Shrine Bowl Notebook: Defense

Screenshot

Jed Blackwell December 17, 2025 @ 01:52 PM

During Monday afternoon's Shrine Bowl practice, Crescent's [player_tooltip player_id='1395080' first='Amiri' last='Acker'] made a fantastic catch on a deep ball from [player_tooltip player_id='1165148' first='Jachin' last='Davis'], snatching the ball out of the air at just the last second and taking off behind his defender.   "You've got to turn and find the ball," a coach told the defender. "I realize you can undercut that a lot of the time. Not at this level. These guys can get it there, and the receivers can go get it."   The defense responded immediately. [player_tooltip player_id='1592632' first='Da'Shan' last='Scriven'] provided tight coverage down the sideline. [player_tooltip player_id='212416' first='J'Zavien' last='Currence'] broke up a pass, and [player_tooltip player_id='402497' first='Kentavion' last='Anderson'] (pictured) broke up another.Jamarion McKinney had a pick. And the defensive intensity continued into Tuesday, when [player_tooltip player_id='1819992' first='Sequel' last='Patterson'] frustrated a bunch of things the offense was trying to do, [player_tooltip player_id='1267280' first='Jordyn' last='Best'] blew up a couple of plays, and [player_tooltip player_id='1165092' first='Tylin' last='Drakeford'] had one of the most athletic plays of Tuesday afternoon on an athletic, one-handed, toe-tap interception on the sideline. Anderson added another impossible-looking PBU and some great coverage. They found the ball, for sure. And kept finding it.   A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING - A bunch of South Carolina's guys are filling multiple roles for the Sandlappers, and there doesn't seem to be anyone taking on more than [player_tooltip player_id='473021' first='Caden' last='Ramsey']. He's playing some at defensive back. He's playing some at wide receiver. And he's also making his mark on special teams, where he's serving as South Carolina's long-snapper. When he does that on the punt team, he's also typically the first guy down trying to make a play on the returner.   STRENGTH UP FRONT - South Carolina's defensive front will have the always-formidable task of taking on North Carolina's offensive line. They're getting quite a test from their own defensive front, and doing more than holding their own. Dorman's [player_tooltip player_id='1639739' first='Christian' last='Waring'] has moved inside and is anchoring the line, along with Greenwood's [player_tooltip player_id='1639742' first='Ahmad' last='Scott']. [player_tooltip player_id='797155' first='Justice' last='Hopkins'] is providing a bunch of speed and strength and winning some one-on-one matchups, along with [player_tooltip player_id='617662' first='Jamie' last='Williamson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='367827' first='Bristol' last='Biegenzahn']. [player_tooltip player_id='1463245' first='Luciano' last='Cesario'] is playing well as a replacement selection, and while [player_tooltip player_id='816734' first='Terry' last='Radford'] might have the letters LB beside his name on the roster, he's got absolutely no problem walking up, putting a hand down, and causing a bunch of problems.   DEEP SECOND LEVEL - Radford's able to move around and do some different things because the LB corps for South Carolina is so deep. They're also pretty much all the same type of player - fast, physical, and smart. [player_tooltip player_id='1592198' first='Jontavious' last='Canty'] and Cameron McFadden were flying to the ball, while [player_tooltip player_id='1126113' first='Jordan' last='Avinger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1196428' first='Jalen' last='McGraw'] looked particularly good against the run and in coverage. And [player_tooltip player_id='1639678' first='Gehad' last='Sneed'] turned in one of the biggest hits of Monday afternoon, while [player_tooltip player_id='1267317' first='Daniel' last='Capehart'] did the same on Tuesday.

During Monday afternoon's Shrine Bowl practice, Crescent's Amiri Acker Amiri Acker 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Crescent | 2026 State SC made a fantastic catch on a deep ball from Jachin Davis Jachin Davis 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Stratford | 2026 State SC , snatching the ball out of the air at just the last second and taking off behind his defender.