South Carolina All-State College Football Team: Six repeat selections, all-conference players highlight annual exclusive gridiron squad
For the third straight year, the Orangeburg Touchdown Club has reserved a special, exclusive place of honor for the Palmetto State's best college football players. Joshua Lawson earned his second-consecutive All-State honor while Andrew Rowell and Trevar Brought each earned their first following the Bulldogs' 7-4 season in 2007.
Reviving an old tradition from years past, the OTC has once again released its South Carolina All-State College Football Team. From South Carolina's 12 colleges and universities which field football teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision and Division II and NAIA, the OTC board committee, sports information directors and local journalists worked together to select this year's team.
This year's list of 27 players includes six repeat selections, including two three-time selections in Clemson running back James Davis and Coastal Carolina wide receiver Jerome Simpson. Davis is also one of seven players who were raised in Georgia who made the team.
The 2007 OTC All-State team also includes 23 All-Conference selections and three All-Americans (offensive lineman Heath Benedict of Newberry College, Barry Richardson of Clemson and James Lee of South Carolina State).
All of the honorees are invited to this year's OTC banquet, set for Jan. 23, 2008, at The Cinema. This year's guest speaker is former Air Force Academy head coach Fisher DeBerry.
Touchdown Club banquet tickets are $15 for high school students, $25 in advance and $30 at the door if space is available. Tickets will be sold at South Carolina State University, Community Resource Bank, The Times and Democrat, Hibbits Insurance, Centrex Promotions and the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce. The buffet will open at 6 p.m., with the program starting soon afterward.
2007 Orangeburg Touchdown Club
All-State Team
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK
* Cullen Harper, Redshirt Junior, 6-4, 220 lbs. (Clemson)
The Georgia native made a great impression on the Atlantic Coast Conference in his first season as a starter. A second-team All-ACC selection, Harper completed 67 percent of his passes during the regular season for 2,887 yards and a school-record 27 touchdowns against only six interceptions. His 146.9 passing rating led the ACC and his 30 total touchdowns during the regular season was second in Clemson history only behind the 31 scored by Orangeburg native Woodrow Dantzler.
RUNNING BACKS
* William Ford, Redshirt Sophomore, 5-11, 185 lbs. (South Carolina State)
A year after winning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year honors, the Travelers Rest native avoided the sophomore jinx with a second straight 1,000-yard season. Ford rushed for 1,389 yards on 210 carries and scored four touchdowns for the Bulldogs. He also tied a school record with seven 100-yard rushing games and, in the regular-season finale against North Carolina A&T, set a single-game school record with 322 yards. It was the highest total posted by a Football Championship Subdivision running back this season.
* James Davis, Junior, 5-11, 210 lbs. (Clemson)
A two-time ACC first-team and three-time OTC All-State selection, the Atlanta native rushed for 992 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Against the University of South Carolina, Davis rushed for 122 yards for his 12th career 100-yard rushing game, second in school history behind Raymond Priester. He also ranks second in career rushing yards at Clemson with 3,058 yards and touchdowns with 35.
WIDE RECEIVERS
* Aaron Kelly, Redshirt Junior, 6-5, 190 lbs. (Clemson)
One of four Tiger first-team ACC selections, the Marietta, Ga., native led the conference in receiving yards per game and touchdowns (11), which set a single-season school record along with his 84 catches during the regular season. Against Wake Forest on Nov. 10, Kelly became the second Tiger to catch a touchdown in five straight games and ranks third on the school's career receiving touchdowns' list with 16.
* Jerome Simpson, Senior, 6-2, 185 lbs. (Coastal Carolina)
The Big South's all-time leading receiver in yards (2,720) and touchdowns (44) and three-time OTC All-State selection, the Reidsville, N.C., native was the first wideout in league history with back-to-back 10 touchdown passes. He caught 11 this season to go with 41 catches for 697 yards. His 44 career touchdowns are the fourth-most in Football Championship Subdivision history and he holds the Chanticleers' single-game, single-season and career receiving records for receptions, yardage and touchdowns.
* Kenny McKinley, Junior, 6-1, 181 lbs. (University of South Carolina)
The Georgia native's play at lead receiver more than helped ease the blow from the early departure of Sidney Rice to the NFL. This season, he set a school record with 77 receptions for a team-leading 968 yards and nine touchdowns in earning All-SEC first-team honors from the coaches, Rivals.com and the Associated Press. McKinley led the SEC in receptions (77) and receptions per game (6.42) and was second in receiving yards per game (80.7). His best game of the season was a 14-catch, 151-yard performance against Tennessee and he's caught a pass in 33 consecutive games.
