlington. On film Cooper is a top 3 RB in the state, showing great feet, change of direction and vision in the open field. Despite this, Cooper's best long term position could be on the defensive side of the ball as either an outside linebacker or safety (OLB being more likely). Serving as his team's primary ball carrier, Cooper was somewhat limited defensively (as far as snaps played), but he was still able to make a few plays and show his substantial potential on that side of the ball.

12. Lateek Townsend, OLB, Marlboro County (Bennettsville)

Lateek Townsend is a perplexing prospect for me. I've seen him play seven times (twice in person, five on film). Townsend's a guy that plays with a lot of bravado (I've actually seen him break out into a full-on dance pre-snap) and has a carte blanche from the Marlboro County staff to blitz/drop into coverage as he sees fit. The result is an impressive highlight tape of Townsend busting through the line on well-timed blitzes and stroking down ball carriers from sideline to sideline. Going purely off his highlight tape, Townsend is a top ten player in this class. But having seen him play as much as I have (more than anyone else ranking him) it's easy to notice that he's missing basic fundamentals that go into playing linebacker such as form tackling ability (misses way too many tackles for a top LB prospect) and ability to read and react (rarely if ever does this). The result is Townsend disappearing for long stretches.  While I love his motor and sideline-to-sideline ability, Townsend is going to need to add a good bit of discipline and fundamentals to his game at the next level to before he becomes the player that he should be. 

13. Shaq Anthony, OL, Wren (Piedmont) Clemson Verbal

Anthony is an athletic lineman with nice wingspan and feet. At 6'4, he has ample height for any position along the line, but really needs to get stronger at the point of attack. On film, Anthony's much more comfortable with his pass pro than he is drive-blocking, which shows that he'll at least start out at tackle early on.  Anthony isn't the type of guy that's going to step in and have an immediate impact (few linemen do) and will benefit greatly from a redshirt year and multiple offseasons in a college strength and conditioning program. He's more of the type that will be productive as an upperclassman. Anthony's father, Vernie, played at Clemson.

14. Roderick Byers, DL, Northwestern (Rock Hill)

Byers plays right beside Gerald Dixon, Jr. for Northwestern, forming one of the top DL duos in the state. Unlike Dixon, Byers will more than likely switch positions in college, making a move inside.  He already has nice size at 6'3, 260, and more than enough athleticism to be a penetrating 3-technique at the next level.  Byers is far from a finished product though, and needs to work on coming off the ball harder and his overall technique (hands, moves, etc.).  But the upside is definitely there and Byers fits in nicely with a very good DL crop for this class.

15. Justin Worley, QB, Northwestern (Rock Hill) Tennessee Verbal

Worley is a pocket passer who gets ample opportunities in Northwestern's pass-heavy attack (threw about 500 passes last year). He's a rhythm passer with a somewhat quirky (but not necessarily slow) release.  Worley has prototypical height for a pocket passer at 6'5 and needs to continue to fill out, which should help him increase his arm strength. I've seen him play twice in person and while he's not a dynamic playmaker, I like his command of the offense (smart and good leader) and his ability to distribute the ball. I also like his accuracy and touch, particularly on passes to his right.  The two biggest areas that he needs to improve on are mobility in the pocket (has improved a bit) and ability to drive the ball down the field (specifically the middle of the field). Overall, Worley is a solid pro-style QB prospect who fits in well with what Tennessee is trying to do offensively. 

16. Pat Martin, SS/OLB, JL Mann (Greenville) Tennessee Verbal

Martin is a physical DB who specializes in run support. He's competitive and plays with a nice motor. On film he shows that he's both a solid form tackler and hitter. Martin is passable in coverage, although it's far from his strong suit. At 5'11 and in the 200 range, he's somewhat bulky and and a tad stiff so he isn't the type you're going to stick on quick slot receivers. He should be okay with most running backs and tight ends though. With his skill set and current size, its not out of reason that Martin will grow into an OLB down the line. 

