Palmetto Combine South: 2024 MVP, Award Winners And More

Ian Guerin April 1, 2023 @ 04:01 PM

Potential 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.   DORCHESTER | The reactions from the rest of the athletes at Saturday's Palmetto Combine South told the story.   As [player_tooltip player_id='448980' first='Shaikh' last='Thompson']'s measurables and combine performance numbers were rattled off, the players around him all had various looks of disbelief and amazement. Moments later, no one batted at an eye at Thompson being named the 2024 MVP on Day 1 of the PCS kickstarter at Woodland.   “I am surprised,” the Hilton Head rising senior said. “I just come out here and have fun. I don't put a lot of pressure on myself. I come out here and play. I love football. I've been playing it since I was young.”   Clearly, Thompson isn't simply showing up to show up. And on Saturday, he became the talk of the combine - thanks to some figures that led him to being named the best of the best.   The defensive end - currently ranked No. 30 overall in our Class of 2024 rankings - was verified at 6-foot-4 and 236 pounds. His 83-inch wingspan (no, that's not a typo) was one inch shy of a cool 7 feet. After he started moving, he showed he wasn't just lumbering around, either.   Thompson ran a 4.98 40, a 4.66 pro shuttle and hit a considerable distance (8 feet, 2 inches) on his broad jump. Most importantly is what he did during one-on-one drills.    Against a number of high-end offensive linemen, Thompson side-stepped and powered his way to the quarterback dummy as fast as anyone during that session.    Hilton Head coach B.J. Payne said Thompson (who already has offers from Coastal Carolina, West Virginia and Appalachian State, among others) will blow up on the recruiting circuit this summer when the player and coach make their rounds.   We're not sure it will take that long.   AROUND THE PCS SOUTH   The PCS staff and coaches used a variety of assessment protocols to hand out some hardware to several of the 133 players in attendance during the 2024 combine.    Fastest 40: Nik Jefferson Ashley Ridge, 4.45 - Jefferson was one of two players to his that speed Saturday, when windy conditions were anything but favorable to the sprints.    Pro Shuttle: [player_tooltip player_id='315319' first='Tamari' last='Daniels'] Blackville-Hilda, 4.1 - Daniels, who matched Jefferson's 40 time, smoked everyone in the pro shuttle. The next fastest time was .16 of a second behind, a sizable difference in that quick of an event.   Broad Jump: [player_tooltip player_id='589063' first='Ben' last='Cohen'] Waccamaw, 9 feet 6 inches - The Warriors' WR/DB/returnman has grown an inch and a half in the last few months, and he's starting to make use of his size and some extra time in the weight room.   Top Defensive Line: Andrew Jackson West Ashley - The 6-foot-2, 228-pound lineman (like Thompson) used his insane 83-inch wingspan to cut through opposing offensive linemen and make his way into the backfield.   Top Offensive Line: Landon Stradcutter Stratford - He's not overly big at 6-foot-1 and 276 pounds, but Stradcutter showed excellent hand and footwork and locked down pass rusher after pass rusher.    Top Defensive Skill: [player_tooltip player_id='360135' first='Taylen' last='Clinkscales'] Edisto - The defensive back held his own, especially in the one-on-one sessions in which he was charged with “tackling” open-field pass catchers.    Top Offensive Skill: Matthew Phillips Ashley Ridge - Phillips stood out by torching multiple defensive backs, taking advantage of route running and getting out of his cuts quickly.

Potential 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.