After a year-long hiatus, the Augusta Chronicle’s Dream 16 is back.
We spoke with coaches, crunched the numbers, and went over game film to find the cream of the crop amongst high school football players within Augusta. The result? A list of 16 players that we believe are the best in the area ahead of the 2026 season.
Amongst the group are Division-I football commits along with players with multiple college offers already. Additionally, five schools within the area are represented by at least two players on our list.
Here are the members of the 2026 Dream 16:
2026 Augusta Chronicle high school football Dream 16
Turner Stevenson
Position: QB
School: Aquinas
Class: 2028
Stevenson arguably lays claim as one of the best quarterbacks in the Augusta area with a cannon of an arm to go along with pinpoint accuracy. His counting
stats of 1,775 passing yards, 22 touchdowns (including six in one game) on 70% completion are impressive enough. Add onto that him missing five games during the regular season with an elbow injury to his throwing arm, and it’s easy to imagine the gaudy numbers he would’ve put up fully healthy. A full season of Stevenson could have him becoming one of the best pure passers Augusta has seen in recent memory.
Eli Hutchinson
Position: LB/RB
School: Aquinas
Class: 2028
Hutchinson’s production on both sides of the ball makes him one of the most valuable players in Augusta-area high school football. On offense, he was a key cog in Aquinas’ high powered attack with 762 total yards and five rushing touchdowns. Defensively, the first-team all-region linebacker was a menace. He had 115 tackles, 14 of which resulted in negative yardage for the opposition, and forced four fumbles. In a year where he’s projected to have more offensive load with wideout Jack Rhodes off to the University of Virginia, this could be a year where he begins gaining major college interest.
Ranquavious Morris
Position: SS
School: Burke County
Class: 2028
In terms of players in the secondary, it doesn’t get much better than Morris. Last season he was one of the best safeties in all of Georgia statistically as a sophomore. Morris had 93 tackles, four tackles for loss and three interceptions, numbers that rival older players who are highly ranked nationally. With his physical traits at 6'1 and 180 pounds, it isn’t an if, but when as it pertains to Morris becoming a difference maker at the Division-I level.
T.K. Reeves
Position: DL, OT
School: Burke County
Class: 2027
Reeves was a focal point for Burke County offense that was as run-heavy as any team in the area. His 26 pancake blocks helped create running lanes for his quarterback and running backs. And on the other side of the field, he certainly held his own with 28 tackles and four tackles for loss. Reeves has been one of the most impactful lineman in Augusta, and that’ll only continue in his senior campaign.
Mykheal Smith
Position: RB
School: Burke County
Class: 2028
Smith is as dynamic a playmaker in the backfield as anyone in the CSRA. He led Richmond Academy in total touchdowns with 11, 10 of which came on the ground. Smith’s 80 rushing yards a game also was a team best, and amongst other running backs in the area that was at the top for returning players. Suiting up for Franklin Stephens and the Bears this year, Smith will have the best offensive line he’s had in his career along with a system that is predicated on the run game. Don’t be surprised if the junior plants his flag as best running back in Augusta come season’s end.
Dallas Johnson
Position: LB
School: Grovetown
Class: 2027
The two-time all-region linebacker brings a combination of speed, strength and anticipation that gives opposing offensive coordinators nightmares. His 27 tackles for loss are by far the most of any returner. He also added 108 total tackles to go along with two sacks. Johnson’s production, particularly in the GHSA’s Class 6A, should have Division-I coaches knocking at his door throughout his final high school season.
Jax Stadler
Position: LB
School: Harlem
Class: 2028
Stadler answered the call in a big way when he was given a starting linebacker spot in his sophomore season. He consistently found ways to shoot the gaps to get his hands on the ball carrier. That high level of anticipation helped him rack up 108 tackles, nine of them being for loss and four sacks on the year. Stadler also showed the ability to drop back into coverage effectively, snagging an interception. On offense, the rising junior managed to get three rushing touchdowns as he occasionally slots in at running back for the Bulldogs. He’ll be a big piece in Harlem’s chase for a state title this year.
