Al Pops Trail Mix: 2026’s Around The Country on My Radar 3/15

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-305786 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Jeramiah-Ssettimba-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jeramiah Ssettimba | Oklahoma | Quarterback</strong> Very athletic quarterback who is one of the top 2026's headed to the football factory, known as Tulsa Union High School. Does a great job of putting the ball where only his (talented) receivers can come down with it. Moves well too, clocked at an unofficial sub-5.0 in the 40-yard dash. Advanced presence in the pocket. Promising size at 6-foot and 150 pounds. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hxGPLRqlYM0" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-305787 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/FredericDowning-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Frederic Downing Jr. | Louisiana | Defensive Line</strong> Big kid who gets by with his great size right now at 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds. Looks like he may be a bit of a project early in high school, but with the right coaching, has a lot of the physical tools necessary to play beyond high school. Appears to be very strong, as not many ball carriers get out of the grasp of Downing Jr. once he gets his hands on them. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tybwf_YRsyo" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-305800 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Jarrett-Serate-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jarrett Serate | New York | Defensive Line</strong> Hailing from Staten Island, he plays with the New York attitude that people associate with the state. Tough kid and a bully in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Offensively he drives defensive tackles off the ball on run plays and handles them in pass protection. Defensively, where I think he'll thrive in high school, he uses his 5-foot-11, 255-pound frame to stay low and bulldoze his way through. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-305813 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/JermaineSantana-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jermaine Santana | Texas | Wide Receiver</strong> A very impressive wide receiver who should get offers early in high school. He's been unofficially clocked at a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash. He's fast, physical and explosive at the line. Clubs and rips line a defensive lineman when defensive backs attempt to jam him at the line. Also a standout in special teams. Elite frame on him for being just in eighth grade at 6-foot and 163 pounds. Get famailiar! <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/p4dH0laI1EY" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-305793 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Gavin-Marzouki-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Gavin Marzouki | Massachusetts | Tight End</strong> A prospect with several promising pieces to work with, as he enters high school. Already 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds he has length and size, you simply can't coach. Also possesses a strong work ethic in terms of off-season training and hitting the weight room hard. Also plays defensive end on the other side of the ball. Will be at one of the top schools in New England next year, Dexter Southfield. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-305815 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/KaedenJohnson-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Kaeden Johnson | Texas | Quarterback</strong> Found Johnson after watching just two passing plays on Santana's film. (listed above) Dug a little deeper and found out he's the son of former Auburn Tiger and nine year NFL vet, Spencer Johnson. Kaeden, or "KK", is a three-sport athlete and also competes in basketball and track. Already stands 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds. He's long and wiry right now, but has a tremendous frame to fill out. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Jlxv5myzg9Y" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-305818 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/MytrellTillman-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Mytrell Tillman | Missouri | Defensive Line</strong> Standing 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, he's one of the more athletic big men I've seen in the country for the class of 2026. Long wingspan and quick feet make him very tough to block on the defensive front. Was selected to the Under Armour Futures Game this past January in Orlando, Fl. The younger brother of 2023 prospect MAC target, Michael Tillman Jr. He will join his brother at Cardinal Ritter next year. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AsBHl5JEI-Y" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <img class="alignleft wp-image-305819 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/ZionRobinson-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /><strong>Zion Robinson | Ohio | Wide Receiver</strong> Another athlete selected to the Under Armour Futures Game this past January in Orlando, Fl. Robinson, by all accounts, did a lot of things at a very high level during the practices leading up to the game. Already over 6-foot-1 and 155 pounds, he already looks to be the next big time recruit coming out of Pickerington North High School when he arrives in the fall. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-305820 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Dominic-Blue-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Dominic Blue | South Carolina | Linebacker</strong> Looks like he was made in a lab somewhere with his incredible build at 5-foot-7 and 180 pounds. One of the most dominate two-sport athletes in the class of 2026, as he's played varsity football and wrestling already for Dillon Christian. Wrestling is probably his best sport. Had an incredible game for South Carolina in the Carolina Bowl, tallying nine tackles, an interception, QB hurry, and forced fumble. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-305825 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/TomarionSteward-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Tomarion Steward | Michigan | Running Back</strong> Good looking and physically mature 2026 prospect at both running back and linebacker. Passes the eye test right away at 5-foot-11 and 197 pounds. Puts up big reported numbers in the weight room with a 300-pound squad, 365-pound dead lift and 235-pound bench press. Had 19 touchdowns on the year and was the catalyst for a team that averaged 40 points a game en route to a conference title. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3dLSKGNmkfE" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>