Palmetto State Statistical Leaders – Offense

Passing

1. Justin Worley, Northwestern

                428 of 589 – 5,313 yds – 64 TDs – 72.7 Comp. %

 2. Cyril Davis, Orangeburg-Wilkinson

                244 of 399 – 4,147 yds – 43 TDs – 61.2 Comp %

3. Hudson Worthy, Porter-Gaud

                270 of 389 – 4,102 yds – 43 TDs – 69.4 Comp %

4. Matt Layman, HH Prep

                239 of 390 – 3,538 yds – 34 TDs – 61.3 Comp %

 

 5. Zach Blair, James F. Byrnes

                232 of 385 – 3,010 yds – 23 TDs – 60.3 Comp %

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Rushing

 1. DeAngelo Henderson, Summerville

                251 ATTs – 2,407 Yds – 27 TDs – 9.6 AVG

 2. Shon Carson, Lake City

                291 ATTs – 2,280 Yds – 33 TDs – 7.8 AVG

 3. Chase Hames, Blacksburg

                286 ATTs – 2,155 Yds – 22 TDs – 7.5 AVG

4. Kevin Miller, Lexington

                281 ATTs – 2,056 Yds – 23 TDs – 7.3 AVG

5. Kendrick Salley, Williston Elko

                155 ATTs – 2,051 Yds – 39 TDs – 13.2 AVG

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Receiving

1. Robert Joseph, Northwestern

                108 RECs – 1,417 Yds – 25 TDs – 13.1 AVG

2. Stanton Seckinger, Porter-Gaud

                105 RECs – 1,833 Yds – 26 TDs – 17.5 AVG

3. B.J. Boyd, Northwestern

                100 RECs – 1,228 Yds – 15 TDs – 12.3 AVG

4. Quinshad Davis, Gaffney

                95 RECs – 1,486 Yds – 16 TDs – 15.6 AVG

5. Dimitri Lowry, HH Prep

                93 RECs – 1,461 Yds – 15 TDs – 15.7 AVG

Palmetto Football Plus Positional Rankings Defensive Backs

 1. Ronnie Martin, Spartanburg       5’11”  180            Committed to South Carolina

My Take: None of the major recruiting service have Ronnie Martin listed higher than a three star and none of them have him as the best defensive back in South Carolina. That’s where they are wrong. Many people look to stats for the answers and that’s where Martin is the best. You see he only has a few interceptions but that’s not because he wasn’t in the right spots it was due to the fact that opposing teams didn’t even target Martin’s side of the field. Northwestern’s vaunted passing attack only threw to Martin’s side three maybe four times in the entire game and two of them were on bubble screens.  Marin received offers from Nebraska, LSU, Illinois, Maryland and Wake Forest but committed to South Carolina early in the process. South Carolina defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson got a gem in the recruiting process when Ronnie Martin committed.

 2. Pat Martin, J.L. Mann                    5’11”  195            Committed to Tennessee

My Take: Pat Martin is a hard hitting safety that has sideline to sideline speed. He doesn’t miss on many tackles and he is also no slouch in zone pass coverage. Where Martin needs to improve is on his single man to man coverage if he is ever put in those situations in the SEC it could be a long day for him. Martin committed to Tennessee and Coach Terry Joseph on August 15^th, 2010 but rumors have swirled that he will switch his pledge to South Carolina. Only time will tell if those rumors come into fruition.

3. Robert Smith, Woodland                5’11”  200            Committed to Clemson

My Take: Robert Smith has many similar characteristics to JL Mann’s Pat Martin. The only difference between the two is Smith is not as polished of a tackler and did not face the type of competition that Ronnie or Pat Martin faced in their career. Smith can be considered a project because if you polish his skills with correct coaching he could be a sleeper in the same way Rashard Hall was. Smith committed to Clemson on January 15^th, 2010.

4. Zeph Grimes, Bamberg-Ehrhardt     6’0”  200               Committed to Illinois

My Take: Zeph Grimes fits the mold of the new generation safety. He has speed to back it up too. Grimes, however, hasn’t faced an amazing amount of talent in his high school career therefore he hasn’t had to put his skills on display. He’s a good tackler – not great. He’s good in coverage – not great. His speed is good – not great. But going to the Big Ten as he is, you don’t necessarily have to have great speed. Grimes is a good find for Ron Zook and someone that he can polish and make a decent player out of. 

