Defensive Standouts From HS Junior Blitz Showcase

WEST COLUMBIA | The PrepRedZone staff was able to see some of the top Class of 2026 players in the state this weekend in the annual South Carolina High School Blitz Junior Showcase game. We highlighted the offensive standouts on Sunday and today we take a look at the defensive stars from the game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165148' first='Jachin' last='Davis'] scored from a 1-yard out on the final play of the game and [player_tooltip player_id='1592672' first='CJ' last='Falotico'] kicked the extra point from 35 yards out to rally the East to a 21-20 victory Sunday afternoon at Airport High School.   West   [player_tooltip player_id='1213961' first='Anthony' last='Atkins'] DB, Christ Church   Atkins was active from his cornerback position. He had several passes come his way and while he didn't officially have any pass breakups, he was in position on several passes and either denied the catch or made the tackle on the spot, stopping any potential yards after catch. He was credited with five tackles overall.   [player_tooltip player_id='617663' first='Kaleb' last='Simpkins'] DB, Strom Thurmond   Simpkins was another defensive back that attacked well and supported the run defense. He finished with three tackles and two tackles for loss as he played close to the line of scrimmage for most of the afternoon. He has three interceptions for the Rebels and can be a menace in the secondary with his 6-foot-2, 185-pound frame.   [player_tooltip player_id='797155' first='Justice' last='Hopkins'] DL, Byrnes   It's fair to say that even though the West team came out on the short end on the scoreboard, the defensive front dominated the line of scrimmage. They ended with 11 tackles for loss and six sacks. Hopkins only had two tackles, but he was quick coming off the edge and was able to get a sack and a quarterback pressure for his afternoon.   [player_tooltip player_id='1043170' first='Wynn' last='Meetze'] DB, Gilbert   Meetze has a reputation for being a big-time hitter that can find the ball-carrier. He's totaled over 100 tackles in each of the last two seasons and showed why on Sunday. He plays physically from his safety spot and was quick to come up to provide run support as evidenced by his five total tackles. He had one pass breakup that maybe should have been a pick but Meetze is primed for a solid senior season.   Jermaine Miller DL, Seneca   Miller (pictured) seemed to be in the East backfield maybe as much as the running backs. He finished with five tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks to earn defensive line MVP honors. He was effective either running around his blocker or taking a quick first step and beating him to the spot. He had 17 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks last season and those numbers could easily increase this coming season.   [player_tooltip player_id='816734' first='Terry' last='Radford'] DL, Chester   Radford rotated on the edge with Hopkins and Miller and at times seemed unblockable. He finished with two tackles but 1.5 sacks and several near misses on tackles in the backfield. The East team averaged 1.8 yards per rush and that defensive end rotation was a big reason why. Outside of two scramble plays by the East quarterbacks, the longest run of the day was seven yards.   [player_tooltip player_id='1267215' first='Michael' last='Posey'] LB, Eastside   Eastside's defense will be in good hands even with the departure of [player_tooltip player_id='1013073' first='Jaquavious' last='Dodd'] to South Carolina. Talking to the coaching staff, they relayed how coachable Posey was and is always eager to learn new things. He had two tackles and 0.5 sacks. He's coming off a junior season in which he recorded 53 tackles and six sacks, and those numbers are likely just scratching the surface.   [player_tooltip player_id='284136' first='Miles' last='Wilson'] DL, South Pointe   Wilson played on the interior and recorded two tackles and one tackle for loss. He showed great push and was never knocked backwards by an offensive line that was very talented. He had an eye-popping 26 tackles for loss, 23 quarterback pressures and two sacks on a very talented Stallions defense last season. He has a low center of gravity at 6-foot-1, 300 pounds.   East   [player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware'] LB, Gray Collegiate   Boulware was all over the field and ended up taking most of the reps on the day. He finished with a game-high 10 tackles, three tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. He made plays sideline-to-sideline and was able to get penetration when he needed to. He takes a quick first step and reads plays extremely quickly. He had well over 100 tackles last season, and he should have his pick of colleges come next December.   [player_tooltip player_id='473018' first='Landon' last='Conner'] ATH, Loris   Conner lined up at defensive end most of the afternoon and was credited with four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. He used his hands well to get off blocks and just seemed to always be in the right position. He's coming off a junior season where he finished with 72 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and five sacks. He also played H-back and will see that double-duty next season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1734490' first='Jaylen' last='Dash'] DB, Lake Marion   The defensive back MVP was a lockdown corner most of the afternoon. He was credited with one pass breakup and three tackles, but he blanketed receivers and didn't allow many catches on his side of the field. He showed great hips and the ability to run with receivers on deep routes. His change of direction ability also opened eyes.   [player_tooltip player_id='1220232' first='Christopher' last='Glover'] LB, Calhoun County   Glover turned in what might have been the defensive play of the day. The West Team was inside the five-yard line and looking to build on the lead just before the half. But Glover stepped in front of a short slant route and intercepted in the end zone before returning it 41 yards to set the East Team in position to add a TD on the final play of the half. Glover was the linebacker MVP after his four tackles and one interception performance. He paired with Boulware for much of the afternoon to form a dominant duo.   [player_tooltip player_id='1024349' first='Julian' last='Hughes'] DB, Heathwood Hall   Hughes was another player from the SCISA ranks that wanted to show they belonged. He played safety and rarely came off the field. He was credited with three tackles but rarely found himself out of position and helped quarterback the defense to make sure they were in the right looks. Hughes is coming off a junior season where he had 150 tackles and an interception.   Amir Knight LB, Stratford   Knight was listed as a linebacker, but he ended up lining up all over the field. He played some outside linebacker as well as safety. He showed fantastic read and react ability and always seemed to be around the football. He was second on the East with five tackles.  He is a player that Stratford will be able to use in multiple ways because of his 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame.   Malik Moore DL, Darlington   Moore made himself known on the interior and more than held his own against a very talented offensive line. He finished with four tackles and one tackle for loss all the while clogging the running lanes up the middle. He's 5-foot-9 and 265 pounds but he plays much larger than that. He was outsized at nearly every turn but that didn't prevent him from making plays when his team needed him.

WEST COLUMBIA | The PrepRedZone staff was able to see some of the top Class of 2026 players in the state this weekend in the annual South Carolina High School Blitz Junior Showcase game. We highlighted the offensive standouts on Sunday and today we take a look at the defensive stars from the game.