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Kenny Fey

Daniel High School’s DeAndre Hopkins, who leads the area with 460 receiving yards and six touchdowns, was named to the South Carolina squad for the 2009 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas on Thursday.

CENTRAL — Throughout his decorated career, Daniel High School’s DeAndre Hopkins has often talked about, for better or worse, the influence of family on his life, in particular a pair of his uncles and a cousin who have gone on to play in the Shrine Bowl.

And on Thursday, it was officially announced the Lions senior will now become the fourth member of his family to suit up for the Sandlappers when he takes part in the 73rd Annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas on Dec. 19 at Wofford College.

It has been 21 years since his uncles Louis Austin and Terry Smith both played in the 1988 Shrine Bowl, while his cousin Javis Austin represented Daniel in the 1996 edition of the game, but they were still the first people a reflective Hopkins thought of upon hearing the news.

“My uncles and my cousin made the Shrine Bowl, so it’s kind of like our thing,” Hopkins said. “My family talks about them and now they get to talk about me making it. It feels good just keeping it in the family and I’m glad I can represent my high school and this community.”

The reigning All-Mountain Lakes Player of the Year and an All-State selection last year, Hopkins is enjoying another stellar season with five interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, two punt return touchdowns, as well as a kick return score.

Hopkins, who is committed to play his college ball at Clemson, has also hauled in 22 receptions, with team highs in receiving yards (460), receiving touchdowns (6) and yards per catch (20.9).

Now a double threat as an elite receiver to go along with his 28 career interceptions, Daniel head coach Randy Robinson said the Shrine Bowl invitation is a fitting honor for Hopkins.

“It’s big for Daniel High School,” Robinson said. “We want our guys to have the opportunity to play in these all-star games, and DeAndre’s worked hard. He has all that talent and it’s nice to see him get a reward like that.”

And seeing the field in so many roles, it has been a fun year for Hopkins, as the Lions (9-0, 4-0 Western 3A) have captured their third straight Western 3A region title as they head into tonight’s regular season finale against Pickens.

“I’m a senior so I’ve got to take that role and do whatever I’ve got to do to help the team out,” Hopkins said. “If it’s getting out at receiver and making plays, then that’s what it is.”

With Hopkins’ selection to the Shrine Bowl, the Lions have sent one player to the game in four of the last five years, with Duvall Young (2005), Jarvis Jenkins (2006) and Jerrodd Williams (2008) representing Daniel in recent years.

All three have gone on to play at the collegiate level, as Young and Jenkins are now starters at Tennessee State and Clemson, respectively, while Williams is redshirting as a freshman at Virginia Tech.