5. Glen Hillard, T.L. Hanna             5’10”  170            Committed to East Carolina

My Take: T.L. Hanna’s cornerback Glen Hillard is built a lot like Ronnie Martin, that’s where the comparisons stop however. Hillard gave up a few deep balls this year and hasn’t been proven in bump and run and man-to-man situations. That’s something he’ll really need to work on if he wants to contribute for Ruffin McNeill’s ECU Pirates because a lot teams like to throw it all around in the Conference USA. With the right coaching however these techniques can get turned around easily.

Palmetto Football Plus Positional Rankings: Linebackers

1. Lateek Townsend, Marlboro County           6’2”  202     Considering South Carolina, Clemson and USC

My Take: Lateek Townsend is one of the most sought after recruits in the entire 2011. He has offers ranging from coast-to-coast. His brilliant performance at the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas did not hurt his cause. Townsend made many plays in high school freelancing for the most part, something that will have to change at the next level. Along with his personality on the field people are attracted to Townsend’s off the field personality, he will certainly emerge as a team leader wherever he decides to go. Right now it looks like the front runner is South Carolina but Townsend has had a new leader at almost every stage of the recruiting process. He has already made official visits to Clemson, South Carolina and USC.

 2. Dexter Staley, Williston Elko                    6’2”  215     Considering South Carolina, Illinois, LSU and Michigan State

My Take: Dexter Staley is a football player. He has played on both sides of the ball while at Williston Elko.  Speculation has arose about Staley’s grades and whoever signs him will probably have to send him to a JuCo. Staley as a football player has amazing closing speed and doesn’t miss too many tackles when he gets to where he needs to go. At this point in the recruiting process it looks like South Carolina is the leader for his services but this is probably a prospect you won’t see for another two years.

3. Ralph Cooper, Fairfield Central                6’1” 220      Committed to Illinois

My Take: Coopers speed has been clocked at a 4.77 which would be questionable for a linebacker playing in the SEC but Cooper is committed to a Big Ten school. Cooper will probably be able to play inside or out for Ron Zook’s Illinois squad. One thing that stands out about Cooper’s film is that he fills his gaps with precise discipline. When he fills those gaps he wraps up his opponent and brings him to the ground. If he plays inside for Ron Zook he will be one of the most productive linebackers in the Big Ten. Cooper can really develop into a tackling machine – a guy that could have 10 to 13 tackles by the time you check the stats. Cooper also claimed an offer from Georgia Tech but committed to the Illini and former Clemson coaches Ron West and Vic Koenning on October 22, 2010.

4. B.J. Goodson, Lamar                                6’1” 225      Committed to Clemson

My Take: Goodson draws a lot of similarities to the aforementioned Ralph Cooper. Goodson will probably play inside when he gets to Clemson because he doesn’t have Lateek Townsend speed. But he could be very productive on the inside. Goodson has tendencies to miss the easy tackles trying to make a highlight reel play. This is something Coach Steele will get corrected. Goodson committed to Clemson over offers from LSU and Tennessee.

5. Quinn Backus, Greenwood                        5’9”  190     Only offer is from Coastal Carolina

My Take: Quinn Backus is the defensive version of Summerville running back DeAngelo Henderson. Backus is one of the most productive linebackers in the state of South Carolina but has not drawn any FBS offers because of his height and weight, not his productivity. Backus plays sideline to sideline while also filling the gaps he is assigned to. When he reaches his opponent he usually lays the wood and sends a message. Backus was one of the leaders on the Sandlapper Shrine Bowl team. Backus’ only offer at the moment is from Coastal Carolina and if he ends up as a Chanticleer, that is the FCS steal of the entire recruiting class.

Q&A with Corey Crawford

One of the most talented players in the entire 2010 recruiting class was Corey Crawford, he signed with Clemson. But since then he’s had to make a trip to Hargrave. 

Crawford did an exclusive interview with PalmettoFootballPlus and talked about many different topics including how the trip to Hargrave went and what he’s weighing now.

