Zone Read: Running Down Grand Strand/Pee Dee's Best 2026s

Myrtle Beach coach Mickey Wilson and his strength staff might have their work cut out for them with 2026 WRs [player_tooltip player_id='816754' first='Tyree' last='Cauthen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='816753' first='Ravon' last='Green'].   But that staff loves the canvas they're working with.   The two rising sophomores popped into the rankings this time around after blowing away non-padded sessions and putting up some crazy times during March. Wilson himself said he believes one, if not both, of them could start this fall. Normally, that wouldn't mean much, except Myrtle Beach already has some established players - including 2025 top-20 [player_tooltip player_id='272701' first='John' last='Simmons'] - at the position.    But as relatively raw as those two new additions are, we already know plenty about the other players included in the Prep Red Zone Class of 2026. We've had a good look at them for months, if not longer.   [player_tooltip player_id='473016' first='AJ' last='Grate']/[player_tooltip player_id='473025' first='Andre' last='Grate'] ATH, Waccamaw   When you ask Waccamaw coaches about “the twins”, the Warriors' staff knows exactly who you're talking about. And with Andre and AJ, Amondre Johnson has the type of duo he can build around for the next three years. Andre threw and caught some passes. He led the team in carries. AJ was fourth on the team in tackles while also contributing on offense. Clearly, Johnson didn't want to do too much with either too soon, but he also took advantage of their first year of varsity ball by seeing what they could do. It was a pretty good test drive.   [player_tooltip player_id='816736' first='Terry' last='Gordon'] LB, South Florence   As South Florence gets ready to send two of its senior linebackers from the Class of 2023 to the college athletics ranks, very few understand what's waiting to take over a starring role. Last fall, Gordon got significant reps, both on special teams and at middle linebacker. He ended the year with 36 total tackles and four tackles for loss. This is how he did it:    [player_tooltip player_id='473017' first='Kyler' last='Johnson'] OL, Trinity Collegiate   If you're looking just at our statewide list of offensive linemen for the Class of 2026, you'll see that we've currently got Johnson sitting third at the position. Yes, we recognize that he's only had limited snaps at the varsity level to his credit. But the 6-foot-4, 260-pound offensive lineman is a decision or two away from becoming a two-way starter for a high-end SCISA program. With even minimal development, he's going to get chances aplenty this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='473018' first='Landon' last='Conner'] DL, Loris   The rejuvenated Loris defense has been full of playmakers the last two seasons. The Lions are a confluence of guys who get to the ball en masse and make tons of plays behind the line of scrimmage. Conner, then, fits right into that scheme. The combo defensive end/outside linebacker is quick off the edge without overpursuing the quarterback or tailback trying to beat him to the corner. A prep career that ends with 250 total tackles and 60-plus tackles for loss isn't out of the equation.   [player_tooltip player_id='205556' first='Josiah' last='Oxendine'] QB, Dillon   College recruiters love winning quarterbacks. Naturally, they love Oxendine. As the starter last fall, he was mostly a game manager, picking his spots around handing off to a 2,000-yard tailback. This fall, the Wildcats are still going to rush for a ton of yards, but Oxendine is going to throw for a bunch, too. His arm strength is taking a much-noticed leap forward, and he's in a perfect situation to continue to rise.    [player_tooltip player_id='617662' first='Jamie' last='Williamson'] DL, West Florence   Williamson was anything but an afterthought for a West Florence defense last season. He was counted on to make plays in the middle of the line in some of the team's biggest games of the year. This offseason, he's gone to work, and that meant slimming down a few pounds. With a wing span of 78 inches, Williamson - who might eventually transition to offense - is going to be counted on to make waves again.   [player_tooltip player_id='473015' first='Tyleek' last='Dukes'] DB, Kingstree   All Dukes (pictured) did during his freshman campaign was cover the best receivers opposite him on defense, line up at receiver on offense and block a couple punts and return a couple kicks on special teams. Dukes is every bit of the type of player coach Brian Smith doesn't want to come off the field, and so he rarely does.