2024 Preview: Colleton County Cougars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been nearly eight months, but Colleton County senior safety <strong>Jayden Nesbitt</strong> still remembers the sting from walking off the field after the Cougars 85-0 loss to Irmo in the first round of the Class AAAA playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars were pushed around, and he made a vow it wouldn't happen again. In fact, that has been a driving force for Nesbitt and a host of experienced seniors that are more comfortable under second-year coach Adam Kinlock than they were a year ago at this time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Last year, we had the talent, but we didn't do the work to make it translate onto the field. Anything we do now, reflects onto the younger guys. What we do, they're going to do the same thing. We have to set the example,” Nesbitt (pictured) said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fellow senior offensive tackle <strong>Karter Stephens</strong> has seen improvements this offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Now that we're the seniors, we feel like we have the authority to make it more of a team bonding thing and everybody be together instead of just going through the motions,” Stephens said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kinlock was unavailable but defensive back coach Romeo Edwards said this team has come a long way in the past 12 months. The Cougars finished 2-9 last season with a brand-new staff in place.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“When we first got there, a lot of guys didn't know or understand football terminology,” Edwards said. “They've put in the work to get better. They get there sometimes before we do, and they get upset when we try to end practice. They're hungry.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading the way is eight returning starters on offense. <strong>Shaun Williams</strong> is back at quarterback and he's more than capable of running the offense that has talent at the skill positions and upfront. <strong>Cameron Grayson </strong>will see time in the backfield and at receiver. <strong>Keandre Allen</strong> is a star in the making at wide receiver and defensive back. Carter is joined up front by <strong>Karter Segura</strong> and <strong>Chace Jones</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, <strong>Zayvion Green</strong> and <strong>Demarios Johnson-Stephens</strong> are a couple of bookends to build around along with linebacker <strong>Amari Williams</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kendall Farmer</strong> OLB, 2025 – Farmer is one of the leaders on the defense and the good news is he's added about 25 pounds of muscle to his frame since last season. He can rush the edge or drop back in coverage as needed. Farmer will be a huge part of a revamped defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayden Nesbitt</strong> SS, 2025 – Nesbitt is a hard-hatting safety that doesn't mind coming up in run support of defending the pass. The weight room has been kind to Nesbitt this offseason as well. A solid campaign by one of the senior leaders will be a huge key.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Karter Segura</strong> OL, 2025 – The Cougars must be good upfront to improve on the two-win season and Segura will be one of the keys. It starts with a solid running game and Segura does that well. Pass protection needs to improve as well. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zayvion Green</strong> DE, 2026 – The defensive end position should be a strength for the Cougars. Green still has room to grow but he played valuable minutes as a sophomore. If he can expand on the contributions from a season ago, it will be a huge lift for the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keandre Allen</strong> WR, 2027 – Allen might be a star in the making. He's 6-foot-2, 185 pounds and can flat go get the ball. Some of the talent is still raw but he has time to develop into one of the top playmakers in the 2027 Class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSS(es)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nick Williams</strong> DE – Williams was productive from the defensive end spot, but the Cougars feel like they have a couple of polished replacements. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zymere Dailey</strong> OL – Dailey was one of the leaders upfront and he will be a huge spot to fill as the Cougars look for more ways to protect QB <strong>Shaun Williams</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chace Jones</strong> OL, 2027 – Jones saw a lot of action in 2023 and as a youngster more than held his own. He needs to continue to develop and get stronger but strides were made in the offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amare Sanders</strong> WR, 2025 – Sanders is a senior, but he showed great potential as a junior. He has great hands and can run after the catch. If he improves even slightly, he could be someone that helps Allen see his full potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jakell Jenkins","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Colleton County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6685af592be70"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jenkins is another player that is young and raw but you can see the potential is there. All he needs to do is figure out the little things of being a topflight linebacker and he could emerge as a leader as well. He's still a little undersized but he has growth potential. Speed is one of his advantages. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->