Ten Defensive Guys We Can't Wait To See At The Shrine Bowl

With Shrine Bowl players arriving in Spartanburg over the weekend, here's a look at 10 defensive standouts we can't wait to see this week in practice, and in Saturday's game.   Jarriel Jefferies DE, Gaffney - Jefferies might as well have changed his address to the opponent's backfield, because that's where he lived all season. He had 28.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks for the Indians, leading the team in both categories. A big, strong player with a devastating rush, it'll be interesting to see Jefferies against North Carolina's best linemen.    [player_tooltip player_id='139299' first='Jordan' last='Boyd'] DE, Silver Bluff - Boyd's another guy for the Sandlappers who can get after the quarterback, along with anybody else in the backfield. He had 108 tackles as a senior, 33 for loss, and a dozen sacks. He also returned an interception for a score and forced a fumble. He looks just as comfortable standing up as with a hand in the dirt, and he plays at one speed: full-tilt.    [player_tooltip player_id='448980' first='Shaikh' last='Thompson'] DE, Hilton Head - At the risk of repeating ourselves...yeah, you get the picture. Thompson was the unquestioned leader of the Seahawks defense, with 71 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, and five sacks. He knocked down five passes, recovered two fumbles, forced three, and blocked a punt and two field goals. He's quick, he's active, he's got an incredible knack for finding the ball, and he's a nightmare to block.    [player_tooltip player_id='771063' first='Timir' last='Hickman-Collins'] LB, Indian Land - The Florida State commit makes plays all over the field for the Warriors. He's great at pursuing plays and chasing things down from behind, and brings a physical edge when he gets there. He can rush the passer, drop into coverage, and is strong against the run.    Omari Jackson LB, Belton Honea-Path - Jackson helped lead a stellar Bears defense. He had nine tackles for loss, five sacks, and 22 QB hurries, leading the team in that stat. He was second on the team on the Bears' in-house defensive points scale, he forced two fumbles, recovered one, and snagged an interception, and he notched a defensive score. He's extremely athletic, and capable of making a ton of defensive plays in space.    [player_tooltip player_id='771067' first='Antonio' last='Hopkins'] LB, Chester - Hopkins turned into an absolute stat machine in his senior year. He turned in an incredible 156 tackles with 24 tackles for loss. He added seven sacks, an interception, two fumble recoveries, and three forced fumbles. He's athletic enough to be the Cyclones change-of-pace RB (and a good one), but that athleticism makes him a defensive force.    [player_tooltip player_id='911089' first='Jaiden' last='Kimble'] LB, White Knoll - Kimble played well on a standout Timberwolves defense, with 65 tackles and 16 tackles for loss. He notched 3.5 sacks, recovered two fumbles, and blocked two punts. Kimble is a problem off the edge, with a nose for the ball and the speed to make plays all over the field.    Jarvis Stevens LB, Strom Thurmond - Stevens is the type of all-purpose guy All-Star coaches love. If you need it done on defense, he's got you. Rush the passer? Yep. Shuck blockers and get to runners in the backfield? That too. Cover guys, chase down plays in space, drop into coverage? Yes, yes, and yes. He's as good an all-around defender as you'll find anywhere.    [player_tooltip player_id='208334' first='Kelvin' last='Hunter'] DB, West Florence - Hunter played a lot of offense as a senior, but still found plenty of time to bring the hammer on defense. He had 86 tackles, with 67 solos, 18 tackles for loss, and three sacks. He was also a turnover machine, forcing five fumbles. breaking up three passes, and blocking three kicks. The South Carolina commit has the speed to be an outstanding returner and the physicality of a hard-hitting safety.    [player_tooltip player_id='492672' first='Tyler' last='Jones'] DB, Dutch Fork - Jones' statistics aren't eye-popping, but they're what you'd expect from a standout defensive back. Most teams just don't bother testing him. When they do, he's a lock-down cover guy who provides run support with a physical edge and closes on the ball well. He shows a little bit of a nasty streak, and creates havoc with big hits.

With Shrine Bowl players arriving in Spartanburg over the weekend, here's a look at 10 defensive standouts we can't wait to see this week in practice, and in Saturday's game.