<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Every rankings cycles we've been through, we can see what additions do to the overall list.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>But the impact of how previously ranked players climb the charts is altogether more vital to the overall look. This cycle for the Class of 2026 - which is the next to last time we'll touch it - is no different.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>All told, 29 players made the type of jumps that can't be ignored. Without games, and without so much as really putting on pads between the end of last fall and now, we look for the “it” factor. We break down combine appearances. We look back to further analyze what they did as juniors. And we do our best to project what this looks like on the high school landscape.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>It brings us to this list, the ranking inside the ranking, where players force our hands to move them closer to the top of the list.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Let's break them all down. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong><em>TOP 10 SHIFT</em></strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473009' first='Jeremiah' last='Favorite']</strong> DB, Boiling Springs (Up two spots to No. 4)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Favorite went from disappointment on the field at Dutch Fork as his junior season came to a close to getting right back to work. His numbers in a Catapult vest during the Carolinas Coaches Combines displayed he's not even close to done making an impression. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267200' first='Tamarion' last='Watkins']</strong> LB, Northwestern (Up two spots to No. 8)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The most visible individual change for Watkins stemmed from his commitment to Texas A&M earlier this summer. But the more impactful one for the Trojans will be how he's used this fall. Watkins is a likely safety in college but is every bit of a nose-bleed inducing hybrid at this one.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402497' first='Kentavion' last='Anderson']</strong> DB, Dorman (Up six spots to No. 9)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Much like Watkins, the version of Anderson who shows up to Clemson could look awfully different than the one that shines for Dorman this fall. Anderson is a ball-hawking, do-it-all type who can move around to meet various needs. Him and his friends could make some big noise.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong><em>RUNNING BACK TRENDS</em></strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473027' first='Meliq' last='McGowan']</strong> RB, Stratford (Up four spots)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>McGowan went from a guy who was going to have to carry Goose Creek to a player who slides in extremely nicely with the rest of the Knights' offense down the road. He's going to be expected to produce, but it won't be an all-or-nothing situation for him. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473029' first='Jaiden' last='McDowell']</strong> RB, Gaffney (Up 10 spots)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Even when McDowell has been on the sidelines for parts of the last two seasons, we've known just how explosive he can be. Entering 2025, he's as healthy as he's been in some time and going to have plenty of help in the tailback rotation to keep him fresh.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Mike' last='Doe']</strong> RB, North Augusta (Up four spots)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>When you put up 34 total touchdowns in one season, people are going to take notice. When you have that type of weapon in your pocket as a coach, you don't waste the opportunity. Doe is special, and while his carries might decrease, his overall touches won't.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1161156' first='Javen' last='Cook']</strong> RB, Clinton (Up 19 spots)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The expectation that Cook will surpass his 1,800 rushing yards from last fall isn't being taken lightly. He's a perfect blend of Clinton's misdirection and his own athletic ability. It stands to reason he's going to take on even more of the look of a dominant tailback.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong><em>BIGGEST MOVERS AND SHAKERS</em></strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165163' first='Zamaurious' last='Robertson']</strong> WR, Dillon (Up 43 spots)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Robertson's huge offseason culminated with his commitment to North Carolina. But he was blowing up well before that. The only thing that prevented him from being a 1,000-yard receiver in 2024 was missing some time with a minor injury. But he's back, better than ever. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592687' first='Jameerion' last='Oliver']</strong> LB, TL Hanna (Up 49 spots)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Oliver gave us every reason to rank him back in January after putting up 93 tackles from his spot in the middle of the defense. All he's done since is shown he's faster than he looks while simultaneously proving he's just as strong as he looks. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1025808' first='Chris' last='Stewart']</strong> DL, Andrews (Up 52 spots)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Steward put up 93 tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks last fall; all those figures led the Yellow Jackets. Still, he was flying a bit under the radar. We think all that's about to change in terms of his place on the statewide spectrum. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816738' first='Jayden' last='Simmons']</strong> DL, Beaufort (Up 73 spots)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Nearly two years ago, we watched Simmons start to blow up, only to find himself in street clothes for a chunk of 2023 and then almost all of 2024. Now? Simmons is being described as someone who is playing “out of his mind” over the last couple months. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1405166' first='Aiden' last='Jones']</strong> DL, Greer (Up 114 spots)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Jones is a microcosm of what we do at PRZ. At 5-foot-7 and 263 pounds, he's not going to get a ton of DI college traction. But his production value is undeniable, as his place in any respectable watch list for an all-star nod at the end of his senior season.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592374' first='Trey' last='Burke']</strong> QB, Spartanburg (Up 115 spots)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Burke got bogged down by an off-field injury that cost him his sophomore year, and like many others, we played the wait-and-see game with him. It's safe to say he's given us plenty of reason to ignore his delayed start to leading the Vikings' offense.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1575461' first='Zach' last='Balog']</strong> ATH, Bishop England (Up 132 spots)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Like we said a little over a week ago, Balog is a threat on offense, defense and special teams. He's one of those guys that would blend into the background of a team photo, but make no mistake about his importance to one of Class 4A's strongest teams.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592198' first='Jontavious' last='Canty']</strong> ATH, Manning (Up 134 spots)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Canty was already a star for the Monarchs in 2024, when the roster was full of guys who helped push Manning to the Class 2A Lower State final. Now, he's on the cusp of every list of honors and capable of making opponents know his every foot step.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1196428' first='Jalen' last='McGraw']</strong> LB/RB, Bamberg-Ehrhardt (Up 163 spots)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Coaches can dole out some favorable statistics and talk up a player all they want. But you can't fake 22 miles per hour and effort. McGraw gave us all of that and them some during the Carolinas Coaches Combines in March and May. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639684' first='Tyree' last='Patton']</strong> LB, Summerville (Up 184 spots)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Patton put up 125 tackles and 20 tackles for loss last fall during the Green Wave's run to the Class 5A, Division I title game. That wasn't enough for him. Bolstered by one of the nastiest rosters in the state, Patton will exude confidence and production as a senior.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1535039' first='Tilden' last='Riley']</strong> TE, Orangeburg Prep (Up 191 spots)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The Vanderbilt commit was mostly out of our view for the last year, but during spring his recruitment gave us time to look at his game more. We don't think it matters much that every squad that plays Orangeburg Prep is looking to slow him down.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592657' first='Rody' last='Barnett']</strong> OL, Christ Church (Up 197 spots)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The more we look at Barnett's rise, the more evidence we see of him using his 285-pound Class 3A wrestling individual title spring boarding him into the 2025 football season. He's reason enough to add some grit to a Christ Church squad already maxing out its skill positions.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639739' first='Christian' last='Waring']</strong> DL, Dorman (Up 233 spots)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Waring and the rest of the Dorman defense was already pretty good last year, and the ceiling for this fall is even higher. Much of that is because of Waring and his potential to wreck the best-laid plans for opposing offenses before they get going.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong><em>MORE NOTABLE UPWARD CLIMBS</em></strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1618012' first='Tony' last='O'Banner']</strong> ATH, Thomas Heyward (Up 10 spots) - Touchdown Tony isn't done yet</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267215' first='Michael' last='Posey']</strong> DL, Eastside (Up 13 spots, pictured) - A healthy Posey is a difference maker, and he's healthy</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='367827' first='Bristol' last='Biegenzahn']</strong> DL, West Ashley (Up 13 spots) - Gunning for 10+ sacks and 20 TFL in 2025</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1580947' first='Jayden' last='Boyd']</strong> WR, Fairfield Central (Up 17 spots) - Wheels don't lie; Boyd's got them</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395078' first='Kam' last='Taylor']</strong> TE, Woodruff (Up 19 spots) - There's so much to love about his game</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592529' first='Julian' last='Walker']</strong> DL, Dutch Fork (Up 19 spots) - Spent entire offseason adding college strength</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395031' first='Caden' last='Muskus']</strong> OL, Chapin (Up 22 spots) - Keeps closing the gap between him and top OL </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592650' first='Ethan' last='Cash']</strong> OL, South Florence (Up 24 spots) - Bruins' tackle more than prepped to show out</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1126113' first='Jordan' last='Avinger']</strong> ATH, Orangeburg-Wilkinson (Up 31 spots) - Does more for O-W than people realize</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
Every rankings cycles we've been through, we can see what additions do to the overall list.
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading
Already a subscriber?
Log in