State of position: South Carolina and defensive ends
In the second part of a weeklong series, we look at states that have had surprising success in the Rivals era dating back to 2002 at a certain position. We continue with an in-depth look at South Carolina and just how many elite defensive ends it has produced during that stretch:
MORE STATES: Alabama and wide receivers
THE OVERVIEW
When it comes to the most elite defensive end during the Rivals era the conversation starts and ends with one name: Jadeveon Clowney.
The five-star from Rock Hill (S.C.) South Pointe was dominant on the high school level and is at least in the discussion for the best No. 1 overall recruit in Rivals history. He then dominated at South Carolina before being the first pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
But Clowney is hardly the only five-star standout defensive end from South Carolina as the state has produced six of them in the Rivals era with Ricky Sapp, Daquan Bowers, Carlos Dunlap, Zacch Pickens and now Jordan Burch in the 2020 class.
Two of those players (Sapp and Bowers) went to Clemson, two others (Clowney and Pickens) picked South Carolina, Dunlap played at Florida and Burch remains uncommitted although many feel it will be an in-state battle between the Tigers and the Gamecocks.
By comparison, North Carolina has had only three five-star defensive ends in the Rivals era and none have had the cachet of Clowney or others. Tennessee has also had three.
Florida has had eight, but if Clemson’s Xavier Thomas is counted with the South Carolina bunch since he played at Florence (S.C.) Wilson before transferring to Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy, then the state is even surprisingly stronger at that position. Georgia leads the region with nine five-star defensive ends in that time period, but at least a few of them have been considered busts.
The state of South Carolina has churned out elite four-star defensive ends as well. Thirteen players from there have earned that status in the Rivals era led by former Central (S.C.) D.W. Daniel’s Shaq Lawson, who went to Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy before heading off to Clemson and then becoming a first-round NFL Draft pick by the Buffalo Bills.
All 13 four-star prospects from South Carolina stayed in the Southeast to play college football but only five of them picked Clemson or the Gamecocks.
FARRELL'S TAKE
South Carolina is actually the state that started the idea to do this series because I continue to be impressed with how it churns out impressive defensive ends over and over.
Clowney of course is the main one people think of, but Bowers was No. 2 in the nation and Dunlap has gone on to NFL success after a solid career at Florida. You could argue that Sapp didn’t live up to his five-star status, but he’s the only one.
And now, including Thomas it’s amazingly getting better. Thomas is a beast and will step in and have a massive season for Clemson while Pickens is a great athlete and pickup for South Carolina. Burch could be better than either as he continues to develop because he’s longer and more athletic, and just needs to add some strength and fill out that amazing frame.
You would think of other states, such as North Carolina with Julius Peppers and Mario Williams, before you’d think of South Carolina when it comes to defensive ends. But keep an eye out for the Palmetto State for future defensive end stars.
And the reason why? I have no idea but I’ll have to chalk it up to coaching, as the high school coaches for many of these stars have done a great job with them.