2024 Preseason All-State Team: Defensive Linemen and Linebackers

The Prep RedZone South Carolina staff looked at the nearly 10,000 varsity players in the state and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/08/prz-preseason-all-state-team-defense-special-teams/">picked out our top 75</a>. These are the guys we think will make huge impacts this season and help their respective teams in many different ways.   Here's a look at the defensive linemen and linebackers selected, and why we're expecting big things from them this season.   DEFENSIVE LINE    [player_tooltip player_id='809742' first='Amare' last='Adams']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/amare-adams/"></a><a></a> South Florence    There's a clear reason Adams is the third-ranked player in the 2025 class. He put up gaudy numbers as a junior - 61 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, and three forced fumbles - even though he played sparingly in some of the Bruins' blowouts. The Clemson commit is a force up front for South Florence, and he had a great spring, winning MVP honors at the Carolina Coaches Combine West Florence site.   [player_tooltip player_id='595702' first='Anthony' last='Addison']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/anthony-addison/"></a><a></a> Sumter   Watching Addison might as well be watching a clinic on edge play. The South Carolina commit had an eye-popping junior season, with 96 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and six sacks. Addison plays with a huge burst, and it takes a combination of length, speed, and talent not possessed by many high school tackles to hold him off. And sometimes even that isn't enough.   [player_tooltip player_id='1012698' first='Hendrix' last='Beran']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/hendrix-beran/"></a><a></a> James Island    Beran's another guy who thrives off the edge. He had 18 tackles for loss and three sacks last season, while doing a lot of his damage as part of a fantastic DL duo with another player you'll read about in a minute. Beran has a high motor and a knack for finding the ball, and the Army West Point commit could get even better this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='272703' first='James' last='Herbert']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/james-herbert/"></a><a></a> Trinity Collegiate    Herbert's athletic enough to play LB (which he did last season, totaling 101 stops) and TE (where he had 13 receptions last season). While he's an integral part of Trinity's offensive plan, he'll be an even bigger force on defense. He's making the move up front this season, and will play on the edge.   [player_tooltip player_id='272709' first='Malachi' last='Jefferson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/malachi-jefferson/"></a><a></a> James Island    Jefferson's the other factor that makes James Island's DL one of the best in the state. While Beran creates havoc outside, Jefferson often lines up heads-up over the center, creating immediate mismatches for interior linemen. But that only scratches the surface of what Jefferson can do, as he's also more than capable of lining up at end and taking over, if that's what he's called upon to do.   [player_tooltip player_id='1157986' first='Javaris' last='Logan']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/javaris-logan/"></a><a></a> Bamberg-Ehrhardt   Logan's a small-school guy, and as a result will see time on both sides of the ball. He's so talented and strong, the Raiders absolutely have to have him as many places as they can. His home, though, is on the defensive side. He had 65 tackles and 19 tackles for loss last year. He's quick off the ball, gets a great push, and pretty much overwhelms both blockers and ballcarriers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1359146' first='Isaiah' last='McCoy']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/isaiah-mccoy/"></a><a></a> Greer   Hopes are sky-high for a Greer defensive front with everybody returning, and McCoy is at the middle of those expectations. He's active and physical, and he can do a little bit of everything: stop the run, rush the passer, shed blocks, and track down the ball. McCoy wins one-on-one matchups time after time, and has just as big an impact when he's not making plays. His presence allows a good group of LBs to run free behind him.   [player_tooltip player_id='816734' first='Terry' last='Radford']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/terry-radford/"></a><a></a> Chester   Radford is a monster. He's a stat-stuffer, for sure, with 74 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and 23 hurries last season. But he's a lot more than just numbers. Radford's one of those guys that you absolutely have to find on every play, every time. He plays with a high motor and at a high level, and he's a good bet to be in on every play, every snap.    [player_tooltip player_id='1012579' first='Sterling' last='Sanders']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/sterling-sanders/"></a><a></a> Blythewood    The Georgia Southern commit is a key piece of the Bengals' defense, and it's easy to see why. His strength is the first thing that jumps off his film. Sanders has plenty of size, but what's noticeable is how hard it is for defenders to turn him, or push him, or control him at all, really. He quickly re-establishes the line a yard or two deep, disrupting plays, making plenty of stops, and allowing his teammates to clean up when he doesn't.   [player_tooltip player_id='1012706' first='Josh' last='Smith']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/josh-smith/"></a><a></a> Dutch Fork   Smith will be a centerpiece on defense for the defending 5A state champions. The Coastal Carolina commit racked up 63 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and a forced fumble last season. This year, he's going to showcase even more athleticism by transitioning into a bit of a hybrid role. Smith's ideally suited for that, as his quickness and ability to get off blocks will be a huge advantage given a little more space.   [player_tooltip player_id='1158005' first='Mycheal' last='Wallace']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/mycheal-wallace/"></a><a></a> Kingstree   A massive 320 pounds. Wallace was impressive in limited action last season, notching 11 tackles for loss in just six games. There's nothing fancy about Wallace's play - his first move is fast and often straight ahead. But he's flat-out overpowering, blowing past defenders and wrapping up whatever turns out to be in his path in the backfield.   [player_tooltip player_id='1267206' first='Dontrell' last='Wilson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/dontrell-wilson/"></a><a></a> Camden   First of all, Wilson is huge, at 313 pounds. He's got a tremendous wingspan, and paired with deceptive speed, he can quickly get into good position to either overpower or blow past blockers. He's got a little bit of a nasty streak, he has a knack for finding the ball, and he looks equally at home at end or in the interior of the line.   LINEBACKER   [player_tooltip player_id='1165099' first='Darriyarn' last='Baxley']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/darriyarn-baxley/"></a><a></a> Chester    Instincts. That's what sets Baxley apart from a bunch of LBs around the state. He doesn't react to plays as much as he predicts them, and his anticipation is off the charts. He's got incredible closing speed, he's physical, and he's just about everything you want in a linebacker.   [player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/michael-boulware/"></a><a></a> Gray Collegiate   All the top-ranked LB in the 2026 Class does is check boxes. Pedigree? His father and an uncle played in the NFL. Activity? How about 12 tackles per game in his sophomore season? Speed, strength, physicality? Yes, yes, and absolutely. Boulware is a prototype linebacker, and he's only going to get better.   [player_tooltip player_id='816736' first='Terry' last='Gordon']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/terry-gordon/"></a><a></a> South Florence   Another phenomenal rising junior, Gordon was one of the major factors in South Florence's defensive dominance last season. Gordon had 111 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, six sacks, and a forced fumble as a sophomore for a squad that reached the Class 4A state championship game. Gordon makes great decisions when pursuing a play, and is a big hitter when he gets there.   [player_tooltip player_id='272716' first='Andon' last='Hawkins']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/andon-hawkins/"></a><a></a> Midland Valley   Hawkins was an absolute tackle machine last season, with 187 tackles and 18 tackles for loss. He stops the run, he rushes the passer, and he breaks up plays in the secondary, and Hawkins is a guy who seems to be all over the place all the time. His motor and his physicality are off the charts.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165076' first='Marcus' last='Henderson']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/marcus-henderson-2/"></a> Berkeley   Henderson is the leader of a Stags defensive unit that showed quiet, but definite, improvement as the 2023 season progressed. He had 125 tackles, leading the team by almost double. He moves exceptionally well sideline-to-sideline, chasing down plays and making everybody around him look better in the process.   [player_tooltip player_id='809745' first='Max' last='Moorman']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/max-moorman/"></a><a></a> Oceanside Collegiate   Ever see a guy who just LOOKS like a linebacker? At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, that's Moorman by every description. He's moving to the middle, where that size will be even more of an advantage, and where his numbers might be even better than the 97 tackles and 12 sacks that he put up last season.   [player_tooltip player_id='867240' first='Silas' last='Parish']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/silas-parish/"></a><a></a> Walhalla   Parish is a true do-it-all guy for the Razorbacks, excelling both at LB and in the offensive backfield. On the defensive side, though, he's capable of being dominant. He's turned in an absurd 290 tackles over the past two seasons combined, and added 12 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles last year. He's plays LB about like he plays fullback: kind of like a wrecking ball. He's fast, he plays with an edge, and he's angry when he gets to the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='624354' first='Cam'Rich' last='Smith']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/camrich-smith/"></a><a></a> Spartanburg   Smith was the best defender on one of the Upstate's best defenses last season. Looks like he's ready to run it back. Smith does so many things so well, that it's hard to pinpoint what he does best. He's good in coverage, he rushes the passer, he stops the run, and he helps put the Vikings in a great position.   [player_tooltip player_id='1267200' first='Tamarion' last='Watkins']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tamarion-watkins/"></a><a></a> Northwestern   Watkins is a clear case of a player where you can see the work. He improved steadily last season, and had a great off-season. He makes a bunch of tackles, he's good in coverage, and he's a blitz-caller's dream. If you send him, he'll get there.

The Prep RedZone South Carolina staff looked at the nearly 10,000 varsity players in the state and picked out our top 75. These are the guys we think will make huge impacts this season and help their respective teams in many different ways.