Top Lowcountry Defensive Playmakers

After a breakout junior year, Shaikh Thompson Shaikh Thompson 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL Hilton Head | 2024 State SC has quickly risen to one of the most productive and talented at his position. He’s a physical player who will surge into the backfield and stuff the run. Thompson earned a coveted MVP award at this past spring’s Palmetto Combine series and will be the cornerstone of an underrated Seahawks squad this fall.

The versatile two-way lineman was a beast in the 2022 season, powering his way to 77 tackles and 17 behind the line of scrimmage. Ben Britton Ben Britton 6'3" | 240 lbs | DL Oceanside Collegiate | 2024 State SC ‘s strength and pursuit of the edge will be critical to Oceanside’s front seven this year and will bring one of the more premier defensive line talents back to the Landsharks. 

An all-state player during his junior year, Terry Grant Terry Grant 6'0" | 210 lbs | LB West Ashley | 2024 State SC is set to shine at linebacker for West Ashley. His impressive power and nonstop hustle allow him to collapse the pocket and convert monstrous plays. Expect to see Grant making noise all over the defensive side in his senior year.

After a stellar junior season at Hanahan, Kayden Gaddist Kayden Gaddist 5'10" | 205 lbs | LB Summerville | 2024 State SC is now a member of the surging Summerville Green Wave. Gaddist dominated in Class 3A last year, using a strong brand of physicality to rack up 86 tackles and force three fumbles. He’s a huge addition to what could be a scary-looking Summerville squad this year. 

One of the most underrated linebackers in the state, Jeremiah Curry Jeremiah Curry 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Bluffton | 2024 State SC is back at Bluffton to build off a sensational junior season. Curry reads the field well and can fly to the football and shut down the run game while helping out in pass coverage. He’s a hard-nosed linebacker who plays with physicality and passion.

A standout on the line for the Berkeley Stags, Jove Rouse Jove Rouse 6'2" | 260 lbs | DL Berkeley | 2024 State SC has continued to improve his stock heading into his senior season. Rouse’s strength allows him to outwork the opposition and break free for high-impact tackles, and he’s continued to work on improving his build. He’ll be a constant threat at the line of scrimmage for the Stags this fall. 

Coming off a strong and busy summer, Michael Woodfield Michael Woodfield 6'2" | 160 lbs | DB Summerville | 2024 State SC is ready for a big-time senior season at Summerville. Woodfield has excellent closing speed to hang with the state’s most talented wideouts and is one of the hardest workers at the position. A grinder who has taken advantage of chances at every point to get better and show off his efforts, Woodfield will be a menace in the secondary for the Green Wave. 

Jayden Whaley Jayden Whaley 6'1" | 185 lbs | DB James Island | 2024 State SC ‘s explosive play at corner was paramount to the James Island Trojans’ playoff run last year, and he’ll be back again for his senior season. Whaley has remarkable athleticism and nonstop hustle to make enormous plays on the ball. His lightning-quick alertness and excellent hands led the way for multiple interception returns for touchdowns in the 2022 campaign. 

Another standout corner at Summerville, Ryland Mitchell is a speedy and efficient player that can handle anything thrown his way on defense. He can read developing plays exceptionally well and can accelerate quickly to the ball-carrier when pursuing tackles. Whether rushing the quarterback or playing deep in coverage, Mitchell has a special knack for sparking his team with a big play. He’s a big reason why this Summerville team could go all the way to Orangeburg for the Class 5A finals this year. 

A huge catalyst of Beaufort’s state championship-winning run last fall, Will Codding Will Codding 5'10" | 215 lbs | LB Beaufort | 2025 State SC is back for what could be a monster junior season. Codding’s quickness and energy off the snap was enormous for the Eagles down the stretch, making clutch stops to get the defense off the field. He’s developed into an underrated stud for Lybrand’s strong defensive unit.

A true diamond in the rough, Keith Chisholm Keith Chisholm 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Whale Branch | 2024 State SC has put on a show for Jerry Hatcher’s Whale Branch Warriors over the last two years. A ball magnet in the secondary with extraordinary hands, Chisholm picked off nine passes in his sophomore year before quarterbacks stopped throwing the ball his way. He’s a special two-way player who has become a lockdown corner at the 1A level.

Another standout of Jerry Hatcher’s unit, Bradford Thompson has earned some well-deserved attention after a spectacular junior season. A strong and hard-working defensive lineman, Thompson can dominate in the trenches and establish leverage at the line of scrimmage. A star in the discus and shot put on the track and field scene, Thompson is a built athlete who could reach another level in his senior year for a motivated Whale Branch squad.

After a tremendous final year for the Wade Hampton Red Devils, Mandrell Sanders Mandrell Sanders 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB Hampton County | 2025 State SC will be one to watch on a Hampton County Hurricanes team that could make some big waves in its first season. Sanders is quick and efficient at flying to the ball-carrier, racking up 24 tackles for loss last year. He’s a menace any time he can break loose quickly and should provide a huge boost to the front seven in the school’s first year. 

Heading down to James Island after starring for Indian Land, Malachi Jefferson Malachi Jefferson 5'10" | 250 lbs | DL James Island | 2025 State SC will be a rock-solid addition for the Trojans in 2023. Jefferson was making plays all over the field for the Warriors last year, posting 110 tackles, nine sacks, and three forced fumbles. A physical playmaker with a nonstop burst of energy, Jefferson will be a problem for Region VII-4A opponents this year. 

A breakout star in the making for Bryce Lybrand’s Eagles, Jayden Simmons Jayden Simmons 6'0" | 225 lbs | DL Beaufort | 2026 State SC seems primed for an exceptional sophomore year. A strong and relentless producer on the field and in the weight room, Simmons should get lots more valuable reps on the field this year and has tremendous upside for what he can do on the line. He’ll be quite the player to keep an eye on as the Eagles begin their 3A repeat bid.