2026 Rankings: Five CSRA Players Ready To Take The Spotlight

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The CSRA had its share of sophomores who emerged as contributors to their respective team's success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The upcoming season will show which players are ready to get the full attention of college scouts and take the mantle of undisputed team leaders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are five CSRA candidates from the Prep Redzone South Carolina list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Michael' last='Doe']</strong> RB North Augusta</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Losing the last two games of the 2023 season in one-point heartbreakers should not diminish the contributions of the 5-foot-9, 180-pound tailback. His team-leading 1,423 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns and 11 receptions for 142 yards and four touchdowns was a major share of the Yellow Jackets' offense. With Doe along with half of the offensive line, quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1031336' first='Corey' last='Tillman']</strong> and wide receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013040' first='Connor' last='Brown'] </strong>returning, North Augusta looks to be in position to contend in the revamped Region IV-4A with three teams (Midland Valley, Gray Collegiate, Brookland-Cayce) who won region titles last season. Only Charlotte has shown cool interest in Doe. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18832826/65494916a0183d0a00b387a2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ernrn","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65baa1aede07d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='617663' first='Kaleb' last='Simpkins']</strong> LB Strom Thurmond</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6-feet and 170 pounds, the rising junior uses his size, length, and speed to play lockdown corner for the Rebels. Whether deflecting passes or making returns for touchdowns as he did against North Augusta, teams take a risk throwing in his direction. His defensive play helped the Rebels hold opponents to 13.3 points per game and reach the third round of the Class 2A playoffs. Simpkins received his first offer last week from Charlotte. Strom Thurmond moves to Region II-2A next season where it looks like an early favorite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17946840/6558b2853dead30818b49b4d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65baa1aede0c0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473020' first='Martin' last='Ford'] </strong>RB Midland Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2026 player guaranteed to see the biggest statistical improvement. With <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272712' first='Preston' last='McNair']</strong> stepping into the lead role Following the graduation of 3,000-yard rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91348' first='Traevon' last='Dunbar']</strong>, the 5-foot 10, 185-pound Ford will get more touches after getting just 23 carries for 177 yards and a touchdown last season. He's a more elusive back out of the backfield as compared to the power-running Dunbar who possesses equally breakaway speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17643522/650f401390fa0e04c8c53c5e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65baa1aede0ef"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816737' first='Cam'Ron' last='Frazier'] </strong>WR Aiken</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rising junior is one of the fastest wide receivers in the CSRA. Add his 6-foot-1 length and he's potentially a gamebreaker for a Hornets' team entering Year Two under former state championship coach Dwayne Garrick. The Hornets' deep passing game was one of their positives from last year's 0-10 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='205787' first='Hiszari' last='Gantt']</strong> WR Silver Bluff</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-foot-9, 150-pounder can make plays off short and long passes as well as off a handoff out of the backfield. He first caught the attention of Prep RedZone South Carolina with his MVP performance during the April Palmetto Combine Series event at West Florence High School. He not only posted the fastest shuttle time but was unstoppable during 1-on-1 drills against opposing defensive back. He was also measured with a 74-inch wingspan. Moving up to Region IV-3A, the Bulldogs look like an early favorite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17771901/655b2f4eda50f304380a323d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65baa1aede11c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->