2026 Rankings: Five CSRA Players Ready To Take The Spotlight
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The CSRA had its share of sophomores who emerged as contributors to their respective team’s success. The upcoming season will show which players are ready to get the full attention of college scouts and take the mantle of undisputed team…
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Continue ReadingThe CSRA had its share of sophomores who emerged as contributors to their respective team’s success.
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.
Here are five CSRA candidates from the Prep Redzone South Carolina list.
Michael Doe Michael Doe 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB North Augusta | 2026 State SC RB North Augusta
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 Corey Tillman Corey Tillman 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB North Augusta | 2025 State SC and wide receiver Connor Brown Connor Brown 6'1" | 190 lbs | WR North Augusta | 2025 State SC 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.
Kaleb Simpkins Kaleb Simpkins 6'0" | 170 lbs | DB Strom Thurmond | 2026 State SC LB Strom Thurmond
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.
Martin Ford Martin Ford 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Midland Valley | 2026 State SC RB Midland Valley
The Class of 2026 player guaranteed to see the biggest statistical improvement. With Preston McNair Preston McNair 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Midland Valley | 2025 State SC stepping into the lead role Following the graduation of 3,000-yard rusher Traevon Dunbar Traevon Dunbar 5'10" | 205 lbs | RB Midland Valley | 2024 State SC , 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.
Cam’Ron Frazier Cam’Ron Frazier 6'1" | 180 lbs | ATH Aiken | 2026 State SC WR Aiken
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.
Hiszari Gantt Hiszari Gantt 5'10" | 150 lbs | WR Silver Bluff | 2026 State SC WR Silver Bluff
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.