The State Of South Carolina Saw 48 Players Sign Major College Offers From 20026 Class With More Expected

Billy Baker • December 30, 2025



By Billy G. Baker

Publisher

Moncks Corner—As of December, 15 the state of South Carolina has 49 football players, from the 2026 class, who have actually signed on to play at one of the 136 Div. I major colleges who comprise college football; a new state record for signees within one class with several more players forecasted to sign major college offers by early February.


First, and foremost, the HSSR always takes a moment to thank our recruiting page monthly sponsor, Mark Grainger and all the fine folks at Modern Turf in Irmo and Rembert.


In recently developments, Dutch Fork DE Julian Walker (6-6,220) flipped his pledge from Michigan to South Carolina where his father is an assistant coach with the Gamecocks. After his decommitment from the Wolverines, North Carolina came at him full bore with a big NIL pledge from the Tar Heels.


A recent offer and signee to Oregon is AC Flora WR Azel Bang (6-0,170) rated 31 over-all.


In the in, Walker, rated the number two prospect by the HSSR, wanted to stay home and play in the SEC, about 15 miles from his home in Irmo. His flip to South Carolina gives the Gamecocks seven in-state players from the 2026 class. The others include number three rated South Pointe DB J’zavien Currence (6-3,205) who led the Stallions to the SCHSL AAAA state title recently. 


South Carolina has also picked up signatures from number four-rated Shrine Bowl offensive lineman Zyon Guiles (6-4,295), number 13 rated Cross High TE/DB Caden Ramsey (6-5,200). In the past two seasons Ramsey has 21 interceptions as a free safety but he was offered by the Gamecocks as a tight end candidate. Number 14 rated athlete Tristian Lewis (6-4,200) of Greenwood has signed with the Gamecocks as a defensive back. As the team’s quarterback he also passed for over 2,500 yards this past season, while also being the Eagles top ground rusher. Lewis will also play in the upcoming Shrine Bowl.


The number 15 rated prospect who signed with South Carolina is South Pointe offensive lineman Anthony Baxter (6-3, 330) and the 7th in-state signees for South Carolina included number 16 Indian Land wide receiver Sequel Patterson (6-0,165).


Clemson, who got very involved inviting in-state under classmen players to their home games this season, signed two in-state players from the 2026 class. They inked number six rated FS Kentavion Anderson (6-2, 181) from Dorman along with number 25 rated DE Michael Foster (6-2,220) of Indian Land.       


One development that remained sincere since the HSSR first reported on it back in June was that major college Western Michigan, which will play in a bowl game at Coastal Carolina in December, had indeed extended a firm offer to Andrews High DE Chris Stewart (6-4,230). Stewart went to a summer camp at Western Michigan earlier this summer, and the HSSR was informed that the coaches could not believe none of the power five colleges had made Stewart an offer so when they extended him an offer after seeing at camp, they asked him to keep everything quiet.


Stewart made the North-South all-star game, and the coaches at Western Michigan think he could develop into the next JJ Watt, currently an NFL defensive end of high regard. If Stewart does have an outstanding freshman season up North, he is likely going to be highly sought out in the local region, should he enter the transfer portal. Andrews High head coach Scott Durham told the HSSR, “Stewart is extremely hard to block, and his motor runs wide open non-stop all the time,” said Coach Durham. “He’s the best defensive player I’ve coached to date.”


In the past month, Florida State was able to sign coveted Greenville High defensive linemen Franklin Whitley (6-6,270), rated the number 9 player by the HSSR. The Seminoles were successful in flipping Woodland High Athlete Jaemin Pinckney (6-5,217) from an earlier South Florida commitment.


Also, in the past month Greenville DB Jamarion McKinnley (5-10,175) has signed with Cincy as the number 46 player in the 2026 class.


Appalachian State has helped push the major college numbers in South Carolian by signing six 2026 in-state players in December. They are number 18 rated Newberry High tight end Jamel Howze (6-3, 215) who had been committed to South Carolina, along with number 19 rated Gaffney offensive lineman Scotland Dover (6-5, 305). The Mountaineers also signed number 36 rated Chapin offensive lineman Caden Muskus (6-5,280), number 36 rated Bluffton defensive lineman Chris Doyle (6-1, 290), number 44 rated Dorman defensive end Christian Waring (6-4,300) and number 56 rated Oceanside Collegiate defensive end Sawyer Arnold (6-4, 220).


