CCC: 2027 Upper State Sleepers

When the Spartanburg site of the Carolinas Coaches Combines opens for business on April 26, there will be no question about where most of the star power lies.   There are invited players with scores with huge production value, size, speed and major college offers set to attend.    But the beauty of the combine is how the event can be a catalyst for the next wave of standouts across South Carolina. Guys who maybe haven't had their shot, others who have struggled with injuries, still more who simply haven't fully progressed to the point of leading for their respective teams via points or tackles or any other metric.   Here are 10 Upper State players we believe can use the CCC to their full advantage to create their own jump start to bigger and better things in the 2026 season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1658954' first='Will' last='Allen'] OL, Ninety Six (pictured)   Allen is a prototypical small-class lineman who is a verified upward climb away from finding a spot in the college ranks. Allen, who chimed in at a fraction of an inch under 6-feet tall last time around, showed some signs that growth was coming via a respectable wing span. More importantly, he's strong (16 bench reps in 2025) and mobile. If he's as big as his coaches say he is now, it could be a powerful combination.    [player_tooltip player_id='1822219' first='Christian' last='McDowell'] DB/WR, Eastside    We love two-way guys at the bigger levels, if for no other reason that it's not the norm. And in McDowell, the Eagles have a dude who plays receiver and corner, on top of the fact he returns kicks. He's not overly tall, but he's spent the bulk of the offseason finding an avenue to increase his stature via his play. Essentially, if he's on the island or trying to haul in passes, he's going to be even better prepared for success.    [player_tooltip player_id='1822266' first='Caleb' last='Sanders'] RB, York   Sanders was banged up at last year's combine and while he still found a way to earn the Cougars' starting job right after the start of the season, he missed the back half of his junior year after getting in a car wreck. But believe us when we tell you he's a powerful runner with above-average wheels and should be able to keep his train rolling down the tracks efficiently. What he does at Spartanburg should illuminate that for everyone else.    [player_tooltip player_id='1817529' first='Derrick' last='Isaac'] WR/DB, Cheraw   Isaac has already solidified his spot for the Braves in all three phases of the game, but his notability outside his community is probably still limited somewhat. We think that's about to change, especially as an offensive weapon. With his 20 receptions last year, he put up 221 receiving yards. More importantly, he averaged a touchdown every four catches. His determination on offense and defense shines through in his film.    [player_tooltip player_id='1818909' first='Aiden' last='Holmes'] OL, Dreher    Dreher struggled mightily in 2025 en route to a 3-8 finish, but anyone who has seen the Blue Devils play or watched Holmes' film knows it wasn't falling directly on the shoulders of the big combo lineman. A projected guard in college, Holmes is playing a ton of tackle against some pretty good Midlands defensive ends and holding his own. The combine will potentially let him shine and get some confidence up for a program that isn't as bad as its 3-8 record would suggest.   [player_tooltip player_id='1615627' first='Kelvin' last='Crook'] DL, Broome   Crook is a compact ball of power that hasn't let his lack of height hold him back. There are clip on his reels of getting held (quite egregiously, we should add), and still making plays in the interior of the defensive line. He's found ways to utilize his low center of gravity and all 270-plus pounds to manipulate taller offensive linemen. He finished his junior year with 22 tackles, eight tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. He even knocked down a pass. Translation: He's active as all get up.    [player_tooltip player_id='1664480' first='JaQwon' last='Haygood'] WR, Greenville   Haygood is small. As in he tipped the scales at just 143 pounds last year while measuring in at 5-foot-8. Not exactly eye-popping, right? That's fine, because his speed is. Prior to transferring to Greenville from Wade Hampton last summer, Haygood popped off at a blistering 22.69 miles per hour in a GPS vest. It was the third-fastest time among any of the then-underclassmen participating. If he comes close to it again after adding 15 pounds so far this offseason, he'll be in business.    Buddy Griffin RB, JL Mann   If you like shorter tailbacks who hide behind the line and then hit the hole with authority, Griffin is your guy. Want someone who knows when to bounce it outside? Griffin's your guy there, too. Need someone to slip through the line of scrimmage and catch some passes? Again, Griffin. He's already shown he can do all that (and block) in limited doses. But the complete package of what he provides can go so much further. We think that happens sooner rather than later.   Brennan Goode TE/LB, Ware Shoals    Take a look at what Goode did last fall, which was his first playing organized high school ball: 71 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, seven sacks, 11 receptions, 145 yards and three touchdowns. Not bad for a standout baseball player, huh? Goode is the odd-on favorite to start at quarterback for the Hornets in 2026. And even though he may not get many reps there at the combine, the intensity he brings to the game is undeniable.    [player_tooltip player_id='1823085' first='Noah' last='Singletary'] WR, Irmo   Singletary was firmly stamped down the depth chart last fall while the Yellow Jackets threw the ball an average of 21 times per game en route to some huge point totals and more offense than most teams could dream of. Many of the key pieces are gone, though, having graduated or transferred out. Well, it's not as if the Jackets are going to move to the Wing T any time soon. And Singletary is a top-two receiver on a squad that will keep hurling it around. Don't snooze on his reps at the combine; he's ready to take on a starring role.

When the Spartanburg site of the Carolinas Coaches Combines opens for business on April 26, there will be no question about where most of the star power lies.