Al Pops Trail Mix: 2026’s Around The Country on My Radar 3/1

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.A\ <img class="alignleft wp-image-297802 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/AidenReidy-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /><strong>Aiden Reidy | Texas | Tight End</strong> A good looking pre-high school prospect at 6-foot-3 and 170 pounds already. During his middle school career has also seen time at offensive tackle on offense and defensive end on the defensive side of the ball. A nice, lean build with considerable length makes him somebody to keep an eye on as he continues to develop. Personally, I think tight end is where he makes his mark during his high school years at Leander High School, as the Lions look to rebound from a 2-8 season a year ago. <img class="alignleft wp-image-297825 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/EvanJames-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> <strong>Evan James | Georgia | Tight End</strong> While Reidy above plays the more traditional blocking tight end role, Evan James looks to be a more modern version of tight end. At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds he runs routes and catches the ball like a receiver. That said, he's still physical enough to chip ends and cut off linebackers during running plays. A huge mismatch during his middle school career due to his size. Most impressive thing on film is his speed. Literally pulls away from defensive backs down field. Will be at Denmark High School. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16413412/616638145b3d4a04b4e3357f" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-297857 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Pupungatoa-Katoa-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Pupungatoa Katoa | Offensive Line | Texas</strong> There's an old adage that says 'you can't teach size' and that's exactly what makes Katoa a prospect the country should be interested in. Not even in high school and just starting to hit the weight room, Katoa is unofficially already listed at 6-foot-4 and 375 pounds. Now, he'll be at the Under Armour camp in Dallas coming up so we'll get accurate measurements--but he's certainly a big kid. In limited clips, I've seen him with a strong punch and looks like an ideal interior offensive lineman. <img class="alignleft wp-image-297921 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/AntonHaven-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /><strong>Anton Haven | Defensive Line | Georgia</strong> They straight up make 'em different down in Georgia. Haven is the latest of a very scary crop of 2026 prospects out of the Peach State. The 6-foot-2, 250 pound two-way lineman was part of a very special Camo team that won the 2021 AYU championship. The nephew of former Atlanta Falcon great, Jesse Tuggle, Haven looks to be up next. Was also named the B2C 13U Offensive Lineman of the Year in Georgia this past season. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-297961 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/CatavionTaylor-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Catavion Taylor | Quarterback | Arkansas</strong> For some kid you throw on their film and it literally takes 2-3 seconds for you to know that you like what you see--that was the case for me with Taylor. At a long-legged 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, Taylor has the exact build I'm looking for at the quarterback position. He's a dual-threat guy who can absolutely make defenses pay when running the RPO. Freaky athlete who is probably an even better basketball player right now. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15006536/617c750bbd6a2b15f4cfdeea" 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" />Sipho Mkwananzi | Defensive Back | Ohio</strong> Electric with the ball in his hands, is one way to describe Mkwananzi. Very fast with borderline elite acceleration. Great concentration when the ball is in the air and knows how to come down with it as well. Defensively, he's a threat to return the ball the distance if he gets his hand on it. Didn't appear to be challenged much during his middle school career. Only knock on him would be his size, but as he continues to develop at Oak Hills High School, that should come. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16918229/620c7d1596766a017c3c8f77" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-297970 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/NathanGroves-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Nathan Groves | Offensive Line | Ohio</strong> Groves is a big, strong two-way lineman who is nowhere near reaching the potential of how good he can be. Simply put, he's a thick, mauler on the offensive line that can run block with the best of them. He possess untapped strength and drives guys off the ball by continuing to move his feet. Defensively he brings the same attitude and effort in the trenches, being able to fight through double teams on the interior defensive line. I can see him progressing nicely as a guard at Pickerington Central next year. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-297991 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/JacksonStroup-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jackson Stroup | Quarterback | Tennessee</strong> Stroup is a big, strong quarterback at the University School of Jackson (where his Dad is the head coach) in western Tennessee, that should have a lot of schools pretty excited. Just an eighth grader he's listed at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds right now. Despite his size and age, he's not just a statue in the pocket--and can move around pretty well. Certainly is raw in some basic quarterback fundamentals and has a unique, long throwing motion. That said, he makes plays and will get a lot of looks, early. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ioyBYBgUzo8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-298017 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/DavisSacher-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Davis Sacher | Linebacker | Texas</strong> In watching Sacher's film on his Twitter (below just a few clips) you can tell this kid eats, drinks and lives football. While he plays wide receiver on the offensive side of the ball, I have little doubt that his future is on the defensive side of the ball as an outside linebacker. He plays very fast and fly's down hill on run plays. Does a phenomenal job of keeping the outside shoulder free to maintain leverage. Also shows pretty good ability to drop back in pass coverage. As said above, plays wide receiver on offense, so he has the ability to get his paws on any errant throws too. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15158059/6186f5c73df5ff0664e085c0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-298041 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/MarcoGreen-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Marco Green | Quarterback | New York</strong> Potential is the name of the game for Green, who, will be at Warwick High School next year. Standing 6-foot-2 and 160 pounds, due to New York state rules, was able to be pulled up to the JV team this year as an eighth grader. All Green did there, was tie the single-season record for JV touchdown passes in a single season at Warwick high school. Obviously the size is there, and will continue to be there. Shot put's the ball a bit with his throwing motion and needs to get stronger. However, he's one to keep an eye on. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Hw6mxnB0Mmc" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>