Underrated 2028's: 20 Players To Watch In The Lowcountry

There are some names in the 2028 Class that you've already become familiar with. But one thing is for certain – there is still time for plenty of movement over the next 2.5 years. Some players might have peaked while others are just scratching the surface.   We looked over this class and came up with 20 Lowcountry players you should know more about because they have the potential to become big names in recruiting circles before it's all said and done.   We expect big things from them sooner rather than later.   [player_tooltip player_id='1818010' first='Sam' last='Peters'] LB, Academic Magnet   Peters only played 10 games last season, but he averaged more than 11 tackles per game and ended up as the Raptors leading tacklers with 114. He plays in the middle but can watch the quarterback's eyes to react to plays quickly. It's hard to improve on the type of production we saw in 2025, but Peters is a student of the game that could very easily flirt with 140 tackles this coming season.     [player_tooltip player_id='1147123' first='Copeland' last='President'] DB, Berkeley   President is going to be entrenched as a starter in the Stags secondary the next two seasons. He got a good start on things in 2025 by posting 41 tackles, two caused fumbles and a fumble recovery. President is aggressive and plays downhill quickly. He can make plays all over the field with his range. The Berkeley coaching staff is high on his total potential.    [player_tooltip player_id='1822203' first='Charlie' last='Sakre'] DL, Bishop England   Sakre comes off the edge quickly and with authority and that allowed him to receive plenty of playing time on an 8-4 team. He had 37 tackles and 10 tackles for loss to go along with 2.5 sacks. The Bishops return a lot of experience on the defensive side of the ball and we believe Sakre is going to improve his numbers while the defense as a whole on the 15.4 points per game they allowed last season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1827471' first='Aaiden' last='Howell'] DB/RB, Bluffton   One of the more impressive things about Howell last season is he averaged 7.3 yards per carry and 19.3 yards per reception. We feel like he's going to be able to increase his opportunities this coming season, and he could see his touches and numbers more than double if not more. He added 22 tackles and two interceptions from his defensive back position. He's going to be a big part of the 2026 plans.    [player_tooltip player_id='1692190' first='Keno' last='Nixon'] QB, Colleton County   Nixon has been invited to the Carolina Coaches Combine and we're excited to see what he can do in that setting. He has all the intangibles to become the starting quarterback over the next two seasons, but he's got the size to be a multi-purpose type of player as well. If he throws well at the combine, he could jump up the quarterback board for the 2028 Class.     [player_tooltip player_id='1640713' first='Jakari' last='Wright'] DB/RB, Cross   We all know what the Trojans lost in senior [player_tooltip player_id='473021' first='Caden' last='Ramsey'] (South Carolina signee) so the question becomes who replaces that production. We think Wright is a name you need to keep a watch on. He is explosive and garnered some reps in 2025 but is on the radar for one of our possible breakout stars in 2026. He definitely doesn't have the size of Ramsey but he's electric at 5-foot-6, 140 pounds.   [player_tooltip player_id='1818365' first='Kameron' last='Geathers'] DL, Fort Dorchester   The Geathers name is well documented in the Lowcountry and while we aren't sure where this Geathers fits into that lineage, he already has proven he will continue the name to be well recognized in the area. He's coming off a 2025 season in which he had 44 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks. The scary part of it is that we believe he's just getting started. We expect his number to increase as he gets bigger and stronger.   [player_tooltip player_id='1816318' first='Sincere' last='Lewis'] RB, Goose Creek   The Gators were extremely young last season and Lewis ended up getting more of the workload than he expected due to transfers. But he responded and could become the cornerstone for new head coach Jamie Fordham. He has speed to burn with great size at 190 pounds. He runs well between the tackles but also can get outside for his yardage.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819440' first='Nigil' last='Fripp'] RB, Hampton County   Let's face the facts – every other running back on the Hurricanes roster last season was overshadowed by [player_tooltip player_id='1165165' first='Jaylen' last='Singletary'] and his 2,500 yards. But Fripp was in the mix and ended up being the third leading rusher with just over 400 yards for the state runner-up. He's going to get every chance to become the every down back, and try to replace the production of Singletary.    [player_tooltip player_id='1222230' first='Quamell' last='Grant'] WR/DB, Hanahan   Grant (pictured above) has made a name for himself already and he's going to be a candidate to possibly skyrocket in the next rankings update. He finished 2025 with 43 receptions for 537 yards and five touchdowns, which was second best on the team in all three categories. He added an interception in limited defensive snaps, but we think Grant can increase his numbers greatly in 2026. It's going to start with a tremendous offseason that the Hawks coaches hope carries over into the season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822738' first='Logan' last='Baker'] LB, Hilton Head Christian   Baker did just enough last season for us to like what we saw. He's 5-foot-9, 180 pounds and has the ability to make plays in the middle or from sideline-to-sideline. He finished with 42 tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and caused a fumble. The Eagles went 6-6 last season but Baker is part of a Class that might get them over the hump the next two seasons.     [player_tooltip player_id='1819174' first='Brennan' last='Hammond'] OL, James Island   Hammond saw plenty of time at the center position in 2025 and he's going to be one of the anchors of a talented offensive front. He's taller than a lot of centers at 6-foot-2, 270 pounds and that makes it difficult to see over but Hammond plays with great leverage and drive and that makes for solid protection and running lanes in front of him.   [player_tooltip player_id='1821426' first='Larry' last='Gore'] OL, Lake Marion   Gore is going to be a mainstay in the Gators' offense the next two years without question since he's already been a two-year starter. He handles the center position and is accurate with his snaps, gets off the ball quickly and can manhandle guys directly in front of him. He's 5-foot-11, 260 pounds and has added a lot of good weight since the beginning of last season. He's only going to get better with time.    [player_tooltip player_id='1821075' first='Raymond' last='Middleton'] RB, North Charleston   The Cougars are having to replace leading rusher and receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1346277' first='Lorenzo' last='Kitching'], but we think Middleton will be able to take his share of that workload. Middleton brings great size – he's 6-foot-2, 190 pounds – and breakaway speed to the equation. He just needs reps on the varsity level and we believe he can develop into an every down back.   [player_tooltip player_id='1646866' first='Isaiah' last='Brock'] LB/RB, Oceanside Collegiate   Brock played his sophomore season across town where he earned the starting job in the middle of a Class 5A defense. He brings that experience to the Landsharks and he also brings playing with an edge that he demonstrated all season long. His read and reaction time sets him apart. He's 5-foot-9, 185 pounds but plays with a nasty streak and never shies away from contact.   Taishaun Smith QB/LB, Ridgeland   Smith ended up taking the majority of snaps at quarterback in 2025 and that's likely not going to change in 2026. But a strong offseason is going to be key. He completed just 33 percent of his passes for 589 yards and six touchdowns with five interceptions. A strong summer could increase those numbers to over 50 percent with over 1,000 yards with a lower interception rate.   DJ Hall DL, Summerville   Hall should be the next great defensive lineman to come out of Summerville. He saw action in 11 games in 2025 and contributed 36 tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack. Hall is a large body that is going to take up a lot of space on the interior of the line and be next to impossible to move. He could blossom into a top target by the end of his junior season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1824954' first='Caylen' last='Jones'] LB/TE, Timberland   Jones went from playing sparingly in the beginning of the season to being one of the better defenders by the end of the season. He recorded eight tackles in the playoff loss to Manning. Jones had 44 tackles and three tackles for loss, and he should begin the season as one of the junior leaders on a team looking for a new coach.   [player_tooltip player_id='1816824' first='Takim' last='Person'] WR/DB, Whale Branch   Person ended up being the Warriors leading receiver with 34 catches for 305 yards. He added 22 tackles and two interceptions on defense and he's a candidate to not come off the field much in 2026. He's going to contribute on special teams as well. He's versatile, can do a number of things but he's best with using his speed and athleticism to be a game-changer.   [player_tooltip player_id='2153017' first='Ryan' last='Szymansky'] ATH, Wando   Szymansky made his presence felt on defense in 2025 but that might be changing for 2026. The sophomore played plenty of snaps in the secondary and finished with 44 tackles and two interceptions. But his time on that side of the ball might be limited in 2026. He took some snaps at quarterback as well and he might slide over to be the starter during his junior year. He has a big arm and will vie for the starting job in the spring and summer.

There are some names in the 2028 Class that you've already become familiar with. But one thing is for certain – there is still time for plenty of movement over the next 2.5 years. Some players might have peaked while others are just scratching the surface.