CCC Invite Only: Recruitment Surprises

FORT MILL | [player_tooltip player_id='1823525' first='De'Eric' last='Davis'] (pictured above) is hard to miss at the quarterback position.   The South Florence signal caller has the size and the intangibles that you need to succeed at the position.   But the thing that has been missing? Experience.   He'll have plenty of opportunities to put it on display this fall, and he took advantage of the opportunity on Sunday at Fort Mill during the Invite Only showcase. He can stand in and deliver the ball to his receiver, whether it's a quick out for a few yards, or giving his receiver a chance to go catch a deep ball. The velocity on his throws is something that will be fun to watch in 2026.   “It was very fun (competing against the best in the state). That competition makes you want to do better for yourself and get evaluated. It will help me see what I need to work on, improving it and being better,” Davis told Prep Redzone SC after the event.   He holds one offer currently from Averett University, and based on what we were able to see on Sunday, that won't be the only offer.   Here are six other guys whose efforts during Sunday's showcase will bode well for getting the attention of colleges:   Jaylin Mathis LB, Spartanburg – Mathis flies down hill with bad intentions against an opposing running back, and that's what saw in the drill against them on Sunday. Many times he got into the backfield before the back could even get a chance to get going. He didn't see a ton of time last year for the Vikings in 2025, but we think that could change heading into 2026, which will make all the difference in getting his name out to colleges.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603697' first='Zymier' last='Gordon-Miles'] DB, Rock Hill – Gordon-Miles is back with the Bearcats after spending the 2025 season at South Pointe where he was used in multiple ways – at safety, where he had the range to read the quarterback's eyes and make plays on the ball and come up in run support if needed. And then he can turn around at running back and run an opposing defender over while getting more yardage. Miles made an excellent pass breakup with perfect timing to prevent a completion during Sunday's Invite Only showcase, and we think that could be a precursor of things to come in 2026. His recruitment is off and running with offers from North Carolina A&T, Gardner Webb and North Greenville recently, and that may not be the only ones coming.   [player_tooltip player_id='651361' first='Jakayden' last='Pendergrass'] DB, James Island – Pendergrass followed up what was a great showing at the Woodland Combine back in late March, where he won top defensive skill, with another solid performance at the Invite Only showcase and his stock is starting to rise. He timed his jump perfectly on a throw that we saw to get in and knock the ball away from the receiver and force an incompletion. He had 98 tackles and 3 TFLs for Summerville last year, and looks to continue those efforts in 2026 at James Island.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820548' first='James' last='Willis'] LB, Blythewood – Willis showed great instincts to be able to recognize the run plays and make excellent penetration into the backfield for a tackle for loss from when we watched him at Sunday's showcase. He is disruptive from his defensive line spot for the Bengals, and he made one hustle play where he not only sensed a receiver screen, but he made his way down to make the tackle on the ball carrier. He had 30 tackles and 9 TFLs in 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='2131765' first='Artavious' last='Gwynn'] DB, Gaffney – Gwynn has solid technique at his cornerback position and can flip and move well, from what we were able to pick up from Sunday's showcase. He can stay stride for stride with receivers and react when the ball comes his way He transferred to the Indians from Greer where he was an All-Region selection for the Yellow Jackets, and should be a welcomed addition for an already talented Gaffney defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1635381' first='Kaleb' last='Wright'] LB, Rock Hill – Wright has been one to watch for awhile now as he has shined at the Carolinas Coaches Combine and at our own in-house Prep Redzone combines. He attacks the line of scrimmage with great pursuit angles and has a motor that is always running. Case in point during Sunday's showcase, where he defeated a block so quickly, that the running back didn't really have a chance to get going. His film backs up that aggressive mentality as he can read and react to plays quickly. He did pick up an offer from Concord University last week, and his stock is certainly trending up.

FORT MILL | De’Eric Davis De’Eric Davis 6'4" | 235 lbs | QB South Florence | 2027 State SC (pictured above) is hard to miss at the quarterback position.