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

Billy Baker • December 15, 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.       

 

Andrews beats East Clarendon to reach Lower State finals

By Billy Baker • May 21, 2026
Andrews—East Clarendon out-hit Andrews 6-5 on May, 20, on the road in the AA Lower State softball semi-finals, but the Yellow Jackets took advantage of two errors and six walks to come out on top 5-1, as they advance to play Chesterfield on Friday in the Lower state finals. Joy Weisner is the Andrews head coach, and she told the HSSR after the game: “What we have tried to do all season is take advantage of any opportunities a team gives us,” said Coach Weisner. “We hit the ball better today and that is very important.” Andrews last won a state title in 20218. Andrew had five players earning all-region honors. They were center fielder Sarah Jennings, pitcher Addyson Davis, who will also play in the North-South game. Other all-region selections were junior catcher Chloe Skipper who was the Region MVP, senior Addison McCants, Region MVP outfielder Skipper, and talented sophomore shortstop Tori Smith. Andrews lost to Chesterfield 7-3 this past Monday (May 18). “We have to hit the ball better when we go to them this Friday,” said Coach Weisner. “We didn’t hit the ball well at all this past Monday when we played Chesterfield. We hit the ball well today, so we just have to keep that momentum going into Friday. “We have to go to Chesterfield and beat them twice,” said Coach Wesiner. “We have to play some of our best softball this season in order to that, so I hope we are focused. We need to start the game with momentum and end the game with momentum when we play at Chesterfield. East Clarendon (25-8) head coach Jason Newsome closed out his third season in the loss. “I thought our pitcher hung tough (Addyson Davis) today and she is just a freshman and she has been learning by fire all year long,” said Coach Newsome. “She is extremely talented and she is a good pitcher now, but she is going to an even better pitcher in the future.” Coach Newsome. “In the playoffs the margin of error is very thin and the mistakes we made, they took advantage of,” said Coach Newsome. “On the other hand, the mistakes they made, and the opportunities they gave us we didn’t take advantage of them and that was a key in the game. They did a good job of keeping us off-balance.” All region players from EC included: Region POY Peyton Hanniford, Bailey Hicks, Riley Atkinson, Layke Jeffords, and Zoey Culick. The score was tied 0-0 until the bottom of the third when Andrews scored four runs. Karaline Gainey singled to start the inning and was advanced on a sac bunt by Lauren Stump to second. Sarah Jennings next singled to left field advancing Gainey to third. Torian Smith drew a walk. Then Jenna Cook hit a ball deep into the corner down the first base line that resulted in an inside the park grand slam. Andrew added an insurance run in the bottom of the 4thwhen B. Walker singled and advanced on a single by Gainey. Stump was then Hit by pitcher to load the bases. Sarah Jennings then hit an RBI ground out that brought in Walker to account for the Yellow Jackets’ five runs.

Hanahan wins lower state in softball

By David Shelton • May 21, 2026
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Wilson Hall Softball Finishes With 21-7 Record

By Dennis Brunson • May 20, 2026
By Dennis Brunson hssr.com Associate Editor Sumter – The Wilson Hall softball team came up short of reaching the SCISA AAAA state championship series, which is a goal for everyone at the start of the season. Only two can get there though, so while not fun to come up short, it is bearable. However, the way things went down for the Barons this season didn’t help at all. Wilson Hall just needed one victory on Day 2 of the state tournament at Patriot Park SportPlex in Sumter to punch its ticket to the title series. Instead, the Barons lost to archrival Laurence Manning Academy twice by the scores of 12-0 and 6-4. LMA advanced to the best-of-3 series instead and swept Pinewood Prep to win a third straight championship. In retrospect though, Barons head coach Teresa Alexander finds it hard not to be proud of the season her team had. “The season’s ending didn’t turn out how we had hped, but I’m really proud of the tough schedule we played and the success we had all year.,” said Alexander, who guided Wilson Hall to a 21-7 record. “I’m excited to see this young bunch return with the experience they now have under their belts. But we will truly miss our seniors, Addie Griffin and Marymae Lampron .” The Barons had four players selected to the All-Region 3-AAAA team in Griffin, freshman pitcher Marsha Kate Skey , sophomore shortstop Mary Paisley Geddings and junior catcher Caroline Moorman . Griffin, who played left field, had a .279 batting average to go with an on-base percentage of .423. She had one double, one triple, one home run, 13 runs batted in and 18 runs scored. Skey was a standout in the circle as Wilson Hall’s primary pitcher. Shd had a `1.69 earned run average to go with 115 strikeouts. At the plate, Skey batted .400 with an OBP of .489. She had three doubles, two triples, 17 RBI and 33 runs. Geddings batted .317 with a .406 OBP to go with seven doubles, one triple, four homers, 26 RBI and 28 runs. Moorman had 14 RBI, 17 runs and four doubles to go with a .354 batting average and an OBP of .429. Other returning starters are freshman second baseman Tatiana Erichsen , freshman outfielder Anna Meldrim , sophomore third baseman Lilly Grace Przybyla , freshman outfielder Emmie Williamson and eighth-grade centerfielder Caroline Andrews . Meldrim hit .412 with three homers, 31 RBI and 24 runs, Przybyla hit .373 with 21 runs and 15 RBI, Williamson batted .263 with an OBP of .500, and Erichsen batted .324 with 19 RBI and 23 runs.

