The Dudes: Class 4A’s Best Two-Way Players
Versatile players are a staple of high school football, and South Carolina has plenty of them. Using a five-part series, we looked at four from each classification who we’ve found can be counted on whether their team is looking to…
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Continue ReadingVersatile players are a staple of high school football, and South Carolina has plenty of them.
Using a five-part series, we looked at four from each classification who we’ve found can be counted on whether their team is looking to move the football or stop an opponent from doing just that. In Part 2, we spanned Class 4A and found four who will all likely be determining factors in their teams making and then succeeding in the playoffs in 2021.
Jaylen Sneed Jaylen Sneed 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Hilton Head | 2022 State SC , LB/WC, Hilton Head
We know Sneed is going to be playing linebacker in college. You do, too. But that doesn’t stop the kid with all those P5 offers from making a huge impact on offense for the Seahawks. While taking his share of snaps out of wildcat formations, the state’s top-ranked linebacker has taken over games, like he did in the team’s season opener last year, when he rushed for three touchdowns.
Stephen Smalls, WR/DB, West Florence
The undersized but speedy receiver was second on the Knights’ roster last fall with 192 yards and a pair of touchdowns. What really jumps off seeing him in person, though, is his ability to block downfield and keep moving. It’s a product of his dual role as a defensive back, where he is also charged with keeping an eye on a region full of talented receivers.
Hunter Puckett, RB/DE, Westside
By the time his high school career is over, coach Scott Earley believes Puckett will be a Power 5 defensive end fit for a 3-4 scheme. And given his continuing growth and production, it’s hard to argue. Last fall as a sophomore, the now 6-foot-3 and 240 pounder ran for better than 700 yards and 12 total touchdowns. In the next year, he’ll still start on offense, but will double up on the defensive line.
Cam Ward, RB/LB, Myrtle Beach
At just 5-foot-7, Ward has lulled the roster-watchers into a false sense of security. But the teams who have played against him know how dangerous he can be. Ward may very well lead Myrtle Beach in both rushing yards and tackles in 2021. He showed glimpses of that double-up responsibility last fall, when he tallied 35 total stops and rushed for 217 yards and nine touchdowns before getting knocked out early with an injury.