Al Pops Trail Mix: 2026’s Around The Country on My Radar 4/19

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" />Cooper Clark | Utah | Athlete</strong> What Clark can do with the ball in his hands is very obvious by putting on the film below. At 6-foot and 165 pounds he has good size and runs extremely hard. Without knowing the ins and outs of his team, it looks like they put Clark, their best athlete, at Quarterback. In my opinion he looks more like a Wide Receiver or Running Back at the next level. It will be fun to watch him develop. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kk9N__d_ipc" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-324196 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/JeremiahSmith-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jeremiah Smith | Texas | Running Back</strong> Smith looks like a budding star at 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds. He's a long Running Back with a good build on him already. Hard not to draw a comparison to Adrian Peterson at this point. He recently visited Tulane on an unofficial visit. Plays 7v7 for the Destroyers. Can also thrive on the defensive side of the ball as a Linebacker or Safety. Will be at Katy High School next year. <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" />Tobias Mcgee | Mississippi | Running Back</strong> Mcgee is one of fastest kids I've seen on tape in the class of 2026. On film he shows elite burst and acceleration. One of those kids that makes you feel he could bust a long one at any time. Certainly on the smaller side right now. However, he runs lows to the ground and hides behind his blockers before bursting through the hole and hitting top-end field speed. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15042720/6178cb6942071f03241616b7" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-324230 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/Brayden-Harnish-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Brayden Harnish | Michigan | Running Back</strong> Located about a half hour south of Grand Rapids, Harnish is from Hopkins, Michigan. In 2010 the census said the small town had a population of just 610 residents. The small town kid is a tough runner at 5-foot-8 and 165 pounds and always falls forward when going down. Has pretty good unassuming speed that he flashes once he gets in the open field. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Pl3pBdyT-Bg" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-324234 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/Peyton-Hillman-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Peyton Hillman | Idaho | Quarterback</strong> When I put on Hillman's tape what is very apparent quickly is that he is so incredibly raw. From his mechanics to his footwork to throwing motion, he has a long way to go to be a finished product. That said, there's no denying his arm strength. He has the ability to hit the deep ball on a regular basis. Also has surprising quickness for a 6-foot-1, 165-pound 2026 QB. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/__YgUFapzwk" width="560" height="315" 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" />Tayshawn Wade | Oklahoma | Wide Receiver </strong> An absolute physical specimen at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds playing Wide Receiver on the eighth grade level. He's a thick, big-bodied receiver that uses physicality to get open and elite body control to bring down passes. I think a safe comparison for his game is to David Boston, who was drafted No.8 overall in the NFL draft. Wade is headed to Broken Arrow High School next year <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-324339 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/Ryan-OBryant-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Ryan O’Bryant | Ohio | Athlete </strong> If your nickname is "The Human Bullet" you better be able to run--O'Bryant certainly can do that. A long, lean athlete at 5-foot-11 and 135 pounds, he also stands out on the track and hardwood. A one-cut type of athlete who can bust a big play at Wide Receiver or Running Back. He'll be at Colerain High School. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-324356 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/Chadyn-Morris-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Chadyn Morris | Kentucky | Wide Receiver </strong> Morris is a good looking 2026 Wide Receiver prospect standing 6-foot-1 and 165 pounds already. He owns the ideal frame for a Wide Receiver prospect just wrapping up his eighth grade season. In addition to his favorable size, Morris can also jump out the gym. Also a stand out in Track and Field and basketball. He's a long strider that repeatedly takes the top off a defense. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12918694/617b0017bed6890bbca52ffe" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-324367 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/04/Maddox-Hunstad-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Maddox Hunstad | Florida | Wide Receiver </strong> In Hunstad you have a tall, lean, athletic outside receiver with frame space to add mass. He's a long 6-foot-2 and 165 pounds and can already dunk a basketball. As big as he is, I see him as more of a possession receiver that can keep the chains moving by making catches across the middle and on the sidelines as well. Very sure-handed athlete. Once he puts on weight, he's going to be a good one. <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" />Yalik Carter | Pennsylvania | Athlete </strong> Carter is from a very rural part of Pennsylvania, pretty much smack dab in the middle of the state. It's easy to see that physically, he's on a different level than much of the competition he's up against. Already 6-foot and 170 pounds, he's a big, thick kid who can motor. He's listed as Wide Receiver, but the kid is gifted and has the ability to play anywhere he wants to. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16982792/625238a04796d102e84cd276" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>