2027 Rankings: 20 Guys Primed To Move Up

The 2027 rankings had 96 players on the list, and we wanted to give a quick glance at 20 guys that could easily be moving up over the next couple of years. We picked 10 players on each side of the ball and broke down what we liked and how they could move up as we learn more and more about the current sophomores.   [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'] QB, Ridge View   Howard sits right outside the Top 20 and he will be lurking to move up over the next couple of years. He has excellent skill players around him in the likes of junior WR [player_tooltip player_id='233146' first='Jordon' last='Gidron'] and fellow sophomore WR [player_tooltip player_id='1172363' first='Khristian' last='Jackson'] catching passes for him. The Blazers have gotten off to a slow start this season and Gidron will be out for a few weeks with an injury. But Howard is a coach's son, understands how to play the position and is only going to get better with each rep.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036755' first='Kendaris' last='Bailey'] LB, Gaffney   Bailey is everything you look for in an intimidating linebacker. He is decent size at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds but he's how he moves and what he does that sets him apart. He's fast, plays very physical, and can run down plays or attack them straight up. His pursuit is one of the best things to watch on film. He takes great angles and uses his speed well in open spaces.      [player_tooltip player_id='1172361' first='Matthew' last='Ponkow'] DL/LB, Bishop England   The Bishops use Ponkow in a number of different ways. He will line up at either defensive end spot or sometimes move to the interior. But he makes most of his plays off the edge. He has a quick first step that allows him to go around opposing offensive tackles. He uses his hands well to off blocks. He will get bigger and stronger over the next two-plus seasons and that will spell trouble for teams in the lower part of the state.    [player_tooltip player_id='1422535' first='Jayvin' last='Risher'] ATH, Hampton County   Risher jumped from being unranked all the way to the No. 35 spot in the rankings. He's being used as a tailback and linebacker for the No. 1 ranked team in Class 2A. Right now, he's the second leading rusher with 304 yards with four touchdowns and 13 tackles with two tackles for loss, a sack and a blocked field goal. He's as athletic as you will find on this list and while it's too early to tell which side the ball his future will be, the Hurricanes will continue to utilize him both ways.   [player_tooltip player_id='1172368' first='Andrew' last='Massey'] LB, Hilton Head   Massey picked up where he left off last season when he had 39 tackles and a sack in eight games. He's nearing that total already with 23 tackles, five tackles for loss, an interception and two fumble recoveries. As you can see, he's all over the field. He's quick and plays much bigger than his 175 pounds. He's not afraid of contact and never gives up on a play. That type of intensity will have him involved in a number of plays.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036785' first='Kyson' last='McLeod'] WR, South Aiken   The Thoroughbreds have only attempted 58 passes in four games, but McLeod has caught 13 of those for 143 yards and three touchdowns. He's 5-foot-11 but plays much bigger than that. He goes and gets the ball at the highest point but is also shifty enough to make tacklers miss in space. The stronger he gets, the more suited he will be for the physicality he faces.    [player_tooltip player_id='1422580' first='Kaiden' last='Walton'] DL, Marlboro County   Walton checks in at 6-foot-2, 240 pounds and plays the middle of the defensive line like a menace. He has the ability to push guys around. He plays with his hand in the dirt but comes off the line of scrimmage with a burst that helps him get the advantage on his blocker.     [player_tooltip player_id='1036782' first='Jagger' last='Spivey'] WR, Ashley Ridge   We liked Spivey last season when he had a 2,000 receiver on the other side getting most of the attention. Some of that attention now has shifted to the 5-foot-11, 155-pound speedster. He's currently the Swamp Foxes third leading receiver with 119 yards in just three games. His route running is superb and if it's close, he's going to catch it.     [player_tooltip player_id='1172369' first='Wells' last='Lewis'] OL, Cardinal Newman   The Cardinals already have a 1,000-yard rusher and that has a lot to do with the play upfront. Lewis is a center and his head coach is a former offensive lineman at South Carolina. He makes plenty of calls, can move equally as well to his left or his right and protects the Cardinal Newman quarterback. The big thing this season is the Cardinals went to a more ground attack when last year they liked to air it out. Lewis hasn't missed a beat.      [player_tooltip player_id='1054957' first='Gray' last='Kitchings'] LB/ATH, Aiken   Kitchings (pictured) made a habit of making plays as a freshman and not much has changed. He plays linebacker and tight end for the Green Hornets. He's a powerful blocker but always seems to be around the ball defensively. His combine numbers in the offseason came back impressive but watching him in person makes you appreciate what he can do even better.   [player_tooltip player_id='1271251' first='Jordan' last='Johnson'] DL, Philip Simmons   Johnson already has the size that most colleges search out. He's 6-foot-2, 290 pounds and is hard to move. It's been a slow start to his sophomore season, but he creates a huge wall on the defensive line. When Johnson wins the leverage battle, there aren't many that can slow him down.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422583' first='Khalil' last='Levine'] LB, Cross   Cross made a name for itself last season when they recorded six shutouts in a row and allowed 10 points per game. Levine has picked up right in the middle of things this season. He has 11 tackles, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. He plays sideline-to-sideline and even though he's listed at 160 pounds, he's not afraid to take on guys bigger than he is.   [player_tooltip player_id='1271261' first='Brayden' last='Everette'] OL, Travelers Rest   It's difficult to walk into high school and start right away at offensive tackle as a 14- or 15-year-old but that's what Everette did last year. He still has room to grow and that might help if he stays at tackle. It's more than likely, the 6-foot-1, 255-pounder will learn more than one position over the next three years. He could be one that keeps sneaking up the rankings the more we see of him.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422592' first='Caleb' last='Pinkney'] DB, River Bluff   Pickney has moved right into playing high level for the Class 5A Gators. He has 14 tackles and two interceptions this season. He has great hips and that allows him to be put into a position to cover a receiver 1-on-1. He runs well and doesn't mind coming up to show great run support.    [player_tooltip player_id='1321038' first='Justyn' last='Joint'] RB, Cheraw   Joint is averaging over five yards a carry and plays in a Braves attack that wants to run the football first. He's already nearing the 331 rushing yards he had as a freshman. He runs behind his blockers well but when he gets a crease, he shows explosiveness to take it for a long gain. He's in a two-headed set right now but as he gets older, he will be featured more and more as the main guy.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422601' first='Wytrayvious' last='Dugar'] DB, Strom Thurmond   Is Dugar another nominee for the all-name team? Through three games, Dugar was the Rebels leading tackler with 17. He also has an interception on the season. Dugar plays with a swagger and any great defensive back needs that mindset. He plays safety and reads and reacts quickly. The more he plays, the more we will see from him.   [player_tooltip player_id='1422608' first='Hunter' last='O'Neal'] RB, Keenan   O'Neal has 459 yards rushing and another 117 receiving with a total of five touchdowns. He's durable as he has over half the Raiders rushing attempts this season. He played last season, but Keenan had a 1,000-yard rusher that was a senior. O'Neal has moved into that feature back role and looks like he's destined to be a name we hear more and more from over the next few years.      [player_tooltip player_id='463113' first='Gideon' last='Merhib'] QB, Riverside   The Warriors are over to a 3-0 start and the play of Merhib is one of the main reasons why. He's averaging 253 passing yards per game and has 12 touchdowns with no interceptions. He's a great decision-maker and has a strong arm where can make any of the throws. He's accurate and loves to throw the deep ball. One look at his first three games and you can see the potential is there.    [player_tooltip player_id='1422623' first='DQ' last='Green'] ATH, Lamar   Green will dabble on the offensive side of the ball at running back but linebacker is where he shines. He's another defender that shows off a quick first step and can read plays quickly. He played behind a talented group last season but will be counted on to be one of the main guys for the Silver Foxes over the next three years.   [player_tooltip player_id='1426798' first='Cameron' last='McCue'] DB, Berkeley   McCue has quickly made his mark in the Stags secondary. He's listed at just 5-foot-8, 165 pounds but packs a wallop when he makes a tackle. He shows good closing speed in pursuit. He's third on the team with 28 tackles and an interception that he returned for a touchdown. He also excels in special teams and could be one of the next great defensive backs to come out of Berkeley.

The 2027 rankings had 96 players on the list, and we wanted to give a quick glance at 20 guys that could easily be moving up over the next couple of years. We picked 10 players on each side of the ball and broke down what we liked and how they could move up as we learn more and more about the current sophomores.