Defensive Standouts Heading To Palmetto Combine South

Ian Guerin March 26, 2023 @ 04:43 PM

Potential New Subscribers: Take advantage of our 40% off special by using the coupon code Guerin40 at checkout. In addition to our 365-day-a-year football approach, Prep Red Zone South Carolina is the official media partner of the 2023 Palmetto Combine Series, meaning subscribers will get first-hand information on many of the 1,200 athletes in attendance at all four sites.   Eight players with explosive movement and/or high rankings in our system are primed for the Palmetto Combine South.   The event, to be held Saturday at Summerville, will kick off four combines with two sessions each and a whole bunch of players looking to draw some individual attention.    These eight defensive players are among the favorites to do just that.    [player_tooltip player_id='448980' first='Shaikh' last='Thompson'] DL, Hilton Head   James Madison, Appalachian State, West Virginia and plenty of others all jumped on the Thompson offer train not longer after he impressed during the Joanne Langfitt Junior Showcase in December. Thompson is a freak athlete who can do damage in his position group.   [player_tooltip player_id='139300' first='Ben' last='Britton'] DL, Oceanside Collegiate   Britton was a beast for the Class 2A runner up, piling up 67.5 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss and three sacks while playing a hybrid end/tackle position. He's strong enough to play on the interior, but his footwork gives the coaching staff some flexibility.    [player_tooltip player_id='340394' first='Troy' last='Stevenson'] DB, Philip Simmons   One of the absolute best corners in the entire state, Stevenson has 20-plus offers. Translation: He's excellent in one-on-one situations that allow him to exhibit his burst out of the gate and his overall speed.    [player_tooltip player_id='227804' first='Jaidyn' last='Penix'] LB, Summerville   Penix didn't luck into a top-50 overall spot in our Class of 2024 rankings. On his home turf this weekend, Penix should be able to lead the charge among the linebackers. He's going to be comfortable and relying on what he's been doing since the season ending in the Class 5A Lower State finals.   [player_tooltip player_id='208366' first='Terry' last='Grant'] LB, West Ashley   Yes, Grant does still have high school eligibility remaining. Grant has spent most of the last two seasons dominating in the tackle department for one of the best defenses in all of Class 5A football. He'll rack up a bunch more this fall, but not before he heads to Summerville.   [player_tooltip player_id='473015' first='Tyleek' last='Dukes'] DB, Kingstree   From a player who has seemingly been around forever to another who is only just beginning a lengthy high school career, Dukes (pictured) will likely be the biggest combination of youth and experience. Still just a freshman, Dukes is a high-level player with a proven track record for big plays.   [player_tooltip player_id='473016' first='AJ' last='Grate'] ATH, Waccamaw   Grate has spent the spring on area's lacrosse fields, a relatively rare combination for this neck of the wood. Believe us when we'll say he'll be champing at the bit to get back into football gear, even if only for a few hours. Grate has all the tools to be a star.   Nik Jefferson DB, Ashley Ridge   Toward the end of his sophomore year at Ashley Ridge, Jefferson showed up to the Palmetto Combine at Summverville and put on a show. He was named the event's top defensive player overall, then went on to lead all non-linebackers in tackling last fall at Ashley Ridge.    EDITOR'S NOTE: Members of the Prep Red Zone team will be on site for each of the four Palmetto Combine Series events in April, covering all the players and storylines. This year's series will be held April 1 at Summerville, April 2 at York, April 15 at Westside and April 16 at West Florence. Prep Red Zone staff members were not responsible for the nomination or selection of participants in this year's event.

Potential New Subscribers: Take advantage of our 40% off special by using the coupon code Guerin40 at checkout. In addition to our 365-day-a-year football approach, Prep Red Zone South Carolina is the official media partner of the 2023 Palmetto Combine Series, meaning subscribers will get first-hand information on many of the 1,200 athletes in attendance at all four sites.