CCC: Spartanburg 2027 Session II Offensive Standouts

SPARTANBURG | Viking Stadium was abuzz Sunday afternoon for the final stop of the Carolinas Coaches Combine primary events, thanks in large part to a heavy dose of offensive firepower from the Class of 2027 on the field at Spartanburg High School.   The day's second session didn't necessarily have a standout position group, and in no way was that a negative thing. Instead, there were so many standouts at each station that practically every rep was a must-watch.   If there was one group that perhaps drew even more praise than the others, it was the quarterbacks. The Upper State is loaded with quality signal-callers about to begin their senior seasons, and that was on full display Sunday.   The star of that group was [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'] from Ridge View, who threw bullet after bullet with plenty of zip and in the exact spot the ball needed to be placed on his way to being named the session's best offensive skill player. Howard (pictured), who missed nearly all of last season due to injury, looks well on his way to a big-time return for the Blazers.   "I just come out and perform. I just throw. That's just what I do." he explained. "I throw. I get through my reads, and I just perform."   He was far from the only rising junior who came out and excelled Sunday. Here's a look at a host of other offensive players who grabbed our attention.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422610' first='Jack' last='Armstrong'] OL, Gray Collegiate   The 255-pounder played with powerful hands during one-on-ones, shutting down opposing defensive linemen before they could get started on the rush.   [player_tooltip player_id='1790589' first='Muntu' last='Brown'] RB, Wren   Brown plays fast, plain and simple, and during competition he played much faster than some of his combine numbers may suggest. He didn't run for nearly 1,700 yards last season by accident, and he proved that again Sunday.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823147' first='Carter' last='Burgess'] OL, Belton-Honea Path   Burgess passed the "getting off the bus" test as soon as he stepped foot inside Viking Stadium, checking in at 6-foot-5 and 350 pounds. And then he went to work in a big way. He flexed plenty of muscle in one-on-ones, as opposing defensive linemen simply couldn't move him.   [player_tooltip player_id='1909406' first='Avery' last='Coyle'] QB, Saluda   Coyle wowed with his ability to throw a hard, crisp, catchable ball to his targets. The brand-new Saluda Tiger by way of Lexington got the ball from point A to point B in a hurry.   [player_tooltip player_id='644030' first='Xavier' last='Geter'] QB, Midland Valley   Geter simply looked smooth with the ball in his hands, putting it on the money wherever he wanted, and he drew praise from coaches for pushing himself to a higher level to meet their challenges.   [player_tooltip player_id='1271257' first='Nick' last='Gordon'] WR, Cheraw   The speedy Gordon clocked in the fastest 40-yard dash time at 4.38 seconds and also hit a top speed of 22.2 miles per hour. Both of those were the best of the entire session.   [player_tooltip player_id='2170260' first='Dalton' last='Gravelle'] TE/H, Chapin   Gravelle looked every bit like a punishing blocker during positional drills, clearing out his man while also threatening to also take out whoever might be standing too close to the action.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820235' first='Martavious' last='Hamilton'] RB, Greenwood   Hamilton made sure the ball was his any time it was near, securing it well during rushing drills and then making contested catches during work in the passing game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1821275' first='Xavier' last='Huggins'] WR, Powdersville   Huggins showed off plenty of straight-line speed and acceleration with the ability to change direction quickly at 163 pounds, and he also had one of the better showings among the receivers on the bench press.   [player_tooltip player_id='1817529' first='Derrick' last='Isaac'] WR, Cheraw   If the ball touched Isaac's hands, it was a catch. Actually, it didn't even have to be both hands. He made a highlight-reel one-hander in there, too. He looks more than ready for an increase in targets from a year ago.   [player_tooltip player_id='1321038' first='Justyn' last='Joint'] RB, Cheraw   Joint could probably be in line for some more work in the passing game, too, as the Braves' leading rusher looked just like one of the receivers catching balls during individual drills.   [player_tooltip player_id='1664364' first='Dwayne' last='Louallen'] QB, Central   Louallen checked in as the biggest QB of the session at a touch over 6-foot-1 and 213 pounds, and it didn't take long to see how he uses his solid base to his advantage by stepping into his throws and driving the ball to his receivers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819706' first='Rykevius' last='Logan'] TE/H, Emerald   Logan showed plenty of quality fundamentals with his sound route-running, and he also showed the ability to go up and make tough catches with one hand or two.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822909' first='Gage' last='Mahaffey'] WR, Buford   Mahaffey impressed during positional drills and one-on-ones with his ability to quickly gain separation from defensive backs to give his quarterback an open target.   [player_tooltip player_id='1811084' first='Nathan' last='McSwain'] OL, Fountain Inn   McSwain posted the most eye-popping number of the day during the combine when the 291-pounder bench pressed 185 pounds 41 times. Forty-one. That was eight more reps than anyone else in the session and the most of anyone in action across all three of Sunday's sessions.   [player_tooltip player_id='1811119' first='James' last='Ross'] OL, Ridge View   Ross stood tall during one-on-ones, shutting down opposing defenders and snuffing out any hope they had of getting behind him. He stood even taller once his named was called as the session's top offensive lineman.   [player_tooltip player_id='1810416' first='Jeremiah' last='Salley'] OL, Lancaster   Any attempt at a speed rush went nowhere against Salley, who was simply quicker than whichever defensive end lined up across from him.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822292' first='Messiah' last='Simes'] OL, Lamar   Simes played his reps to the whistle, sticking with them and recovering nicely if an opposing rusher happened to gain the upper hand with a quick first step.   [player_tooltip player_id='1718680' first='Payton' last='Vining'] WR, Northwestern   Vining showed that he's a sure-handed receiver who doesn't just catch the football. He goes up and attacks it, bringing it in with his hands and then getting upfield.   [player_tooltip player_id='1149055' first='Nasir' last='Waldrop'] RB, Powdersville   Waldrop showed some good speed and explosiveness as a runner, and he also showed he can be a receiving threat with his sharp route-running.   [player_tooltip player_id='1811122' first='Jacob' last='Whitehead'] OL, Mauldin   Whitehead used his imposing size (over 6-foot-3 and 306 pounds) to bully opposing defensive ends during one-on-one competition.   [player_tooltip player_id='1319663' first='Royce' last='Williamson'] WR, Gray Collegiate   Williamson impressed with his crisp route-running, cutting on a dime exactly where he needed to be in prime position for the pass.

SPARTANBURG | Viking Stadium was abuzz Sunday afternoon for the final stop of the Carolinas Coaches Combine primary events, thanks in large part to a heavy dose of offensive firepower from the Class of 2027 on the field at Spartanburg High School.