2026 Rankings: The Unveiling

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022 football season has presented an opportunity for Prep Red Zone South Carolina to add another first.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're not going to wait until after the season to release our rankings for the current freshman class. This time around, the collection of 25 standouts forced our hand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The players we've included in our initial list have already impressed, mostly on the varsity level. They've earned playing time and even starring roles despite their youth. In some cases, they've already started attracting the attention of college programs who are projecting the same skill sets and talent levels we are.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Either way, these 25 proved themselves earlier than most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ATHLETES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473031' first='D'Anthony' last='Coleman'] West Ashley - Seeing significant time at DB and tailback for 5A Wildcats</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473025' first='Andre' last='Grate'] Waccamaw - Mainly a running back, but has appeared in five different positions</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473016' first='AJ' last='Grate'] Waccamaw - Andre's twin brother is showing serious skills on defense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473013' first='Carter' last='Coleman'] Ridge View - Elite speed and the budding size to match</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473012' first='JP' last='Sweat'] Gray Collegiate - Staff is taking it slow with him, but he's producing when he's in</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473026' first='Michael' last='Garnett'] Philip Simmons - 290-pound DLs don't show up to camp often</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473021' first='Caden' last='Ramsey'] Cross - The pure definition of a defensive back with length</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473018' first='Landon' last='Conner'] Loris - Weight-room junky is starting to put up big numbers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473015' first='Tyleek' last='Dukes'] Kingstree - Two-way starter has flashed early prominence at defensive back</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware'] Spring Valley - Name sound familiar?&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473009' first='Jeremiah' last='Favorite'] Myrtle Beach - Every down corner from the start</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473030' first='Quamaine' last='Vaughn'] Philip Simmons - Another two inches and OL will have size to match skills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473029' first='Jaiden' last='McDowell'] Gaffney - Leading Indians in carries this season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473028' first='Donovan' last='Miles'] Woodland - Might be next big-time OL prospect there</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473027' first='Meliq' last='McGowan'] Goose Creek - Mid-season bump getting quality snaps in backfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473024' first='Ryan' last='Campbell'] Fort Dorchester - Already has a 100-yard rushing game in a region contest</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='233146' first='Jordon' last='Gidron'] Ridge View - Might be 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds by next season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473022' first='BJ' last='Jones'] Newberry - Tailback has good power and change-of-direction skills&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473020' first='Martin' last='Ford'] Midland Valley - Yes, there is another really strong running back there</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473017' first='Kyler' last='Johnson'] Trinity Collegiate - Lineman is already 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473014' first='Patrick' last='Belk'] Heathwood Hall - QB well over 1,000 yards of combined offense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473011' first='Desmond' last='Green'] Timberland - Massive OL is cutting his teeth at center</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='284138' first='Rah'Keith' last='Kelly'] Spartanburg - Leading the Vikings in rushing yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473002' first='Cameron' last='McMillon'] Fairfield Central - Thrown for 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns so far</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473001' first='Jaylen' last='McGill'] Broome - Name is bouncing around the Upstate; soon it will be statewide</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->