Al Pops Trail Mix: 2026’s Jumping On My Radar 5/18

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-341632 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/JuliusDumas-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="682974" first="Julius" last="Dumas"] | Georgia | Offensive Line</strong> Violent isn't even the word when trying to come up with words to describe Dumas on the field. Being 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds in the eighth grade doesn't hurt either, but he's born with a mean streak that is fun to watch on the field. He's versatile enough to play either Guard or Tackle, but it's his length and foot quickness that give him an extremely high ceiling as a pass protector. Tremendous at finishing blocks. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16317550/6188653c0dcaab066024c510" 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" />Tre'kievion Ellis | Mississippi | Linebacker</strong> Ellis, who goes by Tre, was a jolt to social media last week after his Head Coach posted a picture of him after his first Varsity spring game for the Hazlehurst Indians. There aren't many 2026 prospects in the country that are put together like this young man. At 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds he's built like a brick house and plays with a ton of power. Can play both Running Back and Linebacker at this point. Long term I see him as a physical, throwback Mike Linebacker. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/2/130051/627f34682aa65a08fc96f3cb" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-341651 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/LandonDuckworth-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Landon Duckworth | Alabama | Quarterback</strong> Another 2026 prospect I came across after a tremendous Varsity spring game, Duckworth is a Quarterback worth offering right now, before he's even out of eighth grade. Already standing 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, he can easily dunk a basketball. Obviously a standout hooper as well, if you were building "today's Quarterback" in a lab, Duckworth would be the prototype. Get familiar with him. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17623161/627b262e5caa5b0320e8c65e" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-341659 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/TylanGeorge-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Tylan George | Louisiana | Offensive Line</strong> George has the potential to be an SEC Offensive Lineman down the line. Already 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds, he has very good size and a broad, powerful frame. At this point he gets away with sheer size and power, but will need to develop his feet to maximize his ability. Namely keeping his feet moving at point of contact. Will be at West Monroe High School for the next four years. Has already visited LSU. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15164776/617e2cd690eeb30150dbd900" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-341671 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/CoriRubin-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Cori Rubin | Texas | Athlete</strong> Rubin is an extremely special athlete, with quite the athletic resume leading up to High School. Texas is home to some speedsters in the 2026 class and Rubin has to be near the top of that list. Holds the school record in the 100M with a verified 10.9 time. Was also electronically clocked at a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash. At 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, he also possesses power and explosion with a school record 20'4" long jump. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-341679 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/ParkerMcMillen-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Parker McMillen | South Carolina | Offensive Line</strong> A very powerful prospect, McMillen is an interior Offensive Linemen to know going forward. Already boasting a 225-pound benchpress, 340-pound dead lift and a 295-pound squat. Works out with one of the best Offensive/Defensive Linemen trainers in the Carolinas, Train Built Performance. Was selected for the Carolina Bowl this past winter and represented South Carolina well. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-341682 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Tyrone-Mathieu-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Tyrone Mathieu lll | Louisiana | Quarterback</strong> An athlete named Ty Mathieu from Louisiana standing out in football--does that sound familiar to you? A cousin of the Honey Badger,10-year NFL vet Tyran Mathieu, the class of 2026 Mathieu could be on a similar trajectory. He oozes athletic ability at both Quarterback and Safety. Despite not being the biggest, he can spin the deep ball with the best in this class. Has elite feet and quickness. Unsure where he'll play longterm, but he'll start his High School journey at Destrehan High School in the fall. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-342238 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/DestinMitchell2-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Destin Mitchell | Maryland | Defensive Line</strong> The rich get richer at Concordia Prep, where Mitchell will suit up for the defending MIAA B Conference champions in the fall. By all accounts, Mitchell is on his way to a big high school career and could make a splash early playing along side 2023 prospect, <strong>Ayobami Tifase.</strong> Already 6-foot-4 and 240-pounds, he looks like a varsity athlete right now. He's a big kid who can bend and change direction better than most skill guys at this level. To that point, he can also line up at Tight End if called upon. Is already getting some recruiting attention from the maize and blue of Michigan. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-341722 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/GriffinKunz-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Griffin Kunz | Utah | Athlete</strong> At this point, I wouldn't say Kunz is a surefire Division 1 prospect, but I will say he's somebody I'd take in my high school program in a heartbeat. Currently 6-foot and 165 pounds, Kunz has a 'win at all costs' mentality. Despite his natural positions being Linebacker and Tight End, he played Running Back and just about anything else his eighth grade, championship-winning team needed. He plays hard, and as his highlight tape shows, he's a very tough kid to bring down. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8120253/617871d0176c58047c1c9854" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-341735 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/05/Messiah-Mickens-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Messiah Mickens | Pennsylvania | Athlete</strong> Already holding an offer from Texas A&M before graduating from eighth grade, Mickens is one to be very excited about in the Keystone State. After an eighth grade season that saw him win the CYA National Conference Midget Division MVP, he's continued his success during the 7v7 and camp season. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds right now, he can play Running Back, Wide Receiver, Defensive Back or Linebacker--all at a high level. He's on track to be on the top prospects in the state for the class of 2026. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RSH5Ka0O7Fs" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>