Al Pops Trail Mix: 2026’s Around The Country on My Radar 2/8

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-286056 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/BrockBradley-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Brock Bradley | Alabama | Quarterback</strong> A dual-threat quarterback with an extremely accurate arm. Stands 5-foot-11 and 155 pounds and was a Metro South Player of the Year during his eighth grade season at Berry Middle School. Also a gifted baseball player. Will be at Spain Park High School next season. &nbsp; <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15018198/616a34d8d224e109ac280639" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-286061 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/KaydenDixonWyatt-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Kayden Dixon-Wyatt | California | Wide Receiver</strong> Earned his first Division 1 offer this past July, entering his eighth grade season, from Florida Atlantic. Has all the skills necessary to be a top 100 recruit in the country when all is said and done. Stands 6-foot-3 and 165 pounds. Catches the ball with his hands and created after the play. Long strider. He's going to be elite. &nbsp; <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16545284/616773fa96766d09b489af76" 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" />Matthew Plumb | Illinois | Quarterback</strong> The younger brother of 2025 prospect Ethan Plumb, Matthew is on the same trajectory as his older brother. Already 6-foot-1 and 160 pounds, Plumb has a very live arm and can sling the rock all over the field. Very good accuracy on timing routes across the middle of the field, which is difficult for most middle school signal callers. Makes unconventional throws look easy. &nbsp; <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/4363175/619b2743066bbd0594983cb7" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-286064 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/AJCoates-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />AJ Coates | Kentucky | Running Back</strong> <strong> </strong>The closest thing I've seen to Jerome Bettis on the middle school level since former National Middle School Player of the Year and current Maryland Running Back, Antwain Littleton. Listed at 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, he is a boulder rolling downhill and almost impossible to bring down in the open field. A bruising back that gets better as he gets more touches and tires out defenses. Also plays Linebacker. &nbsp; <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KFh7YZIO1wg" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-286068 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/WilliamLai-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />William Lai | Mississippi | Athlete</strong> Good looking athlete who's best attribute is his overall speed. Gains the edge with relative ease and then pulls away from defenses trying to tackle him. On offense he can be used as a running back or a slot receiver, as his hands allow him to be a weapon in passing game. Defensively, he's a hard hitting linebacker/strong safety type that makes offenses pay for testing him, &nbsp; <strong><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VS60V7Jwplg" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> </strong> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-286076 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/HudsonBrennan-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Hudson Brennan | New Jersey | Offensive Line</strong> One of the bigger Offensive Linemen in northern New Jersey at 6-foot-3 and 255 pounds. Played his eighth grade season for Silk City, one of the top programs in the state. Good length and frame to get bigger and stronger. Recently announced he will be playing a state and national powerhouse, Bergen Catholic. &nbsp; <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15010687/61cfcf94c11b3c088032b536" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-286078 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/ColeAlbers-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Cole Albers | Ohio | Tight End</strong> <strong> </strong>An athletic big man that proved to be a defensive nightmare to cover. At 6-foot-6 there wasn't much middle school linebackers and corners could do to cover him in the passing game. Equally as devastating in the run game as a blocker. Scary part, he's an even better basketball player at this point. Certainly has the ability to bring in Division 1 offers in both sports. &nbsp; <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/P2E87rSOwBg" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-286079 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/Noah-Grubbs-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Noah Grubbs | Florida | Quarterback</strong> <strong> </strong>Big time quarterback prospect that is starting to explode during this 7v7 season with Cam Newton's team. Already 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, he's high school varsity ready right now. Will be at Lake Mary High School next year. Physically on another level than most other eighth graders at this point. Throws a pretty deep ball and can drop passes into a buck with his accuracy. &nbsp; <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oTwyVIIK7og" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-286080 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/JacksonHughes-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jackson Hughes | Alabama | Offensive Line</strong> A two-time Metro South Player of the Year selection, Hughes is a rough and tough offensive lineman. Standing 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds, he's arguably the top offensive lineman in the greater Birmingham area. Right now is a better run blocker than pass blocker. Locks in and mows people over once engaged in a block on a run play. Plays to and through the whistle. &nbsp; <strong> <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14846616/616ce163176c1e0ee478ad75" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></strong> <b><img class="alignleft wp-image-286082 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/DutchHorsik-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Dutch Horisk | California | Defensive Line</b> <strong> </strong>Just an eighth grader, he already has an offer from Louisville. Recently announced his intentions to attend Bishop Amat Memorial High School. Violent hands and feet like a Running Back, combined with great strength make him one of the most promising prospects in the state of California. Trains hard year round and it translates on the field. Was unblockable for Winner's Circle Academy.