Rising Stars in the Upstate
The 2026 high school football season in the Upstate is already drawing attention as analysts begin to rank the most promising running backs. From the suburbs of Greenville to the foothills of Spartanburg, a handful of players are emerging as potential game‑changers.
David ‘Tre’ Segarra Byrnes, a senior at Byrnes High, has pledged to LSU and sits at No. 2 overall in South Carolina and No. 7 nationally among the Class of 2027. His blend of size and speed has already attracted SEC interest.
Aiden Gibson Woodruff from Woodruff High is headed to Penn State after being tabbed No. 4 in the state and No. 16 in the country. The Penn State commit has posted impressive yardage early in his senior campaign.
Commitments and College Destinations
Trenton Lynch of Spartanburg High, committed to Rutgers, ranks as the No. 4 running back in the state and No. 22 overall. His early performances have positioned him as a key recruit for the Scarlet Knights.
Other notable commitments include Michael Martin II from Christ Church, who holds offers from Duke, Wake Forest and Georgia Tech; Nick Means from Dorman, who earned a power‑conference offer from Wake Forest along with Liberty, Samford and The Citadel; Muntu Brown from Wren, who amassed 1,647 yards and 20 touchdowns before a mid‑season injury; Amire White, a transfer from Irmo, who is drawing interest from North Greenville, UNC Pembroke and Wingate; Calvin McCoy from Greer, who recorded three 200‑yard games, highlighted by a 237‑yard effort with three touchdowns in a 4A playoff loss; Mack Rambo from St. Joseph’s, who rushed for 978 yards and 16 scores in seven games before a season‑ending injury; and Nydarrian Allen from Hillcrest, who finished with 107 carries for 635 yards and five touchdowns and holds an offer from Marshall.
Injury Hurdles and Transfer Moves
Injuries and transfers have added layers of complexity to the recruiting landscape. Muntu Brown’s season was cut short, while Amire White’s move from Irmo illustrates the fluidity of rosters. Despite setbacks, each prospect continues to showcase the talent that could reshape college football in the coming years.
The early rankings and commitments suggest that the 2026 class will feature a deep pool of talent across the Upstate, with several players poised to make immediate impacts at the collegiate level.