Breaking Down PRZ Preseason All-State Team, Part 1: Defense
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Want to know a little more about our preseason All-State team? Here’s a look at the guys on the defensive side of the ball, along with punters and kickers. PUNTERS Sam Crocker Sam Crocker 5'10" | 165 lbs | P…
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Continue ReadingWant to know a little more about our preseason All-State team? Here’s a look at the guys on the defensive side of the ball, along with punters and kickers.
PUNTERS
Sam Crocker Sam Crocker 5'10" | 165 lbs | P Philip Simmons | 2024 State SC Philip Simmons – Crocker has a big leg, can punt for placement, and great hang time. He can kick as well, and he’s highly regarded as a specialist who’s going to help his team.
Coleman Franzone Coleman Franzone 5'10" | 190 lbs | P James Island | 2024 State SC James Island – Franzone was an All-State player a year ago, booming 33 punts for a 44.5-yard average and killing 37 percent of his kicks inside the opponent’s 20.
KICKERS
Cavan Craig Cavan Craig 5'11" | 200 lbs | K Bishop England | 2024 State SC Bishop England – Craig is one of just a handful of returners for the Bishops, and he handles both punting and kicking duties. He’s the highest-ranked specialist in the 2024 class, and already has a 59-yard field goal to his credit.
Gray Dangerfield Gray Dangerfield 6'1" | 205 lbs | K James Island | 2025 State SC James Island – Dangerfield was a weapon for the Trojans, scoring 77 points last year. He was 9-of-11 on field goals, including 5-of-5 in the playoffs, with a 48-yard personal best and a last-second kick for a walk-off win.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Jordan Boyd Jordan Boyd 6'3" | 215 lbs | DL Silver Bluff | 2024 State SC Silver Bluff: The Georgia Tech commit is a nightmare. He recorded 92 tackles last year, with 25 for loss and 10 sacks while forcing three fumbles and recovering one. Boyd always looks like a factor, and sometimes looks unblockable.
Ben Britton Ben Britton 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Oceanside Collegiate | 2024 State SC Oceanside Collegiate: Britton plays both ways, but never seems to stop on the defensive side. He had 77 tackles and 17 tackles for loss last season, and his speed and strength off the edge were a huge part of the Landsharks’ run to the Class 2A Lower State title.
Chris Dixon Chris Dixon 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL South Pointe | 2024 State SC South Pointe – Dixon eats up blockers, stops the run, and is a great pass-rusher. He had 73 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks last season, and will look to take on an even bigger role this year.
Malachi Jefferson Malachi Jefferson 5'10" | 250 lbs | DL James Island | 2025 State SC James Island – A transfer from Indian Land, Jefferson piled up 110 tackles, nine sacks, and three forced fumbles a year ago. He’s active with a high motor, and he’ll be all over the field for the Trojans.
Travis Wilson Travis Wilson 6'2" | 220 lbs | DL Johnsonville | 2024 State SC Johnsonville – Wilson is a standout up front for the Flashes, and one of the team’s most versatile and athletic players? How versatile? Well, this year he’s expecting to play some snaps in the backfield – and some at wide receiver.
Andre McFadden-Pressley Andre McFadden-Pressley 6'0" | 305 lbs | DL Lake City | 2024 State SC Lake City – McFadden-Pressley is huge at 6-foot-2, 295 pounds. More than that, though, he’s as athletic a guy as you’ll find for his size – a fact backed up by his position as an All-American wrestler.
Edward Robinson Edward Robinson 6'0" | 230 lbs | DL Blythewood | 2024 State SC Blythewood – Robinson’s junior year was astounding: 115 tackles, 37 tackles for loss, 25 sacks, 29 pressures, and nine forced fumbles. He’ll be a huge part of the Bengals’ success this season.
Jayden Wilson-Abrams Jayden Wilson-Abrams 6'3" | 270 lbs | DL Greenville | 2024 State SC Greenville – Wilson-Abrams is an absolute monster, and when paired with teammate Bryce Knauber and a ton of returners in the secondary, he’ll be tough to handle for opposing offenses.
Shaikh Thompson Shaikh Thompson 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL Hilton Head | 2024 State SC Hilton Head – Thompson had 45 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks a year ago. He’ll look to build on that this season as the Seahawks look to build the defense around him.
LINEBACKERS
Jeremiah Curry Jeremiah Curry 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Bluffton | 2024 State SC Bluffton – A hybrid LB/S, Curry was a tackle machine for the Bobcats last season. He had 104 total stops, including one for a loss. He added an interception, and knocked down nine passes in the secondary.
Jamie Downing Jamie Downing 5'10" | 205 lbs | LB Bamberg-Ehrhardt | 2024 State SC Bamberg-Ehrhardt – Downing’s one of those guys who plays at about a thousand miles an hour. He’s a run-stuffer first and foremost, he has great closing speed to get where he needs to be in a hurry, and he’s physical when he gets there.
Camden Durant Camden Durant 6'3" | 215 lbs | LB McCormick | 2024 State SC McCormick – What’s Durant got that you’re looking for in a linebacker? Well…everything. He’s big (6-foot-3, 215 pounds), fast, strong, and physical.
