The best in the nation.

Log onto ESPN's Web site and you will find that talk surrounding Bamberg-Ehrhardt star Daquan Bowers. Throughout practice this week for the ESPNU Under Armour All-American Game, which will air live from Orlando, Fla., on ABC at 2 p.m. today, Bowers has impressed scouts so that he has been elevated from the ninth-rated prospect in the nation to the fourth-rated prospect, and a feature on the Web site Thursday speculated that he could overtake wide receiver Julio Jones as the country's top-rated high school player.

"I guess I have been pretty impressive in practice," Bowers said while watching the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets play Friday night. "I have been out there playing hard and they decided to move me up and I was surprised. Some of the media out there have been saying they are going to put me at number one."

The article cited Bowers' quickness and explosiveness of the edge and said he had been "virtually unblockable" in practices.

"I am honored," Bowers said. "I am glad they think I am good enough to be in the top five in the country, and it would be a great honor to be the number one player in the country."

The game will serve as the finale in a highly decorated career for the Red Raiders' star, who will enroll at Clemson on Jan. 8. Bowers was The T&D SCHSL Player of the Year this year after recording 97 tackles, 33 for loss, 14 sacks and three fumble recoveries during the season. On offense, Bowers rushed for 1,219 yards and 19 touchdowns. He scored two more touchdowns on pass receptions, and Thursday's ESPN report suggested that might be enough to warrant an offensive cameo in today's game.

"I don't know about that," Bowers said with a little laugh. "I have worked on that, but we did talk about me returning some kicks."

Other than Bowers, the game will feature several in-state prospects. Berkeley tailback Andre Ellington, Summerville wide receiver A.J. Green, Chester's Charles Whitlock and A.C. Flora's Kenneth Page are in the game.

"It's going to be exciting," he added. "It's going to be a very competitive, quick-paced game. But, I think my team has the better athletes."

n T&D Sports Editor Brian Linder can be contacted via e-mail at blinder@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5553. Check out his blog, Welcome to Linderland, at www.thetandd.com.

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