2026 Preview: Green Sea Floyds Trojans

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.   There hasn't been much to celebrate at Green Sea Floyds in recent seasons, as the Trojans have won four total games in over the last four years.   The current crop of Trojans, however, grew up watching a program play for state championships in 2018 and 2019, and have made it their mission to get Green Sea Floyds heading back towards title contention.   “We have to get back to that place,” wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1821843' first='Judah' last='Lee'] said at last month's PrepRedZone Media Day at South Florence. “Everything's built towards getting back to a state championship. Everything we're doing now is a progression to get back to that place.”   Despite a winless campaign in 2025, there is a renewed energy around the Trojan program under incoming head coach Ty Sutherland. Change is inevitable for a squad under new leadership that returns just four starters and seven total players from last year's team.    The biggest change may be at the quarterback position, where rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1816380' first='Aaron' last='Fowler'] is being handed the reins. Fowler's size and athleticism should be an immediate shot in the arm for an offense that averaged 10 points per game last season and teammates have already taken notice of his demeanor.   “He's just a kid that wants it,” defensive back/wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1817618' first='Demestris' last='Phillips'] (pictured) said about the quarterback. “He's an incredibly dedicated young man.”   Fowler will benefit from a host of capable skill players around him, starting with the speedy Lee, who will team up with [player_tooltip player_id='1821842' first='Shakim' last='Deas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1823132' first='London' last='Mcclellan'] to form a dynamic corps of wide receivers. McClellan, a do-it-all senior playmaker on both sides of the ball, should be especially dangerous this season for the Trojan passing attack.   “He's got some of the best hands, I think, in the state,” Lee said of McClellan. “He's a really underrated wide receiver.”   Workhorse tailback [player_tooltip player_id='1823135' first='Thomas' last='Gunnells'] should form a tough tandem in the backfield alongside the physical Fowler. Juniors Daniel Autry and [player_tooltip player_id='1820559' first='Beven' last='Shelley'] headline an offensive line that will be counted on to help establish Green Sea Floyds' ground game.   Defensively, there is plenty of reasons for optimism after the Trojans surrendered 49 points per contest in 2025. Phillips and Lee will likely man the cornerback positions, while an athletic linebacking corps headlined by [player_tooltip player_id='1823134' first='Trequan' last='Patterson'] should be improved. Along the defensive line, [player_tooltip player_id='1823133' first='Jackson' last='Morgan'] and Jaden Temoney are players to watch for the Trojans.   Phillips says Green Sea Floyds' ability to handle adversity must improve if the Trojans hope to take a step forward on the defensive side of the ball.   “Hanging our heads, not finishing the game,” Phillips said. "We have to finish this year. Play through everything, adversity, all of it.”   The road back to the postseason and beyond will be a difficult one, but Green Sea Floyds' seniors have embraced the challenge of leaving the program pointing in the right direction.    “We can get there,” McClellan said. “We know we can get there and do it, but we've got to push ourselves to do it.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1821843' first='Judah' last='Lee'] ATH, 2027 – Speed travels and Trojan fans should expect to see Lee travel plenty of places with the ball in his hands this fall. A state champion in the long jump, Lee should see a variety of passes, handoffs, and jet sweeps as Green Sea Floyds' most explosive weapon.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823132' first='London' last='Mcclellan'] WR/DB, 2027 – One of Green Sea Floyds' unquestioned leaders, McClellan could be primed for a monster season. His reliable hands make him a prime target for a first-year starting quarterback and his maturity and leadership should impact the Trojans in a multitude of ways that won't show up in a box score.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823135' first='Thomas' last='Gunnells'] RB, 2027 – Gunnels is a gamer who can play a variety of positions if necessary. In Sutherland's run-oriented offense, he should feel right at home at tailback. The threat of Fowler's legs should help clear lanes for Gunnels to show his skills.   [player_tooltip player_id='1823133' first='Jackson' last='Morgan'] DL/OL, 2027 – A battle-tested veteran in the trenches is a luxury and the Trojans have just that in Morgan. His strength and physicality make him one of Green Sea Floyds' most important players, not only on the lines, but on the entire roster.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1823139' first='Gabriel' last='Peer'] LB/TE, 2028 – After spending time at running back last season, Peer is slated at tight end this fall. Opposing defenses will want to get him on the ground before he has a chance to rack up yards after catch, as he rarely went down on first contact as a runner. On defense, Peer's high football IQ frequently puts him in place to disrupt plays from his middle linebacker position.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Dylon White OL/DL – The 6-foot-3 anchor brought size and leadership to both lines. The Trojans will need someone to fill his considerable shoes in 2026.    [player_tooltip player_id='1824430' first='Jack' last='Shelley'] QB – Shelley had won the quarterback job for two consecutive seasons and was the starter last season as a sophomore. The standout baseball player had a year's worth of reps under his belt, something Fowler doesn't possess yet.   UP-AND-COMING TALENT   PJ Stephens WR, 2028 – Stephen has already made a name for himself on the basketball court, where he won Region Player of the Year as the Trojans' point guard. This fall, defensive backs will have to find a way to slow down what plenty of backcourts couldn't as he's projected to be one of Green Sea Floyds' starting wide receivers.    [player_tooltip player_id='1821842' first='Shakim' last='Deas'] WR, 2028– Deas may be slightly overshadowed by his headline-grabbing veteran teammates at wide receiver, but he could reap the rewards. Defenses will have to gameplan for Lee and McClellan, which opens up plenty of possibilities for Deas to see his stock soar.    Trojan coaches are fired up about Fowler and with good reason. After seeing time at wide receiver and cornerback as a freshman, the sophomore's athleticism should be on display even more frequently with the ball in his hands on every snap. His willingness to lower his shoulder in the run game gives the Trojan attack an added dimension.    Fowler has already impressed his coaches and teammates in the offseason with his handling of the new role. If he produces on the field, Trojan fans could be salivating over the idea of what the next few seasons could bring for the Green Sea Floyds offense.

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.