2026 Rankings Update: Stock Risers

The massive list of additions we made to the Class of 2026 rankings in this cycle was half the story.   Those who previously made the cut making huge jumps was the other.   In total, nine South Carolina sophomores gave us every excuse to move them up the charts, either up in the overall top 10 or at least 10 spots. We've got production galore to show you, with plenty of numerical evidence to back up everything we've seen in person.   TOP 10 MOVEMENT   No. 3 [player_tooltip player_id='473010' first='Michael' last='Boulware'] LB, Gray Collegiate (Up 1 spot)   Boulware's film hasn't been updated much since he transferred from Spring Valley, but we've seen him live enough to know he's got the goods. He's a near-lock to top 100 total tackles and has already surpassed 60, including 48 solos. He tracks well in the run and pass game and doesn't need to come off the field against even the most spread-heavy offenses.    No. 4 [player_tooltip player_id='233146' first='Jordon' last='Gidron'] WR, Ridge View (Up four spots)   A top-20 player when the Class of 2026 rankings were unveiled a year ago, Gidron is making sure all the early promise around him wasn't oversold. He's already caught 662 yards worth of passes this year and has piled up 11 touchdowns, or roughly one every three receptions. And if you believe he's just some speed demon, think again. Start at the :07 mark of this clip.    No. 5 [player_tooltip player_id='473011' first='Desmond' last='Green'] OL, Timberland (Up four spots)   With respect to Bishop England, most of Green's highlights at left tackle have looked similar to this one: An undersized edge rusher making a mistake and ending up on the ground. Green, the most recruited player in this class so far, has size that most 15-year olds don't and he's taken some significant strides since last year making sure that's not the only weapon in his arsenal.    No. 9 [player_tooltip player_id='816735' first='Jamel' last='Howse'] WR, Newberry (Up 1 spot)   Howse was already one of those players who jumped off a roster as a freshman. Then he grew another inch and is now every big of 6-foot-4. His 4.84 40-yard time at the Palmetto Combine didn't necessarily set the world ablaze, but with his 205 pounds (and obviously still growing), he doesn't need to. Plus, as you can see, get the ball in his hands and speed isn't an issue.    No. 10 [player_tooltip player_id='617718' first='Kenshon' last='Speaks'] OL, Beaufort (Up 1 spot)   The newest member of the Class of 2026 top 10 has proved that the transition from freshman guard to sophomore tackle can look easy. Speaks is playing opposite [player_tooltip player_id='589010' first='Adrian' last='Lamb'] and has the look of a two-year starter at left tackle beginning next year. In the meantime, he can still float somewhat in traditional and jumbo sets     BIGGEST RISERS   No. 16 [player_tooltip player_id='816736' first='Terry' last='Gordon'] LB, South Florence (Up 10 spots)    With all the firepower on the Bruins' defense, it would be easy to forget that Gordon (pictured) is there. Don't. The middle linebacker has become a consistent seven-10 tackles-per-game player and has no issue jumping the line or getting behind it - and the typically means going through multiple offensive linemen. He's a big reason South has held its four best opponents (Oceanside, Carolina Forest, South Pointe and Hartsville) to a mere 17 points per game.    No. 12 [player_tooltip player_id='473021' first='Caden' last='Ramsey'] DB, Cross (Up 11 spots)   At the Class A level, Ramsey is a potent receiver. He's caught 10 passes for 180 yards and a score and at 6-foot-3 is a natural goal-line option waiting to happen. He's even better on defense. In the first five games of 2023, the rangy safety had four interceptions, two pass break-ups, two tackles for loss, a sack, a fumble recovery and 12 total tackles.    Updated film to follow   No. 22 [player_tooltip player_id='205787' first='Hiszari' last='Gantt'] WR, Silver Bluff (Up 14 spots)   So far, Gantt has played the majority of his high school career at south of 150 pounds. You don't do that and show off the type of production he has from time to time without having excellent vision, cutting ability and some speed. He's a sub-4.6 and dropping and only going to become a bigger and bigger part of this offense in the years to come.    No. 18 [player_tooltip player_id='473030' first='Quamaine' last='Vaughn'] OL, Philip Simmons (Up 33 spots)   What the Philip Simmons offense has done this year is nothing short of dominant. The Iron Horses are averaging 367 yards per game on the ground, with [player_tooltip player_id='589051' first='KJ' last='Asbury'] and [player_tooltip player_id='997204' first='Sharod' last='Williams'] having already combined for 32 rushing touchdowns. You don't do that without a stout line, and Vaughn, the team's left tackle, has been a ferocious downhill blocker. He gets off the snap and initiates contact before opposing defenders usually know what hit them.   Updated film to follow

The massive list of additions we made to the Class of 2026 rankings in this cycle was half the story.