CCC: 2027 Defensive Linemen Breakdown

DORCHESTER | If Sunday were the NFL Combine, Bishop England's [player_tooltip player_id='1172361' first='Matthew' last='Ponkow'] would have made himself a lot of money. It was not so much what he did at the various stations, but what he accomplished in the individual drills.   Let's just say there weren't many offensive linemen lining up to try to slow Ponkow down. The 6-foot, 207.7 pounder had his way and couldn't be slowed in any way, shape or form. He had the defensive coaches along with the North-South and Shrine Bowl coaches in his ear after every rep and that doesn't happen unless they see something special.   His efforts were good enough to earn Ponkow the Top Defensive Lineman Award.   “I just wanted to come out and represent who I am as a player and represent my team,” Ponkow said. “I think my performance shows how much time and hard work I've put in. It means a lot to do it against some of the best players in the state.”   There were other defensive linemen that flashed brilliance at various times. We take a look at several among the first two sessions for the rising seniors that had good days.   [player_tooltip player_id='1675500' first='Roman' last='Hood'] Philip Simmons   We liked the quickness and rip move that Hood used in the one-on-one battles against the offensive linemen. He was violent with his hands, used good leverage and was able to get around and past larger linemen. He doesn't have prototypical height for a defensive lineman but that doesn't mean there isn't a place for him in the college game on some level.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823730' first='Michael' last='Cohen'] Battery Creek   We circled Cohen's name almost immediately after getting eyes on him. He was in the middle of the defensive linemen scores across the board, but he liked the fact that he was just a shade over 6-foot tall and 243.8 pounds with a wingspan of 77 inches. He uses his hands well and fights through contact.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822839' first='Josh' last='Bigger'] Hilton Head   We watched Bigger go through the tackling dummies and he showed quick feet and agility. Pair that with the 21 reps he did on the bench press and that's a great combination to have. He's 6-foot-1 and 233 pounds which is going to make him a force coming off the edge.     [player_tooltip player_id='1693098' first='Jaxson' last='Bean'] Oceanside Collegiate   Bean is on the shorter side, but his motor does not stop. He checked in at just under 5-foot-10 but he's difficult to move at 285.1 pounds. He's going to be a run-stopping force in the middle, but he showed in the one-on-one portion of the combine that he can power past offensive linemen as well.   Zachary Mussehl Wando   As was the case with a lot of the defensive linemen in Session I, Mussehl was on the shorter side, but he showed great intensity and drive. He relied a lot on his power and that allowed him to hold his own in the one-on-one battles.   [player_tooltip player_id='1324023' first='Calvin' last='Brown'] Colleton County   Brown is going to be able to sit down in the middle of the Cougars defense and be an immovable force. He checked in at 6-foot-1, 363.9 pounds with a 79.5 inch wingspan. Add to the fact that he hit the 185-pound bench 31 times and he's going to make a lot of tackles at the line of scrimmage.   Melvin Ancrum Colleton County   Ancrum has two traits that's going to fit well anywhere on the football but makes a bigger impact in the trenches – he plays with great strength and aggressiveness. He's 287 pounds and was able to bench the 185-pounds 18 times. If he gets his hands on the blocker, he can guide him in the direction he wants to go.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822564' first='Dustin' last='Clement'] North Myrtle Beach   Clement showed some athleticism 104-inch broad jump and 4.91 pro shuttle. He's quick in small spaces and add that in with his 15 reps on the bench and he could be a problem coming off the edge.     [player_tooltip player_id='1667256' first='Ben' last='King'] Waccamaw   King is another edge guy that uses a quick first move to get in position to blow past a larger offensive tackle. He's just a shade over 6-foot and 187.3 pounds but showed some moxie with 14 reps on the bench to go along with his quickness.   [player_tooltip player_id='1817018' first='Riley' last='Stowers'] Atlantic Collegiate   Most of the numbers that Stowers posted would have put him in the middle of the defensive linemen numbers but his 4.66 time on the pro shuttle was one of the better among that group. He's going to be able to use that quick change of direction to win battles at the line.   Elijah Mack Goose Creek   The Gators saw a youth movement last year and with a new coach the seniors on this year's team are going to have to take the reins. Continuing a theme that we saw in the morning session, Mack will almost always give up the size advantage, but he moved and played with a high motor and that will be a leader by example resume.   [player_tooltip player_id='1821643' first='Gavin' last='McGill'] Pee Dee Academy   McGill stepped right in and showed he was ready to compete against players from the larger schools rather quickly. He displayed great lateral movement during drills and was able to use his hands well in the competition portion of the combine. His 79.5-inch wingspan came into play as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822066' first='AJ' last='Veal'] Westwood    Veal is not only going to win in the battle but he's also going to look the part in doing so. He was just under 6-foot-2, 222.2 pounds and a 79.75 wingspan. He ran a blazing 4.69 40-yard dash at that size to go along with a 25.1 vertical and 105-inch broad jump. He has a quick spin move had a field day while competing against the offensive linemen.   [player_tooltip player_id='1172344' first='Ray' last='Harris'] South Aiken   Harris was one of the defensive front guys that could match-up physically with the offensive linemen. He checked in at 6-foot-2, 279.1 pounds and pumped out 24 reps on the bench press. He's hard to move in the trenches and is hard to slow down when he gets his momentum going in the right direction.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820800' first='Peyton' last='Grant-Bradshaw'] Crestwood   The pure measurables were enough to get Grant-Bradshaw mentioned. He's just shy of 6-foot-2 and 327.4 pounds with a wingspan of 80.75 inches. He's nearly impossible to move off the line and uses his length to his advantage. We would love for him to show more aggression at the point of attack.   [player_tooltip player_id='1172366' first='Tyrone' last='Jennings'] Irmo   Jennings on the other hand does not have an issue playing aggressively. We said this several times this past season that if Jennings were 6-foot-2 or 6-foot-3, he would have a number of Power Four offers by now. But at just under 6-foot and 260.9 pounds, Jennings has to let his production do his talking. He's hard to block and displays great explosiveness and technique.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820986' first='Dallas' last='Brown'] Atlantic Collegiate   Brown joined a list of several interior linemen that showed promise. He's stocky but fills up a gap well and is difficult to move at 280.1 pounds. He fights well with his hands and can use his hands well in combat in tight spaces.   ZyMeriyon Crumblin Newberry   There were guys that could add some weight to their frame and not lose any of their effectiveness and Crumblin was one that fell into that category. He checked in at 5-foot-11 and 240.7 pounds, but we feel like he could add 10-15 pounds and not lose anything in the process. Building additional upper body strength would be helpful as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422580' first='Kaiden' last='Walton'] Marlboro County   Anytime the coaching staff take extra interest in you, that has to be a good thing. Several times after Walton went through a drill, he had a coach in his ear telling him something he could try differently. Make no mistake though – Walton was a standout and is going to be a force back with the Bulldogs. Strong, quick and aggressive usually works well in the trenches.

DORCHESTER | If Sunday were the NFL Combine, Bishop England's Matthew Ponkow Matthew Ponkow 6'1" | 220 lbs | DL/LB Bishop England | 2027 State SC would have made himself a lot of money. It was not so much what he did at the various stations, but what he accomplished in the individual drills.