15 Potential Splash Players In The Catawba River Region In 2026

It's never too early to start looking ahead to the 2026 season. And our evaluations never stop at Prep RedZone South Carolina.   As February goes into full gear, we sat down and took a look at 15 players who you may not know much about now but are guys that we think you'll be hearing a lot more about as we head into the spring, summer and the eventual start of the season in late August.   From defensive linemen to defensive backs and running backs, there's no shortage of talent to choose from in the Catawba River Region.   Bron'Zeir Nicholson | DL | Northwestern   Nicholson worked his way into the starting rotation for the Trojans' defensive line last year during their run to the state championship and made his presence felt. Starting in 12 games last year as a sophomore, he was effective in stopping the run from his nose tackle position and could clog up running lanes. He moves well for his size and can get after the quarterback as well. If he can't get home, he'll get his hands up and knock the ball away. He finished with 16 total tackles and four tackles for a loss. We expect his production and impact to increase heading into 2026.    [player_tooltip player_id='2106766' first='Hayzon' last='Lumpkin'] | DL | South Pointe   Lumpkin saw time sparingly for the Stallions in a reserve role on the defensive line, but he was able to affect things when he got into the game. His size is impressive for a freshman, and there was one play on his film where he was able to push the offensive lineman back into the running back showing his strength to be able to affect the play even if he can't get his hands on the ball carrier. Keep your eye on him to get more snaps heading into 2026.    [player_tooltip player_id='2069899' first='Aiden' last='O'Hara'] | RB | Fort Mill   We had a look at O'Hara at the PRZ Stock Up Showcase back in mid December, and he had a shiftiness and quickness to him that caught our eye. His highlight tape from 2025 verified that even more. When he hits the hole, it could be a house call as he's able to push through contact and be explosive. He has good vision and gets north and south quickly and it's not something you see out of a rising sophomore.    [player_tooltip player_id='1667267' first='J'von' last='Kelly'] | RB | Andrew Jackson (pictured)   Kelly split time with graduating senior Damais Seegars for the Vols in 2025 at the running back position, and when he got in the game, he made an impact. He runs with a good burst of power and speed and he has great vision to see the open field. With Seegars gone, we expect Kelly's workload to increase heading into his senior year in 2026. He can also change the game on special teams, as he took a few back to the house in 2025 as well.    [player_tooltip player_id='1820001' first='Christian' last='Hunt'] | ATH | Indian Land   Hunt made the most of his opportunities behind [player_tooltip player_id='1592288' first='Jamol' last='Horton'], rushing for over 300 yards in 2025. He has a nice blend of speed and toughness when he gets into the open field. Arm tackles won't work against him as he has great power to keep his legs moving. He can also make an impact on special teams. There were several times where he ran down to make a play on a ball carrier and set his defense up with ideal field position to defend. With Horton gone due to graduation, expect Hunt's role at the running back to be more solidified heading into 2026.    [player_tooltip player_id='1816519' first='Shaq' last='Aghenebit'] | OL | Northwestern   Aghenebit was an integral part up front on the Trojans' offensive line in 2025 and moves well to only be a sophomore. He can get out in front to create holes in the run game, and that was especially crucial with [player_tooltip player_id='232624' first='Xavier' last='Means'] in the quarterback run game. He's not afraid to get his hands on opposing linemen and bring the fight to them.    Jakobe Starkes | ATH | Chester   Starkes took snaps at quarterback for the Cyclones at time in 2025, and he was effective in making moves in space and had blazing speed once he got into the open field. He is athletic in the open field. He's also a hard hitter at the safety position and can come up and make tackles – he'll be a guy to watch for the Cycs in 2026.    [player_tooltip player_id='1824479' first='Christian' last='Culp'] | DL | Rock Hill   Culp will be a rising junior for the Bearcats and saw time sparingly on Friday nights last year. He can tackle in the hole and limit the gain on run plays. He has good size to him and with an offseason still ahead of development, we think he could have an impact for the Bearcats' defensive line in 2026.    [player_tooltip player_id='1825354' first='Makai' last='Taylor-Williams'] | DL | Rock Hill   Taylor-Williams was another young guy for the Bearcats' defensive line who shined on the bright stage. One play that jumped out to us was how he recognized the pass play, and instead of going for the sack, he got his hands up to knock the ball away. There was another play against River Bluff where he fought off the block to chase down an athletic quarterback and limit the gain on a scramble.    [player_tooltip player_id='1827441' first='Jeremiah' last='Farmer'] | RB | Clover   Farmer is a tough, hard nosed back that keeps his feet moving and makes good north and south progress. He can break through initial contact to get hard earned yards and once he gets out into the open field, he can help keep the offense on schedule. The expectation is that [player_tooltip player_id='1824427' first='Grady' last='Stone'] returns for the Blue Eagles in 2026, and that will provide a good one-two punch in the backfield.    [player_tooltip player_id='1824008' first='Anderson' last='Corbett'] | DB | Nation Ford   Corbett heads into his junior season after making an impact for the Falcons' defense. He has good eyes and can come up and make tackles on the ball carrier once he recognizes the routes and where they are going. That eye discipline can result in interceptions, which he recorded three in 2025. He can get yards after the play as well. He finished with 44 tackles and 3 pass breakups last year, and we have a sense that those numbers could improve in 2026.    [player_tooltip player_id='1816753' first='Caiden' last='Tino'] | WR | York   Tino is another rising junior that contributed in a big way for the Cougars at receiver in 2025. He can make the quick catches to help keep the offense on schedule, whether it's hitches or slants. He knows what to do with the ball in his hands as he gets up field quickly for extra yardage. He could have a bigger role as the Cougars move forward after the graduation of quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1592333' first='Tayshon' last='Freeman'].    [player_tooltip player_id='1822266' first='Caleb' last='Sanders'] | ATH | York   Sanders can line up at running back and can make exciting plays with his speed. Once he gets out into the open field, he has a burst that is fun to watch from the backfield. He has good vision to be able to make good north and south progress.     [player_tooltip player_id='1817469' first='Aidan' last='Welch'] | DB | Central   Welch is a ball hawking defensive back, who if opponents choose to throw it his way, the result isn't a good one for them. Welch has the instinctiveness that you need at the position. Whether it is coming up in run support to make tackles on the edge or dropping out into coverage to make interceptions, he's a guy that is effective.    RiDarius Harris | ATH | Lewisville   Harris is a dynamic athlete that can play defensive back and wide receiver. On defense, he can come up and react to plays quickly in man coverage and stick it to them with tight coverage not allowing for much separation. At wide receiver, he has great speed and good hands to catch the ball to get up field quickly.

It's never too early to start looking ahead to the 2026 season. And our evaluations never stop at Prep RedZone South Carolina.