Around The Nation: 2026’s to Know – 7/5/2022

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" />Tyleek Dukes | South Carolina | Defensive Back</strong> Tyleek is an excellent defensive back, with great size at 6 feet and quick movement. According to his head coach, he’ll be starting in the defensive backfield as a freshman at Kingstree High School. He already has the weight to keep up with high school receivers at 170 pounds. He has been showing out in 7v7 this summer with great length and fluid hips. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-377145 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/07/vodney-cleveland-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Vodney Cleveland | Alabama | Offensive Line </strong> Cleveland is a two-way lineman with fantastic size to play on either side of the ball already at 6 foot 3 and 290 pounds. Very aggressive off the snap on both sides. He was already practicing on varsity this spring. Rodney has a quick first step and can drive defenders with ease. He has the size to be an effective offensive lineman in high school and is an excellent prospect as he continues to grow. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-377149 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/07/Daniel-Medinger-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Daniel Medinger | Ohio | Offensive Line </strong> A multi-sport athlete Daniel is also a powerlifter and thrower in track and an offensive lineman. This summer, he is going to college camps with Wake Forest, Ohio State, and Cincinnati. He has put up very impressive numbers in the weight room with consistent work. He has the size and length to be a great high school player for someone only in 8th grade. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-377151 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/07/CalvinRussel-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Calvin Russell | Florida | Athlete </strong> Fresh off receiving offers from Maryland and Florida International, Russell is a multi-sport talent starring in basketball. He looks to be best suited at Wide Receiver at the next level. Great jump ball skills paired with an athletic frame at 6 foot 4. In film, he shows an excellent release and good speed, he might need to add some weight to fight off more physical defensive backs, but he has exceptional physical attributes so far. <strong> <img class="alignleft wp-image-377171 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/07/Jarvis-Strickland-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jarvis Strickland | Tennessee | Offensive Line </strong> Jarvis has been blowing up in recent weeks with offers from Kentucky and Ole Miss in the last few weeks, along with a visit to Eastern Kentucky. And his highlights show why he is already 6 foot 5 and 280 pounds and has very fluid movement for someone his size. He has long reach, enabling him to establish with defenders and the strength to drive them while also remaining quick on pass blocking. &nbsp; <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" />Kaue Akana | Utah | Linebacker</strong> Kaue has already picked up offers from Auburn, Hawaii, and Utah. His brother Kaeo is playing football at Utah and will be a freshman this season. He looks to be a long and athletic outside linebacker with ferocious speed. He is active in off-the-field conditioning and the weight room. Kaue is explosive off the snap, and that allows him to keep up with receivers and tight ends, along with making him a threat in rushing the passer. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-377183 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/07/Maxton-Hudson-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Maxton Hudson | Idaho | Running Back</strong> Max is not just a great football player but has already been a 4-time state champion in wrestling. Last year, he didn’t give up a single point on the mat. He has excellent weight room performance with impressive numbers in bench and squat, along with good speed at 4.8 in the 40. He’s headed to a good program at Jerome High School and should star for them in the backfield. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-377184 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/07/Kevin-Dai-Lovard-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Kevin Dai-Lovard | Virginia | Defensive Back </strong> Kevin is a tall defensive back headed to a Virginia football powerhouse at Freedom High School. It could help if he put on some weight to fight with some of the more physical wide receivers he’ll face, but he shows excellent speed and ball skills for his size. As a wide receiver, he was able to demonstrate good ball skills, along with solid route running, and he was able to outpace most cornerbacks. He plays multiple sports, also being a sound track and field athlete. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-377187 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/07/Brody-Kelsey-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Brody Kelsey | Michigan | Athlete </strong> Brody has shown himself as a swiss army knife on the field, playing in almost every facet of the game. He has excellent speed with a sub 11 second 100-meter dash. Brody is fast; he has already visited the University of Michigan, Grand Valley State, and Western Michigan. As a running back, he could outrun defenders while reading the field well. As a linebacker he has the speed to keep up with receivers and avoid blockers in the pass rush. <b><img class="alignleft wp-image-377193 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/07/Tyler-Reinhart-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Tyler Reinhart</b> <strong>| Pennsylvania | Wide Receiver </strong> Tyler has all the makings of a solid wide receiver, good speed and jump ball skills along with excellent physical attributes. He already has a 26-inch vertical which allows him to jump over smaller defenders to secure the catch. He has a good gait that makes him faster than he appears. He is a little skinny at 155 pounds, which could cause problems with more physical cornerbacks but he should be able to bulk up to alleviate those concerns.