2026 Preview: Andrews Yellow Jackets

In honor of the five-site Prep RedZone Media Days series this June and July, we're giving everyone a 50% offer code on all subscriptions throughout July 31. Get access to more than 100 team previews and everything else we have in store for readers as we gear up for the 2026 football season. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe">Simply head to our subscription page</a> and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.   [player_tooltip player_id='1827399' first='Avery' last='Durham'] has already cut his teeth. Had a full year to run his dad's offense and show some serious acumen for execution in both the Andrews' passing game and the team's regularly proficient rushing attack.   But the Yellow Jackets' senior is quickly learning to count on something else, too.   A boatload of youth, specifically on the line charged with protecting him..    The expected starters - [player_tooltip player_id='1844896' first='Daylin' last='Nixon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1844889' first='Dontavias' last='Dollard'] (both juniors), sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1844895' first='Adam' last='Mitchell'] and freshmen Caiden Thomas and Josmar Binzha - have a combined 10 varsity starts between them heading into the 2026 season. And nine of those belong to Dollard while Nixon owns the last one. To put that in perspective, Durham himself started 11 games last fall.   Thomas and Binzha have yet to put on pads with the varsity unit, and while they've been working ad nauseam since the summer window opened, the unknowns are the driving force for Andrews football right now.    “They've been working hard,” Durham (pictured) said during last week's Prep RedZone Media Days at South Florence. “We tried to get used to each other. I have full trust in them to do what they need to do. But they've just got to keep working hard and keep getting better.”   For Class A football, no one is going to accuse the inexperienced line from being small. For instance, Nixon is 5-foot-11 and 260 pounds while Mitchell is 6-foot-2 and 225 (beginning of summer). Thomas is north of 6-feet, while Binzha is pushing 270 pounds. Factoring in [player_tooltip player_id='1844887' first='Kadyn' last='Pushia'] (5-foot-11, 240 pounds) as a key reserve on the line and the Yellow Jackets have faith they'll be able to continue to move the ball.    But even that's going to look different than the last few years while tailback AJ Lee was piling up yards on top of yards. Partially because of that line's lack of playing time, and the fact that Andrews' most dangerous weapons are all skill guys, the Yellow Jackets best bet right now is to move Durham back under center (after mostly playing in the shotgun last year) to reduce the blocking assignments until the comfort level improves.   Opponents are going to see plenty of four-wide and 11-personnel sets.    “Our best players are our receivers, our tight end and our quarterback," coach Scott Durham said. "We have someone who can get the ball to those guys, and we want to get it to them. We don't have the guys we've had at tailback. Where we can hand [Lee] the ball 20 times a game and get 135 yards. It's going to be interesting.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1811021' first='Dutch' last='Stafford'] RB/DB, 2027 - Stafford missed all but three games last year, touching the ball 18 times in those three games (17 carries, one kickoff return). If that tells us anything, though, its that Andrews is going to take advantage of the lack of wear and tear. This is a program that routinely gives its top tailback 200-plus carries.    [player_tooltip player_id='1827390' first='Colby' last='Marlowe'] WR, 2027 - Another reason for optimism with Marlowe's return for one more season is that he darn near led the team in every receiving category despite missing three games. His 24 catches for 322 yard and two touchdowns could all be matched well in advance of the end of the season as he's healthy and going to be able to work his quickness as more of a slot.    [player_tooltip player_id='1827408' first='Javon' last='Bessellieu'] DL/TE, 2029 - Bessillieu will step into some big shoes, as he's being charged with padding the blow left by a DI signee as both the program's top pass rusher but also at tight end. His 46 tackles, seven tackles for loss and four sacks were all among the team leaders a year ago, and now we get to see how he stacks up getting more of the attention.    [player_tooltip player_id='1827393' first='Jachi' last='Grant'] DB, 2028 - In eight games last year, Grant managed to lead the team with two interceptions and put up 19 tackles. He's not huge at 5-foot-8 and 145 pounds, but he knows how to work angles to get into or stay in position and keep up with much bigger receivers.    FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1827399' first='Avery' last='Durham'] QB, 2027 - The Yellow Jackets' signal caller is back for his second year after throwing for 1,145 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior. His numbers should improve dramatically this time around, as he's got plenty of room for growth with his completion percentage, not to mention one of the more established receiving corps this team has had in recent memory. He already knows how to stand tall in the pocket and if the line develops quickly, he could be in for a big final high school campaign.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Chris Stewart DL - Now at Western Michigan, Stewart spent three seasons terrorizing opposing offensive linemen while putting up some high-profile numbers.    Da'Viyon McNair OL/DL - The two-way standout earned all-region and all-state honors en route to a spot in the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Bowl.   AJ Lee RB - Lee graduated, but not before becoming one of the program's all-time leading rushers. He had 1,697 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior alone.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL    [player_tooltip player_id='1827404' first='Caiden' last='Greene'] WR, 2028 - Greene only appeared in seven varsity games a season ago, but he did catch four passes for 58 yards. His target count should increase steadily throughout the season as the Yellow Jackets will look to keep pressure off the team's top two expected pass catchers.    [player_tooltip player_id='1827419' first='Ky'on' last='Bryant'] DB, 2029 - Similar to Greene, Bryant saw time in just six games in 2025, when he was a freshman playing behind a slew of older defensive backs. He recorded 12 tackles and a pass breakup in that limited time. He won't be asked to carry the load, which should help his development.    Pembleton is new to South Carolina, but he's absolutely not new to the game. He comes into the program after starring at Kempsville (Va.), where he led a seven-win team with four interceptions and five pass break-ups.   He's a well-built corner/safety hybrid who doesn't mind interior contact, either. Tack on that he's now giving Durham another established target on the outside and his impact - albeit for only one season - should be felt immediately.   Oh, and did we mention he already has seven Division-I offers?

In honor of the five-site Prep RedZone Media Days series this June and July, we're giving everyone a 50% offer code on all subscriptions throughout July 31. Get access to more than 100 team previews and everything else we have in store for readers as we gear up for the 2026 football season. Simply head to our subscription page and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.