East Carolina signed three 2026 in-state players from South Carolina. They are number 29 Gaffney defensive tackle Kelton Smith (6-5, 290) along with teammate LB Zyon Ratchford (6-4, 215), the number 39 over-all prospect. The Pirates also signed Spartanburg QB Trey Burke (6-3, 205), the number 36 prospect. 


North Carolina State helped drive up the signees in the Palmetto State by signing three in-state players. They include number 30 rated Clinton OL Tre Aiken (6-4,265), number 34 rated Crescent WR Amiri Acker (6-2, 185) along with number 38 DB Jordyn Best of Ridge View.


North Carolina signed three in-state players in early December and they have already targeted numerous rising seniors to attend their prospect camps this upcoming summer.

The Tar Heels signed the top two 2026 receivers in number five rated Zay Robertson of Dillon who was a Mr. Football Finalist and he is also on the Shrine Bowl team after hauling in over 1,350 yards of receptions this season. Bluffton WR Carnell Warren (6-4, 196) is rated number 7 and he is also on the Shrine Bowl team. Orangeburg-Wilkinson LB Jordan Avinger (6-3, 222) has also signed with North Carolina and he rated 2 on the Top 100 list.


UNC Charlotte has signed number 45 Richland Northeast WR Jarrell Turner (6-0,185) along with number 64 rated LB Gray Patterson (6-3,210). They have had a verbal commitment from MVP WR Kadarus Hainsworth (6-1, 161) but he has yet to sign.


The HSSR’s number one rated player Timberland OL Desmond Green (6-5,333) signed with Florida while number 8 player Tamarion Watkins of Northwestern has signed with Texas A & M., He was named the SC Mr. Football by the Coaches Association on December, 13.


Orangeburg Prep TE Tilden “T” Riley 6-5,203) has signed with Vanderbilt as the number 17 player in the 2026 class. Number 23 player Jeremaih Favorite (5-10,170) is a DB headed to Michigan State, Riverside athlete Somad Eaddy (6-0,165) is headed to Wake Forest, and Duke has signed number 28 WR/DB Jayden Boyd (6-0,180) from Fairfield Central.


In the next six weeks, look for highly regarded players like Ridge View QB Jayvon Gilmore (6-6,200) and the state’s top tackler this season LB Michael Boulware ((6-2, 210), and Thomas Heyward 6,500 career yardage rushing RB Tony O-Banner (6-1,210) to possibly sign major college offers.       

 

SCHSL Release 2026-2028 Realignment Final

By Staff Reports • December 22, 2025
SCHSL Release 2026-2028 Realignment Final Columbia, SC (12-19-25) -- The South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) has finalized the classification placement of all schools beginning with the 2026-27 school year. This classification placement will be in effect for two years. The guidelines established by the Reclassification/Realignment Guidelines Committee served as the blueprint for schools’ placements. Schools were assigned based on their enrollment count, to include district additions and the 3.0 multiplier. Flexibility, as approved by the Reclassification/Realignment Guidelines Committee, was also used with consideration given to geographics and travel. “Appreciation is expressed to those who served on the Reclassification/Realignment Guidelines Committee,” said Dr. Jerome Singleton, Commissioner of the SCHSL. “Classification placement of schools is the initial phase of the process. The next step for the League staff is to place the schools into regions in their respective classifications.” The SCHSL’s Executive Committee will meet January 13-14, 2026, to hear appeals regarding the classification placements. The final reclassifications are attached.

Stratford’s Davis Leads South Carolina to 17-7 Win in 89th Shrine Bowl

By David Shelton • December 21, 2025
By David Shelton Senior Writer Spartanburg – Stratford quarterback Jachin Davis threw a pair of touchdown passes and South Carolina defeated North Carolina, 17-7, in the 89 th Shrine Bowl all-star game in Spartanburg on December 20. Davis , named the offensive most valuable player for the Sandlappers, completed 10 of 15 passes for 184 yards in the game. He is headed to Liberty University as an early enrollee. “Great experience and great to get a win,” Davis said. “Playing with all of these great players was something I will never forget.” South Carolina dominated the game defensively, allowing only 136 total yards. The Tarheels completed just five of 19 passes. Stratford running back Maliq McGowan , a late addition to the roster, finished as the leading rusher for South Carolina with 42 yards on nine carries. West Ashley’s Bristol Biegenzahn played on the defensive front for the Sandlappers while Berkeley’s Zion Britt started on the offensive line. Cross safety, and South Carolina signee Caden Ramsey , Berkeley linebacker Gehad Sneed , and Timberland offensive lineman Desmond Green, who is headed to Florida, also played for the Sandlappers. “You win all-star games with defense and our defense was outstanding,” said SC head coach Paul Sutherland , who retired as the head coach at Liberty High after the season. “Glad to get the win for South Carolina. The kids were great. I am very blessed to have had this opportunity.” It took less than 10 seconds for the Sandlappers to score the game’s first touchdown as Davis combined with Dillon receiver Zay Robertson , heading to North Carolina , on an 80-yard bomb on the first play of the game for a quick 7-0 lead. Robertson finished the game with four catches for 131 yards. “He’s a great player,” said Davis of Robertson. “Getting that first touchdown was a tone setter.” South Carolina lost fumbles on their next two possessions, the second miscue leading to North Carolina’s game-tying touchdown after a 23-yard drive. Spartanburg’s Will Love , heading to Virginia Tech , kicked a 35-yard field goal late in the second quarter for a 10-7 halftime lead for the Sandlappers. South Carolina’s last play offensive snap in the game was Davis’s nine-yard touchdown pass to Jude Hall of Christ Church with :59 seconds left on the game clock. Chester linebacker Terry Rayford , who had 11 tackles, was the defensive most valuable player for the Sandlappers. Dorman's Kentavion Anderson and Ridge View's Jordan Best recorded interceptions The win gives South Carolina a 48-34 lead in the series. There have been seven ties.

SCHSL releases proposed reclassification for 2026-27, '27-28 school years

By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor • December 20, 2025
Proposal has AAAAA going from 54 schools to 40 and not being split into divisions

Hilton Head Christian Overcomes Adversity

By Dennis Brunson • December 19, 2025
By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor Bluffton – The 2025 football season was an unusual one for the Hilton Head Christian Academy football team. The Eagles, who had won three SCISA state titles in the five previous seasons, got off to a 2-5 start. On top of that, starting quarterback Reid McCollum left the school in the middle of the season. With the reshuffling, Hilton Head Christian lost its first game. However, the Eagles responded with four consecutive wins, including a 42-20 win over Trinity Collegiate in the first round of the AAA state playoffs. The season came to an end the next week with a 50-29 semifinal loss to Wilson Hall . Eagles head coach Ron Peduzzi is happy with the way his players rebounded to finish with a 6-6 record. “I was really proud of our guys, the way they rallied around the team and each other,” Peduzzi said. “They literally battled the second half of the year every play. “It was a very tough season. A lot of guys stood up and elevated their games. They had to stand up and become leaders also, so I was really happy with that.” HHCA had four players selected to the All-Region 1-AAA offensive first team in junior wide receivers Joey Houpt and Jackson Richardson , sophomore wide receiver Sam Strom and senior kick returner Tommy Gehm . Those on the first-team defense were sophomore defensive lineman Hayne Burden , junior linebacker Kres Langhals , sophomore linebacker Chase White and senior linebacker Finn Ussery . Houpt, who was named HHCA’s outstanding offensive contributor, was the leading pass catcher with 69 receptions for 1,313 yards and 13 touchdowns. Richardson had 45 catches for 645 yards and five scores, while Strum had 31 catches for 415 yards and five scores. Gehm returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and averaged 21.1 yards per return on 24 attempts. He returned six punts for 46 yards. Burden, who was named Hilton Head Christian’s outstanding defensive contributor, led the team in tackles with 105, tackles for loss with 13, quarterback sacks with four and quarterback hurries with 21. Langhals, who was the quarterback in the second half of the season, had 39 tackles, five TFLs, 2 ½ sacks, two interceptions, two caused fumbles and two fumble recoveries. White, who received HHCA’s Sledgehammer Award, had 82 tackles, five TFLs, one sack and one interception. Ussery, who received the team’s Captains Award, had 87 tackles, five TFLs, one sack and one interception.. Ussery and Gehm played in the SCISA North-South Seniors All-Star Game, while Houpt, Richardson, Strom, Burden and Langhals played in the Futures contest. Senior running back Hudson Baker , sophomore offensive linemen Caleb Altizer and Josh Koepke and sophomore cornerback Keyvon Aiken were selected second-team All-Region. Baker received the team’s Coaches Award and Burleson Award, and freshman Max Zwilsky earned the Lunchpail Award. Peduzzi believes good things await the Eagles in 2026. “We have a very large sophomore class that will be juniors next year, so I look forward for to next season,” he said. “We do need to elevate the number of players in our program playing, so that’s something we’ll be working on.”

