Trail Mix: 2026’s Around The Country on The PRZ Next Radar

As middle school athletes, new studs are hopping on the radar almost daily at Prep Redzone Next. With so many different age groups, weight limits, division, etc. there's no exact science to finding middle school athletes, but they're certainly out there. Let's take a look at a few 2026's that have opened my eyes with their recent play. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-237769 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/LukeFaulkner-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Luke Faulkner | North Carolina | Linebacker</strong> Your classic throwback fullback/linebacker type of player, Faulker is reliable middle linebacker who comes down hill hard. He’s a thumper who can expose slow interior offensive linemen by shooting the A gaps very easily. Reliable tackler who reads his keys and plays assignment football.   <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VNd21pjd2eo" width="562" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-237770 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/TylerLeyshon--150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Tyler Leyshon | Georgia | Tight End</strong> Played wide receiver this past year and had a productive season. Long term the speed must improve if he’s going to stay outside, but if he bumps inside to a tight end (like I believe he should) he’s going to be something to keep an eye on. Already 6-foot-2, 165 pounds and still growing.   <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/D1N7TrOv9Cw" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-237773 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/JaydenTerry--150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jayden Terry | Michigan | Running Back</strong> Have followed his season from afar and think he improved every step of the way. At 5-foot-7 and 152 pounds, he has nice size for a running back at this stage of the game. Has the pull away speed you like to see in the open field as a back. Also a very strong kid, not sure if he wrestles but he looks like he should.   <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-237778 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/BryceGreen--150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Bryce Green | Georgia | Athlete</strong> Kid is an absolute burner and has speed for days. Played his youth ball for Buford in the famed Gwinnett Football League—one of the best leagues in the country—and he still stood out in a special way. Elite speed and quickness should make him a P5 recruit in a few years. Will be a difference-maker during his four years of high school. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14904292/605f8c52d21ace0ef88f9f36" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-237780 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/JaceWinchester-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jace Winchester | Colorado | Offensive Line</strong> Not unreal size, but pretty good size for where he plays in Colorado at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds. Love the way he fires out of his stance and the footwork he uses at the point of contact. For a taller lineman in the area he understands leverage and keeps his pad level low enough to blow guys off the ball. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11226007/619a89015ef7660b980c872a" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-237781 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/JosiahMathis--150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Josiah Mathis | Pennsylvania | Athlete</strong> A long time ago a current Director of Player Personnel at a D1 FBS school told me that if “a kid makes it look effortless, that’s someone you need to keep an eye on” and that is the case with Mathis. He was a force in all three phases of football throughout the season, highlighted by two what he did on kick returns and defense.   <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-237782 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/ConnerCuozzo--150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Conner Cuozzo | Ohio | Athlete</strong> I don’t know where this kid is going to end up playing on the field, but what I do know, is that this kid has some next-level ability. He is a thick, well-built kid that played defensive end on defense and running back on offense. Has an unreal motor that allows for him to make big plays on the regular. Scariest part, could be an even better baseball player. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/fG3qAfuCNKM" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-237783 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/JacksonRegan--150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jackson Regan | Texas | Running Back</strong> Another athlete I’ve been watching from afar this season, I’m really starting to become a fan of Regan. At 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds he is a very nice looking running back prospect. Has a little bit of everything you want to see your backs have. Has the speed to get outside, the size to bust in between the tackles and the vision to make something out of nothing. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-237785 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/XavierMcDonald-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Xavier McDonald | Mississippi | Wide Receiver</strong> At 6-foot-3 and 154 pounds, McDonald is a wide receiver prospect in every sense of the word. Add in the fact that he had nearly 800 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns on varsity as an 8<sup>th</sup> grader—and you have a future star in the making. He’s exactly what you expect—a long strider who not only can take the top off a defense, but can also plays a role in the short/intermediate game. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16983394/6196d50a64e04309c8db1cc2" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-237787 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/11/NickFiumara-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Nick Fiumara | Massachusetts | Offensive Line</strong> Absolutely fell in love with this kid from the first :9 seconds of his film. Already has the size of a future P5 recruit at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds. Also possess a mean streak that only the most elite offensive lineman have. Has a great stance, fantastic feet and can clearly make blocks in space if asked to. There’s not a block this guy can’t make when asked to. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16745990/6185e3afd45ebc0bb0d1b9ab" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>