CCC: Defensive Standouts From Spartanburg 2027 Session I

SPARTANBURG | The 2027 talent pool at the Spartanburg morning session of the Carolinas Coaches Combine was deep. That was particularly evident on the defensive side of the ball, as a number of standouts turned in some eye-popping performances both in combine measurables and in the individual drills portions of the event.   Here's a look at some of the guys who turned in outstanding performances in Sunday's morning session.   [player_tooltip player_id='1664587' first='Kamari' last='Williams'] DL, Greenviile (pictured) - Williams has a quick burst and long arms, and he showed them not only on the clock and the tape measure, but on the field. He used a mix of techniques to overwhelm blockers in pass-rush drills, and he was a tough matchup all morning.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036755' first='Kendaris' last='Bailey'] RB, Gaffney - Bailey won best defensive combo honors in the morning, then went out and backed it up in drills. He ran quick 40 and Shuttle times, put up 20 reps on the bench, and played really well in coverage, winning several one-on-one matchups.   [player_tooltip player_id='1665369' first='Djay' last='Leak'] DB, Boiling Springs - Leak showcased an ability for tight, physical coverage on Sunday, knocking away two passes and forcing a couple more incompletions.   TJ McCullough DL, Pickens - With a 79-inch wingspan and a quick pro-shuttle, McCullough showed off that reach and explosiveness during one-on-one drills, showing the ability to beat guys up front and get to the quarterback.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822470' first='Vuthy' last='Som'] LB, Landrum - Som is a weight-room warrior and showed it on Sunday, putting up 30 reps on the bench at 185 pounds. He looked good in coverage situations, and plays above his size.   [player_tooltip player_id='2131765' first='Artavious' last='Gwynn'] DB, Gaffney - Gwynn opened some eyes in drills, providing tight coverage and knocking away a couple of passes as he consistently won matchups against taller receivers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819527' first='Anius' last='Smith'] DL, Greer - Smith is the latest in a line of high-level DL from Greer, and he jumps out at you immediately. His measurables aren't off the charts. His play is. He's got a devastating first step and he's powerful enough to drive linemen into the backfield - or wherever he wants them to go.   [player_tooltip player_id='1628240' first='William' last='Childers'] LB, Christ Church - Childers is a big body in the middle at a shade over 6-feet and 230 pounds. His combine numbers showed the potential for explosiveness. He backed that up with some solid play in individual drills and competition, showing off quick change of direction ability.   [player_tooltip player_id='1667977' first='Aidyn' last='Wiggins'] DB, Byrnes - Wiggins took the Defensive Combo award in the morning session, running a 4.5 40 and 4.47 shuttle while putting up 12 reps on the bench. He's got all the tools to be a lock-down guy for the Rebels.   [player_tooltip player_id='1821177' first='Julian' last='Renrick'] LB, Greenville - Renrick played up front for the Red Raiders in some situations last season, but a move to LB makes sense. He's got plenty of speed, but his biggest upside is his power and ability to rush the passer. Renrick's got some tools that will serve Greenville well this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='2106766' first='Hayzon' last='Lumpkin'] DL, South Pointe - Lumpkin's a monster at 308 pounds, and he's a difficult guy to either move or stop. He consistently won his one-on-one matchups, and created a bunch of problems for the offensive linemen along the way.   [player_tooltip player_id='1708614' first='Jabez' last='Thomas'] DB, Dorman - Thomas is a game-changer, as evidenced by his numbers last season. His coverage ability is off the charts, he's got a great wingspan, and he ran a 4.57 40 in the morning session.   [player_tooltip player_id='1809888' first='Charlie' last='Galbreath'] DL, Daniel - Galbreath, a Walhalla transfer, was one of the most fascinating guys to watch on Sunday morning. He's nearly 6-foot-4 with a 75-inch wingspan, and he uses his leverage to win battles off the edge despite being a little light at just over 208 pounds.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819487' first='LJ' last='Dendy'] DL, Greenville - Dendy is a guy who's very, very good at getting up the field and rushing the passer. He put that talent on display throughout the one-on-one portion of drills, getting to the QB dummy repeatedly and showing plenty of power moves along the way.   [player_tooltip player_id='1816744' first='Kingston' last='Peay'] DL, Fairfield Central - Peay was a standout on the bench, with 25 reps at 185 pounds. He also ran a good pro shuttle, and showed off those change-of-direction skills in drills.   [player_tooltip player_id='1702151' first='James' last='Porter'] DL, Dorman - Porter had an absolute monster performance Sunday morning. He ran a 5.1 second 40, put up 29 reps on the bench, and largely dominated guys across from him in competition. He also looked violent and fluid in individual drills, giving a hint at what he can do in game situations.   [player_tooltip player_id='1818140' first='Antwone' last='Tarrence'] LB, Dorman - Tarrance is a guy with tremendous upside, and will be one of a handful of returners on defense for the Cavaliers. On Sunday, he turned in a sub-5 40, put up 21 reps on the bench, and showed fluid movement in drills and good coverage ability.   [player_tooltip player_id='1271263' first='KJ' last='Burg'] LB/DB, Northwestern - One of the best players in the state did nothing but reinforce that position on Sunday. Burg showed his explosiveness with a 24-inch vertical jump, an 8'3" broad jump, and a 4.62 pro shuttle. He also put up 23 reps on the bench, with all of those numbers giving a glimpse of how he seemingly gets to every play and makes a difference when he gets there.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820677' first='Lane' last='Rising'] DL, Blacksburg - The best way to tell you about Rising is to say he's just a guy you seem to notice. He stands out in drills, with efficient movement and quick bursts. You can tell by watching him that he's game-fast, and that proved to be the case in one-on-one drills. Rising is a guy whose stock will continue to go up.   [player_tooltip player_id='1666952' first='Josh' last='Lyons'] LB, St. Joseph's - Lyons was one of the fastest linebackers on the day, turning in a 4.67 40 and a 4.42 shuttle. He looked good in individual drills, showing that his fast-twitch speed gives him plenty of opportunities to cover distance and close on the ball.

SPARTANBURG | The 2027 talent pool at the Spartanburg morning session of the Carolinas Coaches Combine was deep. That was particularly evident on the defensive side of the ball, as a number of standouts turned in some eye-popping performances both in combine measurables and in the individual drills portions of the event.