Five 2026 Prospects From States That Will Surprise You
There is a football talent in every corner of this country from coast to coast. In some states you can simply roll out a football on a dirt field and you’ll have future power 5 kids coming from every direction—Texas,…
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Continue ReadingThere is a football talent in every corner of this country from coast to coast. In some states you can simply roll out a football on a dirt field and you’ll have future power 5 kids coming from every direction—Texas, Florida, Georgia, California, etc. However, in some other states, that talent pool isn’t nearly as a deep but that doesn’t mean there aren’t legit players there. Here’s a look at five players that come from states that will make you think twice about where you can find talent.
Landon Drumm | Wide Receiver/Defensive Back | Alaska
Majority of the people in the country don’t bother looking in Alaska for football talent, including myself, admittedly. However a few months ago I heard about Drumm and what he was doing out there on the middle school level and I was intrigued. This summer at the Avery Strong Showcase he brought home the WR MVP and measured in at 5-foot-7 and 110 pounds. The talented athlete also shines on the baseball diamond and comes from good bloodlines, as his dad, Brandon played at Colorado before being drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 7th round of the 2003 NFL draft.
Mason Black | Defensive End/Tight End | Wisconsin
At nearly 6-foot-6 and 175 pounds, Black is a very tough blocking assignment for kids across Wisconsin. His frame and length is a strength and conditioning coach’s dream. He can, and will, pack on the pounds as he continues to grow—should easily get up to 220 pounds, if not more by the end of high school. Black is a high motor kid with excellent burst at snap and the speed to consistently get around edge. Offensively plays tight end and tackle depending on game plan. As a tight end he’s a better blocker than receiver but did have a couple nice grabs on the season, and benefitted from the stellar play of his QB Josh Ziebell.
Ansu Sanoe | Wide Receiver | Oregon
An All-State performer as a 6th and 7th grader, Sanoe is the future of the wide receiver position in the Pacific Northwest. At already 6-foot-2 and a solid 195 pounds, Sanoe has a great frame with length. He can accelerate and decelerate at an elite level, understands coverages and disregards jam coverage at the line of scrimmage with ease. Overall body strength is a big component of his game and displays it by his ability to not waste movement and get north-south after the catch. Scored multiple touchdowns in every game this season, highlighted by mid-October contest where he scored seven times.
Christopher “MJ” Walsh | Defensive End | Kansas
Walsh is a handful at defensive end and at running back on the middle school level. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Walsh is an edge player that can completely shut down his side of the field and force offenses to become predictable. A three-sport athlete who also wrestling and does track, Walsh loves to compete and not only played in Kansas but also on the Adidas Patriots, a club team out of Nebraska this late summer/fall season. Ever-improving strength, he’s a big weight room guy who will continue to progress as he enters high school next year.
Mickey Widner | Athlete | New Mexico
Hailing from another state where football players aren’t exactly a hot commodity, Widner has shown some very good ability on both sides of the ball. Offensively he’s a very tactical running back who has tremendous balance and ability to keep his legs churning up field. Does not possess crazy speed right now but helped move the chains consistently. Also a threat to catch the ball out of the back field on screens. Defensively kind of a hybrid linebacker/defensive back at this point. Has a noise for the ball and isn’t afraid to mix it up.