TIGHT END
* Larry Hedden, Sophomore, 6-5, 257 lbs. (Furman University)
In his first season as a starter, the Birmingham, Ala., native caught 36 passes for 421 yards and three touchdowns. He was the ninth Paladin tight end to garner all-conference honors since 1999 and 22nd overall since 1977.
OFFENSIVE LINE
* Barry Richardson, Senior, 6-7, 330 lbs. (Clemson)
A preseason Playboy first-team All-American and first-team All-ACC selection, the Mount Pleasant native has started 44 consecutive games and will make his third start in a bowl game. Playing at offensive tackle, Richardson has helped the Tiger offense rank 13th nationally in pass efficiency offense, 23rd in scoring offense and average 412 yards per game in earning first-team All-American status by collegefootballnews.com.
* James Lee, Redshirt Senior, 6-6, 300 lbs. (South Carolina State)
A third-team AP All-American and the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year, the University of Georgia transfer helped provide the upfront blocking which enabled the Bulldogs to lead the MEAC in total offense in averaging 401.6 yards per game and finish second in points scored at 26.7 per game. He was also a three-time MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week recipient and had arguably his best game against Hampton when he graded out 84 percent, allowed no sacks and had seven cut blocks.
* Raymond 'Duck' Harrison, Junior, 6-0, 295 lbs. (South Carolina State)
The Columbia native has started at center for all three of his seasons with the Bulldogs. A first-team All-MEAC first-team selection, Harrison helped provide the upfront blocking which enabled SCSU to lead the MEAC in total offense and produce a 1,000-yard rusher for the fourth straight year.
* Heath Benedict, Redshirt Senior, 6-6, 335 lbs. (Newberry)
A two-time AP Little All-American First Team for the second straight season and a Gene Upshaw Award finalist given to the nation's best Division II lineman, the Greer native helped the Indians compile a 20-4 record the past two seasons. He was the only South Atlantic Conference player named to the Little All-American team and will become just the fourth SAC player to compete in the 2008 Under Armour Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
* Joel Bell, Junior, 6-7, 316 lbs. (Furman)
A starting left tackle for 10 of 11 games, the Spartanburg native helped key a Paladin offensive attack that averaged 31.6 points and 407.8 yards per game. He is a two-time All-Southern Conference selection who ranks as one of the tallest offensive lineman in school history. As a freshman, he was the first Paladin offensive lineman to earn Freshman of the Week honors.
DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
* Wesley Ardis, Senior, 6-5, 268 lbs. (Furman University)
A three-year starter at defensive end, the Calhoun Falls graduate tallied 50 tackles, including 11 for loss, and notched a SoCon-leading six sacks on a Paladin defensive unit which had a league-leading 29 sacks.
* Trever Broughton, Senior, 6-2, 255 lbs. (The Citadel)
The Bulldogs of Charleston posted their first winning season in a decade and the Hampton native played an integral role in that success. In 11 games, Broughton finished third on the team in tackles (72), a team-high 15 going for losses, and he led the team in sacks (5.5) and quarterback hurries (6).
* Sherman Burnett, Senior, 6-0, 225 lbs. (Presbyterian College)
An All-Big South Academic selection, the Georgia native and 2003 South Atlantic Conference Freshman of the year finished his career with 203 tackles. He had 56 tackles, 13.5 for losses, a team-high seven tackles and twice being named Defensive Player of the Week by the coaching staff. Burnett's efforts helped the Blue Hose finish with a winning record in their first season in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.
* Phillip Merling, Junior, 6-5, 265 lbs. (Clemson University)
The former Calhoun County High School two-sport standout has developed into an NFL prospect during his two seasons with the Tigers. An honorable mention All-American by Pro Football Weekly, Merling was a three-time ACC Player of the Week selection -- the first Tiger defensive lineman who receive such multiple honors since James Robinson in 1983. In 12 regular-season games, Merling led all Clemson defensive lineman with 73 tackles, 16 for losses, and six sacks.
* Eric Norwood, Sophomore, 6-0, 264 lbs. (University of South Carolina)
There was no sophomore jinx for the Georgia native, who followed his freshman All-American campaign by making All-SEC first-team honors. The Gamecock defensive end was a big play performer with 69 tackles, including a school-record 19.5 tackles for loss, which ranked third in the SEC and tied for seventh in the nation. He also tied for second in the SEC with three fumble recoveries and had six sacks. His most spectacular performance took place Oct. 4 against previously eighth-ranked Kentucky when he tied an NCAA record by returning two fumbles for touchdowns, in which he ranked ninth in the conference.
