South Carolina’s Top Prospect on the Brink of Five-Star Status, Local EDGE Debuts Four-Star Ranking

In a significant move, On3 released an extensive update to its 2026 rankings on Monday, unveiling the new On300 list, which highlights several South Carolina commitments and targets. Among the standout names is Charlotte (N.C.) Myers Park EDGE Rodney Dunham Jr., who, after a stellar performance, is inching closer to five-star status and is now ranked as the No. 7 prospect nationally.

Charles Power, Director of Scouting and Rankings at On3, praised Dunham for his potential as a pass rusher: “Dunham has the look of a natural pass rusher,” he said. “At around 6-foot-4, 215 pounds with plus length, he has a developmental frame along with excellent get-off and bend around the edge. Dunham is a coordinated athlete and shows encouraging flashes of pass rush skill. He makes impressive plays in pursuit.” Power also pointed out that Dunham, who doesn’t turn 17 until July, is still young for his class, meaning he has plenty of room for growth, both physically and in terms of strength.

Also making waves is local standout Julian Walker from Irmo (S.C.) Dutch Fork. Walker, a jumbo EDGE, makes his debut in the rankings as a four-star prospect, landing at No. 134 overall and No. 19 at EDGE. Walker had a breakout junior season, recording 9.5 sacks and playing key roles during his team’s state championship run. Power noted on Twitter/X, “Walker is a jumbo EDGE who came on as a junior while helping his team to a state title,” adding that the 6’6, 230-pounder performed especially well during the playoffs. Adding another layer to his recruitment, Walker’s father is part of South Carolina’s strength staff.

Kentavion Anderson, a four-star safety from Roebuck (S.C.) Dorman, saw a major boost in his ranking, jumping from outside the Top 300 to No. 75 overall in the 2026 class. Anderson is a priority target for both South Carolina and Clemson, making him one of the most sought-after prospects in the state.

Another key update involves Peyton Dyer, who earned a four-star rating after moving up in the rankings. The South Carolina cornerback commit was previously ranked as the No. 25 cornerback but now stands at No. 20 at his position and No. 189 overall. He is one of three Gamecocks commitments in the updated On300 list.

J’Zavien Currence, the four-star safety from Rock Hill (S.C.) South Pointe, maintained his 91 rating but saw a slight drop in his overall ranking, now sitting at No. 111. This change is likely due to the influx of new prospects into the top 100, rather than any major regression on Currence’s part. He remains the No. 10 safety in the 2026 class and No. 3 in South Carolina.

Jamel Howse, the tight end from Newberry (S.C.), remains in the On300, holding steady with a rating of 90. He ranks No. 188 overall and No. 11 at tight end in his class.

As a reminder, On3’s rankings are curated by its in-house evaluators and differ from the On3 Industry Ranking, which is an average across multiple recruiting platforms.

This update marks a shift from the previous rankings released in October, and it reflects significant changes as evaluators dive deeper into the junior seasons of 2026 prospects. Power explained the rationale behind the latest update, saying, “Since putting the 2025 cycle to bed last month, we’ve begun to dive into the junior seasons of 2026 prospects. Hundreds of prospects have emerged on FBS radars, and we saw dozens participate in national all-star games in January.” With 56 new entrants in the On300, the rankings show the rapid growth and expansion of the 2026 class.

This update is one of the most dynamic shifts in the recruiting cycle, with many new names and talents making their mark.