17. Ronnie Martin, CB, Spartanburg South Carolina Verbal

Martin was somewhat of a late riser as far as recruiting is concerned. Among top prospects in this class, he's right there with Shon Carson for fastest in a straight line (similar testing numbers, but Martin plays faster).  Martin has good height for a CB at 5'11, but is only a bit over 160 right now, so he'll need to add considerable bulk over the next few years. I had the opportunity to watch Martin and Spartanburg at a 7-on-7 tournament and he didn't do much to stand out, good or bad. Regardless, he's a good CB prospect due to his good height and great speed. 

18. Ryan Norton, OL, Mauldin Clemson Verbal

Norton is the top interior offensive lineman for this class.  He's a high school center, which is somewhat rare for OL prospects. This is positive in that he has a leg up on many other OC prospects since he's already proven to be a proficient snapper. At 6'3 and in the 270 range, Norton has capable size and good strength numbers. On film, he shows nice feet, but could stand to be a bit quicker. As is the case with many OL recruits, I'm looking for Norton to become more of dominant force in his senior year and improve on really finishing his blocks. If he does, he could move up a few spots in future rankings. 

19. Brandon Wilds, RB, Blythewood South Carolina Verbal

Wilds is a big back and is already 6'0 220+, so he'll probably be a short-yardage specialist and/or a fullback in college. He's a very productive high school back, rushing for around 1500 yards his junior year.  I had a chance to see Wilds in person this summer, and he appeared to be much thicker in his lower body than on film.  He's a guy that does many things well, but doesn't really excel at one thing. Wilds should be a solid situational back at the next level. 

20. Gerald Dixon, Jr., DT, Northwestern (Rock Hill)

Dixon, Jr., the brother of South Pointe DL Gerald Dixon, and son of former Gamecock Gerald Dixon, Sr., has really benefited from a solid summer in the weightroom.  He's physically matured since the end of the season.  This transformation was on display at a combine this summer when Dixon, Jr. measured in at a solid 6'2.5, 280. He also put up very nice numbers, benching 185 22 times, reeling off 40's of 5.0 and 5.09 and 20 yard pro-shuttle times in the 4.6 range. Dixon could move up if he shows similar improvement on the field.

South Carolina Class of 2011 Preseason Top 30, 21-30

21. Ralph Cooper, ILB, Fairfield Central (Winnsboro)

Cooper is a solid, blue-collar LB. He has capable size at 6'0, 225, and above-average testing numbers consistently running 40's in the 4.6-4.7 range and sub 4.3 times in the 20-yard pro-shuttle. While Cooper isn't going to wow anyone with bone-jarring hits on his highlight tape, he's very consistent, particularly against the run.  I really like his ability to read his keys and react accordingly (often an overlooked trait, but albeit very important). Cooper will be a nice grab for a school looking for a run-stuffing ILB.


22. Mike Rose, DE/OLB, Hillcrest (Simpsonville)

Rose is one of the more intriguing prospects in this class. He has an outstanding combination of size and speed at 6'3, 210 with the ability to run in the 4.5 range (has run 22.1 200m in track).  Rose is raw on film (needs to get stronger at the point of contact and can be a bit stiff in the hips) and plays for a struggling program, but I still like his upside. His speed is evident running sideline to sideline and as a FB on offense (broke a few long runs). It might take Rose a while to develop once he gets to college, but he's a high ceiling guy. 


23. Gerald Dixon, DL, South Pointe (Rock Hill)

Dixon is the brother of Gerald Dixon Jr. (of Northwestern HS) and DL cohort of Jadeveon Clowney, the nation's top prospect. His father, Gerald Dixon, Sr., starred at the University of South Carolina in the early 90's, before enjoying a productive nine year career in the NFL. Originally seen as more of a tweener at 6'2, this Gerald Dixon, like his brother, has put on a good bit of size in the last few months (moving from 245 to 260) making a move inside at the college level more likely. Like most defensive players at South Pointe, Dixon's motor really stands out on film. He's all over the field, and is particularly effective on special teams.


