Al Pops Trail Mix: 2026’s Around The Country on My Radar 2/22

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-254208 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/12/Silhouette-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Qadir Lyle | Alabama | Quarterback</strong> Standing 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, Lyle is ideal size for an in-coming freshman quarterback. He's a very good looking athlete with an unverified 40-yard dash time of 4.59. Extremely strong arm for this level. Does not have film online, but in the clips he sent me, balls are going nearly 50 yards and being thrown off balance or on the run. Will be at Austin High School for his football career. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-292372 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/KobeBolware-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Kobe Boleware | Alabama | Defensive Back</strong> Unverified size, but adequate height with a lean build. Two-sport athlete who also competes on the hardwood Flashes encouraging change-of-direction ability, but can improve overall explosiveness. Reads and reacts well when diagnosing plays. Does a very nice job of high pointing the ball. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16193122/617c4bffbd746c0bb4596b09" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <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" />Bastian Vanden Bosch | Arizona | Tight End</strong> If that last name sounds familiar, you're not crazy. The son of former NFL All-Pro Kyle Vanden Bosch, Bastian also has a talented twin brother who plays quarterback. In Bastian, he's everything you think you'd get out of a former professional player's son. He's bigger, faster, stronger than most of his competition. Plays 7v7 for nationally recognized program, The Unit. Best hands I've seen on a tight end prospect in the '26 class thus far and he can pick up valuable yards after the catch. Also plays D-End. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16748079/6141810b19a6a00bb0c710d5" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-292644 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/JamesonPowell-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jameson Powell | California | Wide Receiver</strong> At 5-foot-10 and 150 pounds, Powell was one of the go-to targets for 2026 QB Ryder Lyons on the Folsom Jr. Bulldogs. The eighth grade quarterback already has a pair of offers and Powell is certainly starting to get looks from being on the other side of those passes. Very advanced route-running ability for this level and uses his upper body well to set up moves to the inside. Furthermore, once he catches the ball, has speed for days. He's going to end up being a big time Nor. Cal prospect. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/7792954/6175ed6b0661850558fa39ed" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-270175 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/39-Ryder-Smith-e1642380418442-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Ryder Smith | California | Linebacker</strong> The type of kid that I can picture holding up a sign saying "Make Fullbacks Great Again". He's a combination of Mike Alstott on offense and Patrick Willis on defense. Just a throwback type of football player that likes to run into and over things on his way to finding success on the football field. Has surprisingly good hands. No question his future is as a middle linebacker on the next level. Improving flexibility and getting looser hips will only make him better. He's going to be a good one. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/2135697/6177650615f5840b6892ca73" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-292374 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/TommyThies-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Tommy Thies | Illinois | Linebacker</strong> Throwing on the tape, his athleticism shines right away--can easily play anywhere on the field, including out in space. Most of his film features him running the ball, but I love what I see on his defensive snaps. He has good speed and flys around the field. Will only get faster once he adjusts his running form to eliminate unnecessary movement. Ball skills are good too. Should be a great coverage linebacker at the next level. Will be interested to see how much size and he can pack on his frame. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kCSWuYCQJl8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-292375 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/JacksonFields-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jackson Fields | Louisiana | Quarterback</strong> Throws the football with as much zip on it as anyone I've seen this off-season. Stands 6-foot-1 and nearly 170 pounds already. Will be suiting up for John Curtis High School next season, a program that turns out a ton of next-level talent. Also a standout in basketball, Fields is never far from the gym. Also plays 7v7 for CM Naturals. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PEyjUz1bi2A" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-292376 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/CheArocha-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Che Arocha | Michigan | Athlete</strong> Undersized athlete that has the ability to play slot or running back. Very quick feet allow him for a quick burst and great acceleration. Not a long strider at this point, he looks ideal to operate bubble screens or any pass in the quick game scheme. Can shake and lose defensive backs with sharp cuts with relative ease. Also a basketball player. Trains with the Z6NE Football Development Academy. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-292593 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/Olivers-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Oliver Smith | Oklahoma | Wide Receiver</strong> Tulsa Union High School finished third in the state this year and they'll be welcoming a very talented eighth grade group in the fall. Smith is one of the very bright stars that are headed to the OK powerhouse. A very well put together prospect at 5-foot-10 and 155 pounds, he's a physical receiver on the outside that wins most balls. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16900621/616503d8386dfe0934fac594" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-292380 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/Tayveon-Parry-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Tayveon Parry | Oklahoma | Running Back</strong> Parry will again be a teammate of the above mentioned Smith at Tulsa Union. He's as talented and complete a running back, as I've seen in the nation for the class of 2026. Listed at 5-foot-6 and 150 pounds, he's a very strong back who always falls forward when running the ball. Runs low to the ground and has mastered the jump cut before even entering high school. Also plays strong safety like a heat-seeking missile. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zpoYVxy8jHA" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp;