2026 Rankings Update: The New Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Potential New Subscribers: Take advantage of our 40% off special by using the coupon code Guerin40 at checkout. With rankings releases all month long and showcase updates galore, get in the game for all of 2023 at this discounted rate.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We didn't really want to increase our 2026 rankings by nearly 50 percent. After all, this is supposed to be a marathon, not a sprint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So when we started doing our final evaluations and put a few players on the shelf for future updates, we ultimately recognized that 11 current freshmen needed to be here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the exception of one player (one who might have started at the varsity level in 100 other programs this fall, mind you), this list is chock full of guys who produced at the top level despite their youth. Most of them were 14 years old for most, if not all, of the 2022 football season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let us introduce you to the new additions to the Prep Red Zone Class of 2026. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='617720' first='Max' last='Stafford'] QB, Philip Simmons - Gritty JV quarterback shows a huge upside, especially while throwing on the run. His opportunity will eventually come, and Iron Horse fans won't be disappointed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='617719' first='Donte' last='Bell'] LB, North Augusta - In just three full games, he proved he could be a force for years to come despite playing amid a crowded linebacking corps. Bell's sophomore season could be an absolute stat stuffer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='284133' first='Deontra' last='Allen'] DL, Aiken - Already projected by some as Aiken's tailback of the future, Allen was a starter on the defensive line as a freshman and found ways to stand out against some pretty good offenses. He's that strong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='205787' first='Hiszari' last='Gantt'] WR, Silver Bluff - While still small, even for a freshman, he's shown above-average skills as an outside receiver, in the slot or in the return game. Silver Bluff is going to be searching for ways to put it in his hands more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='205556' first='Josiah' last='Oxendine'] QB, Dillon - With a 2,600-yard rusher leading the way, Oxendine had all the time in the world to get comfortable. Still, his 1,100 passing yards (12 TDs) and 300 rushing yards (3 TDs) shouldn't be overlooked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='617664' first='Brayden' last='Williams'] RB, Saluda - The leading rusher for the Tigers wasn't the four seniors, two juniors or even the three sophomores who picked up carries. It was Williams. It didn't hurt that he went over the 100-yard mark in two of his first three games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='617663' first='Kaleb' last='Simpkins'] DB, Strom Thurmond - We're not sure how many freshman in South Carolina started every game, but we know it wasn't many. Simpkins wasn't just filling a space, either. He had 29 tackles, broke up three passes and picked off another.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='617662' first='Jamie' last='Williamson'] DL, West Florence - While playing in the middle of the trenches in the most competitive Class 4A region in the state, the 6-foot-1, 290-pounder (pictured) put up 15 solo tackles, another 14 assisted stops and four tackles for loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='402507' first='Somad' last='Eaddy'] DB, Southside - The Class 3A All-State honorable mention selection impressed with 27.5 tackles, two tackles for loss and a blocked field goal. He set his bar extremely high by putting up and eye-popping six interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='617718' first='Kenshon' last='Speaks'] OL, Beaufort - After starting at guard as a freshman for a state championship team that rushed for 3,918 yards and 51 touchdowns (and didn't attempt a pass in the title game), we think Speaks may be pretty good at this.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='212416' first='J'Zavien' last='Currence'] ATH, South Pointe - Is Currence the next big DB to come out of Rock Hill? With four Power 5 offers already, it wouldn't be a ridiculous assumption. He's equally gifted at safety and corner, something that ups his chances for the next three years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->