By Thomas Grant Jr. T&D Senior Sports Writer |
Experienced line anchors Bulldog D
The S.C. State starting defensive line will be an experienced group led by All-MEAC second-team selection Cedric Lloyd (6-5, 225) and fellow ends junior Markus James (6-2, 240) and Xavier Littleberry (6-5, 260). Senior James Simmons (6-0, 255) is expected to start at tackle, with Jayson Ayers (6-3, 250), nose tackle Sterling Blunt (6-3, 250), sophomore Joe Council (6-2, 250) and freshman Ronnell Ferguson (6-3, 245) providing depth.
After being forced to redshirt last season after suffering an arm injury against Bethune-Cookman, Marshall McFadden is back bigger (6-2, 220) and now at MIKE linebacker. The Lamar native has caught on quickly to the responsibilities of his new position and adds further athleticism and play-making ability to a group rich in those attributes.
Senior linebacker Tony White is having in Pough’s words one of the best training camps of his Bulldog career. The Seneca native has 179 tackles, 19 sacks and seven interceptions in his career and has led the Bulldogs in tackles in two of his three seasons.
Sophomore Julius Wilkerson (6-4, 225) started at middle linebacker last season, but now finds himself in a battle for playing time with David Erby (6-0, 220), who’s returning from a season-ending knee injury.
Last season, Markee Hamlin (6-0, 170) led the team and his family (his brother Michael is a top senior safety at Clemson) in interceptions. The Lamar native hopes to improve on those numbers as well as provide better support for a secondary that gave up big passing plays in games against Norfolk State and Delaware State.
Phillip Adams (6-1, 185) is counting on his experience playing for the S.C. State men’s basketball team to help him become a more agile cornerback. Lining up opposite of him at corner is defensive captain Terrance Allen (5-10, 180), who was a safety last season.
At free safety is Williston-Elko’s Rafael Bush (5-11, 180), who filled in admirably for McFadden after he was lost for the season. Rounding out of the secondary are safety Devonne Quattlebaum (5-9, 175), Marquais Hamlin (6-0, 185) and freshman Yari King (5-9, 170).
Special teams
Junior Aaron Haire has developed into one of the team’s most improved players. Last season, he was second in the MEAC in punting (41.9 yards per kick) and utilized as a place-kicker in the first-ever meeting against the University of South Carolina. He will be backed up by Leigh Manley, a transfer from Methodist College.
If there was an area of inconsistency for the Bulldogs last season, it was in the kicking department. Despite connecting on 36-37 extra points and tying a school record with 11 field goals, Stephen Grantham missed 12 field goals, including key misses against Norfolk State and Delaware State. Looking to provide stability at that position are freshmen Blake Erickson (5-10, 165) of Pensacola, Fla., and Matthew Patterson (6-4, 230) of Class 4-A Division II champion Clover High School.
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