2029 Rankings Winter Update: Defensive, Special Teams Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Editor's note: We'll continue breaking down this class in its entirety. If </em><a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe/"><em>you're not yet subscribed to Prep RedZone</em></a><em>, you can save 40% off an annual subscription by using the offer code Guerin40 at checkout. This deal will be available throughout the Winter Rankings Cycle.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 20 offensive additions to the Prep RedZone Class of 2029 rankings were only half of the new names in our list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These 18 defensive players and one specialist are now there, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This class has been heavily reinforced with the type of explosive talent high school coaches loves. From play-wrecking edge standouts to versatile defensive backs and all points in between, we're digging the boost these 19 overall players gives to the state's football scene - and what they could become down the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1822072' first='LaMarion' last='Bryant']</strong> ATH, Westside - Going to see him plenty between defense, offense and special teams</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2106779' first='Bennett' last='Hyde']</strong> LB/TE, Eastside - His 13-tackle showing against Gaffney in the playoff loss was a sign of things to come</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824557' first='Sam' last='Winburn']</strong> LB/DB, Christ Church - Going to get backup carries, but will be all over the back seven as a sophomore</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1825182' first='Cullen' last='Spence']</strong> LB, Liberty - Red Devils' top returning tackler had 56 stops and a pair of tackles for loss as a freshman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131146' first='Malachi' last='Watson']</strong> DL, Irmo - Was able to work into some reps despite Irmo's star-studded lineup at the position</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824373' first='Sam' last='Hunter']</strong> ATH, Buford - Also an offensive do-it-all type, Hunter led Yellow Jackets in tackles by a significant margin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2106792' first='Jamar' last='Brown']</strong> LB, Mountain View Prep (pictured) - Instantly showed off some big-time impact potential in sacks and tackles for loss</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824687' first='Wallace' last='Herring']</strong> LB, Chesterfield - Played solid minutes and made some stops, but now his role hits full speed ahead</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2106793' first='Jordan' last='Mack']</strong> DB, Bethune-Bowman - Corner shot out of the cannon with three interceptions before the end of September</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1819069' first='Cameron' last='Moody']</strong> K/P, Wando - Warriors elected to let him kick his way through some rookie nerves and benefitted because of it</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1632107' first='Emavian' last='Gibson']</strong> DL, Dorman - Gave staff every reason to bump him up to the varsity squad midway through the season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818034' first='Gavin' last='Pyles']</strong> DL, Fountain Inn - Physical traits on the edge immediately put to rest any discussion on if he was ready</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2106791' first='Nathan' last='Good']</strong> LB, Pinewood Prep - How's this for a freshman stat line: 78 tackles, 11 TFL, two sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1825516' first='Jyree' last='Grady']</strong> DB, River Bluff - Gators threw still-undersized Grady into the fire, and he thrived en route to 64 tackles and a couple picks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1827516' first='Jaylen' last='Davis']</strong> LB, Central - The Eagles were pretty stout in 2025, and Davis now becomes the defensive guy for 2026 and beyond</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2106764' first='Alex' last='Clamp']</strong> DB, Lucy Beckham - There must be a rule about always having a Clamp on the Bengal defense</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1839899' first='Dez' last='Davis']</strong> DL, North Augusta - There's no overselling how good the edge's burst off the snap already is at such a young age</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2106766' first='Hayzon' last='Lumpkin']</strong> DL, South Pointe - Had 17 tackles and 10 tackles for loss in the Stallions' playoff games alone</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1817978' first='Najhir' last='Pelzer']</strong> LB, Orangeburg-Wilkinson - His length allowed him to lead a talented Bruins' roster in tackles for loss and sacks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->