2027 Rankings: Two-Way Standouts From the CSRA

When you look at the ranked players from the CSRA for the 2027 Class, one thing that stands out is the number of plays at the skill positions – running back and wide receiver on offense and defensive back on defense. What makes this list even more impressive is most of these guys are playing both ways and making an impact.   Some of that has to do with the fact that there are a lot of smaller classification schools in this zone, but the bigger deal is that these kids are solid players that would make an immediate impact wherever they played.   Here's a breakdown of some of the athletes and two-way players that we expect to see a lot of in 2026.   [player_tooltip player_id='1054957' first='Gray' last='Kitchings'] LB/RB, Aiken   It's very likely that we will see more of Kitchings (pictured) playing both ways in 2026 than we previously have. We know what he can do on defense. He finished with 66 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery. He's very active and always near the football which bodes well for a linebacker. He only carried the ball 13 times last season, but he could see five to seven carries per game this coming season. He's a downhill runner that runs with great effort and power. We believe his future is on defense but he's going to be able to help the Green Hornets in a variety of ways.   [player_tooltip player_id='644030' first='Xavier' last='Geter'] ATH, Midland Valley   Geter was mainly a quarterback for the Mustangs but he's a guy that could transition to the defensive side of the ball in college. He was good enough under center to throw for more than 2,100 yards with 20 touchdown passes while running for 481 yards and eight additional scores. But he can double as a defensive back who moves well and shows great hips in drills. Geter is still going to be asked to handle the majority of the quarterback duties but don't count him out on seeing more snaps on the defensive side of things in 2026.    [player_tooltip player_id='1822105' first='Akeam' last='Williams'] DB and [player_tooltip player_id='1827481' first='Jayden' last='Hatcher'] RB/WR, North Augusta   Hatcher was the backup to [player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Mike' last='Doe'] most of the season, but he showed flashes at running back late when Doe was dealing with some injuries. Hatcher averaged over 7 yards per carry and had 816 yards and 22 touchdowns. He's quick, can make guys miss in the open field and has the speed to take it the distance if he gets a step on the defender. But he also can become a factor as a receiver as well. He has great hands and has a knack for getting open. Williams can play either safety position and breaks on the ball as well as anyone. He provides help over the top and can come up and help in coverage on shorter routes as well. He's a magnet towards the football and makes many plays all over the field.    [player_tooltip player_id='1822589' first='Connor' last='Hamilton'] DB and [player_tooltip player_id='1036785' first='Kyson' last='McLeod'] WR, South Aiken   Hamilton is somewhat of a headhunter that covers a lot of ground and helps in a variety of ways. He had 81 tackles last season and can play in coverage well, but his strength was coming up and providing support in the run defense. McLeod is going to be in an offense where he was the top receiver last season and the second and third option have graduated. He could expand greatly on his 42 catches for 657 yards and six touchdowns. It wouldn't surprise us at all if he flirted with 1,000 yards receiving with [player_tooltip player_id='1704301' first='Tommy' last='Burns'] returning at QB. McLeod might also see more time at defensive back this coming season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822476' first='Mekhi' last='Quiller'] WR/DB, Fox Creek   The Predators were a run-based offense that only attempted 99 passes all season. The fact that Quiller caught 18 of those passes for 348 yards and four touchdowns shows the type of weapon he could be if they decide to throw the ball more often. He's a great route runner that can get physical as well. He added 30 tackles and five interceptions on defense. We expect Fox Creek to use him in several different ways next season and it's probably going to be tough for Quiller to find time for a water break.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820957' first='Dorian' last='Jones'] RB and [player_tooltip player_id='1654810' first='Drelyn' last='Brown'] RB, Silver Bluff   The 1-2 punch of Jones and Brown could be lethal for the Bulldogs next season. Jones averaged over eight yards per carry and should see his workload increase this season from the 60 carries he had in 2025. He has great vision and cutting ability that bodes well in tight spaces. Jones added an interception and 21 tackles on defense. Brown was the workhorse and turned 120 carries into 1,196 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also has good hands as a receiver (17 receptions, 210 yards, three scores). He can run through arm tackles and is strong enough to do damage in short-yards situations. Brown is slippery and can take it the distance from nearly anywhere on the field.    [player_tooltip player_id='1422601' first='Wytrayvious' last='Dugar'] DB, Strom Thurmond   Dugar is primarily a defensive standout, but he makes enough plays on that side of the ball to be considered elite. He covers a lot of ground and can make plays from sideline-to-sideline. He plays like a centerfielder and reads the plays quickly and that gives him an advantage on most. He's a big hitter than will stick his helmet into any situation. He has good form and tackles with his shoulders and not his arms.    [player_tooltip player_id='1603960' first='Damahjai' last='Devoe'] DB, Barnwell   The Warhorses struggled through a season of injury, but Devoe was able to power through and not only put up good numbers but also become a leader when a lot of younger guys had to step into starting roles. Devoe played a lot of different spots but he's a solid cover corner that didn't mind playing physical despite checking in at around 145 pounds.   [player_tooltip player_id='1856509' first='Kaiden' last='Davis'] RB and [player_tooltip player_id='1036784' first='Kaiden' last='Aiken'] DB, Blackville-Hilda   We have Davis listed as a running back and Aiken as a defensive back but they're both going to do more than that for the Hawks. Davis can provide chunk plays as a running back and has great hands that will help in the passing game. Davis will also double at defensive back, where he shows solid cover skills. Aiken played quarterback and defensive back as well as special teams. He's a little bit smaller than Davis at 150 pounds but his quickness and decision making make him a threat running or throwing. Aiken also doesn't mind throwing his body into helping stop the running game but his biggest attribute is being able to cover bigger receivers.     [player_tooltip player_id='1604020' first='Jaiden' last='Holloway'] ATH, Ridge Spring-Monetta   Holloway was limited to just seven games, but he played quarterback, running back and wide receiver on offense while adding 34 tackles and five interceptions on defense. Basically, he did whatever the Trojans needed. He rarely came off the field and was durable enough when healthy to make plays on both sides of the ball. It will be a huge bonus for Ridge Spring-Monetta if he can stay healthy and settle into his role early in the season for 2026.     [player_tooltip player_id='1217173' first='Rakeem' last='Walker'] WR/DB, [player_tooltip player_id='1036756' first='Jordan' last='Bovain'] ATH, [player_tooltip player_id='1819949' first='Jason' last='Youmans'] ATH, [player_tooltip player_id='1214316' first='Ant' last='Williams'] ATH and [player_tooltip player_id='1822457' first='Brian' last='McMillan'] QB/DB, Bamberg-Ehrhardt   The Red Raiders might own the market on the number of kids at the skill position that plays both ways. It has to start with McMillan, who dazzled at quarterback and defensive back for the Class A state champions. His season was so impressive, he went from being unranked to the No. 34 player in the 2027 Class. We will not be surprised if he gets higher before it's all said and done. Bovain, Youmans, Walker and Williams provided depth on spectacular play on both sides of the ball. The four helped in the running game, passing game and all over the field on a defense that only allowed 122 points in 15 games. You can expect all five of these players to play huge roles again as the Red Raiders try to repeat in an expanded Class A in 2026.

When you look at the ranked players from the CSRA for the 2027 Class, one thing that stands out is the number of plays at the skill positions – running back and wide receiver on offense and defensive back on defense. What makes this list even more impressive is most of these guys are playing both ways and making an impact.