Reante Byrd
Position: ATH
School: Hephzibah
Class: 2027
Byrd is undoubtedly the engine that drives Hephzibah’s offense. He plays somewhat of a quarterback-running back hybrid role. One play, he’ll drop back and look for his open receivers. The next, he’ll tuck the ball and run it all the way into the endzone. Byrd had over 1,600 yards of total offense last season. Nearly 1,000 of those were rushing yards. He also had 14 touchdowns on the ground in addition to six through the air. The Rebels will go as far as Byrd and his dynamic offensive game can take them this year.
Dextavion Reese
Position: SS/WR
School: Hephzibah
Class: 2027
From a recruiting perspective, Reese has been one of the more sought after prospects in all of Augusta. The three-star recruit ultimately decided to sign with Rutgers over the summer, and it’s clear to see why he’ll be playing at the next level. Reese measures 6 '4 and 185 pounds while running a 4.4 40. Beyond the measurables, the senior simply is a disruptor whenever the ball comes nearby. He had 79 tackles, five pass deflections and four interceptions during his junior campaign. Reese also added 215 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the four games he played at wideout last year. He’s simply a freak athlete, and one of the best that Augusta has to offer.
John Green
Position: LB/DE
School: Lakeside
Class: 2027
Green’s impact on the defensive end for Lakeside is undeniable. His 84 tackles and 19 for loss routinely puts the opposition in uncomfortable situations on offense. Add in Green’s four sacks during his junior campaign, and you have one of the more well-rounded defenders in the Augusta area.
Jayden Hatcher
Position: RB
School: North Augusta
Class: 2027
After patiently waiting his turn behind the dominant running of former Yellow Jacket Mike Doe, Hatcher finally will have his time to shine as RB1 coming into his senior season. As the backup last year, he had 811 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground to go with it. With the extra carries, north of 1,500 yards and 20 or more scores should be the expectation in North Augusta’s ground-and-pound offensive philosophy. Hatcher will surely be one of the more exciting backs to watch throughout the 2026 campaign.
Simeon Jones
Position: DL
School: North Augusta
Class: 2027
The James Madison football commit has been an anchor on one of the best front fours throughout all of South Carolina. He brings next level size and strength to the lineman spot, and the Yellow Jackets’ defense has benefited because of it. In his junior season he had 42 tackles to go along with 12.5 tackles for loss, and even got himself an interception and touchdown as well. Jones is one of North Augusta’s most valuable assets headed into another championship-or-bust type season.
Carson Hand
Position: QB
School: Richmond Academy
Class: 2028
You can’t talk about Augusta gunslingers for long without mentioning Hand. He led all Augusta quarterbacks in passing yards with 2,041. His 21 passing touchdowns were the second most by a signal-caller in the area. With the departure of Mykheal Smith to Burke County, Hand will be more inclined to drop back and let it rip for big chunk plays down the field. He already has eclipsed 3,000 passing yards in two seasons with the Musketeers. With another two, he could easily double it and write his name in the Richmond Academy history books.
Lo’than McBride
Position: WR/ATH
School: Richmond Academy
Class: 2027
McBride might be the player who benefits the most from Hand’s passing ability. Though, that’s not to take anything away from the Kennesaw State commit who has a legitimate claim to best receiver in the CSRA. McBride finished last season with 744 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He, like Hand, will have more responsibility thrust onto him during the 2026 season. Don’t be shocked if he eclipses 1,000 yards and finishes his career as one of the more explosive receivers to come out of Augusta in recent memory.
Carl Butler Jr.
Position: DB/WR
School: Richmond Academy
Class: 2028
Butler Jr. is the definition of a ball hawk. In his sophomore campaign, he was near the top of the CSRA in interceptions with four. He also added 35 tackles and two tackles for loss. His speed and length gives him the versatility to be a great defender both in man and zone coverage. The Musketeer also frequently lined up as receiver, and made the best of it with 261 receiving yards and two touchdowns. It seems as if Butler Jr. is only scratching the surface of his potential as a two-way threat for Richmond Academy.
Jayden Hunt
Position: OL
School: Thomson
Class: 2027
An all-region first teamer, Hunt consistently imposes his will on his opposition. At 6’3 and 320 pounds, he brings next-level size and strength that can overwhelm the defense. He’ll play a critical role yet again for a Thomson team that’s trying to get back in the state championship conversation.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: 2026 Augusta Chronicle high school football Dream 16 list revealed
