CCC: Spartanburg 2028 Deep Dives

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SPARTANBURG |</strong> Events like the Carolina Coaches Combine give players plenty of opportunities to be noticed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Noticed by Shrine Bowl or Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl coaches, by their peers and/or future opponents, by scouts and potentially by their next head coach at the collegiate level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a "been there, done that" type of thing for the top-ranked prospects, while for those lurking farther down the rankings or on the outside looking it it was the chance to draw some eyeballs during each session at Spartanburg's Viking Stadium.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at some of those underrated players from the Class of 2028 who could be ready to climb up the ranks sooner rather than later.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1816519' first='Shaq' last='Aghenebit'] OL, Northwestern</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aghenebit showed a high level of agility at 370 pounds, and he also had a solid showing on the bench press despite a session-leading wing span of 86.5 inches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1822134' first='Darrien' last='Burgess'] DB, Chapman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burgess moved quickly both with and without the ball, and he held his own in pass coverage any time the ball was in the air.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1818213' first='Devan' last='Erby'] RB, Rock Hill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Erby was one of the faster running backs during combine drills, and he played like one of the stronger ones once given the opportunity in one-on-ones.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1467822' first='Josh' last='Evans'] DL, Mauldin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mauldin relied on a quick inside move to repeatedly get past the tackle from either end position, even when they guessed right and were ready for it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='892137' first='Kiyan' last='Jones'] OL, York</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It wasn't just that Jones was named the session's top offensive lineman. It was how he did it. The 269-pounder stonewalled whoever lined up across from him to keep the backfield clean.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2109051' first='Raymond' last='Jones'] LB, Ridge View</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones posted some quality combine times in the 40-yard dash and pro shuttle, and once competitive drills began he impressed with his skills in pass coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rashad Jordan</strong> DL, C.A. Johnson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordan stood out among his position group at 6-foot-4 and 207 pounds, and in one-on-ones he flashed a burst off the line that either beat the tackle or forced a hold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1818402' first='Zachary' last='Land'] DL, Woodmont</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Land has good size at nearly 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, and he showed a good burst at the line of scrimmage to get directly into the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hudson Maxwell</strong> DL, Fort Mill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maxwell stands tall at 6-foot-5 and has room to add to his 207-pound frame, which could turn a quick step to the inside into a lethal go-to move.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1817880' first='Jace' last='Patterson'] OL, Clinton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Patterson was, in a word, immovable. He more than stood his ground at the guard spots, particularly on the right side, to keep opposing rushers well clear of the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1581471' first='Isaiah' last='Robinson'] WR, Byrnes</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was speed on speed on speed from Robinson (pictured), who reached a session-best 21.8 miles per hour during his 4.57-second 40-yard dash. He's a sturdy 176 pounds at 5-foot-9, and he showed agility to match his straight-line speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1820252' first='Malik' last='Stevens'] DL, Greenwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 238-pounder leaned on his quick first step to easily side-step opposing tackles during one-on-ones, routinely getting into the backfield with little resistance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1840061' first='Gage' last='Watkins'] QB, J.L. Mann</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watkins had a commanding presence at the line, both due to his voice and his 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1827423' first='Rhyan' last='Watson'] WR, Lake Wylie</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watson could potentially fly under the radar at 5-foot-8 and 165 pounds, but he displayed the necessary speed and agility to stand out in his position group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->