Ten Players We're Stoked To See In The Touchstone Energy Bowl

Wednesday's release of the 2022 Touchstone Energy Bowl rosters already has us wondering what these two teams can do with a few days of practice.   The talent level might not be quite what it was in 2021 - when the game was able to select the absolute best of the best from South Carolina - but it's not far off. These 10 players who were picked this year bring all sorts of fire to the game.    NORTH   [player_tooltip player_id='91140' first='Eli' last='Merck'] WR, Daniel   In 33 games on the varsity, all Merck has done is catch 151 passes for 2,674 yards and 41 touchdowns. He's caught 1,000 yards worth of passes in each of the last two seasons and (barring an unexpectedly early exit from the playoffs for Daniel) he'll add a another 1,000-yard campaign to his tally. His ability to play every receiver spot makes him a dangerous weapon in a quick-fire all-star offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='91139' first='Kanaan' last='Ligons'] OL Ridge Spring-Monetta   The knock on Ligons? He plays Class 1A ball. The reality? His ability to muscle up double teams for the last three years is going to translate well to this game, when he's surrounded by like-skilled linemen. Ligons is one of those players who already has a double-digit offer list. However, his chance to impress against this type of competition could given him even more to choose from.   [player_tooltip player_id='202756' first='Brody' last='Tesimale'] LB, Catawba Ridge   We've raved about Tesimale's ability to get to the ball for a couple years now. And at 6-foot and 230 pounds, he's not going to have any problem holding his own. By the time the (so far undefeated) Copperheads reach the Class 4A playoffs here in a couple weeks, he'll be north of 300 career tackles and should be considered one of the best defenders in the state.    [player_tooltip player_id='336117' first='Hunter' last='Puckett'] DL, Westside   The North coaching staff has already decided that Puckett is going to get some snaps at running back in December, too. That makes sense, as the Rams' leading rusher has already put up 642 yards and eight touchdowns through the team's first eight games. Getting the 6-foot-4, 235-pound edge rusher along that line, though, could be a difference maker. He's relatively raw at defensive end, but the glimpses of something special are there.   [player_tooltip player_id='202727' first='Apollos' last='Cook'] TE/DB, Airport   When Cook's father took the job at Airport and Apollos followed, everyone knew his production would probably dip some. And, yet, the Duke commitment has continued to do his thing. Cook's 663 receiving yards through the first nine games of the year have accounted for roughly 40 percent of the team's total offense. As a receiver. In Class 4A ball. What do you think he could do when he's not being double teamed nearly every snap?   SOUTH   [player_tooltip player_id='89345' first='Zolten' last='Osborne'] QB Fort Dorchester   An all-star nod has been building for Osborne (pictured) for some time. He's been a starter since his sophomore year and has been putting up fantastic numbers throughout. His recruiting was slow at first but then came on strong, with some FBS teams finally pulling the trigger. There isn't a throw Osborne can't make, and he's fantastic on the run. Those are two traits that serve all-star quarterbacks well.    [player_tooltip player_id='336146' first='Kacy' last='Fields'] ATH, Beaufort   After Fields played mostly receiver during most of his time at Beaufort, the likely all-state selection moved to tailback this year and has been setting the Lowcountry on fire. At one point, he had a three-game stretch where he put up just shy of 900 yards and 11 touchdowns. What's more, the Eagles haven't lost since the season opener against Fort Dorchester. With the ball in his hands at either position, Fields is a problem.   [player_tooltip player_id='132398' first='Chandler' last='Perry'] LB, Dutch Fork   If Perry is 6-feet tall instead of 5-foot-9, we're hearing his name week after week after week in the recruiting circles. As it stands, he's proved himself invaluable to the Silver Foxes' defense and will have every chance to impress in Myrtle Beach. As one of our scouts put it, he's been the best player in the Midlands this year, and it may not even be that close. The only thing holding back his individual statistics are a bunch of blowouts.   [player_tooltip player_id='262552' first='Tyler' last='J Smith'] RB, Barnwell   Smith is closing in on 4,000 career rushing yards and 60 touchdowns, and he's only played the position for 22 varsity games. Needless to say, he's going to get his carries during the prep week leading up to the game. What's more, he's also likely going to see some snaps at linebacker, the position he's played at Barnwell since he was a freshman. Smith is an electric player, and he should have some eyes on him in December.   [player_tooltip player_id='146357' first='Tim' last='Castain'] DL, Oceanside Collegiate   Each year, coaches start flooding our inboxes with player notes about guys coming up and ranks and we need to evaluate. When it comes to Castain, all we can say is that he's never stopped improving. The 6-foot, 275-pound interior lineman is strong as all get up and has made his footwork comparable to someone in college. Castain has a bunch of games left for Oceanside, and we don't expect two years of his trend to cease before then.

Wednesday's release of the 2022 Touchstone Energy Bowl rosters already has us wondering what these two teams can do with a few days of practice.