2026 Rankings: Breaking Down the Specialists

Special Teams can win or lose you football games. If you watch practices across the state, coaches are spending more time on special teams because they understand the importance of getting that aspect of the game right.   When you add in a great kicker, punter or long snapper, that makes it even more of a weapon at your disposal. Current Buffalo kicker Tyler Bass is just one example of a great kicker to come through the state of South Carolina.   But this season, we have a plethora of guys that could be a game-changer for their teams. Most of these guys are multi-dimensional. But they all bring something special to the table.   We breakdown the nine players that fall under the specialist's category for the Class of 2026.      LONG SNAPPER   [player_tooltip player_id='1734607' first='Ethan' last='Mick'], South Point   The last thing a snapper wants is for people to start talking about him and to know his name. That usually means something went awry in the snap to the punter or the holder and his name is going to be plastered all over the place. Mick has no such concerns. His snaps are one the mark, crisp and back in a hurry. That only aids in an already potent Stallions attack.    PUNTERS   [player_tooltip player_id='1734806' first='Ashton' last='Davis'], Blythewood   Davis gets great hang time on his punts and can pin opponents deep in their own territory, which is a game-changer. He averaged over 40 yards per punt and had a long of 54 yards. He can kick it directionally as well, shortening the ground a coverage team must flood. He's gotten stronger in the offseason so he could become even more of a difference-maker in 2025.    [player_tooltip player_id='1734818' first='Hudson' last='Tanner'], May River   Tanner was a perfect 28-for-28 on extra points and 2-for-2 on field goals with a long of 39 yards. He averaged over 35 yards per punt and pinned five inside the 20-yard line. He had a long punt of 55 yards. All that goes to prove the Tanner was accurate with a strong leg and can flip a field with the best of them. It will be important for May River to play field position at some point this season and Tanner is a good one to handle that.    KICKERS   [player_tooltip player_id='816752' first='Will' last='Love'], Spartanburg   It says a lot about Love that he's ranked No. 41 overall in the Class of 2026 rankings. The Virginia Tech commitment is a game-changer when it comes to special teams. His punts are high, long and almost unreturnable. Nearly 90% of his kickoffs are a touchback. But even with all that, his biggest impact might come as a field goal kicker. The Vikings must like their chances of adding points whenever they reach the opponents 35-yard line. Love set a school record last year with a 54-yard field goal.    [player_tooltip player_id='1395076' first='Brock' last='Franklin'], Laurens   Franklin was 70% on 10 field goal attempts last season and hit a long one from 43 yards. The Raiders struggled offensively last season, and Franklin was tied for the team-lead with 30 points. He averaged over 31 yards per punt and a couple of touchbacks on kickoffs. Laurens hopes to be better offensively and that should give Franklin more of an opportunity.    [player_tooltip player_id='1165169' first='Curt' last='Horton'], Andrew Jackson   Horton (pictured) was limited to five games last season but he's a difference-maker when he's available. He was 8-of-9 on PAT's and added a 26-yard field goal in his only attempt. He added three touchbacks on kickoffs and averaged over 51 yards per kick. As a punter, he only punted twice for a 34-yard average. He should be healthy in 2025 and that will be a benefit to the Andrew Jackson attack.   [player_tooltip player_id='1592672' first='CJ' last='Falotico'], Philip Simmons   There is a good chance that every time Philip Simmons kicks off this year, teams will start from deep in their own territory. Falotico had 14 touchbacks in 2024 and averaged almost 55 yards per kickoff. As a punter, he pinned 11 inside the 20-yard line and had a long of 52 yards. Accuracy and precision are strengths. Throw in the fact that Falotico was 46-of-48 on extra points and 6-of-8 on field goals and the Iron Horses have one of the best weapons in the state. He hit a field goal from 51 yards.    [player_tooltip player_id='1734718' first='Mitchell' last='Bobbitt'], Blue Ridge   The Fighting Tigers will have someone that can flip the field and help them win the field position battle in Bobbitt. He averaged right at 35 yards per punt and downed two inside the 20-yard line. His kick-offs are high and deep to let the coverage get downfield. He was 29-of-32 on extra points and only attempted one field goal a season ago. Bobbitt should have more chances this season to be more of an offensive threat. He added 19 receptions as a wide receiver.    [player_tooltip player_id='1734794' first='Corey' last='Shoemaker'], Seneca   Shoemaker didn't have many opportunities last season but he's going to move into the main kicker and punter roles this season. He had a strong offseason and performed well in a number of camps. He displays a big leg and accuracy and that will help the Bobcats this fall. His only punt last season went 40 yards, and his lone kickoff was a touchback. He also caught 13 passes.

Special Teams can win or lose you football games. If you watch practices across the state, coaches are spending more time on special teams because they understand the importance of getting that aspect of the game right.