OCA Wins Third Consecutive State Title with 28-7 Win Over BHP

By David Shelton • December 19, 2025
Oceanside senior WR, Terence Johnson, a Shrine Bowl all-star game selection, had 57 catches for 1,153 yards and 17 touchdowns plus 9 rushing touchdowns this season.

Panthers aim to remain a contender

By Roger Lee • December 19, 2025
Running back Grayson Salego is one of several starters who should return to the Panthers’ football team next season. Photo by Roger Lee. 

Timberland girls basketball team off to torrid start

By Rob Gantt • December 19, 2025
Timberland's Zion Prioleau, named on of Class AA's top seniors by the SC Basketball Coaches Association, averaged 14.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.8 steals per game in 2024-20225.

Wilson Hall senior class 32-7 last 3 years

By Dennis Brunson • December 19, 2025
 By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor Sumter – The Wilson Hall football team played in its third straight SCISA AAA state championship game in November. And for the third straight year, the Barons came out on the short end of the stick. WH lost to Pinewood Prep for the second consecutive year, falling by a score of 55-13. That being said, Wilson Hall head coach Adam Jarecki could only praise his team, especially the 17-man senior class. “This group of seniors graduates with three trips to the state championship and not many people can say that,” Jarecki said of the Class of 2026, which went 32-7 over that 3-year stretch. “I’m extremely proud of them. They’re our leaders at the school. They’re the influential people at our school. We’d love to see them go out with success in the end, but what they accomplished is pretty special, and they’ve got to take pride in that. “They had a great year (finishing with an 11-2 record for the second straight year) and they’ve had a great career. It’s tough not to come out on top, but they know what it takes to get here and they bought into it.” Six of those seniors were among the eight Barons named to the All-Region 2-AAA team. Leading the way was quarterback Ford Wilder , who was selected as the Region Offensive Player of the Year. Wilder completed 41 of 79 passes for 565 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 483 yards and 12 TDs on 87 carries. Senior running backs Ben McLaurin and Milling Galloway were selected. McLaurin rushed for 1,234 yars and 16 scores on 121 carries. Galloway rushed for 585 yards and 11 touchdowns 62 carries despite missing three games and the majority of a fourth due to injury. The other senior All-Region picks were free safety Harris Naylor and defensive linemen Walker Wilson and Andrew Howle . Naylor had 35 tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions and three pass deflections. Wilson had 39 tackles, seven TFLs, two quarterback sacks and one PD. Howle had 28 tackles, a team high nine TFLs and two sacks. The other two All-Region selections were junior defensive lineman Reese Wilson and junior linebacker Peyton Gilley . Reese Wilson shared the team lead in sacks with four to go with 21 tackles, eight TFLs, one PD and one fumble recovery. Gilley had a team high 61 tackles and shared the team lead in interceptions with three, returning one for a touchdown, to go with three sacks and six TFLs. Along with being All-Region picks, each of the eight were All-State selections and were chosen to play in the SCISA North-South All-Star Games.

