10/8/2007 football Edit

Pinckney Breaking The Mold Of SCISA Football Players

Jim Baxter

SCVarsity.com Publisher

Columbia (SC) The South Carolina Independent School Association - SCISA - is not known for producing DI football prospects on a yearly basis. But the Class of 2008 will see at least one player from Hammond School get that opportunity, as Skyhawk linebacker Stone Pinckney has turned the heads of some major DI programs with his prowess on the field this

season.

"Stone is one of the best football players I've ever coached," said Hammond

School head coach Erik Kimrey. "He's definitely a solid prospect for the DI level if

someone will give him a chance." Kimrey should know what a DI player looks like, as

he was a quarterback for the University of South Carolina under Lou Holtz.

Pinckney, at 5-11 3/4 and 210lbs, is dominating at the linebacker position in the SCISA

AAA ranks. Through seven games, Pinckney has 116 tackles, 13 for loss, 8 sacks, 4 caused

fumbles, 1 fumble recovery. On film, what stands out is that he is truly a sideline to

sideline player with the athletic ability to play the entire field. He has tremendous

ability to shed blocks and he is a big-play maker.

Obviously, when people look at Pinckney as a major DI prospect, they will note his size

and the fact that he is playing in SCISA football. But Pinckney has the athletcism,

ability, and passion to get it done. He's no smaller than three of the top linebacker

prospects that came out of South Carolina in the 2007 class (Charles White, Stanley

Hunter, Scotty Cooper) and would make a great pick up for a smaller DI school. He also put

up great numbers at the SCVarsity.com All-State Football Combine this past Spring as one

of the top athletes.

"Stone is very coachable," said Kimrey, "and has a passion for the game

that drives him to continually improve himself and his game."

Among the Ivy League schools who love Pinckney (he has a 3.7 GPA), are NC State, who

has invited him up for a game, and Duke.

SCVarsity.com will continue to follow this outstanding athlete and bring you updates on

his recruiting.