2026 Rankings: New Additions (Offense)
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From the coach to the Georgia line, the Prep RedZone staff scoured all portions of this state looking for the next crop of players who deserved to be ranked. We found 50 sure-fire additions to our list. Of those 50,…
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Continue ReadingFrom the coach to the Georgia line, the Prep RedZone staff scoured all portions of this state looking for the next crop of players who deserved to be ranked.
We found 50 sure-fire additions to our list.
Of those 50, 24 fall on the offensive side of the ball. There are new dynamic linemen, quarterbacks with big arms and even better minds, electric receivers and tailbacks who can take over.
The crazy part is that each of these offensive weapons have two years of high school ball remaining. We believe they’ll only continue to impress for the foreseeable future.
Let’s introduce you to each of the 24.
Austin Wertz Austin Wertz 5'9" | 225 lbs | OL Ninety Six | 2026 State SC OL, Ninety Six – Undersized lineman brings some serious grit to the interior and has no issue blocking in space or tight quarters.
Thomas Hutchinson Thomas Hutchinson 5'9" | 130 lbs | WR Rock Hill | 2026 State SC WR, Rock Hill – Small receiver will get plenty of looks in new-look Bearcats’ offense.
Alex Sandt Alex Sandt 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB St. James | 2026 State SC QB, St. James – After two years of waiting his turn, the offense now rolls through the rising junior and his right arm.
Brandon Nance Brandon Nance 5'5" | 150 lbs | ATH Dixie | 2026 State SC ATH, Dixie – One part shifty running back, one part corner, Nance more than makes up for his lack of height.
Kameron Vance Kameron Vance 5'7" | 160 lbs | WR Northwestern | 2026 State SC WR, Northwestern – Might just double up on his 26 receptions and 357 receiving yards from a season ago this fall.
Jacorreun Howze Jacorreun Howze 5'9" | 155 lbs | WR Lewisville | 2026 State SC WR, Lewisville – Has the ability to stretch the field in a hurry; proved it by averaging better than 21 yards per reception as a sophomore.
Jon Kelly Jon Kelly 6'2" | 200 lbs | WR Myrtle Beach | 2026 State SC WR, Myrtle Beach – Seahawks’ receiver adds dynamic size to an already strong receiving corps.
Vernen Hairens Vernen Hairens 5'11" | 275 lbs | OL Irmo | 2026 State SC OL, Irmo – Has a mean streak to him, especially while he’s pulling out of his spot at guard; opposing players don’t see what hit them.
Hayden Morris Hayden Morris 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Ridge View | 2026 State SC WR, Indian Land – Hauled in 61 receptions for 850 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore; he’s expected to do much, much more as a junior.
Ethan Offing Ethan Offing 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB Dutch Fork | 2026 State SC QB, Dutch Fork (pictured) – Threw for 1,300, ran for 400 and combined for 12 touchdowns during the Silver Foxes’ championship run.
Jameson Pelham Jameson Pelham 6'3" | 250 lbs | OL Stratford | 2026 State SC OL, Stratford – Quickly blossoming into a lineman who can drive the bus in a lot of ways for the Stratford offense.
Amadre Wooden Amadre Wooden 5'10" | 195 lbs | RB Batesburg-Leesville | 2026 State SC RB, Batesburg-Leesville – From carries to receptions to kickoff returns, the Panthers wisely find ways to get the ball in his hands.
Hayes Cochrane Hayes Cochrane 6'1" | 225 lbs | OL Saint James | 2026 State SC OL, St. James – Sharks’ center and defensive lineman is also going to play some linebacker this fall, too.
Daylin Haltiwanger Daylin Haltiwanger 6'2" | 185 lbs | WR Hammond | 2026 State SC WR, Hammond – Has the makings of one of the Midlands’ top receivers before his high school career is over.
Shamil Saadiq Shamil Saadiq 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Lugoff-Elgin | 2026 State SC WR, Lugoff-Elgin – Saadiq has excellent size and now finds himself in a much more pass-centric offense.
Dante Caldwell Dante Caldwell 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Swansea | 2026 State SC RB, Swansea – Caldwell has some wheels, and he’s likely a primary focal point for a new coaching staff looking for some early success.
Kenton Caldwell Kenton Caldwell 5'10" | 155 lbs | ATH Newberry | 2026 State SC ATH, Newberry – Bulldogs already have a reliable receiver and tailback; now they have a quarterback, too.
Devaughn Locust Devaughn Locust 5'11" | 330 lbs | OL Lamar | 2026 State SC OL, Lamar – Short and stocky, Locust has the ability to take over against the top defensive players on the Silver Foxes’ schedule.
Carver Davis Carver Davis 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Ninety Six | 2026 State SC ATH, Ninety Six – There’s no telling where Davis will end up playing from week to week, but he’s found ways to fill some significant voids in the process.
Zion Britt Zion Britt 6'1" | 295 lbs | OL Berkeley | 2026 State SC OL, Berkeley – One of a handful of really special football players in Berkeley’s rising junior class.
Scottland Dover Scottland Dover 6'4" | 305 lbs | OL Gaffney | 2026 State SC OL, Gaffney – We don’t want to surprise you, but the Indians have another huge player coming through in the trenches.
Cody Peterson Cody Peterson 6'5" | 315 lbs | OL Ashley Ridge | 2026 State SC OL, Ashley Ridge – On a line full of massive human beings, Peterson might ultimately be the best of the bunch.
Malcolm Gaston Malcolm Gaston 6'4" | 340 lbs | OL North Augusta | 2026 State SC OL, North Augusta – At 6-foot-4 and 340 pounds, Gaston has the size that is going to attract a ton of college attention during his next two years with the Yellow Jackets.
Tre Aiken Tre Aiken 6'5" | 275 lbs | OL Clinton | 2026 State SC OL, Clinton – Aiken is stout at 6-foot-3 and 285 pounds, and his wing span is just shy seven full feet; it’s why he’s becoming a dominant force.