Big-Play Receivers To Watch At Palmetto Combine West
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Continue ReadingPotential New Subscribers: Take advantage of our 40% off special by using the coupon code Guerin40 at checkout. In addition to our 365-day-a-year football approach, Prep Red Zone South Carolina is the official media partner of the 2023 Palmetto Combine Series, meaning subscribers will get first-hand information on many of the 1,200 athletes in attendance at all four sites.
Gamebreakers.
Everybody needs one. A go-get-it guy. A guy who’s a threat to take a short dump-off pass to the house. A guy who can run by you, or through you, or around you. A hold-your-breath player who’s a threat to score from anywhere at any time.
These are some of those guys in the 2024 Class. They’ll be in action at Palmetto Combine West, and we can’t wait to see them.
Avery McFadden Avery McFadden 5'10" | 175 lbs | WR Hillcrest | 2024 State SC , Hillcrest
McFadden is a true burner, and he shines in several areas for the Rams. He caught 69 balls for 1,133 yards and eight scores, added more than 600 return yards and four more touchdowns on special teams, and even played a little defense for Hillcrest. He runs good routes, seems to hit another gear to get by defenders, and is a nightmare when Hillcrest can get him the ball in space.
Mazeo Bennett Mazeo Bennett 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH Greenville | 2024 State SC , Greenville
Bennett is a true do-everything guy. He had 23 total touchdowns and more than 1,000 all-purpose yards for the Red Raiders, but receiver is where he truly made his mark, with 867 yards and 14 scores. He’s a dependable possession guy, he can run by you, he wins 50/50 balls, and he can play with a physical edge. How many other big-play receivers dedicate the first minute of their film to absolutely destroying DBs on run blocks? It’s no wonder Bennett is a prized recruit.
Chase Byrd Chase Byrd 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Greer | 2024 State SC , Greer
Byrd just makes plays. Period. There doesn’t seem to be a situation that Greer QBs can get themselves into that Byrd can’t help them get out of. His ability to consistently win jump-balls and to fight through traffic for a tough catch or for extra yards sets him apart. He was the Yellow Jackets’ top receiver by a wide margin, and seems poised to elevate his game even further.
Mikel McClellan Mikel McClellan 5'9" | 165 lbs | WR JL Mann | 2024 State SC , J.L. Mann
McClellan has a ton of speed, and last year he turned into one of the Patriots’ go-to guys. He excels at turning short completions into big plays, he’s a threat downfield, he blocks well, and his yards-after-catch are off the charts.
Drew McKibben, Travelers Rest
McKibben is huge, at 6-4, and his body sometimes fools you. He looks like he’s just kind of cruising along, until you notice nobody’s catching up. He’s got great speed and athleticism (he’s an All-State basketball player on top of his football talents), and is big enough to make an impact at DE for Travelers Rest as well. He makes plays in traffic, he breaks big gains, and he’s physical.
Jimmar Boston Jimmar Boston 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Westside | 2024 State SC , Westside
Boston turned in highlight after highlight for the Rams last season, both at receiver and in the return game. He’s a problem offensively, with the speed to run past defenders on the outside or split them down the middle, and the ability to shed tacklers and turn short gains into huge chunks of yardage.
Josh Williams Josh Williams 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR Westside | 2024 State SC , Westside
As good as Boston is, it was Williams who led the Rams in catches, yards, and touchdowns last season. He’s fast, physical, and polished, and it shows on the field. He runs excellent routes, adjusts well to the ball in the air, and uses his body to make plays in traffic. Williams is the real deal.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Members of the Prep Red Zone team will be on site for each of the four Palmetto Combine Series events in April, covering all the players and storylines. This year’s series will be held April 1 at Summerville, April 2 at York, April 15 at Westside and April 16 at West Florence. Prep Red Zone staff members were not responsible for the nomination or selection of participants in this year’s event.