PEYTON BISHOP HAD A STANDOUT SEASON RUSHING THE EDGE AT 4A A.C. FLORA HIGH SCHOOL IN 2024
Peyton Bishop is a 6-foot-4, 227-pound Class of 2027 sophomore from A.C. Flora High School in Columbia, SC who had a standout season under "Midlands Friday Night Lights" in 2024.
Bishop recorded 76 tackles, eight sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 16 tackles for loss, 17 quarterback hurries, and 4 pass breakups while playing against good competition in the 4A division of the Palmetto State.
He was a star member of a Falcons' squad that finished 8-4 this season. Flora turned in another strong performance in 2024, but was blown out by star-studded Westside in the second round of the playoffs. They played top state opponents such as South Pointe and others along the way.
FALCONS' STAR DEFENSIVE END TALKS RECRUITMENT FROM HEAD COACH CHENNIS BARRY, HBCU POWER SOUTH CAROLINA STATE WITH PALMETTO PREPS CO-OWNER, LEE WARDLAW
Bishop tendered his first Division One offer from South Carolina State on June 21 after turning in a strong performance at the Bulldogs' prospect camp. He talked about his State offer in an exclusive with Palmetto Preps. "I'm hungry and humble to compete," he said.
Bishop talked about aspects he likes about the State program under head coach Chennis Berry."Just the 1-0 mentality. That leads to a winning culture," he said.
Bishop likes what he sees in Berry. "He is a winning coach that is (working to) establish a winning program, and I love that," he said.
The Bulldogs earn a coveted Celebration Bowl bid under Barry in 2024, but fall 28-7 to 12-2 Jackson State in a the highly-touted, big-ticket HBCU national championship game.
The coach brings a winning culture to State from Benedict College in Columbia.
Berry establishes a tough style of play during his time with the Division 2 HBCU program in Columbia. Barry brings glory to the Tigers' fans in the form of back-to-back HBCU Division II national championships. This season, he translates that trademark attitude and identity in Orangeburg.
Barry is already on the path to success during his first season with the Bulldogs. He leads State to yet another conference title in 2024. They record their 19th overall MEAC championship during his first season in town.
Bishop was on campus at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium to take it all in with the Bulldogs for their big, 24-21 win over North Carolina Central under the Halloween Night Lights in Orangeburg. He talked about the sights and sounds of State.
"I witnessed an electric program and atmosphere. (State) showed that they never gave up, and the (experience) was just all-around great," he said.
SCOUTING PEYTON BISHOP
Peyton already possesses Division 1 size as a sophomore.
A solid edge rusher with a prototypical build, Bishop gets a good push off the line of scrimmage, peels off offensive lineman, and meets ball carriers at the point of attack.
Demonstrating a wide range of motion, Peyton shows off good tackling abilities from several perspectives. He completes many stops on running backs finishing at a 360-degree angle. Bishop gets low to the ground and slings down those ball carriers. Circling around to finish his sequences, Peyton resembles a wrestler in those instances.
Bishop is fast and physical. He has the ability track down ball-carriers and quarterbacks and finish them with violent, exciting hits. Bishop drives his feet and pushes them away from the line of scrimmage into negative territory.
He also shows off the ability to find running backs in between the tackles.
Peyton certainly demonstrated FCS, and potential FBS-level ability as a sophomore.
Bishop still needs to improve on his strength and some other aspects to become a truly dominant recruit.
But Peyton has the traits necessary to become a player at the next level, perhaps even at the Power Four level in the future.
The good news for Bishop is that he still has plenty of time to grow. And his recruitment will certainly be one that Palmetto Preps will continue to track as his progress continues to unfold in Columbia.
FILM
Bishop gets fast off the line of scrimmage from the snap, peeling off offensive lineman with long, rangy arms. Then, he conducts precise swim-moves to get to the second level of the play and find the quarterback for a sack. (0:09-0:17)
Bishop shows off a wide range of motion when defending against the run, getting low and slinging the ball-carrier with his hips. Similar to a wrestler, he finishes the tackle with a 360-degree progression. (0:23-28)
Peyton works his way through a crowded six-man front, meeting the running back at the point of attack. Bishop drives the ball-carrier back with his feet and throws the opponent to the turf. (0:57-1:00)
Peyton shows off his ability to bat down the ball, further showcasing his potential profile as an all-around edge rusher. Then, left unguarded on the edge, Bishop demonstrates another underrated quality, further showcasing not only his speed, but the disruption that he can cause when making a big sack. A fumble ensues. And the hit he makes resembles a big-time SEC play at the high school level. (3:40-3:49) (5:25-5:36)
Bishop shows off good pre-play recognition. Then, he is left untouched by a South Pointe offensive lineman when rushing the edge. That's when an exciting chase of Cam McMillon ensues. McMillon is a solid, 6-foot-5, 235-pound pro-style quarterback who is being recruited to play in the Division 1. He holds an offer from Marshall. Peyton shows off exciting speed and good instincts to disrupt the play for an incompletion. And doing so against McMillon is a testament to his abilities. (3:54-4:04)
Bishop shows off good play recognition to find the running back in between the tackles. And in the second instance, he does so against a strong Chapin offensive line. (4:14-4:20) (5:49-5:57).
NOTES
The two-sport star also plays baseball. He attended 2A Keenan last season. Bishop was on campus camping with high-profile Power Four instate programs South Carolina and Clemson in June, testing his skills in front of Gamecocks' and Tigers coaches. Bishop says he is drawing some interest from USC and FCS Chattanooga.
