2026 Preview: Wilson 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.   If there is a team poised to take the next step as far as being competitive, the Wilson Tigers fit that bill.   They're experienced with 16 starters returning and have a couple of guys in athletes [player_tooltip player_id='1640595' first='Da'von' last='Bowman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1623916' first='Brian' last='Wilson II'] that will be four-year starters this season. That sets up for the Tigers to be a team to watch in Class 4A. It's also the second year under coach Brian Wilson and that similarity will help as well.   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1822810' first='Rasean' last='Wilson'] (pictured) will play cornerback and is in a battle for the starting quarterback job. He's seen a difference from last year when the little things cost Wilson in a year they finished 7-5.   “Coach Wilson is always going to focus on the little things. The bigger things will take care of themselves. Moving fast and doing things the right way in practice or the weight room and that will transfer to the field,” [player_tooltip player_id='1822810' first='Rasean' last='Wilson'] said. “We learned that last season in a couple of the losses.”   Those three already mentioned attended the Prep RedZone Media Day recently at South Florence and are considered leaders but there are plenty others that will play prominently in the plans this coming season.   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1820290' first='Kayden' last='Bethea'] has a chance for a breakout season after catching 33 passes for 446 yards and six touchdowns last year. He's gotten bigger, stronger and more explosive in his route running. Bowman will also play some receiver.   Wilson has four starters returning along the offensive line with [player_tooltip player_id='1819145' first='Ahmad' last='Pagan'] [player_tooltip player_id='1818923' first='Isaiah' last='Moore'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1824357' first='Liam' last='Cain'] leading the way. Wilson is battling with freshman Na'Bryson Elliott for the starting quarterback spot and there's a chance both end up having a role at the position.   The defensive line returns all the starters from last season. That will make the Tigers extremely experienced in the trenches on both sides of the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='1856928' first='JaBron' last='McFadden'] might be the best of the bunch with linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1819147' first='Zechariah' last='Butler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1819152' first='Jaquan' last='Burgess'] being leaders of the front seven. Bowman and Wilson II are mainstays in the secondary.   “I wouldn't say we really have a strength as a team. It sort of evens out because multiple people play both sides of the ball,” Wilson II said. “That's what is expected and we're ready to go.”   That leads his dad to believe things are in a better position going into his second season of leading the program.   “Those guys have a second year under me and there is a clearer understanding of what the expectations are going to be,” Wilson said. “I learned a lot that first year. (Sumter) Coach Mark Barnes prepared me well. The biggest thing I learned is to make the decision and make it faster. I hesitated at times last year and that's something we won't do this year.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1640595' first='Da'von' last='Bowman'] ATH, 2027 – Bowman is going to end his prep career as a four-year starter and he's going to contribute on both sides of the ball. The biggest thing the coach staff has seen from him this offseason is he's taken on more of a key leadership role and holding himself and his teammates accountable. He produced 60 tackles and five interceptions from his safety spot. He's going to contribute more on the offensive side this year. He was the third leading receiver a year ago but could transition into a go-to guy as well as get some carries out of the backfield.   [player_tooltip player_id='2163543' first='JD' last='Davis'] LB, 2027 – Davis was third on the team in tackles with 86 to go along with two sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. He plays like his hair is on fire and his aggression and ability to lead carries over to the rest of the defense. Davis knows everyone's role and where they're supposed to be and that helps him read and react to the play quicker. He's poised to be a leader and make his final season his best.     [player_tooltip player_id='1820300' first='Kaleb' last='Carroll'] OL, 2027 – The Tigers are experienced along the offensive line, and Carroll might be the best of the bunch. He's right at 6-foot-1, 260 pounds and moves well for his size. He uses leverage and technique well but can get in there and mix it up in a scrum as well. Carroll leads by example and can be a player that has more and more college coaches asking questions about him this fall.     [player_tooltip player_id='1819152' first='Jaquan' last='Burgess'] LB, 2028 – Burgess busted on the scene with 92 tackles, four tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. He's just scratched the surface on how good he can be. He's very instinctive and rarely finds himself out of position. At 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, he's going to be able to match up with anyone. He's described as a big hitter and is going to make waves as he's not coming in as an unknown this season. Burgess is ranked as the No.149 player at the time of publication in the 2028 Class.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1623916' first='Brian' last='Wilson II'] ATH, 2027 – Wilson will be a four-year starter this coming season – two years starting at Sumter and two now with the Tigers. It's likely you will see him line up all over the field. He's going to play defensive back and might even slide down to be the nickel back in certain situations. On offense, don't be surprised to see him at receiver and running back. Getting the ball in his hands in space will be a key. He's versatile and can blanket a receiver if needed or come up and provide run support.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Myquan McWhite ATH – McWhite contributed 58 receptions for 907 yards and eight TD catches and added 266 yards rushing and three scores. It's going to take a couple of players to replace the type of production he provided on offense.     Tristen Howard QB – Howard threw for just shy of 1,900 yards with 17 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions. He was a vocal leader of the offense and knew when and how to get everyone in the correct position.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1856928' first='JaBron' last='McFadden'] DL, 2028 – Have you ever seen a grown man in a teenager's body? That would be McFadden. He's 6-foot-3, 240 pounds of muscle and one of the stronger players on the team. He's still looking for consistency, but the coaches believe the light bulb will come on this season. He had 44 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack a season ago. Once he learns better technique and how to harness his explosiveness, he's going to be a mainstay on the defensive front for the new two seasons.   Mark Law ATH, 2029 – Law can line up in the slot or the outside and still make an impact. He adjusts to the ball in the air well and goes and gets it at its highest point. He's a big play threat anytime he touches the ball. He also plays some Wildcat quarterback. He could also play a role as a linebacker. Finding the right position on a team that has 16 returning starters is going to be key.   [player_tooltip player_id='2106765' first='Zyier' last='Lyde'] RB, 2029 –    The Tigers weren't scared to play younger guys last season as Lyde was pulled up to the varsity and played in four games, rushing for 255 yards and two touchdowns. He's got good size and is elusive. We saw enough of his production last season to rank him inside of the Top 60 players of the 2029 Class. He can make people miss or lower a shoulder and run through them. He's the top returning ground-gainer for the Tigers and we expect big things from Lyde in 2026.

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.