Next Crop Proves Ready During CCU 7-on-7

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CONWAY | </strong>This is where the real fun begins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During Coastal Carolina University's summer-opening 7-on-7 tournament, 33 of the 35 ranked players from the eligible positions showed up, and many of them busted out in front of the Chanticleers' staff. But six more guys made the type of plays that could set them on the path future attention.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We were at Coastal on Wednesday, and here are our top six unranked players who participated in the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. <strong>Tramaine Hunter</strong> DB, Conway</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In what have been the single-most exciting play of the day, Hunter ended the first game of the event by picking off a deflected a York pass as time expired to give Conway a victory. The actual interception (which netted Conway necessary points to win in the modified scoring system) wasn't as glorified as the tip from a teammate, but what got overlooked what how quickly Hunter adjusted to the ball in the air. He's small, chiming in at just 5-foot-8 and 130 pounds. But this is a team that needs playmakers. Conway might have just found another one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='998693' first='Quintrelle' last='Pettiford']</strong> WR, Summerville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pettiford was already on the brink of a rankings spot from us after he hauled in nearly 600 receiving yards last year. In Conway, after asking around, we started to see the the smaller of the two big Summerville receivers was who we thought it was. Pettiford cuts well immediately after the snap and found hole after hole in opposing defenses. He's quick, and the 5-foot-11, 160-pounder has more than enough straight-line speed to make it count.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>4. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1142845' first='Brandon' last='Cowell']</strong> LB, Crestwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising senior's older brother (Ryan) just graduated after having rushed for 700 yards and eight touchdowns last year. Now, Brandon is ready to fill a necessary hole in his own right. The 6-foot, 210-pound linebacker has fully transitioned from his old spot as a defensive end. He defended extremely well in the flats and moves sideline-sideline when he needs to. Crestwood is obviously a team built from the offense out, but the occasional stop could take this from an eight-win team to one that hits double digits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3. <strong>Keyshawn Johnson</strong> QB, West Florence</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson still stands a shade under 5-foot-8 and weighs about 145 pounds. But based on Wednesday, he looks like the next quarterback for the Knights. He showed off some good footwork in the pocket and had little issue throwing on the run. His development is a priority for West Florence, which hopes it can leave [player_tooltip player_id='443495' first='Franklin' last='Emerson'] at his first spot (linebacker). For that to happen, it will take several more showings like Johnson had at Coastal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639826' first='JayAun' last='Perkins']</strong> WR, West Florence</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The son of Coastal Carolina alum Aundres Perkins (now an assistant at West Florence), JayAun has a much different look than his dad, a man who was 6-foot-2 and 245 during his college tailback days. The younger Perkins is now 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, and his play on the outside is all based upon his speed. While he clocked a 4.84 at the Palmetto Combine Series back in April, Perkins already appeared much faster this week. He's still a bit in project mode, but if his raw skills continue to improve, he appears to be a strong NCAA Division-I candidate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1. <strong>Jaheim Jones</strong> TE, Crestwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones (pictured) certainly didn't look like a guy who was relegated to the junior varsity level a season ago. The 6-foot-2 tight end took advantage of the 7-on-7 format and split out wide Wednesday, using the opportunity to run his routes. That led to a matchup nightmare for everyone playing against Crestwood. The Knights run to the semis was cut short by American (FL), the eventual tournament champion. But if there was a guy who made serious headway throughout the event, it was Jones.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->