Potential Players To Watch From The CSRA

The 2026 Class has made their mark on the football scene for the last several seasons and now that a lot of those are moving on to a college career, new players are looking to fill those voids. We have newcomers to varsity, returners from injury and transfers all playing a factor. We also see some players that have already been productive on the varsity level that will see their roles expand greatly.   Here is a look at 10 players across the CSRA that could make huge impacts on the 2026 season and beyond.   [player_tooltip player_id='1840742' first='Troy' last='McLaurin'] QB/DB, Aiken   McLaurin is a Class of 2029 player that saw some action on the varsity level in 2025 and will be counted on more heavily this coming year. He plays both quarterback and defensive back and we expect his bigger impact to be on the defensive side of the ball in the short-term. He covers well and doesn't mind getting physical in the run or passing game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822054' first='Jordan' last='Williams'] LB/RB, Bamberg-Ehrhardt   The Red Raiders graduated one of their two 1,000-yard rushers so there should be opportunities for the defending state champions. We think Williams has an opportunity to step in and fill some of that void. The junior saw 15 carries last season for 240 yards (that's a 14.8 yard per carry average) and scored three touchdowns. He also played linebacker and totaled 30 tackles with five sacks. His role on that side of the ball should expand as well. Williams's explosiveness will help him on both sides of the ball.   Josiah Gibson QB, Barnwell   Gibson started two games but suffered a broken ankle that put him on the shelf for the remainder of the season. The Warhorses suffered a rash of early season injuries that derailed their season, but the return of Gibson could pay huge dividends. He runs it well and is more than adequate in the passing game. His decision-making and production will be key. Gibson is also going to play defensive back and he's going to be pivotal in the secondary as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820281' first='Brooklyn' last='Randolph'] DL, Edisto   The Cougars will be looking for additional depth at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and Randolph could see his role expanded in that area. He has good size at 6-foot-3, 305 pounds that is tough to handle at the point of attack. He moves well for his size and is difficult to move. He can overpower guys at times. He makes nice running lanes on offense and gets after the ball-carrier on defense.    [player_tooltip player_id='1822485' first='Mikah' last='Quiller'] DB/WR, Fox Creek   Quiller made a bigger impact on the defensive side of the ball in 2025 with 42 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks but we could see his role expand for an even bigger impact this coming season. He should see his role expand on the offensive side of things where he caught five passes for 102 yards and a touchdown. He's only 5-foot-9, 165 pounds but is very physical and has the ability to make tacklers miss in the open field. The Predators return their top passer, top two rushers and top pass catcher so Quiller has the opportunity to add to that side of the ball without being in the spotlight fully.    Kameron Reese DB, Midland Valley   The rising junior played in nine games last season and made contributions with 20 tackles and two tackles for loss. The Mustangs are losing two defensive stars that had over 100 tackles, so a lot of production is going to have to reload and replace. Reese fits the bill and will be counted on to replace some of that production as well as become a cover corner that can be placed on an island and cover outside receivers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1827481' first='Jayden' last='Hatcher'] RB, North Augusta   Hatcher (pictured above) is well-known but he's in line to be a breakout star in 2026. He's coming off a junior season in which he ran for 811 yards and 16 touchdowns but that was being the second option behind [player_tooltip player_id='402503' first='Mike' last='Doe'], who rushed for nearly 1,800 yards despite some late season injuries. Hatcher should be the featured back and could easily see his numbers double next season. He's shifty, quick to accelerate and is a danger to go the distance at any time. He's going to be counted on to take the bulk of the reps and he's more than ready for that role.   [player_tooltip player_id='1604020' first='Jaiden' last='Holloway'] QB/DB, Ridge Spring-Monetta   After splitting time at quarterback in 2025, Holloway is slated to slide into the full-time roles this coming season. He's going to have to improve on his passing numbers but we fill with a full offseason with getting the bulk of the reps, those will improve drastically. If Holloway can throw for 1,000 yards and Trojans ground game improves, they can surpass the four wins of last season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1825166' first='Rasco' last='Hopkins'] DB, South Aiken   Hopkins saw extensive playing time as a freshman, but that role should even be larger in 2026. He finished with 53 tackles but no interceptions and we could easily see that changing. Hopkins plays downhill and doesn't mind lining up near the line of scrimmage and helping in the running game. He reads plays quickly and has the ability to run ball-carriers down from behind. He's in line for plenty of action and will see his utilization increase in a number of ways.    [player_tooltip player_id='1818416' first='Zy' last='Rouse'] ATH, Strom Thurmond   The Rebels ended the 2025 season hoisting the Class 2A state championship trophy and Rouse played a big role in that with 554 yards rushing, which was third on the team behind senior [player_tooltip player_id='1820530' first='Deonte' last='Phillips'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1615095' first='Kaden' last='Wigfall'], a sophomore. Rouse was also the backup quarterback but that could be his full-time role next season. He also played some defensive back but his role on offense will be a key for Strom Thurmond to possibly repeat.

The 2026 Class has made their mark on the football scene for the last several seasons and now that a lot of those are moving on to a college career, new players are looking to fill those voids. We have newcomers to varsity, returners from injury and transfers all playing a factor. We also see some players that have already been productive on the varsity level that will see their roles expand greatly.