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Palmetto Football Plus: What was your immediate reaction when you realized you wouldn’t be a part of the 2010 Clemson football team?

Corey Crawford: I was kind of bitter at first. I didn’t expect to have to go a different route like to Hargrave because I didn’t get into Clemson. 

PFP: How did you find out, who told you and what was the whole scenario like?

CC: Coach Swinney told me. He told me that since I didn’t make it I’m going to have to go to Hargrave. He didn’t know if I made into Clemson at first because it took the NCAA a long time to determine if I was going to be qualified or not. They sent me to Hargrave just in case I didn’t make it into Clemson.

PFP: What were your initial feelings about going to Hargrave?

CC: They weren’t good. I just kept wondering why I had to go there because I really didn’t want to go. I just didn’t like the thought of doing the military stuff.

PFP: Did you ever waiver from your Clemson commitment?

CC: No sir, Georgia kept recruiting me and tried to get me to take an official visit but I never did. I stayed true to Clemson the whole time.

PFP: What was it like watching the team play how it did this year?

CC: They did pretty good. But it kind of hurt that I wasn’t there because I was supposed to be. I just kept thinking that I would be there next year to play and to contribute.

PFP: For people that haven’t seen you play or viewed your highlights, describe yourself as a player.

CC: In high school I played outside linebacker and when I got to Hargrave they moved me to defensive end. There are different plays here at Hargrave that I would have my hand down and still drop back into pass coverage. I would be downfield covering some guys, man-to-man.

PFP: Word is that you’ve put on a lot of muscle is that true?

CC: Yes sir, right now I’m at 275. Coming into Hargrave I was a little bit under 250.

PFP: Before you went to Hargrave did you get any advice from anybody on the Clemson team?

CC: I talked to Josh Watson. He was at Hargrave the year before I was. I talked to Jonathan Meeks about it too. They told me to keep my head up and it would just make me better.

PFP: Does this just make you much hungrier to perform when you do put on that Clemson Tiger uniform?

CC: Yeah, it just makes me want to play harder. It makes me want to be better than I ever wanted to be. I can’t wait to go in. I just can’t wait to get there so I can unleash everything when I go out and play.

PFP: What did you think about what Da’Quan Bowers did this year?

CC: I thought that was great. He’s one of the best at his position.

PFP: Other than Da’Quan Bowers, who else impressed you on the defensive line?

CC: The whole defensive line was pretty good. They were all very physical. I liked Jarvis Jenkins holding down the middle along with Brandon Thompson. Then you have Andre Branch coming off the end opposite of D.Q. I think they had a real good defensive line last year. And then you also had Kourtnei Brown coming off the bench and he’s a guy that contributed a lot. Overall I think they were one of the nation’s top defensive lines.

PFP: What’s it like knowing that when you go to Clemson you are going to get coached by two of the best defensive line coaches in America, Coach Dan Brooks and Coach Chris Rumph?

CC: I feel honored about it. I feel like it’s just an honor to be in a place where you get to learn from somebody who has put a lot of people in the NFL like Coach Brooks and Coach Rumph have. I just hope that I can learn enough to make it to that level one day.

PFP: Out of all the offers you had coming out of high school in 2010, what made you choose Clemson?

CC: The main thing was is that I could see myself at Clemson for the next four years because the coaches are more than just coaches they are almost like your father away from home. When I met the players I just had an immediate bond with them. As soon as I got there the first time I knew that I was at home.

PFP: What is it about Coach Swinney and his attitude that attract prospects like you to him?

CC: He’s real and he’s humorous. He’s also very spiritual. I think that’s the main thing for a lot of guys. I felt like I needed a man like him in my life to lead me the right way.

PFP: Have you looked at the recruiting class Clemson has lined up for 2011?

CC: Yes sir. I think it’s an outstanding class. I met Marlin Lane, the running back from Florida, and I also met Cortez Davis, the safety. I can’t wait to play with those guys. I can’t wait to see what happens. I really believe that with this class coming in and the talent that we already have I think we can end up winning the ACC Championship and going to a big time BCS bowl game next year. I wouldn’t be surprised if we did that.

PFP: Are you going to enroll in January?

CC: Yes, I’m all set to enroll January 10^th. I can't wait, Go Tigers!

