2026 Rankings: Skill Guys Shine In Upstate

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PRZ rankings for the 2026 Class are already Upstate-heavy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The region has three of the top five players in the class, and five overall. There's talent at two specific positions, with three RBs and two DBs in the class. Here's a look at those players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473001' first='Jaylen' last='McGill'], RB, Broome</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The No. 1 player in the class has already made a splash on the varsity stage. Broome's offense ran through McGill in his freshman season, as he rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 23 TDs. He's got the total package, with speed, power, balance, vision, and good hands out of the backfield. The upside for McGill is tremendous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16906143/631d4aad0428e509f4715ac0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d72b2548a0b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284138' first='Rah'Keith' last='Kelly'], RB, Byrnes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelly's another player who's already got a standout season under his belt as a rising sophomore. A freshman RB for Spartanburg last year, Kelly rushed for 1,043 yards and 3 TDs, caught 18 balls for 177 yards and another score, and averaged 21.3 yards on six kick returns. Kelly has 4.5 speed and great balance, and became the Vikings' feature back when a few injuries changed their look. His transfer to Byrnes, with the playmakers already there, is scary for Region II-5A opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16357736/6384fd0c2aa6480a74990fe9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d72b2548a33"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473009' first='Jeremiah' last='Favorite'], DB, Boiling Springs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Favorite is an excellent cover guy who is another transfer player, moving from Myrtle Beach to Boiling Springs. He's fast and athletic, and has become a go-to guy for the Bulldogs' basketball team. That athleticism translates well, as he can chase down plays from behind and does a good job adjusting to balls in the air. He's also a big hitter, and makes a ton of plays in space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17911898/636ec985a68099079cf36bfb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d72b2548a50"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402507' first='Somad' last='Eaddy'], DB, Southside</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eaddy certainly made his mark as a freshman, with six interceptions to lead the Tigers. He had 34 tackles, two tackles for loss, and broke up six more passes. Eaddy is great in coverage, and when he sees a chance to make a play, he takes it. He seems to have a ton of confidence in the things he's able to pull off, and he's usually right.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17906535/633f64a3d45ed50b04d1ad92' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d72b2548a6b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473029' first='Jaiden' last='McDowell'], Gaffney</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another back who had a big year, McDowell helped power the Indians back to the Upper State title game. He missed some time with an injury, but still finished with 584 yards, a 4.6 yards per carry average, and six rushing TDs. He caught 14 balls for 112 yards and another score, and while he'll likely share time in the backfield again, that's been a recipe for success for the Indians for years. He's fast, he's physical for his size, and he's excellent in space.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18415281/63d29edb02b1280d98782201' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63d72b2548a85"} /-->