Zone Watch: Preseason All-Upstate Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the anticipation builds toward the start of the 2022 season, we can clearly point to many of the names and faces adding to potential excitement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the Upstate, these certainly aren't the only guys to watch, but they're a fantastic place to start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We analyzed hundreds of players from the zone – looking at 2021 performances, offseason camp and 7-on-7 performances and each player's situation – and came up with the Prep Red Zone Preseason All-Upstate squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at 12 to watch on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL: [player_tooltip player_id='209617' first='Jayden' last='Wilson-Abrams'], Greenville - A transfer from Wren, Wilson-Abrams will have an immediate impact up front for the Red Raiders. He contributed 59 tackles, 4 TFL, 3.5 sacks and 10 hurries as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL: [player_tooltip player_id='146361' first='Abraham' last='Fyffe'], Chapman - Fyffe will be a senior leader on a young defense for the Panthers, but one that returns a bunch of players who were pressed into service last year. The heart of the Panthers' DL inside, Fyffe is quick and athletic enough to move outside to end in odd fronts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL: [player_tooltip player_id='267454' first='Chris' last='Foster'], Byrnes - Foster's one of the most versatile guys on our list. He wrestles. He plays lacrosse. And he's an outstanding DL, with speed to run down RBs and rush the passer, combined with enough power to clog running lanes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB: [player_tooltip player_id='89333' first='Jalen' last='Rambert'], Powdersville - Our No. 2 recruit in the 2023 class, Rambert helped lead the Patriots to an undefeated regular season, the best in school history. Rambert's stats look like a checklist of "what I want in a LB" - 173 tackles, 53 TFL, 18 pressures, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB: [player_tooltip player_id='89334' first='Luke' last='Schuller'], Greenville - We could talk about triple-digit tackles, leadership, or ability, but we'd rather just tell you what Schuller's head coach, defensive-minded Greg Porter, said about his LB: "Luke's just the kind of guy I've got to have."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB: [player_tooltip player_id='204428' first='Miquel' last='Dingle'], Byrnes - Dingle has state championship-caliber sprinter's speed, and the size and physical nature to go with it. He's continually improved since an injury, and opened a bunch of eyes this summer in 7-on-7 competition. He's committed to Texas Tech, and his numbers this year could be off the charts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB: [player_tooltip player_id='268582' first='Brayshawn' last='Littlejohn'], Gaffney - Littlejohn can play either DE or LB, and is generally plugged into what coach Dan Jones calls "the spot on our defense where we put our best player". Run support, coverage, rushing the passer - the recent Mizzou commit has the tools to do it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB: [player_tooltip player_id='91144' first='Misun' last='Kelley'], Daniel - Kelley can play pretty much anywhere. He had more than 100 yards rushing and more than 700 receiving last year for the Lions, and stood out on defense, too. There, he recorded 24 tackles, three tackles for loss, three pass break-ups and a fumble recovery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB: [player_tooltip player_id='89349' first='Ja'Corey' last='Martin'], Southside Christian: Martin led the Sabres to their second straight 1A title from his spot at QB a year ago. This year, he'll play all over the field, and coach Mike Sonneborn is excited to see what Martin's speed and athleticism bring to his defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB: [player_tooltip player_id='272705' first='Armoni' last='Weaver'], Byrnes - A transfer from Dorman, Weaver is primed to have a huge impact for the Rebels. He was one a of the Cavaliers' top defensive players a year ago, despite being only a freshman. He has great speed and a nose for the ball, and is great in coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB: [player_tooltip player_id='276660' first='Christian' last='Henderson'], Greenville - Transferring from Southside Christian, Henderson immediately gives the Red Raiders a presence in the backfield. He had 32 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 5 pass break-ups on a team that allowed just 5 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>P: <strong>Isaac Masone</strong>, Southside Christian: Masone is a weapon for the Sabres, showing an ability to flip the field to assist an already stout defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->