Class 5A’s Best Two-Way Players

Specialization isn't for everyone.   And it's not always a possibility.   Along every edge of South Carolina and all spots in between are schools who either have the types of athletes who are talented enough to play offense and defense or simply need the two-way guys to increase the team's chances of success.   Or a combination of the two.    The last stop in this five-part series is a look at the Class 5A standouts who buck the big-class trend of players only lining up on one-side of the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1249777' first='Omarion' last='Davis'] DB/LB/WR, Indian Land   Truth be told, we've left Davis listed as an athlete in our system because - while others have transitioned him into the realm of defensive back or even more specifically, a safety - he easily sneaks up to linebacker and can start as far up as the offensive line. He flew under the radar some last year while Timir Hickman-Collins (now at Florida State). But 2024 is going to be Davis' coming out party because for as good as he is on defense, he's got game-changing ability as a tailback. The move up to Class 5A will only facilitate more touches for him on offense.    [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray'] DB/WR, Summerville   Summarizing Green Wave coach Ian Rafferty, we ain't seen nothing yet. Kelly-Murray's monster freshman season (110 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 10 pass break ups, four interceptions) might just look routine by the time this fall is done. That's because after Summerville graduated some 1,400 rushing yards and 2,600 receiving yards, the plan since last season ended was to let Kelly-Murray be one of the focal points on offense, too. If you've seen him play even a handful of snaps, you have to know he's going to be an instant sensation on both sides of the ball.    [player_tooltip player_id='205794' first='Brock' last='Feinberg'] TE/LB, Wando    After initially popping onto our radar as a freshman playing a physical brand of ball at a Class 5A school, Feinberg has continued to develop. That led him to some playing time on defense and then as a starting linebacker last fall during his junior season. Now, there's a new coach at Wando and a desire to turn things around from last fall's 1-9 finish. Feinberg might ultimately see his offensive load lighten given his defensive prowess, but for the time being, he's a two-way starter and giving the staff every reason to leave him between the lines.    [player_tooltip player_id='1172363' first='Khristian' last='Jackson'] WR/DB, Ridge View   Jackson didn't see playing time on defense last fall during his freshman season. That's about to change, though. He's already slated for a starting spot at safety - in addition to his role as a receiver. It was there that he turned some heads early in his career, as he caught touchdown passes in each of the first three games he played. Jackson has elite speed (he's been clocked at north of 22.1 miles per hour and a 4.5-second 40. His numbers on offense should shoot through the roof, as he's now considered one of the top weapons on that side of the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1145762' first='Hayes' last='Cochrane'] OL/DL/LB, St. James    Cochrane already has the team's starting center position locked down. And he's developed into a pretty good special teams snapper, too. Now, it's time to see exactly where he lines up on defense. Playing on the line last year, he put up 21 tackles for the Sharks. This season, he's going to have every opportunity to move into a linebacker spot after several senior departures cleared some room. If that doesn't pan out, it's a quick adjustment back to a combo end/tackle spot. One way or the other, he's not going to come off the field a whole heck of a lot.    [player_tooltip player_id='1360035' first='Tanner' last='Short'] LB/RB, Chapin   Short isn't exactly playing in a starring role in the Eagles' offense. When he comes on the field and lines up in the backfield, he's there for his toughness. Let us show you numerically. With 22 short-yardage situation carries last fall, he put up 51 yards. But - and here's where his influence is felt - he also had six touchdowns. That's getting it done. Now add a mean streak as a middle linebacker (79 tackles, 16 tackles for loss) and the fact that he's also long snapping (and trying to punish returners) and you've got a great all-around weapon.    [player_tooltip player_id='1012579' first='Sterling' last='Sanders'] DL/OL, Blythewood   Sanders isn't an every down offensive player. But when Blythewood - which has already said he's in line for more double duty than he's used to - can use him at guard, he's a high-impact blocker along the interior. He's 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds and brings the same explosiveness he uses on defense to drive opposing defenders downfield. When he's on the other side, he put up 34 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and eight quarterback pressures. In a new-look region with plenty of fresh faces, Sanders should again be one of the more influential players.    [player_tooltip player_id='1360071' first='Bobby' last='Patterson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1159496' first='Terry' last='Lowery'] WR/DB, West Florence    The Knights have never avoided moving pieces around to best fit the rest of what's happening, and Patterson and Lowery are going to be the next evidence. Patterson (27 tackles, two tackles for loss) was fourth on the team in rushing yards last season but will be making the conversion to receiver. Lowery, who led West Florence with 335 receiving yards and scored five touchdowns with just nine receptions, will be alongside Patterson in the defensive backfield, too.    [player_tooltip player_id='367827' first='Bristol' last='Biegenzahn'] DL/TE, West Ashley   Most everyone in the Lowcountry knows all about Biegenzahn's defensive abilities, as he spent his sophomore season putting up 33 total tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks and two forced fumbles. He uses his 6-foot-5 frame well and serves a dual purpose as a developing edge contain player even when he's not chasing down ball carriers. But what most folks don't realize because West Ashley threw so little last year is that he's an excellent pass-catching tight end who can simultaneously use his long reach to negate would-be opposing defensive linemen. The Wildcats should show off a lot more of that side of him this season.

Specialization isn't for everyone.