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…
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Continue ReadingAs 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.
Duke Condie | Defensive Line | Georgia
At 6-foot and 190 pounds, Condie has encouraging size for a defensive line prospect who just wrapped up his eighth-grade season. I really like his motor and willingness to get to the ball carrier by any means necessary. Very much a tweener right now, and he’ll either have to grow to be a prospect as a defensive end or get significantly quicker to transition to linebacker. However, for now, he’s one to keep an eye on.
Kamren Long | Quarterback | South Carolina
Could be one of the most talented quarterback prospects in the state of South Carolina by the time signing day 2026 comes along. Standing 5-foot-10 and 150 pounds, he’s an athletic kid who really is a dual-threat in every sense of the word. Great length, strong and accurate arm and lethal with his legs. Won his team’s MVP award this past season and his coach described him as, “as smart a football player as I’ve ever coached.”
Roderick Tezeno | Wide Receiver | Louisiana
Out of all the athletes in this week’s “Trail Mix” article, Tezeno is the only I’m most excited to keep watching develop. A 6-foot-1, 145-pound receiver that looks like a future difference maker in any sport, at whatever position, he chooses. Currently one of the nation’s top basketball players, as well as a promising baseball player, Tezeno is somebody to get familiar with. His vertical appears to be off the chart, and he has the wheels to make something happen after he comes down with the ball as well.
Gannon Knowles | Linebacker | New Jersey
Physically he’s on another level then the competition he played against as a member of Haddonfield’s youth program in New Jersey. At 6-foot-1 and 160-pounds he was bigger, stronger, and faster than the competition and his play backed that up. On offense he excelled at running back but long term I see him as a promising linebacker. Moves very well laterally and gets downhill hard and quickly. Some players just have that “it” factor, and Knowles possesses it.
Jaylen Mason | Quarterback | Kansas
Right now, as most eighth-grade quarterbacks are, he looks like a little bit of a project. However, there’s no denying he has some raw talent. He’s a thicker brand of quarterback at 6-foot and 170-pounds, but I’d still slant him towards the dual-threat side of the quarterback position. From what I’ve seen of him, I feel like he’s certainly a pass-first signal caller, but he can undoubtedly pick up yards with his legs too. I think a fair comparison is former Marshall standout, nine-yard NFL vet, and now quickly-rising NFL coach, Byron Leftwich.
Cayden Glass | Quarterback | Texas
In Cayden Glass I think we have a quarterback who hasn’t even began to scratch the surface of how good he could be. The current Briscoe Middle School righty plays a very dynamic style of quarterback, where he’s clearly been given the green light to create by any means necessary. He’s extremely quick and can escape pressure in the blink of an eye. Also does a good job of getting his hips turned and driving the ball down the field.
Ezekiel Groom | Athlete | Oklahoma
Turned on his film and the first thing that came to my mind was ESPN great Chris Berman yelling, “rumblin’, bumblin’, stumblin’”, as a I saw the 5-foot-10, 190-pounder operate on the field. The big man can play a number of different positions as you can see on the film below. He’s a big, fast, powerful athlete that has a lot of potential once he zones in on one or two positions. Without knowing how big he will (or won’t) get, I think he looks like a dynamic 3-4 defensive lineman with both power and speed.
Kendrick Mitchell | Running Back/Linebacker | Texas
Mitchell can flat out play football. He is an explosive athlete that plays at a different speed than anyone else on the field. The Keefer Crossing Middle School product helped his Gold Blooded Titans 13U team to an undefeated record this past season with stellar play on both sides of the ball. As a running back he is patient in the backfield before accelerating into a violent bolt as he reached the second level. He plays outside linebacker in a very similar form, as he watches the play develop on his toes and then strikes like a cobra at the point of contact. Really like what I see here.
D’Andre Frazier | Athlete | Texas
Not the biggest 2026 prospect you’ll find in the country, but he’s quicker than a gnat and faster than a jaguar. Lined up at a number of different positions including, but not limited to, wildcat quarterback, kick/punt returner, wide receiver and defensive back. Plays with a confident edge to his game that makes people pay for testing him. As he progresses he’ll obviously grow and add muscle, but I’d also like to see him become more decisive and just put his foot in the ground to get up field. He’s going to be a fun one to watch as he develops.
Nate Ferguson | Quarterback | Alabama
Listed at 6-foot and 155 pounds, Ferguson appears to be taller than that from what I see on film. Having already been invited to, and attended, an Alabama game as a recruit, the Helena product seems to be on his way. Three-sport star led his middle school team to back-to-back conference championships. A bit raw from a fundamentals standpoint right now, but he throws a nice deep ball. Also has the capability to pick up significant chunks of yards by keeping it himself on the ground.