Kelcy Quarles: Ready for Impact

Last spring, highly touted defensive lineman Kelcy Quarles was primed and ready to start his South Carolina career. There was a barrier in his way however. This was his grades. Quarles was not going to qualify at the University of South Carolina in 2010. This is something Quarles somewhat expected.

“I kind of knew after my last test score that I wasn’t going to be able to go,” Quarles admitted.

Just like Quarles does on the football field, he took this block head on. South Carolina defensive line coach Brad Lawing addressed Quarles and his family at their home in Greenwood, South Carolina about the situation. The situation being Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia, a prep school that has produced such football players such as Eddie George, Vinny Testeverde, Plaxico Burress, Jacoby Ford, and the late Gaines Adams. This was a tough pill for Quarles to swallow.

“I was upset but everything happens for a reason. I was upset because I felt like I let a lot of people down,” Quarles said in an exclusive interview with PalmettoFootballPlus. “I told [Coach Lawing] that anything to get me to be a South Carolina Gamecock that I would do it.”

Quarles says that he received guidance from his future teammate Chaz Sutton, who also attended Fork Union. He said that Sutton told him that if he dedicated himself to this he would come out not only a better football play but a better person.

Quarles has been dedicated to the Gamecocks since he made the announcement official November 29^th, 2008. Just like when he was a high school senior, Quarles received a lot of interest from other schools when he was at Fork Union Academy. Quarles recalls schools such as Miami, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and Marshall trying to get him to take an official visit and even to switch his pledge. He kept talking to the recruiting coaches to benefit his Fork Union teammates, not himself.

“I talked to the coaches that came just so they would come around and get other players so I could help my teammates at Fork Union,” Quarles said. “I thought that maybe they could go to some of those schools that were trying to recruit me.”

The place that Quarles benefitted the most from the year at Fork Union was not the extra year on the football field. It was the year to catch up in the classroom. He cited a mindset change for most of his success.

“It just made me more determined to do better in the classroom and not to worry as much about football because it would take care of itself,” Quarles admitted. “It just taught me to be as dedicated in the classroom as I am on the field.”

The 2010 South Carolina Gamecocks did things that were unmatched in the history of their school like winning the East division of the SEC and beating Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and Clemson all in the same year. Quarles, who watched almost every South Carolina game on TV, said it was bittersweet for him.

“It was something I wish that I would have been a part of but I’m so proud of them,” Quarles says. “It was hard watching some of the games when I knew I could have been out there making an impact.”

While watching the Gamecocks play, he said he saw things that he thought he could improve on.

“Sometimes I think that they could have done better but not having the depth that we need can do that,” Quarles recalls. “I can understand that the guys needed a blow of air every once in a while.”

With the 2010 season behind him at Fork Union, Quarles is ready to fulfill his dream as to be a Gamecock. The 2011 season is something he has talked about at great lengths. Quarles has his eyes set at the top for the 2011 Gamecocks.

“The expectations are real high. This year you’ve seen that we can go to the SEC Championship game,” Quarles says of South Carolina’s 2010 success. “It’s like me and my Dad always talk about, we can run the tables next year and do some of the same things. I feel like we have a National Championship team.”

Q&A with Alex Howell

Alex Howell of West Florence High is one of the top kicking prospects in the class of 2011. 

He joined PalmettoFootballPlus for an exclusive interview on Thursday. He is talking topics ranging from the Boston College Eagles to soccer.

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Palmetto Football Plus: What attracted you the most to Boston College? What other offers did you receive? 

  

Alex Howell: The opportunity to combine football with academics. I received offers from Maryland, Citadel, and grey shirts at UVA, and Clemson.


PFP:  How long have you been kicking? Did you play soccer first? 

AH: I did play soccer first, and I started kicking by the end of the 6th grade. I started to take if serious between 8th and 9th grade.


PFP:  What do you think is your greatest asset, not only as a kicker, but as a football player? 

AH: I believe my greatest asset is being able to do what my coach asks of me.


PFP: What coach recruited you for Boston College? 

AH: Coach Dawson, the special team coordinator.


PFP:  How many camps did you take in for Football? 

AH: Around 20.


PFP: What school did you grow up a fan of? 

AH: I never had a school while growing up.


