Charleston Area Top Defenders in 2023 Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The area of strength in the 2023 class of Charleston area defenders was linebacker. That was evident when the SC Shrine Bowl team roster was announced and the list included four linebackers from the Charleston area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even with the four players that were selected, there were several other 2023 linebackers that put up numbers and proved to be among the best in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the final list of 2023 South Carolina player rankings, a total of 249 players, there were nine linebackers listed from the Charleston area. Here is a look at some of the top defensive prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91142' first='Omari' last='Jenkins'] - Timberland - LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91142' first='Omari' last='Jenkins']</strong> (6-1, 225) was a four-year starter for the Wolves and one of the top defensive players in Class AA. He was a starter and captain for the SC Shrine Bowl defense and finished his career with more than 300 tackles. Jenkins also did good work at fullback. He plays with a high motor and is one of the more physical tacklers in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13077984/6386be3990eec3053c9c7191' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c0a1e4a4e1d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='146357' first='Tim' last='Castain'] - Oceanside Collegiate - DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='146357' first='Tim' last='Castain']</strong> was one of the top defensive tackles in the state and was the fourth-ranked 2023 lineman in the list. Castain (6-0, 290) was strong at the point of attack and possesses great quickness. His film shows him beating offensive linemen off the ball, creating havoc in the backfield with his bullrush and evident power.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13687677/6333064d0dc13a0d740c4098' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c0a1e4a4e55"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DeAndre Jones - Fort Dorchester - DE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DeAndre Jones</strong> (6-1, 265) played his senior season at Fort Dorchester after transferring from rival Summerville. Started three seasons on the varsity and is a two-time All-Lowcountry selection. Tallied more than 110 tackles with 15 sacks this season and was selected to play in the Shrine Bowl. Could line up at tackle or end and used his strong lower body to explode off the snap.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13368057/63925f6247982005382e106a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c0a1e4a4e72"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='146380' first='Cameron' last='Avery'] - Cane Bay - LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more physical players in the area, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='146380' first='Cameron' last='Avery']</strong> (6-0, 215) had 133 tackles in 2023. He was an all-region and All-Lowcountry performer and played for SC in the Shrine Bowl. Was a three-year starter for the Cobras. Instinctive and a film room rat. On his film you can often see him heading to the point before the snap. Take a look at this film!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11598440/6327e79023523f0710bd0f27' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c0a1e4a4e8d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91158' first='TJ' last='Wilson'] - Ashley Ridge - LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another four-year varsity starter,<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='91158' first='TJ' last='Wilson']</strong> (5-11, 215) was a classic inside linebacker. Played the run very well and is a sure tackler with great physicality.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12853495/63727b66664c890520dd72d3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c0a1e4a4ea6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262617' first='Michael' last='Jenkins'] - Summerville - DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262617' first='Michael' last='Jenkins']</strong> (6-2, 175) was a mainstay in the Summerville secondary for the last three seasons. Not only did he defend the pass as a cornerback, he also was outstanding in run support and excelled at blocking kicks. He tallied 103 tackles this season and blocked six kicks. He was a SC Shrine Bowl team member and a two-time All-Lowcountry pick.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13281894/6387ae47a018ca0434ea413e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c0a1e4a4ec0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='582096' first='Malik' last='Horry'] - Hanahan - FS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='582096' first='Malik' last='Horry']</strong> had nearly 90 tackles and played in the North-South all-star game. Versatile athlete who could play corner or outside linebacker, and played some receiver on offense for the Hawks. Horry was a three-year starter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12118986/632c9dd3b534590c08407b51' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c0a1e4a4ed9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277543' first='Walker' last='Woodall'] - James Island - LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yet another tackling machine in the middle of the James Island defense, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277543' first='Walker' last='Woodall']</strong> led the Trojans in tackles (117) and tackles for loss (28). Strong and physical with good instincts, and a respected team leader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13575880/635993a519a6d509c0a49624' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c0a1e4a4ef2"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->