Personal Injury Attorney Near Me Drayton, SC

Jeffrey Drayton has done more than learn how to punch an opponent during his time at the North Augusta Boxing Club.

"It helps me with discipline and controlling my temper," said the 16-year-old Midland Valley High School student. "It keeps me out of trouble."

Drayton began boxing when he was 12. A friend brought him to the club and he enjoyed the sparring.

He said the discipline that boxing requires has helped in other areas of his life.

"He fell a year behind in school (prior to joining the club)," said Jo-Anne Newman, one of the coaches at the boxing club. "He was not focused with school work."

Drayton, who will be a sophomore in the fall, started having a better attitude toward school after enjoying some success in the ring. He passed all his subjects during his freshman year.

"Finally, Jeffrey is coming into his own," Newman said.

About a year ago, he competed in the national Golden Gloves tournament. "That lit a fire in him," Newman said.

In May, he won the South Carolina Junior Olympic title and competed in the regional Junior Olympics, losing in the finals, and was named South Carolina Boxer of the Year for his age division.

"I was shocked," he said of the award. "I didn't think I could get it. I never thought there was an award like that."

Now that he's had a taste of national competition, Drayton's focus has been on returning and taking his boxing to a higher level.

"I want to try to get in some of the open tournaments," he said.

Drayton said he hopes to use those tournaments to get into the Olympic boxing trials.

If he becomes a professional boxer, Drayton knows there are several North Augusta Boxing Club alumni he can emulate, including Johnnie Cortez Edwards, a recent featherweight titleholder in the North American Boxing Association, and welterweight Josh Durden.

Reach Charmain Z. Brackett at [email protected].

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Former Bulldog player and defensive coordinator Maurice Drayton has been named the next head football coach at The Citadel. The announcement was made by Director of Athletics Mike Capaccio on Tuesday.

"We are very excited to have Maurice back at The Citadel," said Capaccio. "We conducted a very thorough search and it was clear that Maurice was the best person for this position. He understands what it takes to be a cadet-athlete at The Citadel, and also understands what it takes to be successful on the field."

A former standout player and defensive coordinator, Drayton returns to The Citadel after spending the previous seven seasons working in the NFL. He most recently served as the assistant special teams coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders. Drayton also served as the special teams coordinator in Green Bay in 2021, assistant special teams coordinator for the Packers from 2018-20, and assisted with special teams for the Indianapolis Colts in 2016-17.

In his final season in Green Bay, Drayton worked with newcomer P Corey Bojorquez, who finished with the highest gross punting average (46.5 avg.) in a season (min. 35 punts) in franchise history. He also saw K Mason Crosby set a new franchise record with a streak of 24 consecutive field goals made from 2019-2021.

Drayton's first season with the Colts saw him guide Pat McAfee to his second Pro Bowl after leading the league with a 49.3 yard average. Additionally, he helped Adam Vinatieri register his 19^th and 20^th 100-point seasons, extending his NFL record.

"I want to thank Gen. Walters, Mike Capaccio and the entire committee for giving me this opportunity. I made the decision several years ago to take the road less traveled, and it allowed me to meet people that have remained loyal.

"I believe in the divine power of God and that has moved in the minds of those who extended the invitation to return home. For me and my family, Moncks Corner, Charleston and The Citadel will always be home. I am prepared to assist in taking our school to the next level."

Drayton served as The Citadel's defensive coordinator from 2014-15, helping the Bulldogs to the 2015 Southern Conference Championship. The 2015 defense led the conference with 31 takeaways, 11 fumble recoveries, 10 passing TDs allowed and a 36.5 opponent third-down conversion percentage. The defense also ranked third in the FCS with 20 interceptions, including five returned for touchdowns.

All-in-all, Drayton has spent 14 seasons at The Citadel as a player or coach. He earned his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1998 and his master's in education in 2007.

As a player, Drayton was a two-year starter at cornerback and finished his career with 145 tackles, 17 pass break-ups and three interceptions.

After completing his eligibility in 1998, Drayton spent the next seven seasons as a member of the Bulldog coaching staff. He began as a graduate assistant/secondary coach, before spending the 2000 season coaching the tackles/tight ends. He also worked with the wide receivers (2001) and outside linebackers (2002), before spending the 2003-05 seasons coaching the secondary, special teams and serving as the recruiting coordinator.

Drayton spent the 2006 season as the defensive coordinator for the Seinajoki (Finland) Crocodiles of the European Football League. He spent 2007 as an assistant principal and assistant coach at Goose Creek High School.

Drayton joined the staff at South Carolina State in 2008, coaching the defensive backs and special teams. In his two seasons in Orangeburg, Drayton helped SCSU capture a pair of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) titles.

Drayton spent the 2010-11 seasons as the assistant head coach, special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach at Coastal Carolina.

He would serve as the secondary coach for former Bulldog head coach Ellis Johnson at Southern Miss in 2012 before working with the defense and special teams with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League in 2013.

A native of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, Drayton and his wife are the proud parents of two children.

Coaching Career 2023 The Citadel Head Coach 2022 Las Vegas Raiders Assistant Special Teams 2021 Green Bay Packers Special Teams Coordinator 2018-20 Green Bay Packers Assistant Special Teams 2016-17 Indianapolis Colts Assistant Special Teams 2014-15 The Citadel Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks 2013 Montreal Alouettes Guest Coach 2012 Southern Mississippi Secondary 2010-11 Coastal Carolina Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams/Wide Receivers 2008-09 South Carolina State Special Teams/Defensive Backs 2007 Goose Creek High School Assistant Coach 2006 Seinajoki Crocodiles Defensive Coordinator 2003-05 The Citadel Special Teams/Secondary/Recruiting Coordinator 2002 The Citadel Outside Linebackers 2001 The Citadel Wide Receivers 2000 The Citadel Tight Ends/Tackles 1999 The Citadel Graduate Assistant/Secondary