Defensive Additions to the 2029 Rankings

The Class of 2029 is starting to reveal just how much talent it has.   And while some of the players who we're listing from the defensive side of the ball also contribute quite a bit offensively, we're seeing a ton of production potential from the 21 names below. Be it freshman season value, excellent offseason development or hot starts in 2026, these sophomores have the goods.   Each of them are names to get to know sooner rather than later, and we have every confidence that many of them have laid an early foundation for what is going to become fierce recruiting battles.    Let's start introducing you to the 21 additions to the Prep RedZone South Carolina Class of 2029 rankings.    [player_tooltip player_id='1824940' first='TJ' last='Hickson'] DB/WR, Lake City   Hickson has caught some fire as a big-play receiver, with a 59-yard deep grab already in his back pocket this fall. His bigger impact, though, will be on defense. As a freshman last year, he put up 28 tackles, two pass break ups and a sack. That was only the start for the talented two-way player.   [player_tooltip player_id='2325418' first='Malikye' last='Robinson'] DB, Berkeley    Robinson has earned himself a starting gig with the Stags, and his job as a corner will likely be tested at some odd times this year while many of the opponents fall behind Berkeley's high-power offense and then have no choice but to throw. It will create some highlights for Robinson along the way.   [player_tooltip player_id='1780192' first='Alijah' last='Chisholm'] DL, York   Chisholm and one of his teammates (more on him below) are laying the foundation for a strong defensive line for the Cougars for not only the rest of this season, but the following two. Chisholm's role in that will be stuffing the run and allowing some others to take care of the edge.   [player_tooltip player_id='1825232' first='Izayah' last='Davis'] DB, Lewisville   Davis has the ability to be an over-the-top safety patrolling for deep throws or to adjust and line up in direct man-to-man coverage. His greatest strength is how he adjusts on the fly. Davis understands how to attack the ball in flight and how to lower his shoulder into a ball carrier.    [player_tooltip player_id='1817163' first='Ethan' last='Greene'] LB, Richland Northeast   After transferring from Spring Valley, Greene has already acclimated to new digs and his asks inside a new program. He's in the running to lead the Cavs in tackles despite the fact he's only a sophomore.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823975' first='Jamere' last='Jackson'] DB, Greenwood   The sophomore earned the starting free safety nod for Greenwood, and deservedly so. He's not as big as others in the class at the position, but his tenacity does his talking for him. Jackson is still a bit reactive overall, but he's trending to the proactive category more and more each week.   [player_tooltip player_id='2257601' first='Linden' last='Phillips'] DL/OL, Hardeeville   Phillips first real action for Hardeeville came at the center position. He then shifted to the outside on the offensive line. He then added some defensive duties as a combo lineman. His 6-foot-3, 250-pound metrics will do a lot of the talking. But they won't tell the whole story.   [player_tooltip player_id='1824491' first='Adrian' last='Ellsworth'] LB, White Knoll   Ellsworth would have been a force under the past Timberwolves' coaching regime. Guess what? He's going to be in this one, too. His ability to move vertical and horizontal can't be overlooked. The fact that he's comfortable covering tight ends will only add to his skill set.   [player_tooltip player_id='2370987' first='Joseph' last='Wilson'] DB, Wilson   Wilson is the odd man out in a talented Tigers' secondary that features two seniors with monster experience. He's going to be picked on at times, only to the chagrin of those who try him. He's picked off two passes against Hartsville and jumpstarted his name recognition in the process.   [player_tooltip player_id='1818641' first='Robert' last='Cooper'] DL, Lamar   Cooper is taking serious advantage of all the attention paid to the Silver Foxes' other edge spot. That's a nice way of saying while [player_tooltip player_id='1615075' first='Lamont' last='Williams'] earns his double teams, Cooper is feasting. He put up six tackles for loss in his first two full games this year. Welcome to team havoc.   [player_tooltip player_id='1827526' first='Dale'yon' last='Fair'] LB/RB, Central   Fair isn't going to be asked to do it all, at least not yet. In time, he may very well be Central's best bet at both tailback and outside backer. For now, he's not shouldering that pressure. He is, however, getting reps and starting to produce as a pretty good clip.   [player_tooltip player_id='1824713' first='Benjamin' last='Sims'] DB/WR, Florence Christian   There's really not telling how many positions Sims will end up playing in the next three years. Go ahead and chalk up tailback, receiver, quarterback, safety, corner and returner. When you're done with that, expand your imagination and see what happens next.   [player_tooltip player_id='2370983' first='Nahsiir' last='Singleton'] ATH, Bamberg-Ehrhardt   Singleton is playing second-fiddle to the baddest dude on the roster - in two spots. As such, he's going to see time at safety and quarterback during a sizable number of blowouts along the way until it's his time to take over both jobs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1709132' first='Akari' last='Williams'] ATH, Carvers Bay   The Bears' likely future QB1 is going to play a ton of receiver and defensive back this year, and he's just fine making his impact there until another number is called. He's got some twitchiness to him that is going to cause problems for opponents no matter how Carvers Bay elects to use him.   [player_tooltip player_id='2370969' first='Braxton' last='McKillip'] DL, York   McKillip is that dude that a lot of high school coaches wished they had in the middle of the line. He shrugs off potential blocks and keeps his eyes front. It's already resulted in a strong tackle number against opponents who try to run up the gut.   [player_tooltip player_id='2180510' first='Jamier' last='Stanley'] DB, James Island   Stanley has a crazy reach that makes his 6-foot-2 frame feel even longer, if that's possible. The Trojans parked him on the outside knowing opponents aren't going to simply line up the run the ball up the gut and eventually will have to throw to the edges. That's what James Island is trying to do. Stanley doesn't have every technique down yet, but he's learning on the fly and letting his physicality do the talking for now.    [player_tooltip player_id='1612459' first='Awesome' last='Cull'] EDGE, Oceanside Collegiate (pictured)   Cull has participated in some of our camps, and the first reaction anyone should have to him is that his size is anything but typical. He's got an impressive natural build that will only continue to grow with more time in the weight room. Combine that with his speed rush and folks will start getting to know his name soon enough.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819688' first='Ean' last='Johanning'] LB, Eastside   After spending his freshman season in the secondary, Johanning is moving up a rung on the defensive ladder for this year. As a linebacker, he's already shown he can crash the backfield even more. This is a player who will put up some nice numbers that Eastside will be able to count on for some time.    [player_tooltip player_id='1134792' first='Jaden' last='Dixon'] DB, South Pointe   Dixon played some linebacker last year at West Charlotte (N.C.) before making the move to South Pointe. The transfer to South Pointe then allowed him to jump into a nickel/safety spot as someone who could make the jump toward the line when he needed to. His length and fearlessness will keep paying off for the Stallions.    [player_tooltip player_id='1825381' first='Caesar' last='Oglesby'] DL, Daniel   While he might ultimately start playing some more offensive line in the future, Oglesby is proving himself to be a pretty darn good defensive player in the trenches for the Lions. His pursuit angles tell the story of why he had 16 tackles in his first two games this season. He knows how to keep his directional focus where it's supposed to be.   [player_tooltip player_id='1878635' first='Carson' last='McDaniel'] DB, Daniel   McDaniel is part of a long line of sons of Clemson assistant coaches who have colleges around the southeast and beyond believing the film they see and the pedigree they carry will add up to something special. We can't speak to following in dad's footsteps (they played different positions, after all), but we can say that the younger McDaniel is already giving teams every reason to avoid his side of the field.

The Class of 2029 is starting to reveal just how much talent it has.