2026 Standouts Pt. 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Starting this week and throughout the month of October, we're updating our prospect rankings across the site. This week, we kicked off the ranking update with the <strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2026-rankings/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2026-rankings/" target="_blank">2026 class</a></strong>. Now, we did not do rankings for the current freshman class and this is just a watch list. The first rankings for the 2026 class will come out in January when these prospects have a full season of work under their belt. But in this post, we take a look at five 2026 prospects that not only have found their way to the field, but they've made an instant impact at a young age. As you see, this is just part one. We'll have five more 2026 prospects to look at later on this week in part two. Keep it locked in this week for more articles breaking down some of the top 2026 prospects. And check back each week as we release a new ranking update every Monday!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6346dbd618345","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402371"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"We start off the standout breakdown for the 2026 class with Durant defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='402371' first='Colton' last='Yarbrough']. It's so early when you look at the 2026 class as prospects but Yarbrough will forever be the first prospect in Oklahoma's '26 class that earned a D1 offer. He's added a few more offers from SEC schools over the last six months. He moved from Caddo, where he would have been an 8-man terror, to Durant where the Lions are struggling on the field, but they have a few young prospects that should make them fun to watch in the future, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Yarbrough passes the eye test and it doesn't take much to see what SEC schools are seeing in the dynamic defensive end. We mentioned that young talent on Durant's defense. In addition to Yarbrough, the Lions have the top overall prospect in the 2024 class with defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='344123' first='XaDavien' last='Sims']. With those two up front, opposing quarterbacks will have to have their head on a swivel.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-649a034b02aea"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6346dbeb18346","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402375"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"We just watched Bethany have a standout Malaska at the defensive back position. And unfortunately for Bethany's opponents, there's another Malaska that looks to be on the radar already with freshman [player_tooltip player_id='402375' first='Evenson' last='Malaska']. Older brother Jocelyn Malaska was a standout for Bethany for the last several years and is now a freshman at Utah. He became one of the better defensive back prospects in the state's 2022 class but younger brother Evenson looks to be ready for the spotlight earlier on in his career. Early reports from Bethany this summer was that Evenson would spend some time on the offensive side of the ball. However, we've mainly seen Malaska having an impact on the game as a defensive back. It will be interesting to see how Bethany's coaches utilize an athlete in Malaska that has the potential to be a gamechanger. Bethany is also in the state title hunt in Class 4A so we'll see this young playmaker on a big stage in November.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-649a034b02b1f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6346dbfe18347","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402378"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"We've had a few defensive standouts already and one of the early offensive standouts has been Broken Arrow freshman running back [player_tooltip player_id='402378' first='Kaydin' last='Jones']. Broken Arrow finds themselves at 2-4 on the season but the rushing attack has been something fun to watch and Jones has been a critical part of it. Jones also has the DNA to be one of the better running backs in the state. He's the son of former Jenks standout and OU running back Kejuan Jones. We got a chance to see Jones in person back in the spring and he passed the eye test then. We've watched Jones on film throughout this season and you can already see signs of him turning into a dynamic back for the Tigers, who will have a chance to have a very special career. We're going to check out Jones and the Tigers in person next week when they host Enid. The Tiger rushing attack has been outstanding so far this season and we're looking forward to seeing it in person, along with Jones to see his growth.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-649a034b02b4b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6346dc1218348","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["467409"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Out of the five prospects on this breakdown, we're still waiting to see more from Edmond Memorial offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='467409' first='Laird' last='Williams'] on the varsity level. But we're buying stock on him early for a few reasons. First, Edmond Memorial's offensive line is senior-led and cracking that lineup was going to be tough. Second, Williams is already 6'5 and his frame is only getting bigger and better. The film that we have checked out is Williams playing freshman ball and he towers over almost everyone else on the field and the brute strength and power is there to go along with his size. The film that we've watched is definitely impressive but we do have to watch it through the frame that he is going against others his age and the size advantage is obvious. We're looking forward to seeing Williams at the varsity level in 6A-1, going against prospects that are older than him. But there's a lot to like about Williams moving forward and we think that he'll end up being one of the better guys at the position in the future.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-649a034b02b76"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6346dc2518349","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["467406"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Go ahead and mark down Idabel as a team to watch in Class 2A this season and over the next few years. They have several gamechangers on the offensive side of the ball in the 2025 and 2026 classes. For the 2026 class, their breakout star has been slot receiver [player_tooltip player_id='467406' first='Mackylan' last='Dixon']. The Idabel offense is going to be fun to watch with players like Dixon and sophomore sensation [player_tooltip player_id='211234' first='Ravian' last='Larry'], among others. Dixon is an outstanding slot receiver who has torched opposing defenses with speed. He does a great job of taking the top off a defense and burn opponents on the deep ball. It will be interesting to see how Idabel continues to use Dixon moving forward. His speed and quickness is going to be tough to stop for opponents. As for this season, Idabel has bounced back from a 1-2 start by winning their last three games and they look to contend within their district. A week ten showdown with Eufaula will more than likely decide the district championship.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-649a034b02b9f"} /-->