CCC: 2028/2029 Defensive Line Breakdown

DORCHESTER | It's no secret that football games at all levels are won (scroll down, skill position players and coaches) in the trenches.   It's the truth all the way from peewee football to the NFL, so of course that's also going to be the case at the high school level.   The work they do may not be as flashy as some of the other high-profile positions, but the big boys up front dictate where their football team is headed.   We saw plenty of bright spots on both lines during the Carolinas Coaches Combine stop in Woodland, and while we've already devoted some space to them there's still plenty more love to go around.   Let's start with the defensive linemen from the classes of 2028 and 2029.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820344' first='Jayson' last='Arrieta'] Hilton Head   Arrieta showed all the signs of a guy who can get into the backfield early and often, with an electric first step to give him a leg up on the blockers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820220' first='Hayne' last='Burden'] Hilton Head Christian   Burden moved well during individual drills and left opposing linemen grasping at air with his quick spin move to the inside.   [player_tooltip player_id='1615021' first='Dexter' last='Chavous'] Summerville   The 316-pound powerhouse flexed his muscle in more ways than one, bullying offensive linemen and drawing positive comments from coaches for his work with his hands.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823864' first='Jace' last='Coleman'] Lugoff-Elgin   Coleman dazzled throughout Session III, turning heads during the combine session with position-best measurements in the vertical leap (34.7") and broad jump (125") before displaying a strong burst, good awareness and a a tidy spin move in one-on-ones.   [player_tooltip player_id='1839899' first='Dez' last='Davis'] North Augusta (pictured)   Davis showed why he's being looked at as North Augusta's next great defensive lineman, with eye-popping measurables (his 4.59 40-yard dash was the fastest at the position, and his 20-yard time of 2.59 was tied for first) and clinical performances in drills and one-on-ones.   Jamison Edwards Lucy Beckham   It was full steam ahead for the 5-10, 274-pound Edwards during one-on-ones, as he repeatedly crashed through whoever was assigned to try to stop him.   [player_tooltip player_id='1816220' first='Evan' last='Floyd'] Socastee   Floyd impressed with his rip technique during individual drills, then put that right back to work during one-on-ones.   [player_tooltip player_id='1821711' first='Jayden' last='Frazier'] Hampton County   Frazier impressed with his footwork, and he showed a combination of power and balance that made it hard for opposing linemen to stay in front of him.   [player_tooltip player_id='1821778' first='Dilan' last='Hammonds'] Denmark-Olar   Hammonds checked in as the tallest defensive lineman at a shade under 6-4, then posted some impressive numbers in the 40-yard dash (4.77 seconds) and broad jump (102").   [player_tooltip player_id='1816961' first='Demarcus' last='King'] Summerville   There's not too much to add to <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/ccc-2028-defensive-standouts/" id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/ccc-2028-defensive-standouts/">winning the award for best defensive lineman</a>, which King earned after a 4.7-second 40, quality individual drills and explosiveness and precision during one-on-ones.   Barnabas Payne West Florence   There was a lot of controlled chaos on display from Payne, who could hardly wait to both start and finish off his reps.   [player_tooltip player_id='1467819' first='Brandon' last='Poston'] Aiken   The 6-2, 226-pounder was ferocious during one-on-ones, easily shedding blockers on his way to punishing the tackling dummy in the backfield.   [player_tooltip player_id='1821369' first='James-JJ' last='Shephard'] Midland Valley   Shephard displayed lots of explosive power, both with his lethal first step in one-on-ones and his position-best medicine ball throw of 40 feet.   [player_tooltip player_id='1467808' first='Anthony' last='Simmons'] North Charleston   Simmons showed a ton of strength and violence up front during one-on-ones, as he made sure his presence was felt in a big way during each rep.   [player_tooltip player_id='1821454' first='Landon' last='Simmons'] Stratford   Simmons, who checked in with the largest wing span of any defensive lineman at 82 inches, showed good burst with a quick inside move during one-on-ones.   [player_tooltip player_id='1816431' first='Damajah' last='Smith'] Georgetown   Smith led the position group in the bench press by putting up 185 pounds 27 times, then got into individual drills and one-on-ones and showed off a quick rip and strong swim move.   [player_tooltip player_id='1824325' first='Mason' last='Sumners'] Pinewood Prep   The small-school product turned in a big-time performance, proving he belonged on the field by attacking his reps and making sure he finished each one.   Carder Young Swansea   Young was in attack mode during individual drills and one-on-ones, with a "play to the whistle" style that meant he finished every rep with authority.

DORCHESTER | It's no secret that football games at all levels are won (scroll down, skill position players and coaches) in the trenches.