S.C. State’s Hamlin likes big stage

Getting to play at Williams-Brice Stadium might be something new for many of the South Carolina State football team but not for Markee Hamlin.

The former Lamar standout is no stranger to playing on South Carolina’s home field. Hamlin played on S.C. State’s team when they faced USC in 2007 and was on the field three times when the Silver Foxes won three straight Class A championships from 2002-04.

“It definitely is a special place and I have a lot of good memories playing there,” Hamlin said this week. “Getting to play in three straight championships was a lot of fun.”

But getting a win today against the Gamecocks will be a much tougher task. USC defeated S.C. State 38-3 in 2007 and are coming off an upset of No. 4 Mississippi last week.

“We just got to go out there and play our game and then see what happens,” said Hamlin, who had an interception against the Gamecocks in ’07. “We have had good practices all week.”

Whatever happens on the field, you can bet Hamlin will be right in the middle of it on the defensive side of the ball. The senior strong safety was a first team all-MEAC selection last year and was a preseason first-team choice this year.

Through three games, Hamlin is third on the team in tackles with 15 and also has one pass breakup.

Hamlin acts like the quarterback in the secondary, much like he did when he was at Lamar where played both quarterback and in the secondary.

“The two positions are very similar,” Hamlin said. “At quarterback, you got to know what all the positions are doing. At safety, it is the same thing. You got to know everyone’s assignments.”

Hamlin says he has definitely improved his game since arriving Orangeburg especially reading the quarterback and becoming a better tackler.

Hamlin also has taken more of leadership role on the team with the absence of Marshall McFadden, his teammate at Lamar, who is out for the season with a broken hand.

“I try and get to them before the coaches can when guys make a mistake,” Hamlin said.

Hamlin, who will graduate in December with a degree in sports management, also hopes his playing days won’t end when he is done at S.C. State. He has dreams of joining his brother Michael, a safety for the Dallas Cowboys, in the NFL.

Hamlin said his brother has been giving him advice and that he plans to begin work with a trainer to try and earn a spot in the NFL combine.

“I would love to play in the pros,” Hamlin said. I’m just going to keep working hard and see what happens.”

Pee Dee Players
A look at Pee Dee players and how they are faring playing football at South Carolina State:

- S Marquais Hamlin (Lamar) — Has two tackles

- S Markee Hamlin (Lamar) — Third on team with 15 tackles and has one pass breakup

- RB Chris Massey (Cheraw) — Has two carries for four yards

- LB Donovan Richard (Carvers Bay) — Has seven tackles

- RT Josh Harrison (Lake City) — Starts at right tackle

- LG Jake Johnson (Hartsville) — Starting at left guard

- P Leigh Manley (Darlington) — Averaging 35.9 a kick this season

- LG Sterling Blunt (Hemingway) — Backup at guard and has made one start this season

- DE Jayson Ayers (Marlboro County) — Has eight tackles and one sack

- C Casey Fortune (Lee Central) — Has made two starts at center

- WR Arnett James (Pee Dee Academy) — Has appeared in one game this season

- DB Donovan Malloy (Hartsville) — Has appeared in one game this season

- Other Pee Dee players on the roster are Richard Cue (Wilson), Bootsie Gattison (Darlington), Lawrence Davis (Wilson), Franklin Fulmore (Kingstree), Caleb Davis (Wilson) and Dyrell Porchea (Carvers Bay)