Al Pops: Six Alabama 2026 Prospects I’d Offer Right Now

Alabama is known for producing talented football players on the high school level, with the "Yellowhammer State" being one of the most fertile recruiting grounds in the country. Today, we’ll take a look at six Alabama prospects who are currently wrapping up their eighth-grade school years. However, these prospects in the class of 2026, all look like they’ll be getting a lot of attention early. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-317251 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/AnthonyJones-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Anthony Jones | Athlete</strong> Goes by the nickname, "Tank". He’s certainly built for confrontation at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds. Helped lead St. Paul’s Episcopal to an undefeated season this past year. Lined up in various places offensively this past year, including wide receiver, tight end and running back. He’s big, fast and physical. He should attract a lot of attention early. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16710131/61db0bcada5bd80c70417bc1" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-317258 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/TakareeSlaughterPRZ-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="283576" first="Takaree" last="Slaughter"] | Linebacker</strong> Slaughter is a fast, tenacious linebacker who gets to the ball extremely quickly. He plays violently and has a nose for the football. The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder was a two-time All Metro Player of The Year selection at Clay-Chalkville. At the recent Prep Redzone Next Southeast Camp, he clocked a 4.50 in the shuttle, showing off his quickness and agility. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VjaLkJmVyvk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-317261 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/ParkerPritchett-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Parker Pritchett | Offensive Line</strong> Unofficially standing at 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, Pritchett has all the makings of a future SEC offensive lineman. His older brother, Tyler, was formerly a former top-25 recruit in the state of Alabama before signing with North Carolina out of high school. Pritchett will head to Russell County High School in the fall, where he should see playing time early. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-317263 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/DelvecchioAlstonII-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Delvecchio Alston II | Running Back</strong> Was not surprised to see Alston II named a top performer at the Prep Redzone Next Southeast Camp by any stretch of the imagination. Also one of the best wrestlers in metro-Birmingham, Alston is a verified 5-foot-9 and 151 pounds. He was hand-timed at a 4.65 in the forty yard dash, which was among the fastest times at camp. He’ll be at Hewitt-Trussville High School. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14463081/623919cfd45e0c058cc5791d" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-317267 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/DylanCope-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Dylan Cope | Wide Receiver</strong> Hewitt-Trussville High School is getting another dynamic player in the class of 2026 when it comes to Cope. At the Prep Redzone Next Southeast Camp, he measured in at 6-foot-3 and 170 pounds even. He’s a physically imposing specimen with a very chiseled physique already. He’s one of the rare receivers that can the top off a defense, or take a simple screen to the house. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14499480/61606b6b32e77009c485a9c1" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-317275 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/HayzenShelton4-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="283569" first="Hayzen" last="Shelton"] | Offensive Line</strong> At 6-foot-5 and 283 pounds, Shelton already has prototypical college Offensive Line size as just an eighth-grader. Right now plays tackle as well as any other prospect in the country at this level. Long term I can see him moving inside to guard to open things up the middle; Or, he could stay outside at tackle if he continues to improve his feet. He was at St. Paul’s Episcopal this past year. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;