10 Lowcountry 2027s We Could See Making a Move

By now, you know all about how [player_tooltip player_id='378969' first='Jaiden' last='Kelly-Murray'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1094944' first='Aiden' last='Manavian'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1215391' first='Jayven' last='Williams'] and have long since made their mark for their respective teams.   After all, they're all in the top five overall of the Prep RedZone 2027 rankings for a reason.   But amid those established stars are a number of fellow current juniors who are primed for a massive glow up in the next 12 calendar months. These players have dealt with injuries, positional changes, transfers, new roles and so much more to earn a spot in our rankings.   We don't think they're anywhere close to done.    [player_tooltip player_id='1664589' first='William' last='Donato'] WR/QB, Bishop England   Current Ranking: No. 223 overall/No. 26 WR   Reason to Watch: There's a very strong possibility that Donato won't be allowed to play receiver anymore moving forward. That's because the one-time expected Bishops' quarterback did more than an adequate job as the team's back-up when pressed back behind center in 2025. The job isn't his, necessarily, as there will be a competition for it over the next eight months. But if he doesn't win that job, he's the team's top returning receiver. Either way, we'll hear his name plenty.    [player_tooltip player_id='1271259' first='Jessie' last='Brown'] RB, Berkeley   Current Ranking: No. 180 overall/No. 24 RB   Reason to Watch: There were glimpses during Brown's sophomore season when he looked like he would take the reins of this rushing attack. Injuries over the course of the last two years have prevented that from taking shape. And while the Stags are almost assuredly going to keep their tailback-by-committee approach, Brown's health and some graduation attrition will also likely boost his carries and production.    [player_tooltip player_id='1664501' first='James' last='O'Connor'] RB, Oceanside Collegate   Current Ranking: No. 189 overall/No. 25 RB   Reason to Watch: O'Connor suffered a small leg fracture that held him out of the bulk of the Landsharks' championship run. He replacement then ran for 1,264 yards on a virtual whim while the team anxiously awaited O'Connor's return. That never happened, but it will in 2026. The 6-foot, 220-pound tailback is capable of breaking down opposing defensive lines, further softening them up for Oceanside's passing scheme.    [player_tooltip player_id='1675500' first='Roman' last='Hood'] DL, Philip Simmons   Current Ranking: No. 283 overall/No. 42 DL   Reason to Watch: Despite missing three games, Hood piled up 28 tackles for loss, often while opposing defenses somehow forgot he was there or maybe even thought he was the safer point of attack. Whoops. Hood knows how to get into the backfield, but he also knows when he approach the position like a linebacker when necessary. That's why he also put up 72 total stops over the course of the 2025 season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1822839' first='Josh' last='Bigger'] DL, Hilton Head   Current Ranking: No. 314 overall/No. 48 DL    Reason to Watch: Not all that long ago, Bigger was expected to be a middle linebacker. And while we won't rule out a change back to his early varsity days, what he's done as a defensive end is pretty good reason to believe he won't. With his hand on the turf, he piled up 34 tackles for loss and 13 sacks this past season. Hilton Head already has an established linebacker corps, and it meshes extremely well with Bigger's abilities on the edge.     [player_tooltip player_id='640683' first='Kevin' last='Johnson'] QB, Northwood Academy   Current Ranking: No. 241 overall/No. 25 QB   Reason to Watch: Johnson (pictured) is the embodiment of the new age of high school football in South Carolina. After getting replaced as the starter at Fort Dorchester late in his sophomore season, he rejuvenated himself at Northwood in his first season there by throwing for 2,499 yards and 24 touchdowns against just five picks. Most importantly, the Chargers won a SCISA state title. All of that happened in his first year in the program. Year two could be even more special.   [player_tooltip player_id='1664526' first='Malcolm' last='Gordon'] LB, Bluffton   Current Ranking: No. 202 overall/No. 24 LB   Reason to Watch: Gordon brings some serious defensive toughness to a team that is much more known for the high-profile passing game it's been building the last three seasons. Gordon's role is to shut down the run so that opposing teams are more one-dimensional, and it's clear via his 130 total tackles and 15 tackles for loss as a junior that he's more than capable of playing a monster role in just that.    [player_tooltip player_id='2045834' first='Dewey' last='Bull'] LB, Lucy Beckham   Current Ranking: No. 316 overall/No. 44 LB   Reason to Watch: The 2027 rankings are clearly jammed with linebacker, and Bull is a great example of why. While he's near the bottom of the positional rankings for the time being, his numbers are almost assuredly going to jump considerably next season. And we say that while pointing out that he had 117 total stops as a junior. He's the teams top returning tackler by a solid margin.    [player_tooltip player_id='1821469' first='Owen' last='George'] QB, Academic Magnet   Current Ranking: No. 311 overall/No. 29 QB   Reason to Watch: As we pointed out last week, George was the bulk of the offense for Academic Magnet last fall. Some of that was due to injuries and his own acclimation to the offense. But quarterbacks who rush for 1,300 yards are usually a different breed. With a full complement of weapons, the plays drawn up for him might cut down but his production rate should increase.     [player_tooltip player_id='1819778' first='Nolan' last='Giet'] OL, Summerville   Current Ranking: No. 157 overall/No. 17 OL   Reason to Watch: Giet's one of those dudes who isn't going to ever get the billing that Williams or Kelly-Murray do, but his value to the Green Wave's second straight run to Weekend of Champions is undeniable. He started the season inside before moving out to tackle. All he was asked to do was take on some of the most dynamic defensive ends in the state. And all he did from there was hold his own. Giet is a few right moves away from seeing his recruitment train leaving the station.