CCC Spartanburg: Loaded Underclassmen Field Shows Depth

One thing is for certain about the field of underclassmen headed to the Carolinas Coaches Combine session at Spartanburg: these guys can PLAY.   Most of them have already made a huge impact on the field. Some of them are already widely known, with several others looking for a breakout performance that will boost their stock. Still others are hidden gems, just waiting for the opportunity to draw some attention.   Here's a look at a bunch of guys who could use the showcase as a springboard.   [player_tooltip player_id='691267' first='CJ' last='Brooks'] OL, Gaffney   Gaffney is absolutely loaded at OL. Brooks is one of the reasons why. He's a massive human being, and he plays beside other huge guys, and plays well beyond his years. He's strong, talented, and has the opportunity to keep getting better. He'll be tough in one-on-one drills, and he'll likely show out on the bench.   Nolan Fusaro OL, Chesnee   Fusaro is the kind of guy combines are made for. He played on a good offensive line for the Eagles, and might have been a little overlooked. Now he's coming into his own, and will look to make his mark against a talented field. Fusaro plays with the kind of nasty streak you want in an OL, and the combine will show why he gives defenders fits.   [player_tooltip player_id='1094520' first='Jace' last='Grass'] QB, Pendleton   Combines can sometimes serve as a bit of a coming out party for QBs. Grass doesn't need one. He announced his presence on the field last season, helping lead the Bulldogs as a freshman. Everything he does well is ideally suited to combine drills, his measurables are fantastic, and we're excited to see him throw against the invited defensive backs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1199124' first='Judd' last='Windham'] QB, Christ Church   Windham is the heir apparent at Christ Church, and the things he'll showcase at the combine will prove that out. He's a prototypical Christ Church QB - he's got a big arm, he makes good decisions, he can move, and he does very little to hurt his team. He's a solid all-around guy who will benefit from combine competition.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603990' first='Angelo' last='Cromer'] RB, Clinton   Cromer found 48 carries in an extremely crowded backfield for the state champions last season, not out of necessity, but because you just can't keep him off the field. He's got an incredible burst and he already squats more than 450 pounds, and he's a guy you're going to hear from frequently. That's likely to start in Spartanburg, where Cromer's blend of speed and power could lead to some eye-popping numbers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036753' first='Aiden' last='Gibson'] RB, Woodruff   Gibson (pictured) put up numbers - 233 carries, 1,555 yards, 24 TDs - that lead to the thought that he's a battering-ram of a RB. Well, he is. But watch him run a wheel route. Or watch him run, period. He's quickly made a name for himself as one of the top underclass RB in the state, and matching his numbers against a talented field will only send his stock higher.   [player_tooltip player_id='1664350' first='Nick' last='Means'] RB, Dorman   Means is another physical guy who also adds a lot of speed, and he plays with a physical edge. That shows in his off-season work - he's a weight room freak - and that work ethic will pay off in a combine setting. He had nearly 900 all-purpose yards last year, and he's poised to play an even bigger role.   Taylor Rogers WR, Chapman   Rogers bounced around on the offensive side of the ball for the Panthers out of necessity last season, but he's found a home at WR. That's because his speed, size, and ability are tailor-made for the position, and he'll showcase all of that in Spartanburg. With top-flight QBs throwing to him, look for Rogers to make his mark against great defenders in drills.   [player_tooltip player_id='779428' first='Tajeh' last='Watson-Martin'] WR, Belton-Honea Path   Here's a guy who could've been invited to the combine in any number of ways. He was a leader on defense for the Bears, with more than 30 tackles and seven pass deflections. He totaled more than 200 return yards, fielding both kicks and punts. But what set him apart was his play at receiver, where he hauled in 45 balls for nearly 900 yards and 13 scores. He's just a football player, and that's going to translate through both drills and competition.   [player_tooltip player_id='873100' first='Zion' last='Dawkins'] DB, Gaffney   Dawkins led a talented Gaffney secondary with a pair of interceptions and three pass deflections as a freshman, and his upside is tremendous. He's a burner, and could put on a show in the 40 and the Shuttle. He's also surprisingly physical, and his strength will be an advantage in drills. And all that ignores his actual ball skills, which will be immediately evident in competition.   Landon O'Bryan DL, Wren   O'Bryan looks like the kind of guy who's made to blow up in the kind of environment the combine provides. He's incredibly strong, and could be a monster on the bench press. He sheds blockers and meets runners in the backfield, and he'll likely do well in competition drills. O'Bryan could leave Spartanburg with his stock rocketing up.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036731' first='Dennis' last='Glenn Jr'] DL, Boiling Springs   Glenn's instincts and football knowledge are catching up to his body and ability, and that's scary. As a freshman, he often overpowered opponents. As a sophomore, he out-thought them, too. He's the kind of DL who's rarely in the wrong place, and he'll be a matchup nightmare in competition. He's got plenty of measurables, too. Glenn's combine experience could end with even more eyes on him.   Jayden Wertz LB, Powdersville   Wertz looks like the next man up in a long line of tackle machines at LB for Powdersville. He had 120 as a sophomore, to go with five tackles for loss, half a sack, seven hurries, an interception, three pass deflections and three forced fumbles. The skills that led to those numbers will be on full display in the combine drills, and it will be a lot of fun to see Wertz work.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422557' first='Henry' last='Phillips'] K, Mountain View Prep   Phillips has an argument to be the top underclass kicker in the state. He was more than reliable for Mountain View during the season, and it's hard to think of a kicking drill that he's not going to excel at. He's a true weapon for the Stars, and the combine will reveal that - not that opponents shouldn't already know.

One thing is for certain about the field of underclassmen headed to the Carolinas Coaches Combine session at Spartanburg: these guys can PLAY.