2027 Rankings Update: Upstate Zone Read

The Upstate is a hotbed of talent for the 2027 class, with a ton of guys drawing a bunch of interest, particularly at the top of the class. There's a trio of outstanding RBs in [player_tooltip player_id='1036753' first='Aiden' last='Gibson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1036721' first='Tre' last='Segarra'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1172345' first='Trenton' last='Lynch']. [player_tooltip player_id='779428' first='Tajeh' last='Watson-Martin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1172351' first='PJ' last='Chancellor'] are utility guys, able to do a bunch of things well. [player_tooltip player_id='1036731' first='Dennis' last='Glenn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1426796' first='Marques' last='Skinner'] are capable of being dominant up front defensively, with [player_tooltip player_id='691267' first='CJ' last='Brooks'] filling that role on the offensive side of the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='429920' first='Sam' last='Holliday'] is a fantastic dual-threat QB, [player_tooltip player_id='1271241' first='Chanin' last='Harris'] is a burner, [player_tooltip player_id='1036755' first='Kendaris' last='Bailey'] is a defensive machine at LB, and [player_tooltip player_id='1422557' first='Henry' last='Phillips'] gives the Upstate a legit chance to have the state's best kicker for two years in a row.   But what about the guys a little bit deeper in the rankings? Glad you asked. Here's a look at some newcomers, some guys who we feel can take advantage of great situations, and a breakdown of a great QB group.   Joining The List   We've talked about the newcomers to the list already, but some guys deserve a little bit of a closer look. Here are a few whose ability and circumstances, along with a proven track record, meant we just can't ignore them any longer.   [player_tooltip player_id='1581469' first='Colby' last='Flood'] DB/WR, Fountain Inn - Flood's a burner, and he'll absolutely help the Fury's offense. But where he brings the most value, and what's got him on this list, is his defensive production. Flood turned in 85 total tackles last season, broke up seven passes, and snagged five interceptions. He's absolutely capable of being a shut-down guy, while at the same time stepping up to provide run support. He's got tremendous talent, along with tremendous upside.   [player_tooltip player_id='1708840' first='David' last='Bolden'] ATH, Pickens - Bolden's position designation tends to look a little bit like an eye chart. A bunch of letters that usually don't go together that make up one heck of a player. Bolden lines up all over the field for the Blue Flame, and he's good everywhere he plays, whether it's as one of Pickens' top receivers, notching carries out of the backfield, or playing defense. A lot of that is due to pure speed - he was the fastest player at the Carolinas Coaches Combine in Spartanburg, hitting a time of 4.47 in the 40.   [player_tooltip player_id='1809341' first='John' last='Campbell'] DB, St. Joseph's - Campbell is the Knights' top returning tackler, and that's plenty of reason to pay him some attention, but that's also selling him short. He's a great defender, able to match up with bigger opponents thanks to solid technique. He's obviously not shy to stick his nose in against the run, as evidenced by his tackle numbers. And like most guys at smaller schools, he'll play both ways, and he's more than solid on the offensive side of the ball for St. Joseph's.   [player_tooltip player_id='1809928' first='Nathan' last='Huff'] OL, Greer - Huff's already enormous at 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds. He shows a nasty streak that you love to see in offensive linemen. And he plays in a system and for a coach that routinely produces top OL talent. He had a great sophomore season, and he's continuing that trend as a junior. He can play either guard spot, he pulls well, and he's athletic enough to do pretty much whatever is asked of him.   [player_tooltip player_id='1811122' first='Jacob' last='Whitehead'] OL, Mauldin - Whitehead has a chance to really make a mark for himself, and he's already made quite the impression for the Mavericks. He's 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds, but he's athletic enough to play either guard or tackle. Those measurables give him a big advantage, but the little things help him even more. He's got great feet, he uses leverage to his advantage, and a lot of times, there's just no chance the guy he's blocking will impact a play, because he's on the ground with Whitehead having pancaked him.   [player_tooltip player_id='1416928' first='Cody' last='Haymes'] OL/DL, Laurens - The easiest answer to what Haymes is good at on the OL is "yes". He's capable of playing all five positions, and doing it at a high level. He's been mostly at left tackle these days, where his 6-foot-1, 290-pound frame and long arms have served him well. He's a guy who does a bunch of things really well up front, and he'll be one of the keys to the Raiders' success.    Moving Up?   There are a few guys who have jumped into the rankings with a good chance to take advantage of great situations. They've got a ton of talent, but they've also got a few other things working in their favor with a chance to climb the rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='1665369' first='Djay' last='Leak'] ATH, Boiling Springs - Leak is just one of a bunch of athletic, versatile guys who the Bulldogs are going to depend on. He's good in coverage, but he's especially active and physical against the run, providing a boost for the Bulldogs there. He's a guy who just does a lot of things really well, and with a bunch of talent at all three levels of defense for Boiling Springs, he's got an opportunity to turn some heads.   [player_tooltip player_id='1809307' first='Shaun' last='Carvalho'] LB, JL Mann - Here's a couple things we know about Carvalho - he's been drawing praise from new Mann head coach Bryce Smiley since the spring, and Smiley's attacking defense is built around linebackers who can run around and make plays. That's a couple of very big check marks. Carvalho has great size and speed, and his instincts are off the charts. He has a chance to shine in the Patriots' defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820011' first='Josiah' last='Chambers'] OL, Byrnes - Chambers is a guy who's been singled out for his work ethic, particularly in the weight room. He plays on a line with a mix of youth and experience. The Rebels have a wealth of tools on offense, including one of the top backs in the state. That leaves Chambers and his line mates up front poised to make things happen for Byrnes. They've been great so far, paving the way for nearly 900 yards of offense in the Rebels' first two games.   [player_tooltip player_id='1858256' first='Skylar' last='Douglas'] WR, Spartanburg - Douglas is a guy who can really seize an opportunity to have a strong season. With Spartanburg QB [player_tooltip player_id='1592374' first='Trey' last='Burke'] in need of weapons on the outside, Douglas can step into that role and help take some pressure off the Vikings' offense. He played as a sophomore, started and played well against Dutch Fork, and is only scratching the surface of what he can do.   [player_tooltip player_id='1809282' first='Savion' last='Booker'] WR, Mountain View Prep - Booker's in a great position to have a monster season and rocket up the rankings. He's got speed and plenty of tools on his own, and could be a game-breaker. But he's also got the advantage of playing alongside a young QB in a new system, with one of the most dynamic receivers in the state drawing most of the attention on the other side of the field.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819527' first='Anius' last='Smith'] DL, Greer - Talk about on-the-job training: Smith's been plugged right into an elite defensive line at Greer alongside a couple of absolute monsters, and he's already holding his own. He's already got a sack and a tackle for loss in his first couple games, and he's got the tools to be a perfect fit for the Yellow Jackets' system.    Quarterback Spotlight   Fountain Inn's Holliday is the Top 50 guy here, and he's been proving why since he was a freshman. But there's plenty of talent in the class, and a bunch of guys who have been getting better and better, and who still have two years to boost their stock.   [player_tooltip player_id='463113' first='Gideon' last='Merhib'] Riverside - Merhib is a gunslinger, and the Warriors have the weapons to take full advantage of his talent. He put up 400 yards of offense in Week 0, and his game is tailor-made for the Warriors' offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1581467' first='Brooks' last='Dow'] Pickens - Dow's size and arm strength immediately draw your notice. He's 6-foot-6, 210 pounds, and makes tough throws look effortless. He's started the season with a bang, and had a seven-touchdown performance against Walhalla. He's got a ton of eyes on him, and appears more than able to live up to the hype.   [player_tooltip player_id='1604046' first='Jackson' last='Free'] Hillcrest - You want some big-play ability out of your QB? Free has thrown three TD passes of 80 or more yards already this season. He runs Hillcrest's offense well, and he's got the weapons and the ability to get even better. Free doesn't have to beat you, but he absolutely can, and he doesn't do things to get in his own way very often. He makes the plays he needs to make, he doesn't take unnecessary chances, and he just seems to get what the Rams are trying to do.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603963' first='Mason' last='Evans'] Crescent - Evans is a true dual-threat guy in the best sense of the position. He's got the arm talent to beat you over the top and spread the ball around, and his legs get him out of trouble on scrambles as effectively as they serve him on designed runs. Evans is a guy who feels like he's going to blow up over the next couple years as he gets even better at running the system for the Tigers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1199124' first='Judd' last='Windham'] Christ Church - Windham is the latest in a line of top-tier guys at QB for Christ Church. He's got the services of one of the top receivers in the state, a standout back, and a quality offensive line. He also does plenty to help himself. He's a guy who's patiently waited on his chance to shine, and Windham's a guy who can take full advantage of the opportunity.   [player_tooltip player_id='1809232' first='Evan-Reece' last='Lawter'] Chesnee - Lawter is another dual-threat QB, but his biggest advantage isn't his ability to run the ball, but the WAY he goes about running it. Take one carry as an example. In Week 1 against Broome, down a TD in overtime, there wasn't much mystery about what the Eagles were going to do, since Lawter had made up the bulk of their offense on the ground in the game. First down: Lawter around the left end for a 10-yard score, past a couple of Centurions and through another. He runs with power, he knows when to give and when to keep, and he can sling it around, too.