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-254208 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/Silhouette-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Justus Murray Jr. | New York | Quarterback</strong> Murray Jr. has a very impressive deep ball, thrown with both velocity and accuracy. Advanced mechanics and feet for just having wrapped up his eighth-grade football season. Listed height is 5-foot-10 and has the athleticism necessary to be a dual-threat quarterback. New York isn’t exactly known for high level high school football as a whole, but the Staten Island native certainly has a chance. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-259768 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/WilliamWilson-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />William Wilson Jr. | Ohio | Running Back</strong> Turned on his film and fell in love with how fast he reaches full speed once he gets his shoulders turned. 5-foot-9 running back who calls Trotwood Madison Middle School home, is a flat out burner and was locked at an 11.37 in the 100 meter last year. Runs with a low center of gravity, but also a long strider--certainly a unique running style to watch. The closest comparison I can come up with is current Minnesota Viking, Dalvin Cook. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-259769 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/SeanHughes-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Shaun Hughes Jr. | Oklahoma | Running Back</strong> Love his size at 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds in just the eighth grade. He's a strong kid who lives in the weight room when you watch his film. He consistently falls forward and almost never gets wrapped up for a loss. Doesn't have the quickness and explosion needed to be elite at this point--but it's very early. Also a wrestler, he's always in a good position. Could turn out to be a linebacker long term. Certainly one to keep an eye on. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-259770 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/DylanBiehl-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Dylan Biehl | Georgia | Offensive Line/Defensive Line</strong> The son of a high school coach and already standing 6-foot-3 and north of 180 pounds, Biehl is going to be one to watch as he hits high school next year. The kid has the exact frame you want your future offensive and defensive tackles to have. Long limbs, strong base, pretty good footwork for being so tall, so young. Fundamentals are on point and he also has intangibles, as he was named a team captain this year. Expect to hear big things. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-254208 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/Silhouette-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Rodrigo Bravo Jr. | Texas | Quarterback</strong> A fairly well-put together quarterback in just the eighth grade at a hair under 6-foot and 185 pounds. He helped McCullough Junior High to a fantastic regular season and he'll now transition into 7on7 football with the Texas Fury. Plays an exceptionally calm style of quarterback and appears very comfortable in the pocket. Doesn't try to make the jaw-dropping throw every time, is perfectly happy checking it down to keep the stick moving. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-259787 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/KotaSuttle-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Kota Suttle | Georgia | Athlete</strong> Was not aware of this athlete until the Georgia Elite Classic, right before Christmas. Standing 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, Suttle looked special on the field. Also an elite level basketball player, he plays quarterback and free safety during the regular season. in the Georgia Elite Classic he played quarterback and impressed with his ability to run, as he picked up 58 yards on just nine carries, also scoring a touchdown. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-259813 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/JaydenRin-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jayden Rin | Colorado | Wide Receiver </strong> Rin doesn't wow with size right now, but he's working to get there. A tireless worker in the gym, Rin translates his ability on the field very well as a slot receiver. He has good body control and is pretty slippery if given a free release. Plays fearlessly going across the middle and isn't afraid to take a hit if means he's coming down with the rock. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15744335/61855bd5c11a590954402b44" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-259825 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/JohnSidoni-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />John Sindoni | New York | Quarterback</strong> In New York eighth grade athletes can participate at the high school level and Sindoni did just that, leading Syracuse-based Christian Brothers Academy JV team to an 8-0 record. Standing 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, Sindoni has a live arm that looks great on deep balls. Has some fundamentals and mechanic things that need to be cleaned up to reach his highest potential, but love how he always gives his guys a chance to make a play on the ball. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13708686/61afc8432aa7b2060828c946" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-259835 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/ZelusHicks-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Zelus Hicks | Georgia | Athlete</strong> At 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, there's nothing Hicks can't do on the football field. He recently brought him an FBU National Championship with Team GFL. He made the most of his last opportunity in youth/middle school football, as he shined as both a receiver and safety in GFL's victory over Mississippi in the finals. I don't know what position he will be playing when his time to make a college decision, but he will have his pick of school (and position) if I had to forecast it out. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-259843 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/MillerCarter-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Miller Carter | Utah | Offensive Line/Defensive Line</strong> Loved the footage (below) that came out of the Level Up Elites showcase recently. Carter has an immense opportunity to be a very good player as he gets set to enter high school. Right off the bat, his ability to bend his knees and get into an explosive stance on the offensive line is something majority of high school varsity linemen struggle with. Also has elite foot work for being 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds already. He is going to be a very good one that should be attracting major recruiting attention early in his high school career. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zBjiWXXmt4k" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp; &nbsp;