2026 Rankings Update: New Additions on Defense, Special Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last four months haven't included many games.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What they were full of was time to advance the 2024 season, evaluate offseason work and combines and see how it all translates back to the football field. For our purposes, it gave us the right amount of time to find 53 more prospects for our rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's time to show our work.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's unveil the two specialists and 24 defensive players who we've added to the Prep RedZone South Carolina Class of 2026 rankings.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>SPECIAL TEAMS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1395076' first='Brock' last='Franklin'] K, Laurens - While just 5-foot-8, Franklin creates great leg speed and can pummel a football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1395070' first='Keith' last='McCune'] P, Ashley Ridge - McCune had one of the better punting averages in the state as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DEFENSE</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1399632' first='Ty'Korian' last='Campbell'] LB, Blue Ridge - Campbell dipped his toe in the water as a sophomore. Now, he's ready to jump in head first.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1179928' first='Bryce' last='Allen'] DB, Sumter - Allen will have a chance to shine in some big matchups over the next few weeks.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1372151' first='Jakyri' last='Anderson'] LB, Belton-Honea Path - He's a key part of a defense that rarely gives up more than 20 points in a game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='828831' first='Damarion' last='Roman'] LB, Greenwood - Roman is going to pop up on a lot of radars as a junior after a stout camp circuit this summer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1395075' first='Zion' last='Mack'] DB, Wilson - He can play either safety spot and should play a role in some improvement from this defense in 2024.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1395064' first='Messiah' last='McFadden'] LB, Blackville-Hilda - McFadden is 6-foot-4; you're not going to see that from the linebacker position at this level often.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1395058' first='Chaz' last='Brown'] DL, Beaufort - Brown's role became even bigger when a crucial line mate was ruled out for the season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1395042' first='Malachi' last='Geathers'] DL, Myrtle Beach - Geathers makes up for a lack of size for the position with great pursuit angles and excellent tackling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1395038' first='Brysen' last='Conner'] DB, Indian Land - Conner will make some waves at receiver, too, but he's pretty darn good in the defensive backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='402497' first='Kentavion' last='Anderson'] DB, Dorman - The big safety had a Power 4 offer before his junior season even began. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1405194' first='Paden' last='Armstrong'] DL, Greer - The 6-foot-5 defensive end had 16 tackles for loss as a sophomore and is only getting better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1394990' first='Ladamien' last='Belton'] ATH, Crestwood - In any given game this season, Belton might see time on offense, defense and special teams.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1395023' first='I'veon' last='Watson'] DL, Whale Branch - Watson can be a spark plug off the edge or find ways to cut inside in order to get into the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1024349' first='Julian' last='Hughes'] DB, Heathwood Hall - Also a part-time tailback, Hughes led the Highlanders in tackles last fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1394975' first='Joseph' last='Duey'] LB, Fort Mill - Duey is ready to shown that his standout combine performance from the spring was just a taste.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1394968' first='Isaiah' last='Oree'] DB, Brookland-Cayce - A three-sport standout, Oree's time on the gridiron is fast approaching.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1394986' first='Zyan' last='Ratchford'] LB, Gaffney - Ratchford's ability to tackle lets some of his teammates freelance Gaffney into some game-changing plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1405166' first='Aiden' last='Jones'] DL, Greer - After 17 tackles for loss last year, he should have been in our rankings already. Time to remedy that situation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1168540' first='Quency' last='Grant'] DB, Ridge View - Another track burner standing out for the Ridge View football squad? Yep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1395019' first='Tyre' last='Gaddy'] LB, Andrew Jackson - The hybrid linebacker/safety helps form a dynamic Volunteers' defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1395004' first='Jase' last='Fair'] LB, Andrew Jackson - Fair is good for eight-plus tackles per game while contributing some big-ticket turnover plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1395000' first='Kamron' last='McGill'] LB, Andrew Jackson - The Volunteers' top returning tackler had 88 stops as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='454066' first='Malquan' last='Pimentel'] LB, Fort Dorchester (pictured) - Pimentel will contend for all-state honors as a junior.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1395062' first='Demarea' last='Thurmond'] DL, Loris - He's getting better week after week and helping making Loris a serious contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->