2024 Shrine Bowl Defense: Breaking Down The Selections

The 20 guys who make up the defense and special teams for the South Carolina Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas team were announced this week. Coach Reggie Kennedy's squad looks to be fast and athletic, and will be made up of a bunch of guys who do a lot of different things well. Here's a look at all 20, along with Kennedy's thoughts on the position groups.   DEFENSIVE LINE   "They can all run," Kennedy said. "All five of them can move. They've got size, they're strong, and they can all push the pocket, and they're good against the run."   [player_tooltip player_id='809742' first='Amare' last='Adams'] South Florence   The Clemson commit is one of the most highly-regarded players in the 2024 class, and he's continued to show why this season. He's already got 28 tackles, with five for loss, three hurries, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble this year despite drawing near-constant double teams.   Jalynn Coard Manning   Coard might be one of those guys who coaches like to sneak onto all-star game rosters because he does so many things well, and nobody knows that better than Kennedy, his day-to-day coach. Coard plays well on the DL with a physical push and a knack for finding the ball, but he also carries the ball a ton and can give the Sandlappers some power in the backfield, whether it be short-yardage, wildcat, or otherwise.   [player_tooltip player_id='1360156' first='Andre' last='Pickett'] Northwestern   Pickett gets up the field and causes havoc. He leads the Trojans with three sacks, has added three hurries, and has six tackles for loss among his 32 total stops. Kennedy's right, he can move - Pickett excels both in the opponent's backfield and chasing down plays all over the field.    [player_tooltip player_id='1012579' first='Sterling' last='Sanders'] Blythewood   Sanders plays at the heart of a stingy Bengals defense that's allowed fewer than 11 points a game, thanks in part to his 22 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and 14 hurries. His strength lets him shed blocks with ease, and he wins a ton of plays at the line of scrimmage, then creates problems for offenses.   Mycheal-Edward Wallace Kingstree   Wallace is a player who can re-establish the line of scrimmage by himself at times. He gets a great push in the middle of the line, and he's already got 22 stops and eight tackles for loss this season to show for it.   LINEBACKERS   "It's a unique position in that you've got to be able to play the run and the pass equally well, and these guys exemplify that on film," Kennedy said. "We feel like we've got a really good group."   [player_tooltip player_id='595702' first='Anthony' last='Addison'] Sumter   Along with fellow Shrine Bowler Jordan Lowery (below), Addison helps the Gamecocks bring a ton of pressure. He's got 12 tackles for loss and 40 solo tackles among his 49 total stops, and he's notched three sacks, five hurries, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries already this season as Sumter is off to a 7-0 start.   [player_tooltip player_id='1013073' first='Jaquavious' last='Dodd'] Eastside   Dodd is the prototype for an all-star guy who can solve a lot of a coaching staff's problems. He can stand up, fly to the ball, and make plays, sure. But he's equally good, if not better, with a hand in the dirt off the edge. He's also athletic enough that the Eagles have used him as a lead-blocker. Dodd's a nightmare that you have to account for on every snap.    Jordan Lowery Sumter   Lowery has been sidelined with a knee injury this season, but when healthy, he's as good as you'll find. Need proof? In his one game of action this season, Lowery notched eight tackles - with four of them for loss - and a sack.   [player_tooltip player_id='1012625' first='Dylan' last='Polansky'] Ashley Ridge   Polansky is a tackle machine. He's got 51 in five games for the Swamp Foxes, along with four tackles for loss, two sacks, a pass deflection, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.   [player_tooltip player_id='624354' first='Cam'Rich' last='Smith'] Spartanburg   Smith has been the best player on one of the state's best defenses for the past two seasons. He's a natural at LB, but he can play safety, he can cover, and he can rush the passer, and could line up at any of those positions if he's needed. He'll fit the do-everything nature of an all-star game perfectly.   [player_tooltip player_id='1012706' first='Josh' last='Smith'] Dutch Fork   Want to find [player_tooltip player_id='1012706' first='Josh' last='Smith'] when you're looking at Dutch Fork film? Look for the ball. He'll be there soon. Smith is incredibly active, has great instincts, and just always, always seems to find a way to be around the play. Even when it's run specifically to avoid him, which (wisely) happens a lot.   [player_tooltip player_id='1253928' first='Torrance' last='Wilson'] Lake City   Wilson has a great first step, he times his stunts really well, and the Panthers seem to bring him from everywhere. He lines up all over the field, and he often causes chaos from wherever he is.   DEFENSIVE BACKS   "Speed, speed, speed," Kennedy said. "Looking at some of these combine times, that's what jumps out. They're all fast. And all of these guys are pretty solid."   [player_tooltip player_id='390438' first='Ramani' last='Bruton'] J.L. Mann   Bruton's an island. He came into his senior year with 11 career interceptions, and the more he plays, the more his pass-coverage stats decline. That's a point of pride for a DB - people just don't bother testing him. He's the definition of a lock-down guy.   [player_tooltip player_id='272699' first='Da'Marion' last='Coe'] Hartsville   Coe is the rare guy who seems to know EXACTLY how fast he is, and how to use that speed to his advantage. He does a lot for the Red Foxes, and he's an essential part of their defense, but he might be an even bigger threat in the return game. If he gets a corner, you're in trouble - and it seems like he's always a heartbeat away from getting the corner.    [player_tooltip player_id='1249777' first='Omarion' last='Davis'] Indian Land   Davis is unusually physical for a defensive back. He's among the Warriors' leaders in tackles, he's got an interception and a couple of forced fumbles on the season, and he seems to love stepping in and bringing contact.   [player_tooltip player_id='1012621' first='Devin' last='Geronomi'] White Knoll   Geronomi is another guy who's the total package for a DB. He's good in coverage, he's got great instincts, and he's a big hitter when stepping up in run support.   [player_tooltip player_id='1249802' first='Damarcus' last='Leach'] Abbeville   Leach plays everywhere for the Panthers, including at QB. It's hard to quantify everything he brings to the Panthers, but elite defensive back play is certainly one of those things. He'll have plenty of chances to shine in an all-star setting.   [player_tooltip player_id='1012606' first='Elgin' last='Sessions'] Dutch Fork   Sessions has an interception, has broken up five passes, and has recovered a fumble for the Foxes, but he brings so much more to the Dutch Fork defense than just numbers. He's a leader for Dutch Fork in the backfield, jumping in passing lanes, crashing down to thump runners, and directing traffic.   Cam Strong T.L. Hanna   Strong's a physical guy who loves press coverage, and thrives on winning those matchups at the line. He also benefits from Hanna's ball-control offense. When the Jackets get a lead, and opponents have to take to the air to catch up, Strong seems to turn up his play even more.   KICKER/PUNTER   [player_tooltip player_id='605521' first='Gray' last='Dangerfield'] James Island   More than any other position, the Shrine Bowl specialist has to be able to do a little of everything. No worries there with Dangerfield. He routinely booms kickoffs into the end zone at an 84 percent rate for his career, he punts for a 40 yard average and has killed seven balls inside the 20 on the season, he's nearly automatic on extra points, and he's made four field goals this season, including a 43-yarder.

The 20 guys who make up the defense and special teams for the South Carolina Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas team were announced this week. Coach Reggie Kennedy's squad looks to be fast and athletic, and will be made up of a bunch of guys who do a lot of different things well. Here's a look at all 20, along with Kennedy's thoughts on the position groups.