2026 Preview: Byrnes Rebels

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.   A new region, a new offensive coordinator, and a wealth of offensive returners has Byrnes excited about the 2026 season. "We were able to bring Shuler Bentley in as OC, so I'm excited about the quarterback development and the shift in the offense," Rebels head coach Reggie Shaw said. "Just to be a little more balanced. I think in the past two years we've been dependent on the run game, and people have known that, and sold out to stop the run. We want to be more balanced ourselves and keep people off-balance and expand our vertical passing game."   Who's going to be pulling the trigger is still to be determined.   "We've got two really good quarterbacks who are fighting it out," Shaw said. "[player_tooltip player_id='1817840' first='Walker' last='Burdette'] is coming back, he played last year, and then transfer [player_tooltip player_id='463113' first='Gideon' last='Merhib']."   The Rebels have a chance to not just be balanced, but to be explosive. They've got a pair of top-level backs in LSU commit [player_tooltip player_id='1036721' first='Tre' last='Segarra'] and ETSU-bound [player_tooltip player_id='1604062' first='Jacobi' last='Fuller'] to lead the run game, and one of the most explosive downfield threats in the state in Syracuse commit [player_tooltip player_id='1271241' first='Chanin' last='Harris']. Nick Watson will see a big role on the outside as well, along with [player_tooltip player_id='1816520' first='Adrian' last='Harris'], [player_tooltip player_id='1817800' first='Abram' last='Burroughs'], [player_tooltip player_id='1816527' first='Mason' last='Stevens'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1581471' first='Isaiah' last='Robinson'].   Up front, the Rebels have a wealth of talent back, along with something of a unicorn. Not many guys start on the offensive line for four years at a 5A school, but that's exactly where Byrnes' [player_tooltip player_id='1820011' first='Josiah' last='Chambers'] finds himself.   "I take a lot of pride in that," Chambers said of being a four-year starter. "I try to stay consistent at everything I do so I can help the team as much as possible. Just working hard, being in the weight room all the time, because I know I've got to be strong, particularly in our region and in this area. Everybody's strong. Everybody's fast. I know how they play now, and I can use it."   He'll be joined by [player_tooltip player_id='1820025' first='Daniel' last='Cornell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1773749' first='Xavier' last='Harris'] to provide plenty of leadership on the line.   Defensively, the list of returning starters is considerable shorter. As in one. That would be safety [player_tooltip player_id='1667977' first='Aidyn' last='Wiggins']. But it's a great place to start, as Wiggins brings speed, physicality, and elite coverage ability. And while he's the only true returning starter, several guys are back who were big-time contributors. Those include [player_tooltip player_id='1820009' first='Wyquial' last='Moss'] at LB and [player_tooltip player_id='1615038' first='Emerson' last='James'] who has started but who was sidelined with an injury last season.   "He's highly intelligent, he can line us up and make our checks, and he's just a really smart, good football player," Shaw said of James.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1036721' first='Tre' last='Segarra'] RB, 2027 (pictured) - Let's just start right at the top. Segarra is on any list of the best of the best RBs in the state, and it's easy to see why. His balance of power, speed, and vision is something you're just not going to see often. He's an elite-level soccer player as well, and sometimes he can use that footwork to make defenders look silly. They probably find that preferable to being run over, which also happens with regularity.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820009' first='Wyquial' last='Moss'] LB, 2027 - Moss wasn't a starter by name last season, but he played a ton and produced while he was on the field. He notched 37 tackles with two tackles for loss and three pass deflections, but where he stood out the most was just in his physical presence. Moss is a thumper, and brings a physical edge that the Rebels will need as they replace 10 starters on that side of the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1615038' first='Emerson' last='James'] DB, 2028 - James played in just four games last season due to injury, but managed 12 tackles and an interception in his limited minutes. Now, apply that production to a full season and it's easy to see why the Rebels are excited about James' return. He was a standout as a freshman, and he'll be needed in the secondary.   [player_tooltip player_id='1271241' first='Chanin' last='Harris'] WR, 2027 - Harris is a burner, and his straight-line speed is usually more than enough to get him open. But he's so much more than that. He's got great body control, he can find the ball well in the air, and when he does he can go up and get it. It sometimes looks nearly impossible to overthrow him, he's a guy you can find even if he's covered well, and he's a QB's best friend.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1820011' first='Josiah' last='Chambers'] OL, 2027 - We could tell you here about Chambers' strength, or footwork, or high motor, or build. Or, we could just trust that you already KNOW there's a reason a guy would start for four years at OL at a 5A program in one of the toughest defensive regions in the state, and invite you to take a look.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Justice Hopkins DL - Hopkins was an absolute force for the Rebels on the defensive line. With 16 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and eight hurries, Hopkins often occupied two blockers and allowed the Rebels' LBs to wreak havoc - when he wasn't doing it himself.   Jackson Buckley TE/WR - An ultimate possession-type guy, Buckley was sometimes a walking first down for the Rebels. He had to be accounted for, and while he wasn't a huge producer numbers-wise, what he did almost always mattered. Consider this: his longest catch was 25 yards, but he averaged nearly 12. And of his 21 catches last season, five were TDs.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1817800' first='Abram' last='Burroughs'] WR/DB, 2028 - Burroughes contributed on the defensive side with 19 tackles as a sophomore. Now, he'll be counted on to provide some offensive spark as well as he steps in at receiver.   [player_tooltip player_id='1581476' first='Nasir' last='Angram'] LB, 2028 - Angram was a leader on defense in 2025 with 46 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, and an interception. Along with Moss, he's going to be a key for the Rebels' LB corps.    Put simply, Robinson is one of the fastest guys on the team. He's tied with Harris, as both have been clocked at 23 MPH.   What the Rebels are going to do with that speed is going to depend on the opponent and the plan. Shaw said Robinson will line up at a bunch of different places, and they'll get him the ball in space as much as they can.   "Coach Bentley is all about players, not plays. It's getting the ball to our playmakers. We're embracing that."

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.