As I was watching a special on one of the networks on television, I got the idea to go through and list the top players in South Carolina from the past decade (ten years back to 2004) who had never played in a state championship game. What I thought would be a pretty simple task turned out to be very difficult because of the sheer depth of talent in this state year in and year out. After much self-debate and consultation with some very good friends in the South Carolina football coaching community, I've come up with what I feel is a pretty good selection representative of the Top Ten Players to have missed playing in a state title game.
DEANDRE HOPKINS
Wide Receiver, D.W. Daniel High School
Class of 2010
Hopkins is another player who was a standout during his high school career in South Carolina. He was a two-sport superstar who had opportunities to play basketball, also, but chose football to further his career. He was a two-way starter for the D.W. Daniel Lions, playing safety and wide receiver. As a defensive back, he had 23 interceptions in his junior and senior year. He was a finalist for the 2009 Mr. Football Award. As a three-year starter at Clemson, Hopkins set an ACC record of 18 receiving touchdowns, and two Clemson records (82 receptions season, and 12 100-yards receiving games). He was the 27th overall pick of the NFL draft and is with the Houston Texans.
DEANDRE HOPKINS
Wide Receiver, D.W. Daniel High School
Class of 2010
Hopkins is another player who was a standout during his high school career in South Carolina. He was a two-sport superstar who had opportunities to play basketball, also, but chose football to further his career. He was a two-way starter for the D.W. Daniel Lions, playing safety and wide receiver. As a defensive back, he had 23 interceptions in his junior and senior year. He was a finalist for the 2009 Mr. Football Award. As a three-year starter at Clemson, Hopkins set an ACC record of 18 receiving touchdowns, and two Clemson records (82 receptions season, and 12 100-yards receiving games). He was the 27th overall pick of the NFL draft and is with the Houston Texans.