LIST: Central Virginia’s top Class of 2026 football recruits

(STACKER) -- Several of Virginia's best Class of 2026 football recruits -- including the top-rated player statewide -- are from Central Virginia, according to a new report.

While the 2025 high school football season is coming to a close, the recruiting race for the Class of 2026 is just starting to heat up — and not just on the field. Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals are reshaping how college football programs and players navigate early recruitment.

For elite underclassmen, talent alone is no longer the only factor drawing attention. To be a top recruit, you not only have to be highly skilled, but you also need endorsement potential and media savviness.

Using data from 247Sports, Stacker compiled a top-20 list of the highest-rated Class of 2026 recruits in Virginia. Nearly half of those players are based in the Greater Richmond region -- including the first and second-place recruits.

Keep scrolling to learn more about the best of high school football in Central Virginia.

#8: Markel Dabney (ATH)

• High school: Huguenot High School, Richmond
• National rank: #694 (3 stars)
• Position rank: #52
• Committed To: Michigan
  • Offers: Michigan, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, SMU, Arizona
• Stacker Statewide Ranking: #20

T-Ron Richardson of Hopewell High School, who has committed to Oklahoma State. (Photo: Hopewell City Public Schools)

#7: T-Ron Richardson (Defensive Lineman)

• High school: Hopewell High School, Hopewell
• National rank: #415 (4 stars)
• Position rank: #47
• Committed To: Oklahoma
  • Offers: Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Syracuse, Auburn
• Stacker Statewide Ranking: #11 (tied)

#6: Amare Gough (Wide Receiver)

• High school: Thomas Jefferson High School, Richmond
• National rank: #337 (4 stars)
• Position rank: #53
• Committed To: Syracuse
  • Offers: Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Virginia, Boston College
• Stacker Statewide Ranking: #9

Savion Hiter [left] and Dyzier Carter [right] of Louisa County High School. (Photo: Louisa County High School Athletics)

#5: Dyzier Carter (Wide Receiver)

• High school: Louisa County High School, Louisa County
• National rank: #240 (4 stars)
• Position rank: #40
• Committed To: Rutgers
  • Offers: Rutgers, Cincinnati, East Carolina, Florida State, Georgia
• Stacker Statewide Ranking: #7

#4: Davion Brown (Wide Receiver)

• High school: Trinity Episcopal School, Richmond
• National rank: #193 (4 stars)
• Position rank: #31
• Committed To: N/A
  • Offers: Penn State, Auburn, Boston College, Duke, Florida State
• Stacker Statewide Ranking: #6

#3: Andre Clarke Jr. (Safety)

• High school: Hermitage High School, Richmond
• National rank: #154 (4 stars)
• Position rank: #13
• Committed To: Michigan
  • Offers: Michigan, Kentucky, SMU, Appalachian State, Campbell
• Stacker Statewide Ranking: #5

Darius Gray [left] of St. Christopher's School in Richmond, with local kids. (Photo: St. Christopher's School)

#2: Darius Gray (Interior Offensive Lineman)

• High school: St. Christopher's School, Richmond
• National rank: #33 (5 stars)
• Position rank: #2
• Committed To: South Carolina
  • Offers: South Carolina, LSU, Ohio State, Tennessee, Clemson
• Stacker Statewide Ranking: #2

Savion Hiter of Louisa County High School, who has committed to Michigan State. (Photo: Louisa County High School Athletics)

Savion Hiter of Louisa County High School, who has committed to Michigan State. (Photo: Louisa County High School Athletics)

Savion Hiter of Louisa County High School, who has committed to Michigan State. (Photo: Louisa County High School Athletics)

#1: Savion Hiter (Running Back)

• High school: Louisa County High School, Louisa County
• National rank: #9 (5 stars)
• Position rank: #1
• Committed To: Michigan
  • Offers: Michigan, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama
• Stacker Statewide Ranking: #1

This list was compiled by Stacker using data from 247Sports. Players are ranked by the 247Sports Composite ranking. Stacker's original list was posted on Tuesday, Nov. 11.