2027 Rankings: Freshmen Making Their Mark In The Upstate

There are 26 freshmen who make up the initial Class of 2027 PRZ rankings. Seven of them are from the Upstate. Here's a look at what those guys bring to the table.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036721' first='Tre' last='Segarra'] RB, Byrnes   The whispers about Segarra are as much about the jersey he's wearing as anything else. "He's playing like he deserves that number."   That number, Byrnes legend Marcus Lattimore's 21, is a legacy to live up to. And, as just a ninth-grader, Segarra's doing it. He's already got more than 800 yards and seven touchdowns, he's added more than 250 receiving yards and three more scores, and he's done it in Region II-5A, boasting a bunch of the toughest defenses in the state (more on that in just a minute). Segarra is patient, violent, and fast, and as he grows it sure seems like he's only going to get better.    [player_tooltip player_id='1036731' first='Dennis' last='Glenn'] DL, Boiling Springs   Glenn has turned into a monster for the Bulldogs. He's had a fantastic advantage in his freshman year, as he's in a pick-your-poison tandem on the Boiling Springs DL with ranked senior [player_tooltip player_id='771223' first='Calvin' last='Jackson']. When teams are unable to double him, Glenn has proven to be a PROBLEM. He's a 6-foot-2, 260-pound run-stuffer, who's quick and extremely hard to contain and who's also able to get after the QB. He's only played seven games, and he's third on the Bulldogs in tackles for loss and second in QB hurries.    [player_tooltip player_id='779428' first='Tajeh' last='Watson-Martin'] DB, Belton-Honea Path   Watson is a ninth-grader playing at an elite level on a very good Bears defense. He leads BHP in pass deflections with eight, and for some reason folks keep throwing over there. That's not the best idea, as Watson-Martin's team-leading five interceptions back up. He makes it extremely tough to get open, he has great skills when the ball is in the air, and he's great in run support.    [player_tooltip player_id='1036753' first='Aiden' last='Gibson'] RB, Woodruff   Gibson didn't establish himself as the Wolverines' feature back until a couple of games into the season, but he's been a monster since then. At 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, he can be a matchup nightmare. He runs with a physical edge, and seems like he'd rather run through you than around you. He's got plenty of speed, too, and fantastic hands out of the backfield.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036755' first='Kendaris' last='Bailey'] LB, Gaffney   How good is Bailey? Well, he's a freshman starting in Region II-5A at a position where Gaffney was already extremely talented. If that doesn't tell you anything, he's got six tackles for loss already, which might raise an eyebrow. Or, just take a look. He comes off the edge in a hurry, he's a sure and physical tackler, and he's able to bring pressure.    [player_tooltip player_id='691267' first='CJ' last='Brooks'] OL, Gaffney   Bailey's teammate, Brooks is already enormous, at 6-foot-4 and 325 pounds. He's helped pave the way for another fantastic season for Gaffney RBs, and he's turned into a physical force at right tackle. He's capable of dominating defenders, finishing plays way downfield and taking on defenders both at the line of scrimmage and the second level.    [player_tooltip player_id='309825' first='Grayson' last='Clary'] QB, Daniel   Clary is the heir apparent for the Lions. He's playing JV this season for Daniel, and he threw for 1,400 yards and 15 TDs in his first five games. Expectations are high for Clary's future, and with a senior starter and two junior backups, Clary will have another year to get even better if he doesn't challenge for the job outright.

There are 26 freshmen who make up the initial Class of 2027 PRZ rankings. Seven of them are from the Upstate. Here's a look at what those guys bring to the table.