Lee Academy basketball teams start slow

By Dennis Brunson • December 19, 2025
By Dennis Brunson Hssr.com Associate Editor Bishopville – Both the boys and girls basketball teams for Lee Academy got off to 1-3 starts, but neither of the head coaches are close to making a determination on what the season holds for their squads. “I am really excited about the team we have for this season,” said boys head coach Kemp DeWitt , who is in his second season at Lee. “We return four players that gave us crucial minutes last season. Brayden Davis , Cain June , Gavin Makela and Paxton Greene give me a solid base surrounded by the new faces we have this season. “We look to find our identity as a team before we head into Christmas break, so we can come out strong when region play starts.” Davis, a sophomore point guard, and June, a senior small forward, are the two returning starters. Davis was averaging 9.3 points per game, while June was scoring at a 9.0 clip. Makela is a junior center while Greene is a senior shooting guard. The other starter is junior power forward Aiden Fitzgerald . Greene was averaging 6.3 points, Fitzgerald 3.5 and Makela 1.6. Other members of the boys team are senior Collins Drayton , junior Cannon Hopkins , who was averaging 5.0, junior Tucker Rodgers , junior James Watson , junior Matthew Inabinet and junior Keegan Gainey . Girls head coach Kim Langston , a decades-long veteran of the SCISA wars, said she hadn’t seen enough of her team to form an opinion. The Lady Cavaliers are young with just one senior starter in Mazie Tomlinson . The other starters are junior Mallori Frye , sophomore Karagan Melton , freshman Kaisley Melton and eighth-grader Beth Whiteside . Karagan Melton was the leading scorer with a 9.5 average to go with 3.8 rebounds. Tomlinson was averaging 6.3 points, 3.3 steals, 4.3 assists and 9.5 boards, Whiteside was at 5.0 points, 1.0 blocked shots and 6.8 rebounds, Frye was averaging 2.0 points and 3.3 rebounds, and Kaisley Melton was averaging 2.3 steals, 2.3 points and 2.5 rebounds. The rest of the roster includes sophomore Emma Beasley , senior Sara Bell , senior Zana Brazell , senior Raylee Catoe and junior Addie Grace Wilkes . 4 CAVALIERS FOOTBALL ALL REGION The Lee football team had four players selected to the All-Region 1-Class A team. The selections were wide receiver/linebacker Cain June, senior quarterback/defensive back Andrew Bowers , senior offensive lineman/defensive lineman Hampton Layton and senior linebacker/running back Tucker Boyce .

Hartsville Boys Basketball Looks To Be Improved This Season

By David Shelton • December 18, 2025
By David Shelton Senior Writer Hartsville – Now in his third season, Hartsville High boys basketball coach Jason Earle feels his rebuilding project is starting to see positive results. The Red Foxes won four games in Earle’s first season and improved to six wins last season. The 2025-26 season saw Hartsville win their first three games, giving Earle a reason to be optimistic about the chances of improvement. “Most of these guys have been playing for me now for three years,” reports the coach. “We have continued to get better each year. The expectation that I have for this team is to play really hard and make the playoffs.” Most of the heavy lifting this season comes from seniors and juniors who have gained experience while taking their lumps. Junior guard Kayson Dawson and junior forward Derion Gattison are setting the early pace as scoring leaders. Dawson is averaging 14.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game early on while Gattison is at 13.5 points and nearly five boards per game. Dawson averaged 11 points per game a season ago while Gattison scored 5.1 points per game. Senior Zaries Huggins is a starting guard, averaging 7.5 points early on. Senior Tristian Spann also starts as a wing and senior Dorian Mason starts at forward and contributes 5.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in the early going. Earle says the leadership this season comes primarily from Dawson, Gattison and Mason. Sophomore CJ Hickmon is first off the bench and can play guard or forward. Remaining players include junior Kelly Price , junior Zi’yon Mason , junior Karmelo Pooler , junior Jamyari Scipio-Bishop , junior Justin Hines and junior Eli Lynch . Hartsville competes in region 6-AAAA, a highly competitive basketball league. Earle sees Crestwood and Wilson as two of the top teams and is hopeful his team can join in the mix for the region title. “The region should be a real battle every night,” the coach said. The girls team opened the season at 1-1 and also looks to contend for a playoff berth this season. The top returning player this season is junior guard Nay Gibson , who is averaging 17.4 points per game early on. Senior Sha’Niyah Richardson contributes offensively as well, along with junior Ariel Leatch , each better than six points per game.  The only other senior on the girls roster is Kamori Williams . Juniors are Aniyah Robinson, Zariyah Spann, Makayla Chapman, Brianna Watson and Chaniyah Thompson . Rounding out this year’s team are sophomores Zanaya Blakney and Trinity Thomas , and freshman Chassidy Johnson.
More Posts