Stallions Reach SCISA Class AAA Baseball Title Series In Morris’ First Year

By Dennis Brunson • May 20, 2026
Williamsburg runners makes diving slide for the plate in the playoffs. (Photo by Mara Feagin)

Warlaw’s Lady Patriots Fall 5 Runs Short Of Winning State Title

By Gerald Doolittle • May 20, 2026
Lady Patriots Katherine Trotter, Bailey Sturkie, Ellie Yonce, Taylor Hilll and Brianna McNeill (not pictured) were selected to the North-South All-Star Team!

Wolves Boys’ Track Team Finishes Fourth At AA State Meet

By Rob Gantt • May 20, 2026
By Rob Gantt Special to the HSSR ST. STEPHEN - Timberland High School’s boys track and field team finished fourth in the state Saturday, May 15, at Richland Northeast High School. The Wolves, who finished with 45 points, produced state champions in multiple events. They placed three points out of a tie for second place. Hurdler Malyk Goodman won the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 56.63 seconds and jumper Carter Hawkins soared to victory in the triple jump with a mark of 14.24 meters. Goodman also placed third in the 110-meter hurdles in 14.82 and Hawkins finished second in the long jump with an effort of 6.65 meters.  Timberland’s boys sent three more to the awards podium. Hurdler Day’vian Bennett placed third in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 57.89 seconds. Jumper Antaun Faison finished sixth in the long jump with a mark of 6.51 meters. The boys’ 4x100-meter relay team posted a time of 43.17 seconds to place seventh. For Timberland’s boys, jumper Robert Roberts finished 11th in the triple jump with an effort of 12.11 meters, while the 4x800-meter relay placed 11th and 4x400-meter relay team 13th. The Timberland girls finished 10th in the state and sent quite a few to the awards podium (top 8). Kennahdi Murrell placed third in the 400-meter hurdles, sixth in the 100-meter hurdles and seventh in the high jump. Kemani Lampkin finished fifth in the 800-meter run and Jermanee Washington placed fifth in the 400-meter hurdles. China Greene recorded a sixth-place finish in the 400 hurdles and teammate Kiana Glenn was two spots back in eighth. Tiana Jefferson finished 12th in the long jump and 13th in the 400-meter dash. Zoe Cooper was 13th in the discus. Timberland’s girls placed eighth in the 4x400-meter relay and 10th in the 4x100 relay.

Thomas Heyward Has Good Season In Golf

By David Shelton • May 20, 2026
The THA golf program is relatively new but interest seems to be gaining each year.

Summerville Softball Wins District 3 Title

By Roger Lee • May 20, 2026
Senior Jayden Bennett has had some key turns at bat for Summerville during the playoffs.

Stratford’s Kowlok Repeats As State Champion In Pole Vault

By Rob Gantt • May 20, 2026
Lukas Kowlok headlined by repeating as the state champion in the pole vault soaring over the bar at 4.85 meters.

