2026 Rankings: Small School, Big Offseason Jump?

Most players tend to ebb and flow in our rankings, especially for the younger classes.   We add new names every four months, and it usually means the bottom two-thirds of our charts change dramatically several times a year. What that also means is those who are already ranked have multiple opportunities to move up, both after the season and during the offseason.    These seven players are well positioned to make a significant jump when we update the rankings again in May. They've got the tools and improve their individual stock and can take advantage of combines, 7-on-7s and spring ball.    [player_tooltip player_id='402516' first='Zyon' last='Guiles'] OL, Carvers Bay    Guiles, on the quick: Guiles chimed in at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds during the Joanne Langfitt Challenge in December. It added plenty of legitimacy to yet another huge lineman coming out of Georgetown County. Given two more seasons, there's no telling what he could look like if he adds another growth spurt in there somewhere.    Why he could jump: While Guiles is already ranked in the top 40, there is plenty of room for another offensive lineman to move up in this skill-position heavy class. Guiles is a logical mover with a solid combine or two along the way.    [player_tooltip player_id='617663' first='Kaleb' last='Simpkins'] DB, Strom Thurmond   Simpkins, on the quick: Simpkins doesn't have great numbers from his sophomore season, but that's in large part due to teams avoiding him. Still, he picked off a pass, recovered a fumble and scored a defensive touchdown.   Why he could jump: Simpkins spent the year lining up in practice against some of the state's top receivers in [player_tooltip player_id='208338' first='Braylon' last='Staley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='771039' first='Demarius' last='Tolen'] at Strom Thurmond. Simpkins benefitted from the experience and now has an offseason to incorporate everything he picked up along the way.     [player_tooltip player_id='473014' first='Patrick' last='Belk'] QB, Heathwood Hall   Belk, on the quick: Belk (pictured) had a sophomore season that started with a bang when he put up five touchdowns against Great Falls in essentially a half of action. However, a leg injury in Game 2 cost him the rest of a season that included plenty more off-the-field fireworks.   Why he could jump: It's difficult to not mention that Hall had less than six months with one head coach heading into last season and now is on his fourth one in less than two years at the school. In Tymere Zimmerman, Belk will have an pass-first coach calling the shots. That should to pay dividends for the quarterback as he continues his recovery.    [player_tooltip player_id='1165125' first='Gabe' last='Hackett'] ATH, Ninety Six   Hackett, on the quick: The Ninety Six sophomore had great numbers last fall, amassing 62 rackets, seven tackles for loss, two picks, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble on defense while also rushing for 402 yards and four touchdowns from his spot at tailback.    Why he could jump: Hackett is effective whether he's got the ball in his hands or he's chasing someone who does. His athleticism will stand out during offseason events and spring ball. The fact that Ninety Six is start to make some noise again won't hurt, either.   [player_tooltip player_id='1165159' first='Jordan' last='Strong'] ATH, Lewisville   Strong, on the quick: Even if you discounted Strong's seven interceptions from last year (they came in blowouts when opponents became one-dimensional trying to catch up), his 45 tackles put him in position to climb up the ladder for a Lewisville squad that should be pretty darn good next year, too.   Why he could jump: Strong is a potential star in the making, and he does himself a lot of favors in that regard by pitching in on special teams and offense. During the 7-on-7 season, expect him to make some waves in the defensive backfield.    [player_tooltip player_id='1165165' first='Jaylen' last='Singletary'] DB, Hampton County   Singletary, on the quick: We really like Singletary's approach to the game. Basically, he's going to line up wherever he's told and then go full bore until he comes off the field. He plays safety, corner, tailback and returns kicks and punts and knows how to operate well in the open field or close quarters alike.    Why he could jump: [player_tooltip player_id='239076' first='Zion' last='Dobson'] often stole the Hampton County spotlight last fall. With Dobson gone, plenty of other Hampton County kids are on the prospective rise.   [player_tooltip player_id='473017' first='Kyler' last='Johnson'] OL/DL, Trinity Collegiate   Johnson, on the quick: Johnson has been ranked for multiple cycles, and while we expectedly dropped him this time around, it was because he missed all but four games last fall with an injury. In those four games, he accumulated 17 total tackles and eight tackles for loss.   Why he could jump: Johnson is expected to be cleared to return sometime this month. And that means he gets the bulk of the offseason to build on his 6-foot-4, 280-pound frame.

Most players tend to ebb and flow in our rankings, especially for the younger classes.