Al Pops Trail Mix: 2026’s Around The Country on My 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, as their film has come across my desk. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-276953 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/CaydenThomas-1-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Cayden Thomas | Florida | Quarterback</strong> Smooth is the first word that comes to mind when watching Thomas' film. He's a good-sized quarterback for this level at 5-foot-10 and 140 pounds and the fluidity with which he plays in refreshing. Some fundamental things to sure up as he progresses, but there is no taking away from his athletic ability. He gains a good chunk of yards on his initial drop back and starts analyzing the field quick. Big fan of his dual-threat ability as well. Future is bright for the future Mitchell Mustang. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16397576/619143f6b3c87201448f979c" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-276341 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/Jackson-Presley-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jackson Presley | California | Quarterback</strong> Standing 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Presley has ideal size for a high school varsity quarterback in America--let alone getting ready to enter high school. Big, strong, sturdy righty who seems to be made in a lab in terms of football play. Strong in the weight room, understands advanced concepts in the passing game and isn't afraid to dictate exactly what he wants to his receivers. Has already started the unofficial visit process, recently taking trips to Oregon and Oregon State. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-276344 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/JadenOneal-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jaden O'Neal | California | Quarterback</strong> Had heard about O'Neal through some folks out in California, then the chatter got louder after his performance at the Showcase Football camp this past weekend. Went to his highlights to see what the buzz was all about and it was easy to see. He's a huge quarterback for being a 2026 prospect, already standing 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds. He's a pocket passer than can extend plays with his feet, but certainly looks more at home there. He has an absolute cannon for a a right arm and can make all the tough throws in small windows that keep coaches (on both sides of the ball) up at night. Huge potential to be big time here. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-276356 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/GregoryPatrick-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Gregory Patrick | Michigan | Defensive Line</strong> The son of a former Michigan State Spartan, Patrick looks like he's developing into a player that could be on the same path. Big, three-sport athlete (baseball, basketball) who stands 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds per his Hudl. When he uses his hands and extends his arms, he has his way with most offensive linemen asked to block him. Needs to improve quickness off the snap and becoming more violent with his hands. Size, bloodlines and potential are all major plusses for him. Will be fun to watch his development at Portage Northern. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16550785/61e6e8d702bb7b034c2a390e" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-276363 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/Darryl-Rivers-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Darryl Rivers | Georgia | Athlete</strong> Could be the kid with the biggest upside in this week's Trail Mix article. Standing anywhere from 6-foot-3 to 6-foot-5 and 230 to 250 pounds depending on who you talk to, Rivers has all the potential in the world to become an SEC football player. He's long, strong and explosive off the line of scrimmage and has/can play wide receiver, tight end, defensive end, linebacker and even some running back. Earned MVP honors in the GMSAA 8th Grade All-Star game with a state line of three sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. We will all be hearing a lot about him in the future. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-276381 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/Harvie-Moeai-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Harvie Moeai | Utah | Tight End</strong> Big, tall, and long weapon on the outside. Looks to be exactly what the current style of tight end needs to be successful. He's athletic enough to be split out wide while overwhelming defensive backs with physicality, but also tough enough to come down inside and block is called upon.  Surprisingly smooth runner with above aver position speed, once he gets going. Routes need significant polish to maximize his ability, but the raw athletic talent is there and he will be once to watch out in Utah as he progresses through high school. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17279818/61c9073e041e4b0588b55dcc" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-276389 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/Viliami-Moala-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Viliami Moala | Utah | Offensive Line</strong> As if you couldn't tell by looking at the picture, Moala is a <em>bad </em>dude in the trenches as an 8th grader. Violent striker with his hands and looks to put the defensive linemen on his back and in the dirt on every play. Stays low firing off the snap and plays well with leverage. Shows raw power at the point of attack and is a powerful run blocker. Has ability to get to the second level and make a block on a scraping linebacker if asked to. <strong> <img class="alignleft wp-image-276394 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/HudsonHiggins-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Hudson Higgins | Alabama | Athlete</strong> Son of a former college football player turned head coach and younger brother of current Troy Redshirt Freshman, Peyton Higgins. Little brother Hudson looks like a carbon copy of his older brother. Well put together with exceptional quickness for this level. Clocked at 4.04 in the shuttle and 4.8 in the forty yard dash. Has the hands and athletic ability to play in the slot, but really looks at home at running back. To this point has the speed to gain the edge against most competition and can reach full acceleration in just a few strides. Plays defensive back and also runs track. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14986070/61a44fc1d21bad0a68fb0c5d" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>] <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-276905 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/CorbinGlasco-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Corbin Glasco | Athlete | Texas</strong> A straight burner out of Denton, Glasco should have Denton Guyer football fans excited for what he's about to bring to the program over the next four years. Loves playing wide receiver and has great ability there, but also has some impressive film at running back. He's an explosive athlete that plays at a different speed than others on the field. Was a one-man wrecking crew at the AYF National tournament in Florida back in December. As soon as he gets varsity film, expect a lot of P5 coaches to have interest in Glasco. <strong>Gavin Walden | Defensive Line | Minnesota</strong><strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-276938 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/GavinWalden-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></strong> Walden is an intriguing prospect for me to look at this point. He's in the feeder program for Eden Prairie, a perennial top-5 program in Minnesota. At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, he's built like a varsity linebacker, but spent much of his eighth grade season with his hand in the dirt as a defensive end. That said, I could see him transitioning to linebacker during his high school career. A strong kid and a sure-tackler. Needs to improve overall quickness and explosion, especially if he wants to play linebacker.