2026 Rankings: New Additions Quarter 4

<!-- 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 4, we're going to wrap up the introductions of those who now have a number next to their names.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1361647' first='Derrick' last='Thomas'] RB, Orangeburg-Wilkinson - Smaller of Bruins' two-headed rushing attack is just as dangerous</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1594865' first='Brysen' last='Ginn'] LB, South Pointe - Missed a month-plus of the season and still finished with 87 total tackles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592230' first='Sean' last='Mitchell'] RB, May River - Became such a force on offense that Sharks pulled him off defense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592288' first='Jamol' last='Horton'] RB, Indian Land - Took a ton of pressure off a freshman quarterback by rushing for more than 1,300 yards&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592198' first='Jontavious' last='Canty'] ATH, Manning - A sneeze away from 100 tackles to go along with 800 rushing yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592686' first='Chama' last='Sabb'] OL, Lower Richland - The more he uses his arms, the scarier he's going to be as a hit-first blocker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592633' first='Michael' last='Foster'] DL, Indian Land - Edge rusher piled up 12 sacks and three forced fumbles to go along with 87 total tackles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1551561' first='Aaden' last='Starnes'] OL, Hartsville - Interior linemen went from back-up to polished guard in the blink of an eye</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='402499' first='Kymani' last='Clary'] QB, Goose Creek - Chased a good sophomore season with an even better 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1327713' first='Matthew' last='Hillstock'] WR, Easley - Home run capability with a mix of sure-handed, across-the-middle ability</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='209335' first='Kieron' last='Vauls'] OL, Irmo - After odd sophomore year elsewhere, Vauls settled in along some high-caliber teammates</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592576' first='Lucas' last='Tankersley'] LB, Eastside - Not quite laughable numbers, but not far off</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592591' first='Zy' last='Whitlock'] LB, Chester - The next faction in a trio of 2026 Chester defenders is officially here</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592362' first='Josue' last='Esiki'] LB, White Knoll - Started the year looking raw, but finished much more polished, not to mention productive</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592625' first='Dequan' last='Evans'] LB, South Pointe - One of the biggest reasons this defense could be even better next fall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592687' first='Jameerion' last='Oliver'] LB, TL Hanna - We really like what we see Oliver doing with this skill set long term</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592650' first='Ethan' last='Cash'] OL, South Florence - Huge offensive tackle put a lot of really good defenders on their backs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592310' first='Quinn' last='Mahoney'] QB, Bishop England - Took big arm a few miles down the road and then went to work</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592462' first='Willie' last='Kennedy'] LB, South Florence - Can't rave about how much damage he did for the Bruins' championship defense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592194' first='Jaemin' last='Pinckney'] DL, Woodland - Length and range has him looking like a Division-I talent off the edge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1166986' first='Messiah' last='Jackson'] QB, South Florence - Earned starting spot, then made it look like he belonged the entire time</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1579733' first='Walker' last='Kelley'] LB/TE, TL Hanna - Someone playing at this high level on both sides of the ball in Class 5A is rare</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592529' first='Julian' last='Walker'] DL, Dutch Fork - The three tackles for loss in the state championship game were a perfect end to his coming out party</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592507' first='Luke' last='Young'] LB, Clinton - Primed to take over the Red Devils' defensive mantle from his big brother after championship run</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1148537' first='Jaryn' last='Fox'] RB, Carolina Forest - Some of the best field vision we've seen, and a ton of yards to boot</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1592182' first='Terence' last='Johnson'] ATH, Oceanside Collegiate (pictured) - If he's on the field, he's a threat, offensively or defensively</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->