Zone Watch: Preseason All-Upstate Team
In this article:
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. In the Upstate, these certainly aren’t the only guys to watch, but they’re a…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAs 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.
In the Upstate, these certainly aren’t the only guys to watch, but they’re a fantastic place to start.
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.
Here’s a look at 12 to watch on defense.
DL: Jayden Wilson-Abrams Jayden Wilson-Abrams 6'3" | 270 lbs | DL Greenville | 2024 State SC , 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.
DL: Abraham Fyffe Abraham Fyffe 5'10" | 230 lbs | DL Chapman | 2023 State SC , 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.
DL: Chris Foster Chris Foster 6'0" | 205 lbs | DL Byrnes | 2024 State SC , 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.
LB: Jalen Rambert Jalen Rambert 6'1" | 240 lbs | LB Powdersville | 2023 State SC , 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.
LB: Luke Schuller Luke Schuller 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Greenville | 2023 State SC , 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.”
LB: Miquel Dingle Miquel Dingle 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Byrnes | 2023 State SC , 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.
LB: Brayshawn Littlejohn Brayshawn Littlejohn 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB Gaffney | 2023 State SC , 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.
DB: Misun Kelley Misun Kelley 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB DW Daniel | 2023 State SC , 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.
DB: Ja’Corey Martin Ja’Corey Martin 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Southside Christian | 2023 State SC , 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.
DB: Armoni Weaver Armoni Weaver 5'11" | 170 lbs | ATH Westside | 2025 State SC , 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.
DB: Christian Henderson Christian Henderson 5'8" | 160 lbs | DB Greenville | 2025 State SC , 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: Isaac Masone, Southside Christian: Masone is a weapon for the Sabres, showing an ability to flip the field to assist an already stout defense.