2026 Rankings: Midlands Defensive Standouts To Watch
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One quick glance at he 2026 rankings shows the Midlands will be well represented on the offensive side of the ball. Wide receivers Jordon Gidron Jordon Gidron 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Ridge View | 2026 State SC (Ridge…
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Continue ReadingOne quick glance at he 2026 rankings shows the Midlands will be well represented on the offensive side of the ball. Wide receivers Jordon Gidron Jordon Gidron 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Ridge View | 2026 State SC (Ridge View) and Donovan Murph Donovan Murph 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Irmo | 2026 State SC (Irmo) are in the top four and more than 15 players are ranked from the offensive side of things. But the defense players are set in prime position to see guys move up and make their mark over the next two seasons.
Here is a look at seven defensive guys that could make big names for themselves in the coming months.
Michael Boulware Michael Boulware 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Gray Collegiate | 2026 State SC LB, Gray Collegiate – The pedigree for Boulware is definitely there. The son of former NFLer Michael Boulware Michael Boulware 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Gray Collegiate | 2026 State SC and nephew of former NFL star Peter Boulware is coming into his own. He garnered attention late in his freshman season at Spring Valley then moved to Gray Collegiate as a sophomore. He racked up 155 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks and four interceptions. He’s 6-foot-2, 200 pounds and should get bigger and stronger this offseason.
Tylin Drakeford Tylin Drakeford 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB Camden | 2026 State SC DB, Camden – Drakeford is a 5-foot-10, 175-pound defensive back that will only get better over the next two seasons. The Bulldogs finished a yard short in the Class 3A state championship this past season and Drakeford was able to learn from an experienced group. He finished with 99 tackles, three interceptions and five pass breakups and will be counted on to be a leader starting next season.
Tymaries Thompson-DuRant Tymaries Thompson-DuRant 5'10" | 155 lbs | LB Sumter | 2026 State SC DB, Sumter – The Gamecocks were stout on defense and Thompson-DuRant was one of the reasons why. The 5-foot-10, 155-pound defense back came on the latter part of the season and finished with 57 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and three tackles for loss. He’s a great cover corner and will be counted on to help lead Sumter in the revamped Class 5A next season.
Caleb Geronomi Caleb Geronomi 6'0" | 160 lbs | DB White Knoll | 2026 State SC DB, White Knoll – Geronomi is part of a talented defensive unit that held teams to less than eight points per game this past season. He contributed 45 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions, five passes defended, two forced fumbles and a blocked field goal. He’s already 6-foot, 160 pounds and has been labeled a ballhawk by some of the Timberwolves coaching staff.
Raleigh Salters Raleigh Salters 5'10" | 190 lbs | LB Dutch Fork | 2026 State SC LB, Dutch Fork – Salters is another play hat just has a knack for being around the football. He’s following in a long line of talented Silver Foxes linebackers but a lot of them didn’t contribute as much as Salters has as a sophomore. The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder finished with 91 tackles, right tackles for loss, three passes defended and a forced fumble. He will be the leader of a group that will be looking to defend the Class 5A title they won in December.
Jarrell Turner DB, Richland Northeast – Turner is a 6-foot, 175-pound corner that plays bigger than his frame. He can turn and run with wide receivers and comes up solid in run support. He might fit better as a safety but for the foreseeable future, the Class of 2026 defender will continue to cause opposing offenses trouble.
Drake Porter Drake Porter 6'0" | 175 lbs | LB Ben Lippen | 2026 State SC LB, Ben Lippen – Porter led the Falcons with 133 tackles, seven tackles for loss, a sack, and wo fumble recoveries. He’s 6-foot, 175 pounds and reads and reacts well. He moves sideline-to-sideline and has an acceleration to get to the ball carrier quickly.