2026 Preview: Clover Blue Eagles

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 through 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.   The 2025 season was a rare down year for the Clover Eagles. The first full season under .500 since the 2017 season has lit a fire under the team to get back to real Clover football.   "Coach is really pushing us to get better each and every day and to remember how bad last year stings," defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1404968' first='Jackson' last='Hill'] said. "We weren't at our best last season and we know that. It's up to us as senior leaders to be better for ourselves and the team."   The other part of the "us" that Hill spoke of includes quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1407416' first='Aaron' last='Shealey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1696778' first='Najeh' last='Potts'] who plays all over the field. Shealy spoke about the one thing that himself and the rest of the seniors have really focused on this season.   "We're trying to make sure everyone is staying focused on the field and in the weight room," he said. "We can't have any stragglers staying behind and holding us back. It's up to us as seniors to put in that work and set an example for the younger group."   Head coach Bennett Swygert knows that his three seniors that came with him to the media day are the key to Clover's success in 2026. Not only because of their talent and skill, but also because of their leadership abilities.   "They're the heart of our team," Swygert said. "You can tell they're the unquestioned leaders of our team and we expect that leadership from them on a consistent basis.   Swygert also talked about Shealy under center and how the offense will be run through him during the season.   "Everything offensively is going to run through the quarterback," he said. "We're going to cut him loose to change up plays and get us out of bad situations."   Another part of the impending success of Clover's 2026 season will be what was described as a "cohesive offensive line" that includes four seniors in [player_tooltip player_id='1823070' first='Eric' last='Allison'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1820497' first='Makhi' last='James'] as well as [player_tooltip player_id='1823071' first='Khari' last='Carey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1820496' first='Messiah' last='Outing'] to round out that unit.   Those four are expected to provide Shealy with plenty of time in the pocket throughout the season and hold the keys to his comfort and success level under center.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1407416' first='Aaron' last='Shealey'] QB, 2027 - We mentioned that Shealey is one of those senior leaders and he'll be the man under center for Clover. In 2025, Shealy threw for 970 yards with seven touchdowns and just one interception. He's also a threat to scramble, as shown by his 289 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.   [player_tooltip player_id='1696778' first='Najeh' last='Potts'] ATH, 2027 - Potts will spend the 2026 season all over the field, but most of his impact last season was made on defense. He posted 32 tackles, one tackle for loss, five passes defended and collected four interceptions. Those excellent ball skills should transition well with him when he spends a bit of time at receiver during the course of the season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1603816' first='Grady' last='Stone'] RB, 2027 - Stone was the lead man out of the backfield last season with 131 carries for 698 yards and eight touchdowns. Swygert spoke to Stone's versatility and revealed that along with being the workhorse in the backfield, he'd also spend some time at receiver during the season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1827391' first='Omari' last='Stroud'] LB, 2027 - Described by his head coach as "talented as any linebacker" that he's seen at the high school level, Stroud will have big shoes to fill to live up to that. He was the leading tackler last season with 64 and with the second and third leading tacklers having moved on, he'll have to take his game to another level to help replace the lost production.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1404968' first='Jackson' last='Hill'] DL, 2027 - There's a fairly simple way to put this; Hill (pictured above) is an absolute game-wrecker. Don't believe that? Look at the 21 tackles for loss and nine sacks he posted last season. Watch the film where he looks like a man amongst boys on the defensive line all season. Hill shouldn't be as fast as he is at 6'2", 250 pounds, but he uses that surprise speed to shoot off the line and make any play he wants to.    KEY LOSSES   JaTavis Byrd LB - Byrd was a big part of the Clover defense last season, finishing second on the team in tackles and being very good in open field situations alongside the aforementioned Stroud.   Jake Nicely WR - While his 336 receiving yards and one touchdown aren't the most eye-opening stats, Nicely's receiving yards did lead the team and account for over 33% of Shealy's total passing yards during the year.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='2155239' first='Jeremey' last='Jenkins'] WR/DB, 2029 - Jenkins will play both ways for the Blue Eagles this season and is also ranked within the top 150 of the '29 class. He has explosive speed and should be able to produce on either side of the ball when asked to.   Leo Crawford LB/DL, 2029 - Crawford can do multiple things on the defensive line and figures to be a rotational piece in the upcoming season. He's a part of a defensive unit that his head coach has a lot of confidence in. He could very well make a name for himself with adequate playing time.    Wiggins is another two-way player on the Clover roster that will likely make more of an impact at corner than receiver.   At 6-foot even, Wiggins is long and has an outstanding ability to break up deep throws, while also being able to put his foot in the ground and break on the short and intermediate routes. With plenty of career left in front of him, he has a ton of time to continue to get better and more experienced.

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 through 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.