24. DeShaun Williams, NT, Daniel (Central) Clemson Verbal

Williams is a space-eater at defensive tackle, who will more than likely find himself playing over the center for the Tigers. He's strong at the point of attack and is by all accounts a hard worker. Williams has grown a bit (up to 6'1, 290) and has done a nice job moving around some bad body weight. Even with these improvements, he still lacks the athleticism and quickness of other interior defensive linemen in this class. 


25. Loranzo Hammonds, ATH, North Augusta

Hammonds is a bit of an unknown and operates at North Augusta without a whole lot of fanfare. Regardless, this guy is a player, and perhaps the biggest sleeper in the state. Last season, Hammonds was one of the more productive players in the state passing for 2,315 yards and 31 touchdowns with only 4 interceptions while rushing for 1,016 yards and 13 touchdowns. On film, Hammonds shows play-making ability, particularly with his feet, flashing nice vision and toughness. Hammonds made news a few weeks ago after he was cuffed during a traffic stop, so that's a situation to watch, particularly if it somehow affects his senior year. It seemed somewhat minor to me though, but we'll see.


26.  Zeph Grimes, DB, Bamberg-Ehrhardt (Bamberg) Illinois Verbal

Grimes is a shorter DB (5'9-5'10 range) but has done a good job gaining weight (up to about 200) in the past year.  On film, Grimes flashes desirable tackling ability (particularly in the open field), is adept at blitzing off the edge, and plays with the kind of fire you want from your players. It's somewhat difficult to get a read on Grimes's coverage abilities, as he primarily plays in the box for Bamberg-Ehrhardt. If he proves to be equally as good in coverage as he is in run support, Grimes could be in for a solid bump.


27. Desmond Floyd, DE, Union County (Union) Wake Forest Verbal

Floyd has great height (6'5.5) and length. On film he effectively uses his reach to corral ball carriers in the backfield. I originally had Floyd much higher, but after seeing him in person this summer, it became evident that he needs to reshape his body a good bit, which is somewhat concerning considering he's only around 230 right now.  


28. Donte Sumpter, WR, Myrtle Beach East Carolina Verbal
What Sumpter lacks in physical tools (about 5'10 170) he makes up for with smarts and outstanding route running. On film, Sumpter proves to be the best route runner in the state, by a fair margin. Using an arsenal of double and even triple moves, Sumpter is very difficult to defend, particularly against man schemes. He gets in and out of his breaks effectively and consistently gets separation, while also being tough after the catch. Sumpter had a very productive junior season as Everett Golson's top target, hauling in 75 catches for 1,056 yards and 14 touchdowns. He's a perfect fit for East Carolina's new Air-Raid offense.


29. Glenn Hilliard, CB, TL Hanna (Anderson) East Carolina Verbal
Hilliard was an unknown entering the spring, but has benefited from solid showings on the summer camp circuit. He doesn't appear to be as big as he's listed (more like 5'10 170 than 6'0 180), but on film, Hilliard has a smooth backpedal and shows very nice anticipation and ability to make plays on the ball. He should be a very solid CB for the Pirates.


30. De'Edward Burris, ATH, Gaffney
Burris, like Hammonds above, is an example of the case where high schools put one of their better athletes back at QB, despite it not being his ideal college position. Burris has been productive for one of the state's biggest programs and in one of the state's toughest regions. He primarily projects as a slot WR or DB, although I could see him playing QB for some FCS programs. BUrris doesn't have outstanding size (5'11 170), but he has nice shake and quickness. In addition to Burris, Gaffney has two very promising underclassmen in 2012 WR Quinshad Davis and 2013 DL Jaylen Miller.


Next Five:
Robert Smith, DB, Woodland (Dorchester) Clemson Verbal
B.J. Goodson, LB, Lamar
Sam Merriman, LB, Marlboro County (Bennettsville)
Julius Pendergrass, APB, Chester
Hakeem Flowers, WR, Wade Hampton (Greenville)

Let's get it started

Some of my friends told me I should start blogging, so I'm giving it a shot. With that, welcome to my new blog...I'll be posting an assortment of thoughts with a focus on football recruiting.