Franklin Emerson Franklin Emerson 6'0" | 220 lbs | ATH West Florence | 2024 State SC West Florence – Emerson’s a speedy linebacker who’s a big hitter, and boasts a stat that’s among the most fun in the state. His blazing 40 time (4.5) is eclipsed by his GPA (5.2)
Jayden Fuller Jayden Fuller 5'11" | 225 lbs | LB Silver Bluff | 2024 State SC Silver Bluff – A transfer from Aiken, Fuller made the Bulldogs better when he walked on campus. He can play DT, Edge, and any LB position. Last year, he had 85 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and 12 hurries. How athletic is Fuller? He’s got 19 offers, and in his spare time, he was a third-place 4A wrestler at 220 pounds in 2022, a state qualifier in the shot put and discus, and runs the 100 meters and 200 meters.
Terry Grant Terry Grant 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB West Ashley | 2024 State SC West Ashley – At 6-feet, 200 pounds, Grant brings a hard-nosed, physical style to the LB position. He’s also quick enough to be one of the Wildcats leading rushers a year ago.
Timir Hickman-Collins Timir Hickman-Collins 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB Indian Land | 2024 State SC Indian Land – Hickman-Collins is a Florida State commit, and the Seminoles are getting a standout. Last year, he had 147 tackles, four sacks, and six interceptions, two of which he returned for TDs.
Kelvin Hunter Kelvin Hunter 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB West Florence | 2024 State SC West Florence – Hunter’s a statistician’s dream. The converted DB, a South Carolina commit, racked up 87.5 tackles, had 19 tackles for loss, broke up six passes, and forced four fumbles last season.
Seneca Moore Seneca Moore 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Crestwood | 2024 State SC Crestwood – Moore had 76 tackles and six sacks a year ago, adding 190 rushing yards and 102 receiving as a TE. He’s a big, physical gap-filler, and excels in stopping the run.
Cam’Rich Smith Cam’Rich Smith 5'10" | 185 lbs | LB Spartanburg | 2025 State SC Spartanburg – Smith exploded onto the scene as a sophomore, with 125 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. He’ll be a leader for the Vikings’ defense this season.
Jamaris Stevens Jamaris Stevens 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Strom Thurmond | 2024 State SC Strom Thurmond – Stevens (pictured) is 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, and can move. He’s quick enough to play in coverage, physical enough to cause havoc behind the line of scrimmage, and athletic enough to contribute at TE.
Terrance Wells Terrance Wells 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Dutch Fork | 2024 State SC Dutch Fork – Wells had 32 tackles and four tackles for loss last season, adding a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. With huge graduation losses at LB for the Silver Foxes, Wells can step in and help immediately.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Ramani Bruton Ramani Bruton 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Greenville | 2025 State SC Greenville- Bruton nabbed six interceptions as a sophomore, and with four starters back beside him in the Red Raiders’ secondary, he’ll continue to be a lock-down presence.
Keith Chisholm Keith Chisholm 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Whale Branch | 2024 State SC Whale Branch – Chisholm is a ball-hawk. He picked off four passes last season, and broke up 14 more. He had 27 total tackles, contributed at WR, and was a standout on special teams for the Warriors.
Jamauri Davis Jamauri Davis 6'3" | 180 lbs | DB Carolina Forest | 2024 State SC Carolina Forest – Davis is a tall corner at 6-foot-3, and his size and vision help him stand out. He’s got great hands, and is able to high point the ball and finish plays.
Dirrick Goodman Dirrick Goodman 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB South Florence | 2024 State SC South Florence – Goodman is a dynamic hybrid player who’s capable of stuffing the stat sheet. He can make a bunch of tackles, but he can also pick off passes and force turnovers with his physical play.
Zay Johnson Zay Johnson 6'2" | 170 lbs | DB Clinton | 2024 State SC Clinton – Johnson was one of the top guys in a fantastic Red Devils’ secondary a year ago. He’s long, physical, and fantastic in coverage.
Tyler Jones Tyler Jones 6'3" | 200 lbs | DB Dutch Fork | 2024 State SC Dutch Fork – Jones had 44 solo tackles and 32 assists last year, picking off a pass and knocking down six more. He’ll be counted on to lead the Silver Foxes’ secondary.
Quincy Rhodes Quincy Rhodes 5'11" | 155 lbs | DB South Florence | 2024 State SC South Florence – Rhodes will be a steady, experienced leader on the back end for the Bruins. He gets a lethally quick jump off the snap, he anticipates plays well, and he flies to the ball.
Zantwan Nelson Zantwan Nelson 6'1" | 175 lbs | DB South Pointe | 2024 State SC South Pointe- Nelson has a knack for finding the ball – and for taking it away. He had six interceptions last year, backed it up with 55 tackles, and adds a little bit of menace to South Pointe’s defensive backfield.
Troy Stevenson Troy Stevenson 6'0" | 165 lbs | ATH Philip Simmons | 2024 State SC Philip Simmons – Stevenson plays both ways for the Iron Horses, and his defensive stats might look a little pedestrian – 16 solo tackles, 22 total, and two interceptions. They look that way because opponents’ game plans include studiously doing everything they can to stay away from Stevenson. His 28 offers say that’s the smart thing to do.
Michael Woodfield Michael Woodfield 6'2" | 160 lbs | DB Summerville | 2024 State SC Summerville – Woodfield spent the summer proving that you’re not going to out-work him, and the Green Wave will hope to see the benefits this fall. He’s got plenty of size at 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, and has the closing speed to help him in coverage.