PALMETTO STATE DYNAMIC DOZEN

By Kevin Ledford

Photo from Scout.com

The talent level in the state of South Carolina has been on the rise over the last decade, and the 2011 class is no exception. In fact, many believe it to be one of the deepest and most talented classes in state history. As an introduction to the next recruiting cycle, we’ll take a look at the cream of the crop in the Palmetto State for the Class of 2011.

The headliner is Jadeveon Clowney, a 6’5” 235 pound defensive end prospect from South Pointe High School in Rock Hill. Clowney is a long and lean athlete with tremendous burst and explosiveness that is a menace to opposing quarterbacks. He explodes off the snap of the ball and consistently flushes the pocket, and when he can’t quite get there, he uses his long arms and leaping ability to take away passing lanes. He is very disruptive and plays with a nasty streak. Clowney has the frame and genetics to play at 260-265 and should be one of the most sought after recruits in the country.

The top receiver in the state is Dorman’s Charone Peake. A long striding, two-stepper, Peake (6’3”, 170) is a very smooth athlete with excellent hands and ball skills. His concentration is outstanding, and he is very adept at tracking the ball in the air and positioning his body to shield defenders. He plays in a run-heavy offense, and as a result is advanced as a blocker on the perimeter. Just get the ball in Peake’s vicinity, and he’ll do the rest.

If there’s one thing you can’t teach, it’s size, and Goose Creek’s Brandon Shell has it in abundance. Shell, the nephew of Oakland Raiders’ Hall of Famer Art Shell, stands at 6’7” and weighs 310 pounds. You just can’t teach that. He’s a raw prospect, but has all the tools to be a great tackle. Shell is athletic, moves well, and is light on his feet. Once he gets his technique down, the sky is the limit.

Dexter Staley of Williston-Elko High School is perhaps the most talented athlete in the state. At 6’2” 215, the skill-set Staley possesses is nothing short of freakish. A remarkably fluid athlete with great length, Staley has the frame to add 25-35 pounds and could play a number of positions at the next level. He currently stars at running back, linebacker, and even wide receiver for the Blue Devils, and led them to the 2009 1A State Championship. He has tremendous balance and body control, huge hands, and is a powerful runner, but many project him at linebacker at the next level where he is instinctive and aggressive. Staley is clearly one of the premier athletes in the state, the only question is where to play him.

Speaking of running backs, the best in South Carolina for 2011 is Lake City’s Shon Carson. Carson (5’9”, 195) is a compact back with a sturdy build, that displays good burst and cutting ability. He’s a physical runner with cat-like balance and excellent vision, and is a threat to go the distance any time he touches the ball.

The state’s top signal- caller is Myrtle Beach’s Everett Golson. An under-sized (5’11”, 161) dual-threat quarterback, Golson is a special talent that possesses those innate qualities that just can’t be taught and has led the Seahawks to consecutive State Championship games. He’s an athletic passer that can beat you with his arm or his legs, and is just as accurate throwing the deep ball as he is throwing underneath. He’s a natural leader, and doubles as the point guard on the basketball team.

Hakeem Flowers of Wade Hampton High School in Greenville is a prospect that could star on either side of the ball, but most project him as a wide receiver at the next level. He’s a raw talent, but his upside is ridiculous. A gracefully smooth athlete, Flowers’ acceleration and ability to change direction given his size (6‘3“, 180), almost defies science. His length, hands, body control, and leaping ability give him the potential to be a star receiver.

The top pocket passer in the 2011 class is Northwestern’s Justin Worley. He stands tall in the pocket at his size (6’4”, 197) and sprays the ball all over the field with accuracy and touch. Worley runs the Trojans’ spread offense with poise and command. He has good field vision and pocket awareness, and just a good overall feel for the game.

Calhoun County’s Shamir Jeffrey is cut from the same cloth as his big brother, South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey. He’s a big, physical receiver with excellent size (6’2”, 180) and a frame that could hold another 25-30 pounds. He possesses the same attributes that helped his brother make an immediate impact for the Gamecocks: he’s athletic, has good ball skills and body control, and he consistently catches the ball away from his body. Jeffrey, who moonlights as the Saints’ quarterback, should be physically ready to make an immediate impact at the next level.

The premier interior defensive lineman in the state is Manning’s Phillip Dukes. At 6’2” 275, Dukes flashes dominance at times and has the frame to play at or near 300 pounds. He’s very quick and athletic with a strong base and good leverage, and uses his stout lower body to explode off the snap. Big upside for this young defensive tackle.

One of the fastest-rising prospects in the state is Chester’s Tony McNeal. His ability to play quarterback at the next level had been in question by some, and there was talk of him possibly having to make the move to safety at the next level, but no one is questioning that now. McNeal (6’1”, 170) is a very athletic and mobile dual-threat quarterback with good awareness and sees the field well. He is very accurate with his throws and has an uncanny ability to roll to his left or right and still deliver the ball on point. McNeal is committed to Clemson University.

Rounding out the first tier is South Pointe’s Gerald Dixon. Dixon plays opposite Jadeveon Clowney for the Stallions, and his skill set compliments the freak’s style perfectly. At 6’2” and 230 pounds, Dixon has a sturdy build and has the frame to hold 250-260 pounds. He anticipates the snap well and has a lightening quick get-off. Dixon is very good against the run and even plays inside at times, but will more than likely be a strong side defensive end at the next level.

While no one will ever confuse South Carolina with California, Florida, or Texas in terms of talent produced, this year’s crop has plenty to offer and further indicates that the Palmetto State should not be overlooked when making recruiting rounds.

These rankings will almost undoubtedly change throughout the course of the combine and camp circuit and on into the 2010 season, and others will assert themselves as well, but one thing is certain: each of these prospects has BCS level talent, and with continued development should make a splash on the recruiting scene.