GSPD Defensive Standouts Make Mark on 2027 Rankings

Editor's note: We'll continue breaking down this class in its entirety. If you're <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe/">not yet subscribed to Prep RedZone</a>, you can save 40% off an annual subscription by using the offer code Guerin40at checkout.   The Grand Strand and Pee Dee appears ready for a defensive resurgence that should pay dividends in terms of on-field success.   And it's not a huge surprise that the players are feeding off that mindset.   Up and down the Prep RedZone Class of 2027 rankings are guys who are rising together, both within their respective programs and the zone as a whole. Linemen, linebacker, defensive backs, hybrid guys - they're all coming up the ranks and now as rising seniors will be charged with continuing to turn around what has been a relatively quiet couple years for the majority of the GSPD.   The trends we're seeing won't disappoint fans in the Palmetto State's northeast corridor.    TEAM EFFORT    Three squads in particular in the zone have at least three defensive players in our 2027 rankings, and that's important to note because all three teams will be heading into the offseason with the type of leadership that should boost the overall production level next fall.   We start in Cheraw, where the Braves won seven games but fell well short of their own expectations thanks to some injuries and a couple region losses that put them in a difficult playoff position. Still, the front line of [player_tooltip player_id='1172365' first='Crawford' last='Poole'] [player_tooltip player_id='1422635' first='Anthony' last='Strong'] and Lamonte Brown is as imposing as you'll find in Class A next season (assuming Cheraw stays where it was placed in the initial realignment plan). If that wasn't enough, [player_tooltip player_id='1271257' first='Nick' last='Gordon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1321038' first='Justyn' last='Joint'] have both played their share of defense and have shown they can affect games on both sides of the ball when they're fully healthy.    Over in Bennettsville, Marlboro County appears to be staying in Class 3A, and the Bulldogs will have a similar starting point as Cheraw. By that, it's got a defensive line that will turn heads. We already knew at [player_tooltip player_id='905534' first='Jaden' last='Ashe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1422580' first='Kaiden' last='Walton'] on the edge, but [player_tooltip player_id='651061' first='Patrick' last='Williams'] made his presence felt with a junior season that included 16 tackles for loss. Behind them, [player_tooltip player_id='1821221' first='Layton' last='Chavis'] piled up 80 tackles, cleaning up a lot of what managed to get through. They're not alone; with at least two more Marlboro County defenders on their heals in the 2027 class and heading for a potential ranking of their own.   And while we normally think of Carolina Forest's ability to run the ball, three 2027s have given us every reason to think the pieces are there for the Panthers' to keep their undersold defense from 2025 doing its thing. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1577696' first='Connor' last='Ross'] led the team with 63 tackles and forced a fumble. Safety [player_tooltip player_id='1596856' first='Jayden' last='Alston'] had nine interceptions to go along with 57 tackles. And [player_tooltip player_id='1581470' first='George' last='Handley'] - arguably the most undersized defensive tackle in all of Class 5A - used his tenacity to put up 43 tackles and two sacks.     F1S DEFENSIVE BACKS MAKING A SPLASH   A number of players made an instant impression on us throughout the course of the 2025 season.   Carolina Forest's Alston was a solid example after all those interceptions, but he had company inside the zone over in Florence.   No first-time ranked player on the defensive side of the ball made as much of a jump as [player_tooltip player_id='1823169' first='Derrick' last='Austin'] from West Florence. The corner picked off a pass in the season-opening game against South Florence, added another a few weeks later against Wilson and then snagged two more against Blythewood in region play. After that, very few quarterbacks seemed interested in testing him.    That leads us to his teammate.    [player_tooltip player_id='1823164' first='Jawuan' last='Gamble'] was primarily the corner on the other side, and while he can and does also shift into a safety role, he showed some of the same skill set in getting to a football while it's in the air. He finished his junior season with two interceptions and three pass breakups, often when opponents were shading away from Austin. These two guys having another season together gives the Knights reason for' optimism.     Make the quick jump over to Wilson and you'll see two of the reasons for the Tigers' renewed success after a few down years. Defensive backs [player_tooltip player_id='1623916' first='Brian' last='Wilson II'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1640595' first='Da'von' last='Bowman'] accompanied their coach from Sumter and didn't waste any time getting used to their new digs.   Bowman finished the season with 60 tackles and five interceptions from his safety position.    Wilson didn't record a pick, but what he found was a way to make an impact in other ways when he was locking down receivers. He's physical and often fought through blockers to assist in the run game.    AROUND THE ZONE    [player_tooltip player_id='1811021' first='Dutch' last='Stafford'] from Andrews was limited to just three games in 2025 after suffering an injury. But it was clear he was going to get high-quality reps in all three phases of the game. Defensively, he can play essentially any spot in the backfield or slide up into a bandit-type role. Given some of the attrition from this year's senior class, Stafford could go any number of directions next fall.    The GSPD is full of other more traditional linebackers we're keeping close tabs on this calendar year.    Dillon's [player_tooltip player_id='1172360' first='Kelvion' last='Manning'] (35 tackles, one TFL) saw his production dip some while he was moved around a good bit, but he's undoubtedly one of the primary weapons on this defense heading into 2026. Kingstree's [player_tooltip player_id='1036769' first='Maleek' last='Dukes'] can say the same after he'll be the Blazers' top returning tackler and a three-year starter.   Mullins' [player_tooltip player_id='1604041' first='Nathan' last='Peracki'] finished with just shy of 100 tackles and 15 tackles for loss;  his ability to crash the line proving to be maybe the Aucs' biggest weapon moving forward.    Lamar's [player_tooltip player_id='1422623' first='DQ' last='Green'] is still listed as an athlete in our system, but his 101 tackles and 17 tackles for loss from the middle of the defense tells us his biggest role is clear.

Editor's note: We'll continue breaking down this class in its entirety. If you're not yet subscribed to Prep RedZone, you can save 40% off an annual subscription by using the offer code Guerin40at checkout.