While the May evaluation period is still several weeks away, the recruiting trail

through South Carolina has seen a lot of traffic as several of the state's prospects

continue to generate heavy interest, and the sleepers are beginning to emerge from that

status to legitimate targets on the boards.

Keenan linebacer Allen Smith (6-1, 225) is a player that has flown under the radar

until this past week, when the University of Central Florida extended an offer during an

unofficial visit to the Sunshine state school. Smith collected 65 tackles this past

season, including 10 sacks and 12 tackles for loss for a struggling Keenan program.

Another player who has gone from sleeper to big target is Lewisville defensive end Dion

Foster (6-4, 240). Foster has been travelling with his AAU basketball team this summer,

and got an offer from Auburn during a visit there last week. Michigan is also showing

interest.

There are other players that we feel are going to turn heads after combine performances

and Spring practice.

src="http://vmedia.rivals.com/IMAGES/PROSPECT/PHOTO/JBSHIPPY3_21150.JPG" width="150"

height="220" align="left">Gaffney's J.B. Shippey (pictured left) known

about, but not necessarily high on the boards of recruiters right now. A bit undersized at

5-11, 200lbs, Shippey was a force for the State Champion Indians this past year,

collecting 200 tackles. He visited South Carolina for their junior day and was impressed.

While small for his position, Shippey has excellent speed and has good strenght. He's a

pad level player at the linebacker position and will attract attention with a solid Spring

practice.

Another linebacker that passes the eyeball test is Richland Northeast's Chaz

Washington. At 6-2, 190, Washington has the frame to pack on more weight and is a

ferocious hitter from his linebacker spot. He's only started for one year, however, and he

needs to get stronger and faster to make his stock rise. He's still caught the eye of

several schools who are "watching" him closely right now.

Cliff Stevenson (6-2, 280) of Columbia High School is one of the best

kept secrets in the state. The big man played both ways for Coach Kemper Amick's team,

though several schools like him at the defensive tackle position - and he may be one of

the best at that position in the state. Look for offers for this young man during the May

evaluation period.

Its difficult to call Byrnes defensive lineman Everette Dawkins a

sleeper when he already has two offers (Maryland, Wake Forest), but this 6-2, 250lbs

trenchman is going to have a lot more suiters calling once they get a look at him in

action this Spring. For those who have never seen him, they will see a big bodied, strong,

and extremely athletic player dominating his man. His biggest attribute is his explosive

power and his athleticism for his size.

src="http://vmedia.rivals.com/IMAGES/PROSPECT/PHOTO/JAYSPEARMAN3_21150.JPG" width="150"

height="220" align="left">Greenwood quarterback Jay Spearman (pictured

left)is probably going to rate inside the Top Ten players list for SCVarsity.com for this

class. The 6-1, 190lbs quarterback could play several positions at the next level, though

he is extremely lethal as a dual threat quarterback at the high school level, passing and

rushing for more than 1000 yards this past season. He was tested at Athletes Arena

recently where he ran a 4.53 and 4.51 40 on grass. Obviously, he has great speed and is

very close to an offer from South Carolina already.