2026 Preview: Berkeley Stags

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.   Berkeley brought three players to the PRZ Philip Simmons Media Day and all three of them had one thing on their mind.   The trio of offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1766922' first='Caden' last='Freeman'] receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1016577' first='Elijah' last='Mitchell'] and defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='2113658' first='Jakai' last='Chapman'] were all still upset by the loss to Irmo in the Class 5A, Division II semifinals.   It was the way things happened that had them most upset.   “We need to come better prepared as a unit,” Freeman said. “We can't worry about stars or offers, we just need to go out, do our job and hit people like we're supposed to.”   Chapman, one of just four returning starters on the Stags defense, agree with his offensive counterpart.   “We have to find a different mindset,” Chapman said. “We gave up too early in that game. We learned that we need to be more physical and make things happen defensively.”   It was the third season under coach Eric Lodge and Berkeley improved from back-to-back six-win seasons to finish 10-3 last year. But this is going to be a new look team, especially on defense and the offensive line.   [player_tooltip player_id='1036733' first='Henry' last='Rivers'] returns as a four-year starter at quarterback, and he has a plethora of talented skill players around him. [player_tooltip player_id='1818556' first='Lj' last='Washington'] [player_tooltip player_id='1271259' first='Jessie' last='Brown'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1151306' first='Bryson' last='McGee'] are all threats to make a house call on any given play.   Mitchell will be joined by a trio of seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2079769' first='Malik' last='Callen'] [player_tooltip player_id='1766224' first='John' last='Cleveland'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1766151' first='Jonathan' last='Mitchell'] on a deep and talented receiving corps.   But while the skill players are well known, the offensive front will be almost entirely new. Freeman is a returner, but [player_tooltip player_id='1766866' first='Sy'ion' last='Holmes'] Jaxtin Gibson Elijah Pennie and [player_tooltip player_id='1766894' first='Connor' last='Finley'] will try to fill some of the gaps created due to graduation.   Chapman will be counted on as a leader on defense as Berkeley graduated the top five tacklers from last season. [player_tooltip player_id='1766803' first='Aiden' last='President'] has shown promise on the defensive line along with [player_tooltip player_id='1767006' first='King' last='Dargan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1817271' first='Davionne' last='Fuller'] seeing plenty of action as well.   The linebacker group will be all new. The coaching staff believes they have a budding star in freshman Marshaun Porchia who will be joining [player_tooltip player_id='1147123' first='Copeland' last='President'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1766662' first='Avery' last='Everette'] in the starting lineup.   [player_tooltip player_id='1426798' first='Cameron' last='McCue'] has been a multi-year starter in the secondary. [player_tooltip player_id='1766603' first='Julius' last='Milligan'] will be the other safety. Berkeley has a recent transfer in [player_tooltip player_id='1647300' first='Antonio' last='Smalls'] that will join Malikye Robinson and Marshall Moultrie at cornerback.       STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1036733' first='Henry' last='Rivers'] QB, 2027 – We've talked about Rivers for three seasons now and after taking a slight step back in 2025, the expectation is he's going to go out his senior year with a bang. He's played high-level travel baseball for much of the summer and has been limited in 7-on-7 work. But the mechanics and strong arm (he was reaching 91 MPH on the mound this summer) are there for Rivers to improve on the 1,219 passing yards last season. He's always a threat to run the ball and with the skill players around him, he could be a 3,000-yard total offense contributor this year.     [player_tooltip player_id='1766922' first='Caden' last='Freeman'] OL, 2027 – The offensive line was hit hard by graduation, but Freeman is a returner that will be counted on to lead the young group. He has all the measurables at 6-foot-2, 330 pounds that moves well and can get out in front of a play to lead the way. He plays with a physical nature and has an attitude that nobody is better than he is. Freeman can move guys off the line of scrimmage or slip out and block a linebacker or safety if needed.   [player_tooltip player_id='1016577' first='Elijah' last='Mitchell'] WR, 2028 – There are four returning receivers that accounted for 87 of the 112 receptions last season. Mitchell is right there with 18 grabs for 237 yards and three touchdowns. The other three are seniors and Mitchell is the only junior of the bunch. All of them can stretch the field and become viable options in the short passing game or the deep ball. Mitchell has great hands and doesn't mind going across the middle.      [player_tooltip player_id='2113658' first='Jakai' last='Chapman'] (pictured above) DL, 2027 – Chapman is one of the four returning starters on defense, and he's poised to have a big season. He contributed 26 tackles, two tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries and a sack. He's 6-foot-3, 200 pounds with a quick first step that allows him to be in the backfield at the snap. Chapman uses his hands well and can fend off blockers at the point of attack. He's relentless and never gives up on a play.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1426798' first='Cameron' last='McCue'] DB, 2027 – McCue is a return specialist that also happens to be a pretty defensive back as well. He plays safety for the Stags and comes in like a heat-seeking missile to help with the run defense. He contributed 43 tackles, two tackles for loss, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries last year. But he's electric on kickoff and punt returns. He's a threat to take it the distance on any special teams play and he will likely see teams kick away from him this season.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Gehad Sneed LB/RB – Sneed was a Shrine Bowl selection that seemed to get better every season. He had 50 tackles, three tackles for loss and 10 quarterback hurries to his credit.     Marcus Henderson LB – Henderson capped his career as one of the top tacklers in program history. He always seemed to be around the ball and finished his senior season with a team-best 75 tackles with four tackles for loss, two sacks and two interceptions.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Jaxtin Gibson OL, 2029 – The offensive line took a big hit due to graduation and Gibson is slated to start somewhere in the middle at guard or tackle. He's coming off a very successful junior varsity season, but he's already proven himself on the varsity level this offseason. He's one of the strongest players on the line and works harder than anyone else. He never misses a workout and is looking to become a young leader. Gibson goes to every camp possible to try and improve. He could be the cornerstone of the line for the next three years.     Marshaun Porchia LB, 2030 – Let's forget for a moment that Porchia is still just 14 years old and unable to drive yet. He's going to be one of the Stags starting linebackers. He's checking in at 6-foot-0, 200 pounds and is explosive, fearless and wants to be the next great Berkeley linebacker. The coaching staff are expecting big things from him, and he even might contribute some offensively at running back. He was the starting running back on B Team last season.    As we mentioned above, the Stags have a stable of capable running backs. McGee was limited to just seven games last season, but he averaged over eight yards per carry and scored two touchdowns.   He explodes into the hole and has the ability to make defenders miss and turn a short gain into a big gainer. He's shifty and despite being on the smaller side, he can run through arm tackles. There's going to be competition for carries but if McGee stays healthy, he's going to be counted on to take some of the pressure off Rivers and the young offensive line.

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.