For the second straight year, a South Carolina Mr. Football finalist hails from the Lowco.
Hilton Head High senior and two-way phenom Jaylen Sneed was selected Wednesday alongside four other nominees across the state for the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives’ prestigious Mr. Football award.
Established in 1995 by the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Association, the distinction is given to the top high school football player in the Palmetto State. Seven former recipients have played or are currently playing in the National Football League. Sneed is the second Lowco nominee in as many years, joining former May River quarterback Ahmad Green from 2020.
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After verbally committing to the University of Notre Dame in July, Sneed has starred for BJ Payne’s Seahawks on both sides of the ball in 2021. The future Fighting Irish talent has dominated at linebacker during his senior year, making 87 tackles in eight games, including six for a loss, with a sack and an interception. He totaled a whopping 21 tackles with a pass breakup at Wade Hampton on Sept. 24. Sneed has made impacts in all three phases, blocking two punts on special teams. The explosive playmaker has also taken over at quarterback this season, throwing for 210 yards and two touchdowns while adding 696 rushing yards for 10 scores on 6.5 yards per carry.
A high-motor athlete with the ability to shut down the run and defend in pass coverage, Sneed has blossomed into an elite college prospect and hopes to follow in the footsteps of former HHIHS star and current Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Poona Ford. He has also excelled in the classroom, earning a 3.6 grade point average while actively volunteering in the community and at his church. Sneed is the first in HHIHS program history to be nominated for the award.
“I think it showcases and highlights how tremendous of an athlete and football player he is on both sides of the ball,” Payne said. “He’s unselfish. In his career here, he has played wide receiver, quarterback, running back, defensive end, safety, and inside and outside linebacker. It’s awesome to have watched him mature into the young man and player that he is.”
Sneed is joined on the list of nominees by Gray Collegiate running back Kazarius Adams, Northwestern quarterback Will Mattison, Daniel quarterback Trent Pearman, and Myrtle Beach wide receiver Adam Randall.
The winner will be announced at halftime during the 2021 Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl on December 11 at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium in Myrtle Beach.
Sneed left Friday’s game at James Island with a shoulder injury, and is not expected to play in the Seahawks’ Week 10 clash with May River. He hopes to return for the SCHSL Class 4A playoffs, which begin on Nov. 5.
By Wes Kerr
South Carolina Mr. Football History
| Year | Player, Primary Position | High School | College |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Jermale Kelley, WR | Berea | South Carolina |
| 1996 | Kyle Young, OL | Daniel | Clemson |
| 1997 | Chris Hope, DB | Rock Hill | Florida State |
| 1998 | Derek Watson, RB | Palmetto | South Carolina |
| 1999 | Mark Logan, QB | Greenwood | Georgia Tech |
| 2000 | Roscoe Crosby, WR | Union | Clemson |
| 2001 | Moe Thompson, DE | Stratford | South Carolina |
| 2002 | Eric McCollom, QB | Camden | Iowa |
| 2003 | Trey Elder, QB | Byrnes | Appalachian State |
| 2004 | J.D. Melton, QB | Myrtle Beach | Navy |
| 2005 | Prince Miller, DB | Byrnes | Georgia |
| 2006 | Malcolm Long, QB | Gaffney | South Carolina State |
| 2007 | Richard Mounce, QB | Blythewood | Charleston Southern |
| 2008 | Stephon Gilmore, DB | South Pointe | South Carolina |
| 2009 | Marcus Lattimore, RB | Byrnes | South Carolina |
| 2010 | Jadeveon Clowney, DE | South Pointe | South Carolina |
| 2011 | Shaq Roland, WR | Lexington | South Carolina |
| 2012 | Tramel Terry, WR | Goose Creek | Georgia |
| 2013 | Jacob Park, WR | Stratford | Georgia |
| 2014 | Matthew Colburn, RB | Dutch Fork | Wake Forest |
| 2015 | Tavien Feaster, RB | Spartanburg | Clemson |
| 2016 | Gage Maloney, QB | Northwestern | James Madison |
| 2017 | Dakereon Joyner, QB | Fort Dorchester | South Carolina |
| 2018 | Zacch Pickens, DE | T.L. Hanna | South Carolina |
| 2019 | Luke Doty, QB | Myrtle Beach | South Carolina |
| 2020 | Ty’rion Ingram-Dawkins, DT | Gaffney | Georgia |
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