2027 Rankings Winter Update: New Additions Q1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're starting off 2026 with a bang.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But why wait until the New Year begins to get cranking?&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the course of the next two weeks, we're going to break down every aspect of the Prep RedZone Class of 2027 Winter Rankings Update. From the Stockrisers to positional highlights to zone development to - you guessed it - the New Additions, we've got you covered.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As to why, that's the easy part.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This crop is loaded - and only growing stronger by the week. The fact that this class has 12 more months of high school football ahead of it is promising for the Palmetto State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As such, we've added 106 new players to the Prep RedZone 2027 rankings. We've put our collective century and a half of experience into action, evaluating players throughout the 2025 football season in order to identify as many of these players as possible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a nifty four-pack, we're going to introduce you to all of them, one by one.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Indeed, 2026 could be a monster here in South Carolina.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's get to it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2045818' first='Jayden' last='Horne'] OL, Cheraw | Not overly imposing, but proved himself vital for the Braves amid the rest of their size</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1763286' first='Luc' last='Tran'] QB, May River | Ran the Sharks' Wing-T hurry-up offense to the tune of 27 points per game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1818683' first='Jaylen' last='Lyles'] RB, Woodruff | Back-up tailback averaged 7.5 yards per carry and finished with 500-plus on the ground</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1304767' first='Larkin' last='Powell'] QB, Johnsonville | Got more and more comfortable running the offense as the season went along</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1791034' first='Josh' last='Daniel'] K, Wren | Didn't miss a field goal or extra point after Sept. 5 on his way to 62 points scored</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1822255' first='Ajdrin' last='Mobley'] DL, Westwood (pictured) | Has the size and worth ethic to play this game well beyond high school</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2045814' first='Tre' last='Green'] WR Pinewood Prep | One of two Panthers juniors on the outside primed for a big offseason and 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1822131' first='Keilon' last='Tucker'] WR, Chapman | Sure-handed receiver was able to start creating separation from his defenders, too</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1819429' first='Imri' last='Logan'] QB, Boiling Springs | Was thrown into the fire and put up 1,500 combined yards and 13 scores</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1816914' first='LaQuincy' last='Leach'] DB/WR, Marlboro County | Led the Bulldogs in receiving despite missing three games during his junior year</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1824178' first='Trey' last='Johnson'] OL, Gray Collegiate | Brought his 6-foot-4 frame to the interior of an Eagles' line, could move to tackle</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1823740' first='Cam' last='Wilson'] WR, Pickens | Hauled in twice as many passes as any other Blue Flame en route to 550 receiving yards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1818204' first='James' last='Heckard'] K/P, Rock Hill | Showed off his big leg on field goals and now gets to expand his role after playing behind a senior</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1822589' first='Connor' last='Hamilton'] DB, South Aiken | Finished tied for second on the T-Breds roster with 81 tackles while blocking a field goal</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1676296' first='Josh' last='Bradley'] WR/DB, West Ashley | Wildcats' top receiver also stepped in at some quarterback this past fall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1816473' first='Evan' last='Simmons'] LB, Brookland-Cayce | At times, was a one-man wrecking crew for the B-C defense&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1771671' first='Dontavius' last='Griffin'] DL, Newberry | After starting career as a safety, he's moved up with size and strength</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1065555' first='Grayson' last='Salego'] RB, Pinewood Prep | Added balance to a pass-first attack with 800 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1822476' first='Mekhi' last='Quiller'] DB/WR, Fox Creek | Led team in receiving categories and picked off five passes during his junior season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1822707' first='Zaghe' last='Davis'] RB, Johnsonville | Speedy tailback will be part of large contingent of Flashes returners</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2083018' first='Carson' last='Cartwright'] DL, Gray Collegiate | If size is the name of the game, Cartwright has one heck of a starting spot</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1821487' first='D'Rontae' last='McClam'] DB, Dillon | Led Wildcats with four picks while adding 44 tackles and three forced fumbles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1856509' first='Kaiden' last='Davis'] RB, Blackville-Hilda | Spurring a playoff victory was a crucial springboard for him into 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2048043' first='Drew' last='Wolfe'] WR, Northwood Academy | Chargers' new No. 1 receiver has 1,000-yard season written all over him</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1823529' first='Travis' last='Sansbury'] OL, South Florence | Bruins' left guard was instrumental in another huge offensive campaign</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1822697' first='Christian' last='Simmons'] QB, Carvers Bay | His production was secondary to a 2,000-yard tailback, but that should change</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1763191' first='Tony' last='Cooper'] RB, May River | Appears ready for a bigger role after rushing for 400 yards and three scores</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->