2026 Preview: Blue Ridge Tigers

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.   Leaning heavily on a receiving corps is a strange thing when a standout QB was lost to graduation and his eventual successor is still locked in a battle at the position.   That's where Blue Ridge finds themselves this season. And it's not something the Tigers are shying away from.   That's because their top two returning WR, [player_tooltip player_id='1819624' first='Braylon' last='Edwards'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1818241' first='Marquiel' last='Troupe'], present a bunch of problems for anyone they line up against.   You don't have to take our word for it. The two were among the group representing Blue Ridge at the PRZ Media Day event at Fountain Inn, and they had plenty of high praise for each other.   "He's good at going up and getting the ball," Troupe said of Edwards. "He's got the height, the arms, the wingspan and stuff. He's good at going to get it and taking charge of the offense."   "He's really good at all that too, and at getting downfield," Edwards said of Troupe. "He attacks defenders, and he uses his athleticism well."   Receiver isn't the only spot where Blue Ridge has some returning talent. The Tigers had a fairly strong finish last season, and a good group of returners is a reason for some high expectations. Jackson Wade and [player_tooltip player_id='2163602' first='Dylan' last='Duty'] are back on the offensive line, and will look to lead the way there. [player_tooltip player_id='1822970' first='Jack' last='Carter'] is solid at TE, and the Tigers will rely on a trio of RBs as [player_tooltip player_id='2114128' first='Cooper' last='Smith'], Brylon McCoy, and Thaddeus Hammond are all expected to see time there.   On defense, McCoy and Tajah Landrum are expected to lead the way at ILB, along with Thomas Hammond and Smith on the outside. [player_tooltip player_id='1822170' first='Max' last='Gonzalez'] and Hudson Poirier will provide experience in the secondary.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='2163602' first='Dylan' last='Duty'] OL, 2027- Duty's just a monster up front. He's a big, strong OL who is capable of dominating the line of scrimmage. He's got great feet, great mobility, and he finishes blocks way downfield. Duty has the streak of nastiness that coaches love in an OL, and he's an anchor up front for the Tigers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1818241' first='Marquiel' last='Troupe'] WR (pictured), 2028 - Troupe is a crazily athletic option out wide for Blue Ridge. His athleticism is off the charts, and he uses that to his advantage. He puts a bunch of pressure on whoever's defending him on every play, he's physical and he's capable of turning in a game-changing play at just about any time.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819624' first='Braylon' last='Edwards'] WR, 2027 - Edwards is another weapon in the passing game, often lined up opposite Troupe. They're not a huge contrast in styles, more like different sides of the same coin. Edwards does a fantastic job of adjusting to the ball in the air and going to get it, and his speed has him open almost all the time.   Tajah Landrum LB, 2027 - Landrum was a leader on defense as a junior, with 80 tackles for the Tigers. He's active and finds the ball in a hurry, and he's got all the tools you want in a linebacker. Blue Ridge lost some productive players around him, but Landrum is more than capable of stepping up to do even more.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1822170' first='Max' last='Gonzalez'] DB, 2027 - Gonzalez is another guy who had outstanding production a year ago, with 68 tackles, an interception, and three forced fumbles. The biggest thing about him, though, is that you might not recognize everything he brings to the field on Friday nights. That's until you put on the tape, and you see a guy who just consistently does things right.l    BIGGEST LOSSES   Gavin Forrester QB - The Tigers' offense absolutely ran through Forrester, who had more than 2,600 yards of total offense as a senior and accounted for 27 touchdowns.   Jakorey Dodd RB - Dodd was special for Blue Ridge, rushing for nearly 1,000 yards and a dozen touchdowns last season.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Kadon Allen DB - The Tigers are pretty well set at LB, but there's some youth in the secondary. Allen has some experience, playing some last season and notching a fumble recovery. He'll be expected to step up this season.   Owen Staggs OL - As one of the new faces up front, Staggs will have a chance to improve and learn aside some players who will provide solid senior leadership.      Smith is an electric athlete who's already stood out on both sides of the ball for the Tigers.   Defensively, he had 23 tackles, six tackles for loss, three sacks, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery as a sophomore. On the offensive side, Smith notched the fourth-most carries on the team, and second most for a player who will return this season.   His skills and instincts make him incredibly valuable for the Tigers, and it's going to be interesting to see just what Smith can bring.

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.