LINEBACKERS
* Jada Ross, Redshirt Senior, 5-10, 230 lbs. (Charleston Southern)
An OTC honoree last season, the Summerville native earned a fourth All-Big South Conference selection and third straight appearance on the first team. He again led the way in tackles for CSU, breaking his own school record with 131 tackles, reaching double figures in eight of the team's 11 games. He also had four pass breakups and blocked three kicks this year.
* Seth Goldwire, Junior, 5-11, 220 lbs. (Wofford)
The Guyton, Ga.. native and first-team All-SoCon linebacker played a key role in the Terriers' 9-4 campaign. He led the team with 90 tackles, was seventh in the conference in total tackles and had 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.
* Andrew Rowell, Senior, 5-10, 213 lbs.
A first-team All-Southern Conference selection, the Alabama native led the Bulldogs with 102 tackles, 12.5 for losses, collected three interceptions and deflected five passes in 11 games. His efforts helped The Citadel lead the SoCon in total defense, allowing 356 yards per game, and opponents' first downs allowed.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
* Michael Hamlin, Junior, 6-3, 205 lbs. (Clemson University)
The older brother of South Carolina State safety Markee Hamlin, the permanent Tiger defensive captain and second-team All-ACC selection led the team with six takeaways -- four interceptions and two fumble recoveries -- and had six pass breakups. Against North Carolina State, Hamlin intercepted a two-point conversion pass attempt and returned it 100 yards for the first-ever defensive score off an opponent's extra point in school history. This is his second straight appearance on the OTC All-State team.
* Captain Munnerlyn, Sophomore, 5-9, 180 lbs. (University of South Carolina)
The Mobile, Ala., native was considered one of the Gamecocks' best cover cornerbacks for the nation's fifth-ranked pass defense. He tied for the team lead with three interceptions and was credited with 47 tackles, including 40 solo stops while playing in 11 of the 12 games. He had his best game against Tennessee when he logged a team-best and career-high 11 tackles, including two tackles for loss, and an interception.
* Marrio Norman, Redshirt Junior, 5-11, 180 (Coastal Carolina)
Despite playing in only eight games after being sidelined with a high ankle sprain, the Greenwood native still led the Big South in interceptions (5) and his 53 tackles (28 solo) ranked ninth in the league. Against Presbyterian, he tied a Big South record with three interceptions along with a fumble recovery, pass breakup and four tackles. For his career, Norman is tied for second in school history with 10 picks in three years.
* Joshua Lawson, Senior, 5-11, 194 lbs. (The Citadel)
A now two-time OTC All-State selection, the Scott's Branch High School graduate was fourth in the Southern Conference in tackles (96) and had nine pass breakups to earn All Southern Conference first-team honors for the second straight year. He had a career-best 15 tackles against defending three-time SoCon champion Appalachian State
SPECIAL TEAMS
PLACE-KICKER
* Ryan Succop, Junior, 6-2, 214 lbs. (University of South Carolina)
A Lou Groza Award semifinalist and second-team All-SEC selection last season, the Hickory, N.C., native has proven more than adept in handing kickoffs, punts and placements for the Gamecocks. He was 13-for-17 in field goal attempts with three of his four misses coming from at least 47 yards out. He kicked three field goals in the 16-12 win at Georgia, earning SEC Special Teams Player of the Week, and averaged 41.6 yards per punt, fifth in the SEC and 37th in the country. Succop was an honorable mention All-SEC selection this season.
PUNTER
* Aaron Haire, Sophomore, 5-9, 175 lbs. (South Carolina State)
The Orangeburg native was among the most improved players on the Bulldog squad this season. His 42.5 yards punting average in 10 games ranked second in the MEAC and 15 of his 42 kicks landed inside the opponents' 20-yard line. His 37-yard field goal against the University of South Carolina accounted for the only points by the Bulldogs in the historic meeting.
KICK RETURNER
* C.J. Spiller, Sophomore, 5-11, 190 lbs. (Clemson University)
As part of the Tigers' "Thunder and Lightning" backfield with James Davis, the Florida native has reached 1,000 career rushing years quicker than anyone in school history. His 50-yard touchdown run against Duke on Nov. 3 also set a school record with eight touchdowns of 50 yards or more. As a kick returner, Spiller was the only ACC player with two kickoff returns for touchdowns and was the first Tiger to do so in consecutive games.
