2026 Rankings: New Additions Quarter 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The evaluation process since our last rankings update has been non-stop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, after the addition of 110 players to the Class of 2026 this time around, you're able to see just how those evaluations have taken shape. Our seven-person staff covers more games and see more athletes than any other outlet in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The access and information we have gave us every reason to increase this class by more than 50 percent. In Quarter 1, we're going to start introducing you to those who now have a number next to their names.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592619' first='Kai' last='Nathan'] DB, Walhalla - Razorbacks' second-leading tackler might put up prime-time numbers as a senior</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592561' first='Preston' last='Rhodes'] LB, Lugoff-Elgin - Went from 32 tackles as a sophomore to nearly 120 as a junior</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592657' first='Rody' last='Barnett'] OL, Christ Church - Left tackle graded out north of 85 percent and didn't allow a sack all year</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592621' first='Jordan' last='Hood'] LB, Woodruff - Helps form one of the most productive returning linebacker units in the state</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592357' first='J'Qwan' last='Crosby'] WR, Stratford - Quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165148' first='Jachin' last='Davis']</strong> has a new favorite target, and the tandem have another year together</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592632' first='Da'Shaun' last='Scriven'] ATH, Crestwood - Defensive back is in line for a bunch more offensive touches next season, too</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592581' first='AJ' last='Lindsey'] LB, Landrum - Cardinals' junior put up 105 tackles and 13 tackles for loss, both team highs in 20224</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592675' first='Zack' last='Zurawski'] WR, St. James - Sharks' top target has an excellent rapport with fellow returning quarterback and a potential for a 1,000-yard season ahead of him</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592333' first='Tayshon' last='Freeman'] QB, York - Strong lefty started to expand his range as the season progressed&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592544' first='Jamarie' last='Haynes'] DL, Baptist Hill - Eight sacks and seven tackles for loss helped Bobcats get back on the right side of the win column</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592572' first='JaKari' last='Holloman'] LB, McBee - Defensive leader from 2024 becomes a standout capable of holding off attrition issues in 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592629' first='Taveon' last='Moore'] ATH, Central - Interception specialist among the best in the state in the category while also pulling double duty on offense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592558' first='Jabarius' last='Brunson'] LB, Ridge Spring-Monetta - Gave up some offensive aspiration in lieu of a monster junior season on defense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1452342' first='Darian' last='Simpkins'] ATH, Walhalla - Caught a few passes, picked off nearly as many, made some tackles, returned some kicks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592404' first='Cohen' last='Chalk'] DB, Boiling Springs - Lacrosse standout become a back-end contributor for the Bulldogs' defense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592601' first='Douglas' last='McCloud'] LB, Fairfield Central - One of a trio of Griffins returnees who topped 100 tackles in 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592500' first='Darius' last='Sutton'] WR, Catawba Ridge - The 5-foot-11, 175 pounder can stretch the field and break tackles for this re-evolving offense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592321' first='Jameson' last='Drearybury'] QB, Broome - Still raw, but hard to ignore a 2,000-yard passing campaign giving all the turnover</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592664' first='Jacob' last='Cotham'] OL, Fountain Inn - Three-year starting center deserves a little more credit for young program's offensive development</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592573' first='Hunter' last='Alex'] LB, Bishop England - Two-year starter is already up and over 200 career tackles heading into his senior season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1394751' first='Michael' last='Cohen'] RB, Myrtle Beach - Hard-nosed tailback helped churn most of the Seahawks' rushing yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592473' first='Kylif' last='Miller'] ATH, Hartsville (pictured) - Primarily a ball carrier this fall, Miller could see time as featured back or elsewhere next season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592627' first='Ethan' last='Chisum'] LB, Philip Simmons - The 94 tackles showed his consistency; the 10 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles showed his big-play potential</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592570' first='Kobe' last='Preston'] LB, Easley - Linebacker was effective in multiple looks from the middle of the defense to the edge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592634' first='BJ' last='Washington'] LB, Kingstree - Between the 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks, Washington met his primary objective last fall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592521' first='Kason' last='Canupp'] QB, Rock Hill - Forced his way onto the field and then used his arm (1,200 yards) and legs (440 yards) to the Bearcats' advantage</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1165512' first='Chris' last='Boyd'] DB, Clinton - Pitches in on offense and special teams, but his 86 tackles in 2024 composed the lead graph</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592587' first='CJ' last='Williams'] LB, Greenville - One of two Red Raider linebackers who has a year left after notching 100-plus total tackles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592672' first='CJ' last='Falotico'] K/P, Philip Simmons - When it came to putting foot to leather, Falotico did it all for Philip Simmons</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592665' first='Jordan' last='Roseborough'] OL, Dutch Fork - Right tackle was a key component of the regular-season undefeated run before an injury sidelined him for the playoffs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->