Shrine Bowl Practice: Receivers, Defense Shine On Day 1
In this article:
Avery McFadden Avery McFadden 5'10" | 175 lbs | WR Hillcrest | 2024 State SC made a career out of doing just about anything that was asked of him on a football field. The first day of practice at the…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAvery McFadden Avery McFadden 5'10" | 175 lbs | WR Hillcrest | 2024 State SC made a career out of doing just about anything that was asked of him on a football field.
The first day of practice at the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas might have added one more thing to the list. In addition to his duties as receiver in the game, McFadden could be called upon to hold for kicks.
“It’s just one more thing I can do to help, I guess,” McFadden said with a laugh. “Whatever it takes to help the team.”
The versatility he shows on the field and his willingness to use it make up a lot of what helped get McFadden to the game. His unbelievable athleticism was on display immediately upon arrival. He made a couple of nice grabs Monday morning, and with coaches still getting to know players’ names, “Way to go, 7” was thrown around a half a dozen times during the morning session. McFadden said while the South Carolina team hadn’t officially talked game plan as of Monday morning, he can see things might be headed in a good direction for him.
“We haven’t talked about it specifically, but there are a lot of plays we’ll be running that fit my style,” he said.
McFadden was far from the only South Carolina receiver looking good on Monday. Summerville’s Yannick Smith Yannick Smith 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Summerville | 2024 State SC made a couple of highlight-reel catches, one during drills as he tapped both feet inbounds while snagging a ball that was headed out, and once in the middle of the field in the team portion of the early practice. Westside’s Jimmar Boston Jimmar Boston 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Westside | 2024 State SC also looked great Monday morning, making the kind of grabs that turned him into a playoff hero for the 4A state champions.
Defense Shines
The first day of an All-Star even might show the defense a little bit ahead of the offense, and the Sandlappers looked good on Monday, particularly up front. The roster is full of guys who had upwards of two dozen tackles for loss on the year, and they were getting in the backfied in a hurry. Gaffney’s Jarriel Jefferies and Silver Bluff’s Jordan Boyd Jordan Boyd 6'3" | 215 lbs | DL Silver Bluff | 2024 State SC looked great bringing pressure, and Hilton Head’s Shaikh Thompson Shaikh Thompson 6'4" | 230 lbs | DL Hilton Head | 2024 State SC controlled things up front on several plays. Marion’s Quay’sheed Scott nabbed an interception during the team portion.
Standout Line
Early on Monday, South Carolina was still clearly tinkering with the offensive line, finding a good fit among the guys who will rotate in and out. One combination is something to strike fear in defenses – a line consisting of Dillon’s Josiah Thompson Josiah Thompson 6'7" | 290 lbs | OL Dillon | 2024 State SC , Daniel’s Watson Young Watson Young 6'2" | 260 lbs | OL Daniel | 2024 State SC , Hartsville’s Slayton Stokes Slayton Stokes 6'5" | 325 lbs | OL Hartsville | 2024 State SC , and Greenville’s Julius Tate Julius Tate 6'3" | 310 lbs | OL Greenville Senior Highschool | 2024 SC and Blake Franks Blake Franks 6'5" | 310 lbs | OL Greenville | 2024 State SC .