2026 Preview: Landrum Cardinals

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.   For many high school athletic programs in South Carolina, every two years is like a box of chocolates. When it comes to realignment, you never know what you're going to get.   While Landrum remained in Class 2A this year, the shift from Region I to Region II placed the Cardinals in one of the toughest football regions in the state. Last season, Landrum's four Region I foes went a combined 23-24. The Cardinals' five opponents currently in Region II went a combined 41-20 last season.   Second-year coach Mike Reid said his young, but experienced squad is ready for the challenge.   "You embrace the competition. To get to where you want to get, you're going to play these teams anyway," Reid said. "What better way to play them than in the season and be battle-tested for the playoffs. ... We're going to see a bunch of really, really good players each week."   Some key injuries plagued Landrum last season and it failed to make the playoffs in a full season for the first time since 2019. The silver lining of those injuries now is that it provided experience for younger players. No younger players stepped up more than [player_tooltip player_id='1715570' first='JP' last='Branyon'] .   "He was an all-region performer as a freshman last year," Reid said. "Going into last year, we knew he was going to help us but we didn't know how much. He ended up being one of our very big contributors."   Injuries threw Branyon into the fire last season. One week after playing a position he never played before, he switched to running back when standout AJ Lindsey was sidelined for five games.   "I think this year, I'm much more prepared for what's going to come," Branyon said. "As a team, we're much more together as well. I feel like we're more of a family."   Getting the ball to Branyon and company will be new quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1817896' first='Ian' last='Patterson']. Patterson started at a slot receiver last season and the athleticism he showed there determined his new role this year.   "He does good things with the ball in his hand," Reid said. "He's a baseball guy, so he throws the ball well. He gives us that dimension of being able to throw it or run it and he's able to run between the tackles."   A weapon Patterson will have on offense this year is senior Karson Roach (pictured). Like Branyon, Roach has made his biggest impact thus far on defense but will see a lot more time on offense as well. When Landrum has the ball, Roach could line up at H-back, tight end or receiver. On defense, Roach and [player_tooltip player_id='1822470' first='Vuthy' last='Som'] lead an experienced group of linebackers.   "I just want to control the defense. Vuthy at I are the head linebackers, so we want to make a really big impact," Roach said. "We really care about taking the team further than it went last year."   Landrum returns six starters on offense, including a well-seasoned trio on the line in Som, [player_tooltip player_id='1822469' first='JT' last='Gist'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1819964' first='Bobby' last='Evette'] .   Branyon, Gist and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1823428' first='Zeke' last='Poore'] will lead the Cardinals' defensive front, while juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1817891' first='Trey' last='Nesbitt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1816592' first='Keon' last='Wilkins'] lead the secondary. They are among eight starters back on defense.   STARS SET TO SHINE   Karson Roach LB/WR, 2027 - Roach is a three-year starter who makes an impact wherever he's playing. One highlight last year came when he blocked a punt against Ware Shoals and then scooped up the loose ball for a touchdown. "He's kind of an old school physical kid that you really don't see much anymore," Reid said.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822470' first='Vuthy' last='Som'] OL/LB, 2027 - Like Roach, Som is another Cardinal set for his third season as a starter at offensive guard. In March, the 215-pound Som had a 500-pound squat on his way to earning a state championship in weightlifting. "He's just a great kid and a hard worker," Reid said. "He's going to be a big anchor for us up front."   [player_tooltip player_id='1817896' first='Ian' last='Patterson'] QB, 2028 - Patterson was a big play receiver for Landrum last season as he had a team-best 18.1 yards per catch and finished with 217 yards receiving and a touchdown. "He's really just dug in, learning the offense and gotten better and better each week this summer," Reid said. "He's really putting in the work."   [player_tooltip player_id='1817891' first='Trey' last='Nesbitt'] DB/WR, 2028 - A three-sport athlete who plays basketball and runs track, Nesbitt had 266 yards receiving and a touchdown in 2025. He provided one of the plays of the season when his only pass attempt went for a 64-yard touchdown. "He's electric with the ball in his hands, so we're trying to find ways to get it to him," Reid said.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1822469' first='JT' last='Gist'] DL/OL, 2027 - Film shows that Gist has a real knack for chasing down the ball defensively. In just six games last season, he posted 31 tackles, including two sacks and three hurries. "He's going to really help us on the defensive and offensive lines this year," Reid said.    BIGGEST LOSSES   AJ Lindsey RB/LB - Lindsey was really the heart and soul of Landrum's team. Despite being limited to just five games due to injury last season, he had a team-high 436 yards rushing and 25 tackles on defense.   Braylon Revis WR/RB - Revis capped his high school career by rushing for 405 yards and five touchdowns last year. He was also Landrum's leading receiver as he caught 35 passes for 391 yards and two scores.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   [player_tooltip player_id='1823428' first='Zeke' last='Poore'] DL, 2029 - Poore made a splash as a freshman last season as he collected 27 tackles, including four tackles-for-loss.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819964' first='Bobby' last='Evette'] OL, 2028 - In his first year as a starter in 2025, Evette earned all-region honors for his work on the offensive and defensive lines.    After having his number called well earlier than anticipated, Branyon answered the bell last season with 39 tackles, including five tackles-for-loss and two sacks. He also rushed for 195 yards and two touchdowns, and caught a touchdown pass.   Branyon can line up at H-back, tight end or running back. It will be interesting to see how Landrum uses Branyon and fellow utility man Roach on offense.   Having a full year under his belt, including in the weight room, has only increased Branyon's confidence this season.   "Numbers-wise, my bench has gone up by 30-40 pounds and I'm squatting way more than I was," Branyon said. "It's definitely a different story and hopefully that will translate on the football field."

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.