Tough Loss to Stags in Playoffs Doesn’t Dilute an Otherwise Great White Knoll Softball Season

By Worthy Evans • May 19, 2026
By WORTHY EVANS Contributing Writer Columbia - The pain of falling out of the 5A Division 2 District 4 tournament May 11 was still fresh when longtime White Knoll softball head coach talked about the season the next day.  The Timberwolves (14-13, 7-3) faced Berkeley for the second time in the tournament. The Stags held a 6-3 lead but White Knoll rallied for two runs in the seventh. After Melinda Veler drew a walk, Reginae Porterfield swatted a 1-out double to put runners at second and third. Lillian Priest lined out on the next at-bat, but Berkeley first baseman Emma Drawdy misplayed Adelynn Lewis’ ground ball, enabling Veler and Porterfield to score and cut the Stags’ lead to 6-5. With Lewis on base representing the tying run, Jaida Gray struck out swinging to end the hopes of an upset, and close out an otherwise great Timberwolves season. “It’s hard to shake it off. In the season you go to the next game but at the end of the season you can’t,” said Farr, who watched her team take a 3-0 lead only to be hit with Berkeley’s run in the third and a five-run fourth. “I could see my kids kind of feeling it, you could see it in my kids eyes,” she added. “We’ve got to fight to survive and they rallied around those seniors. They knew their time was coming and for two outs we were down 6-5. And that last pitch, it’s a hard way to go out. We’ve got to regroup and build off of what we did this year.” White Knoll beat Socastee 8-7 May 4 to get into the bracket, then upset Berkeley 3-2 May 6. West Florence , led by phenomenal pitcher Annie Eliason (19-0, 0.00 ERA, 309 strikeouts; who gave up two hits and struck out 20) beat White Knoll 7-0 May 8 to set up the rematch with the Stags. While the season ended on a sour note, there was much to praise about a team that Farr said few people would look to as contenders. After a young Timberwolves team battled through trials and tribulations, injuries and other issues, Farr said she watched her team come together in the second half of region play. “On senior night we really started playing for each other and giving it everything we had,” Farr said. “They worked their tails off to get better every single day and it showed. We have 12 players who fought their hearts out. We got to that fourth game, and our losses were close. We were right there, and it really was just one lucky pitch and that’s how the runs ended up.” White Knoll loses just two seniors in Priest and Gracie Fisher , but those seniors made a huge impact on the team. Priest had three home runs, 11 RBI, 34 hits and a .405 batting average. Fisher batted .311 with a double and 14 RBI. “Those two seniors have left their legacy, and we’ll continue with what they started on this swing upward,” Farr said. “We’re really excited that everyone else is returning.” Among the returners are freshmen Veler and Porterfield, and sophomores Charity West and E.G. Birchmore . Porterfield finished with a .393 batting average and a team-leading four home runs and six triples, six doubles and 20 RBI. Veler had 31 hits and 17 RBI to go with a .360 batting average an a .415 on-base percentage. West hit .323 with 11 hits and 10 runs batted in. “Mindy Veler started out in left field since seventh grade and she’s fantastic,” Farr said. “She’s got speed and runs down everything in the outfield but she’s really a good infielder, can play shortstop without missing a beat. An unbelievably great kid who won’t talk very loud but she’s a leader. “Reginae, that kid is small but she’s strong and compact. She can fly and you can’t get anything past her in centerfield,” Farr said. “Charity has been our DP and catcher. She puts the ball in play and has quality at-bats.” Birchmore caught fire in the circle late in the game and finished the season with a 2.23 earned-run average. She was 3-1 in five appearances. “E.G. is a pitcher and utility player, one of those kids in the past couple of years who was always there,” Farr said. “We didn’t expect her to be our starting pitcher but in the back half of the season she started to pour it on and keep us in games. She’s a battler along with our other pitchers.” The White Knoll baseball team finished 10-14 and 5-5 in Region 4-5A, but had a bounce-back season after going 7-22 and 0-10 the year before. The Timberwolves reached the play-in series of the 5A Division 2 District 3 tournament, but fell two games to zero in the best-of-three series with Lugoff - Elgin . White Knoll fell 4-1 in game one, but rallied for six runs in game two after falling behind 7-0. The Timberwolves had a 4-run rally going on in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and two men on, but a strikeout closed out the game and the season. Senior Dillon Woods led the team with a .465 batting average, five home runs and a .573 on-base percentage. Senior Jean Maldonado batted .364, and junior Tra Johnson batted .329. The team loses six seniors but has plenty of younger hitters, fielders, and pitchers to put together another successful season next year.
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