2026 Rankings: New Additions Quarter 2

<!-- 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 2, we're going to continue introducing you to those who now have a number next to their names.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1241751' first='Matthew' last='Payes'] LB, Wando - Registered four double-digit tackle games in eight total contests; added eight tackles for loss</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1351189' first='Dre' last='Walker'] DB, Fairfield Central - Safety is a hit-stick waiting to happen who occasionally jumped in on the return game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592496' first='Nolan' last='Jones'] LB, Catawba Ridge - Averaged 11 tackles per game and leads a young-yet experienced returning defensive unit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592645' first='Jaylon' last='Davis'] OL/DL, Union County - Run-stuffing interior lineman finished the year with 58 stops and 7.5 sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592441' first='Charlie' last='Scott'] ATH, AC Flora - Added 14 receptions and a touchdown to his 61 tackles and three interceptions on the other side of the ball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592567' first='Bradley' last='Lucas'] LB, Greenville - Raiders have not one, but two, bigger linebackers ready for their second full season together</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592597' first='Breone' last='Whitaker'] LB, Fairfield Central - Team's top returning tackler also had four fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1395040' first='Royal' last='Williamson'] ATH, Gray Collegiate - After waiting for a year post-transfer, dynamic Williamson ready for varsity level</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592647' first='Alex' last='Kirylo'] OL, River Bluff - Once he started to engage on a proactive level, his skill set began to shine right along with it</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592434' first='Tyler' last='Wootton'] DL, Batesburg-Leesville - Still relatively raw, there's a ton of upside given his length and range</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592515' first='Ka'Nazzion' last='Bethea'] ATH, Mullins - His 1,700 yards of offense turned a winless squad into a seven-win one overnight</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592540' first='Christian' last='Foster'] LB, Emerald - Even if you cut Foster's tackle figure by 10 percent, he still would have finished with 140 stops</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592408' first='Shaun' last='Graybill'] LB, Woodruff - Linebacker's tackles (123), tackles for loss (22) and QB hurries (seven) were all tops in the program</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1576586' first='River' last='Thayne'] TE, Carolina Forest - Powerful blocker makes a living out of drilling unsuspecting linebackers for Panthers' rushing attack</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592557' first='Michael' last='Johnson'] LB, Indian Land - Routinely finished games with double-digit tackle figures and had a season-high of 21 in an October loss</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592598' first='Cade' last='Spencer'] LB, Daniel - Lions have been known to put linebackers into great spots, and Spencer is the next big one</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592342' first='Connor' last='Dantzler'] QB, James Island - Gave run-first Trojans every excuse to throw the ball much more last fall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592547' first='Brody' last='Tonon'] LB, Philip Simmons - Expected a gritty fullback; got a gritty fullback who also led the team in tackles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592663' first='MJ' last='Marks'] OL, Fountain Inn - We love active and mobile interior linemen, and Marks checks both boxes for the Fury</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592609' first='Azel' last='Banag'] DB, AC Flora - Falcons are known for their offensive playmakers; Banag is giving everyone reason to look at this defense, too</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592369' first='Jordan' last='Darby'] LB, Dorman - Expected starting middle linebacker will have every opportunity to flourish as a senior</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592667' first='Cooper' last='Sanders'] OL, Wren - We could watch the big left tackle pull and pave the way downfield for hours</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1506464' first='Charles' last='Richardson'] DB, Midland Valley - Saying he went from zero to 60 in defensive production this year doesn't begin to describe it</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592470' first='Kylan' last='Dixon'] DL, Belton-Honea Path - Absolute load of a tackle is just really fun to watch, even when he's not making stops</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1161156' first='Javen' last='Cook'] ATH, Clinton - Diminutive tailback put up some monster numbers, including 1,800 yards and 21 touchdowns</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1463245' first='Luciano' last='Cesario'] DL, Dutch Fork - By this time next year, everyone will know about this next man up for the Silver Foxes' defense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592487' first='Tristian' last='Spann'] WR, Hartsville - Speedy receiver made a habit out of catching defenses too focused on the Red Foxes' running game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1356028' first='Solomon' last='Kelson'] RB, AC Flora - The two in the one-two Falcons' punch in the ground game makes this team even more of one to watch next year</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592305' first='Ty' last='Foster'] QB, Landrum - Building on his 27 total touchdowns and 2,700 yards of offense from his junior season is now the primary offseason goal for this squad</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592297' first='Cole' last='Martin'] RB, Chapin - Eagles are replacing a lot, but not their primary ball carrier or his 800 yards and eight touchdowns from last fall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->