10 players from SC colleges ranked inside ESPN’s Top 100 player list
ESPN released its annual list of the top 100 college football athletes on Wednesday, and the Palmetto State was well represented.
Seven players from Clemson made the list, along with two from the University of South Carolina and one from Coastal Carolina.
Six of the Tigers on the list were defensive players. Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (13) and defensive end Myles Murphy (18) earned spots in the top 20. Linebacker Trenton Simpson (38), and safety Andrew Mukuba (99) joined the list after going unranked last season.
Xavier Thomas (53) and Tyler Davis (63), both seniors, rounded out the defenders.
Running back Will Shipley, Clemson’s lone skill position player on the list, came in at No. 55.
The Gamecocks were represented by cornerback Cam Smith at No. 59 and quarterback Spencer Rattler at No. 78. Rattler entered last season ranked No. 1 on the ESPN list. Smith was not ranked on ESPN’s last installment of the list.
Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall was ranked No. 35, described as “the most uniquely efficient college QB we’ve ever seen.”
In total, schools from South Carolina accounted for 10% of the list.
NFL Draft watch
Additionally, ESPN released Todd McShay’s top 50 NFL Draft prospects, with Clemson and USC players receiving mentions.
For the Tigers, Murphy and Bresee were ranked 10th and 13th, respectfully. USC’s Cam Smith came in at No. 18 overall.
Murphy was ranked first among defensive ends, and Bresee was second among defensive tackles. Smith was listed as the second-best cornerback.
Though not listed in the top 50, Thomas was listed as the No. 11 defensive end, Simpson as the No. 3 inside linebacker and Davis as the No. 15 defensive tackle.
McShay ranked Rattler as the No. 9 overall quarterback in the draft.
Also outside the top 50 overall for USC: Josh Vann (No. 17 receiver); Jaheim Bell (No. 4 TE), Austin Stogner (No. 12 TE) and Zacch Pickens (No. 10 DT).
