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[Crimson Surfer]

Safeties grab the spotlight in South Carolina

Defensive-minded football coaches should look to South Carolina to stop the long ball. Why? Three of the state's top players are safeties, and one player classified as an athlete, Stephon Gilmore (Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe), will more than likely play in the secondary at the next level.

Defensive players as a whole are a normal highlight of South Carolina high school talent. In 2008, the top man in the state and ESPN's no.1-ranked player in the country was defensive end DaQuan Bowers (Clemson). As a matter of fact, three of the state's best nine players played that same position. In 2009 seven of the top 10 prospects play defense, including defensive ends Sam Montgomery (Greenwood, S.C.) and Malliciah Goodman (West Florence, S.C.).

On a national scale, the Palmetto State is represented with 10 players in the ESPNU 150, two of whom rank in the top 20. Gilmore's teammate, safety Devonte Holloman (Rock Hill, S.C./South Pointe), along with the state's best player Damario Jeffery (Columbia, S.C.) exemplify the secondary talent in South Carolina. A smooth, fluid athlete, Holloman reacts well to the sweep, option and sprint-out pass instinctively. He wastes little time filling the seams and attacking the football with leverage. Such is the aggressive style of the defensive backs in the state.