2026 Rankings: New Additions, Quarter 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last four months have been a blur of talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The combine slate fed into the 7-on-7 slate, which fed into linemen camps, which fed into preseason camps and jamborees. Through it all, Prep RedZone South Carolina has been writing down names and conducting in-person and film evaluations galore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The end result was an addition of 133 new players to the Class of 2026 rankings. It is our largest single class bump in the five years of our site. Some of that is knowing where to look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rest is 133 players forcing our hand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We start our introductions to all of them with the first 35 players who now have a number next to their name.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='473031' first='D'Anthony' last='Coleman'] ATH, West Ashley - After a year away, Coleman is back and will make impact felt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1741086' first='Dominic' last='Russell'] LB, Northwood Academy - Had 47 tackles and seven TFL for Cane Bay last ball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='284135' first='Kamren' last='Long'] QB, Carolina Forest - Goes from back-up to starter, but he's not inexperienced&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1738867' first='Rodney' last='Wilder'] ATH, Colleton County - Will do a little bit of everything for the Cougars' offense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1738863' first='Jaden' last='McGrue'] DB, Stratford - Timberland transfer will be back at his natural corner position&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1738860' first='Antonio' last='Deas'] ATH, Georgetown - While mostly playing defensive end, linebacker and some tailback, Deas is a 5-foot-10, 165-pounder filling multiple holes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1738847' first='Jason' last='Brigham'] OL, Johnsonville - Three-year starter is progressing from solid to potent</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1738855' first='David' last='Vennard'] WR, Wando - New WR1 caught 26 passes for 312 yards last year as a junior</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1738835' first='Zack' last='Page'] OL, Latta - Compact and strong, Page is the impetus for a rush-first attack</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1738821' first='Bryson' last='Freeman'] DL, Daniel - One of Lions' top returning defenders is back and ready for more</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1738832' first='Troy' last='Stevens'] OL, Cane Bay - Tackle, guard, doesn't matter; Stevens is all about this scheme</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1738823' first='Gavin' last='Forrester'] QB, Blue Ridge (pictured) - Already the tip of the spear, Forrester's ask grows significantly</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1734653' first='Lewis' last='Bussey'] DL, Greer - Fits in real nicely with the two known commodities on this line</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1268611' first='Jar'kese' last='Grant'] RB/DB, Lugoff-Elgin - Team's top rusher has a penchant for the other side, too</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1663209' first='Jeaden' last='Johnson'] OL/DL, White Knoll - Johnson makes this line stronger simply by showing up</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1743679' first='Trey' last='Crawford'] RB, Greenwood - Still a part-time DB while eyeing a 1,000-yard rushing season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1734635' first='Jaden' last='Brinkley'] DL/OL, Hillcrest - On offense and defense, Brinkley clearly loves the interior</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1041795' first='Chanson' last='Mickles'] LB, Gaffney - Chapman transfer will fit in just fine with Gaffney's title hopes</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1734628' first='Jason' last='Horton'] QB, Rock Hill - Cardinal Newman transfer about to air it out… a lot</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1734634' first='Josh' last='Braveboy'] OL, Ridge View -&nbsp; Shores up this offensive line even more, and that's saying something</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1734794' first='Corey' last='Shoemaker'] K/P, Seneca - Performed extremely well in advance of taking over both jobs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1734626' first='Ethan' last='O'Bryan'] DL, Wren - His 45 tackles and five TFL from last year are about to jump</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1208787' first='Jacob' last='Lewis'] DB, Westside - Put up 46 tackles and a pick before moving over to Westside</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1734610' first='Aydan' last='Hogan'] WR, Northwood Academy - Lost his quarterback, but not potential for huge senior year</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1723971' first='Owen' last='Downs'] LB, Riverside - Has triple-digit tackles written all over him this fall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1734605' first='Josh' last='Smith'] RB, Hillcrest - Moves up the depth chart significantly after a good junior year</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1734818' first='Hudson' last='Tanner'] P/K, May River - Was perfect on his kicks and averaged 35+ on punts last year</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1734594' first='Jacobie' last='Smith'] WR/DB, Mountain View Prep - MVP has not one, but two pretty darn good receivers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1734584' first='Brandon' last='Smith'] DB, Clover - Put up 70 tackles, seven PBUs and three picks during his junior year</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1734806' first='Ashton' last='Davis'] P, Blythewood - Going to get a ton of work, and his success rate is even more important</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1734574' first='Kennedy' last='Harmon'] OL, Gilbert - Not huge, but comes to work with a loaded tool belt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1734657' first='Noel' last='Sitton'] DB, Greer - Adds some pop to the back side of a pretty stout defense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1734627' first='Pervis' last='Walker'] DL, Lugoff-Elgin - Gives the Demons some size that can crank up his teammates</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1734560' first='Levi' last='Ward'] OL, York - Could be dominant with his 6-foot-4 frame and 80-inch wing span&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1734581' first='RJ' last='Kearse'] DB, Gilbert - Makes stops, breaks up passes and fits right in with his cohorts</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->