PFP:  As a kicker, do you have a favorite kicker or somebody that you look up to? 

AH: I looked up to my brother the most. I also look up to Coach McCabe, the director of One on One Kicking. Both of them have taught me and are mentors.


PFP: Did Ryan Quigley going to BC have any effect on your decision? 

AH: Yes, he has done a great job answering any questions that I have had. He was also the person I stayed with when I went on my official visit.


PFP:  Does it give you extra motivation going to kick for another ACC school especially within Clemson’s division?

AH: Alittle, most of the schools i was looking at were in the ACC.


PFP: Do you have any friends that play College Football? If so, do you keep in contact with them? 

AH: Yes, and I do. Some of my former teammates play. Also, at kicking camps you meet a lot of people and I keep in contact with plenty of college players that coach at those camps.


PFP: What was it like participating in the North-South Game? What did you think of the weather out there? 

AH: The weather there was cold, wet, and windy.

Palmetto Football Plus Positional Rankings: Defensive Line

1. Jadeveon Clowney, South Pointe     6’6”  245      Considering South Carolina, Alabama, Florida State and Clemson

My Take:  Jadeveon Clowney is the best player in the nation in 2011, hands down. Period. Clowney, in my opinion, is the best defensive linemen to come out of the state of South Carolina since William Perry. At this stage of his career he is lightyears ahead of Clemson standout DaQuan Bowers. Bowers played against limited talent in high school, whereas Clowney has played the best of the best in the state of South Carolina. He also had an absolutely amazing Shrine Bowl, disrupting the North Carolina offense on many occasions including drawing five holding calls. Clowney has narrowed his list down to South Carolina, Alabama, Florida State, and Clemson. In my opinion it’s just a two horse race because Clowney is an SEC football player with South Carolina and their amazing Rock Hill, SC pipeline having the inside track. If Spurrier does indeed land Clowney, he will be the best defensive to play for him since Jevon Kearse another freak-like athlete.

 2. Phillip Dukes, Manning                     6’3”  295      Considering Alabama, Clemson and South Carolina

My Take: Dukes is a monster on the defensive line. He could contribute from the nose guard position or the three-technique. Dukes received his first offer from Clemson as a sophomore at Manning High School. At time Dukes is almost unblockable but there are times on his film that he takes plays off. But wherever Dukes goes when he is motivated he will be a factor on their defense. If the process ended right now I’d see Steve Spurrier and South Carolina signing Dukes but it’s a long way from February 3^rd and National Signing Day. Dukes will visit Alabama on January 7^th, Clemson on January 14^th, and South Carolina on the 21^st. 

3. Gerald Dixon, South Pointe              6’2”  235      Considering South Carolina, Arkansas, Wake Forest and North Carolina

My take: Dixon along with Clowney were a nightmare for opposing players and coaches of the South Pointe Stallions. Dixon could be a real threat off the outside as a complementary player. I don’t see him developing into an every down dynamic pass rusher but I believe he will get many sacks in pass rushing and obvious pass downs. Dixon has a great rip move that he put on display against Spartanburg earlier this year. Dixon is a South Carolina lean but also has offers from Arkansas, Michigan State, North Carolina and Wake Forest. 

4. Roderick Byers, Northwestern          6’4”  262      Considering South Carolina, Georgia Tech and Oregon

My Take: Roderick Byers can play either the end or tackle positions at the next level the way he did at Northwestern High School. Byers is yet another talented defensive linemen from Rock Hill. He has a high motor and can be a very disruptive player with the right coaching. Byers has already visited Georgia Tech and plans to visit South Carolina and Oregon as well.

 5. Gerald Dixon Jr., Northwestern        6’2” 250          Considering South Carolina     

My take: Gerald Dixon Jr. is the brother of South Pointe’s speedy pass rusher, Gerald Dixon. His frame however lends him to being an inside player that can contribute on every play. He has a high motor and is a very underrated run stopper. Speed might be an issue for Dixon Jr. as he was clocked in the forty at a five flat. Like his brother, Dixon Jr. looks like he will be headed to South Carolina which is his only offer. Dixon Jr. has been receiving interest from Duke, LSU, North Carolina, North Carolina State, and Tennessee.