Midwest Regular Season Recap: 27 2026s Raising their Stock

This season, PrepRedzone has brought you detailed features of breakout 2023s, stock-rising 2024s, 2025s earning their first offers, noteworthy PWOs, and of course, curtain-raisers on future superstars from the 2026 class, all in the regular season this fall. Of the reports, the 2026 freshman article was a big hit, as both hardcore recruiting followers and casual high school fans are always interested in the up-and-comers and young bucks on deck to take over the prep football scene. Now that playoffs are underway all around the Midwest and it's win-or-go-home for all involved, PrepRedzone is circling back to the freshman class to highlight more '26s catching our scouts attention from the regular season, making noise on the prep football scene, and raising their stock and showing off real-deal Division 1 and potential P5 talent. As always, we're sticking with prep ballers from the greatest region in America, and we're pumped to bring our subscribers a first-look at some class of 2026 graduates you're going to be hearing a lot more about in the future. Enjoy this Midwest Regular Season Recap and thanks for reading.   --   [player_tooltip player_id='402072' first='Dalton' last='DeBoer'] (Academy of Holy Angels, MN) DL. 6'5, 280 lbs. @DaltonDeBoer1   Has turned into a varsity starter towards the end of the regular for Minneapolis metro-area private school AHA as a massive 6'5, 280 lb. NG is strong enough to beat double and single blocks and impact the run game from either A gap. Film is limited, but he's already been on PRzMN's radar for a yearish thanks to his basketball background and that size. It looks like he's putting it to good use so far, and although there's still a lot of developing left to do the size, varsity experience, AHA's classification and tradition, and mobility are all pointing him in the right direction. I'll be keeping a close eye on this one out of my home state.   Noah Asuma (Cherry, MN) RB. 5'11, 165 lbs. @AsumaNoah1   I recently missed my chance to highlight the Minnesota small-schooler Noah Asuma in a feature for PRzMN a couple of days ago and am still kicking myself at the overlooked opportunity. Forged from a town of less than a thousand, Noah Asuma's older brother Isaac is a heckuva hooper out of the 2024 class holding offers from Iowa State, Minnesota-Duluth, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Xavier, and Butler, and both Asuma's ball out on the gridiron and hardcourts in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. 2026 Noah is already in his second season playing varsity football for the 9man Cherry Tigers, and last season as an eighth grader he rushed for over 1,000 yards and is close to matching that mark this fall to go along with his 16 rushing TDs. His 2022 game tape displays an explosive offensive weapon as a RB or WR whose speed and balance are on another level against his competition. He can pull away from pursuing defenders as a WR or burn DBs and their cushions as a WR with noticeable ease, and he also shows some solid lower body strength in how he breaks tackle attempts from stronger defenders. There's a lot working for the young buck, and not a lot of college coaches are privy to how Outstate Minnesota produces high-level athletes that love playing football and basketball in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Asuma is another prime example.   Darion Graham (Lakeville South, MN) RB. @darion_graham   Only played freshman ball in talent-rich Lakeville 30ish minutes of Minneapolis but is still worth mentioning due to Lakeville South's development and history at the RB position, top-end speed, and production as a freshman, posting 1,100 yards and 13 TDs in non-varsity action in 2022. His length and big play capability would/will also help make him a potential popular recruit if he can continue it at the varsity level. PRzMN will keep you posted!   [player_tooltip player_id='213915' first='Ryan' last='Taylor'] (St. Vincent-St. Mary, OH) QB/ATH. @RydogQB6   Quarterbacks are generally more sought after and offered earlier compared to other positions on the gridiron when talking freshman football recruits, and STVM QB [player_tooltip player_id='213915' first='Ryan' last='Taylor'] earned some recognition on this list for what he's doing in 2022. Although he just started getting some varsity reps later in October, his freshman/JV film still contains some quality reps that show off consistent ball placement on throws all over the field and an athletic and mobile gunslinger who is exciting at extending plays. Also has gotten some DB reps in 2022, but I'm a big fan of that aforementioned ball placement and what he's doing with his arm as a still growing and developing young signal-caller.   [player_tooltip player_id='402353' first='Peyton' last='Frontino'] (St. Ignatius, OH) QB. 6'1, 175 lbs. @peyton_frontino   Another Ohio gunslinger, Cleveland-area's St. Ignatius is home to a good-looking 2026 in 6'1, 175 lb. [player_tooltip player_id='402353' first='Peyton' last='Frontino']. Against good non-varisty competition in one of America's toughest football states, Frontino has shown off a cannon for an arm that can stretch the field vertically and drop the ball right over DBs heads where only the receiver can make a play on it. Frontino also shows that same accuracy on throws to all levels of the field, and his timing and mechanics all look good as well. In his game film, the crowds at Ignatius' games are loaded and packed with fans that make it appear more like a varsity game, so being able to make some of these big throws under pressure against good competition is a good sign that should translate well to higher competition. Big fan of this kid so far.   [player_tooltip player_id='212319' first='JC' last='Anderson'] (Mt. Zion, IL) TE. 6'7, 220 lbs. @jcanderson34   Already a varsity contributor with FBS size, [player_tooltip player_id='212319' first='JC' last='Anderson'] is carving his role out of an already talented Mt. Zion offense and passing attack and is one of the more surefire P5 bets on this list. Only just getting started in his prep career, Anderson's basketball background shows up in his length and balance as a lean 6'7, 220 pounder with body control and the ability to impact the run or pass game. An either an inline TE or split out wide, Anderson shows off solid hands, the contact balance to slip through weaker tackle attempts, and some impressive blocking out in space against LBs and DBs. He can make tough possession catches or get his offense yards on TE screens out on the edge and works to finish as a run blocker. He looks far from a freshman on tape and is rare athlete to possess that combination of size and coordination at 14 years old. With how well Illinois is recruited I wouldn't be surprised to see him earn an offer soon.   [player_tooltip player_id='402811' first='Grady' last='Farley'] (Brookfield East, WI) OL/DL. 6'4, 235 lbs. @Gradyfarley2   Coming from the land of offensive lineman, Brookfield East's [player_tooltip player_id='402811' first='Grady' last='Farley'] shows the physical dominance I like to see from a prospect of his size against non-varsity competition and was particularly aggressive as a RG, where he sent more than a few opponents flying in his freshman tape. At a lean but large 6'4, 235, if Farley can add bend and flexibility to his already noticeable body control and understanding of leverage he's going to be just as dominant and as lethal of a finisher on varsity as he was in 2022. His reported 40+ pancakes stack up (pun intended) after watching his freshman tape from this past fall and it makes for a fun tape to check out while scouting young bucks. Hit the weight room hard and the Badger State is going to see another prolific offensive line recruit before they know it.   Hunter Higgins (Maize South, KS) EDGE. 6'4, 210 lbs. @HigginsHunter11   The well-built Wichita product is off to a hot start to his high school career and has posted 34 tackles and 4 sacks as a varsity DE and is also a standout baseball with very promising potential in either sport as a recruit. Sadly, I couldn't find any film from the 6'4, 210 pounder from 2022, but I'll be checking everyday until those glorious uploads come in. Please update your tape soon, Hunter! Good luck during baseball season.   [player_tooltip player_id='245982' first='Brayln' last='Albritton'] (Milwaukee Academy of Science, WI) QB. 6', 150 lbs. @braylnA   Albritton has exploded onto the Wisconsin prep football scene as a freshman and is second in the state in passing yards with 2,447 and is also tied for seventh in Wisco in passing TDs with 27. Not bad at all for a 14-year-old. When you turn the tape on, it's easy to see the 414 product can stretch the field, and I like his arm strength for 6', 150 lbs. as well as his touch and overall accuracy. Also willing to stand in the pocket and deliver a strike through contact, Albritton recognizes and adjusts his throws adjacent to where the DBs are converging from, placing the ball where only his receiver can get it. He also has a couple of reps throwing at different angles and while on the run, and if he can keep improving and building on that already solid arm strength he's going to be a nightmare for opposing defenses the next three seasons. The production and arm talent are worth getting excited about based on the freshman tape, and he's only getting better. Keep it up, Brayln!   [player_tooltip player_id='205544' first='Josh' last='Ziebell'] (Waukesha West, WI) QB/ATH. 6'1, 155 lbs. @joshziebell   Yeah, this kid is going to play varsity soon. As mentioned before, if a kid isn't playing varsity as a freshman you want to see complete dominance against non-varsity competition, and that's easy to spot in Ziebell's freshman tape. The third play of his tape sees him roll out to his left almost to the sideline, not like what he sees, and then completely cut back across the field, find the other sideline, and run through two tackle attempts for a TD you see more often playing as Michael Vick in the old Madden games than you do in-person, especially from a young buck. As a quarterback, the ball also snaps off the 6'1, 155 pounders wrist with noticeable zip, and he's also got some good reps at the WR position torching defensive backs. His speed and strength are at another level right now compared to his freshman counterparts and I can't wait to watch him compete at the varsity level in the talent-rich Waukesha area soon.   Hunter Evans (West Fargo, ND) DL/OL. 6'5, 270 lbs. @Hunter_evans67   Massive size for a freshman that routinely gets produced from the Upper Midwest, West Fargo High School 6'5, 270 pounder Hunter Evans has looked good in 2022 despite limited available reps at the DL spot. With a good get-off for his size, strong and violent hands, and a little bit of a nasty streak, Evans looks to impose his will on opponents and should be hotly recruited if he can continue that dominance at the varsity level.   Mikey Roche (Sioux Falls Lincoln, SD) ATH. 5'10, 140 lbs. @MikeyRoche_2   The Sioux Falls area has been fertile recruiting area for skill positions the last couple of years and have an exciting up-and-comer in Lincoln's Mikey Roche. Extremely shifty and elusive with the ball in his hands against non-varsity competition, Roche has loose hips and quick feet, sets up defenders well in open space, and has noteworthy contact balance for 140 lbs. who can spin off and slip through tackle attempts from stronger defenders. His dangerousness in the open field made him an easy choice for this list and he'll have some electric film if he can copy those moves against varsity opponents. Get this dude the rock!   Dominic Allam (Detroit Central Catholic, MI) DE/TE. 6'2, 185 lbs. @DomAllam17   The 6'2, 185 lb. defensive end has had a fantastic freshman campaign against non-varsity competition to the tune of 16 sacks, 11 TFLs, a touchdown, and a 2pt conversion to help his DCCHS frosh squad to a 9-0 record this fall. A lethal combination of speed, quickness, and strength off the edge of the defense, Allam's first step, lethal and strategic hands, and closing speed all pop off the tape in impressive fashion, and his ability to beat tackles to either shoulder made him a huge asset for his freshman squads defensive presence. Even you doubled him with a chip, he showed an impressive rep of long arming a RB off him with ease, and that strength also translates to his tackling. With good weight room numbers behind him it's no surprise he's dominant against freshman competition, and as a good athlete to boot, I'd be surprised if he doesn't start smelling varsity reps next year as a sophomore. Keep grinding, Dom! Great tape so far.   [player_tooltip player_id='206418' first='Jayden' last='Terry'] (Grandville, MI) RB/OLB. @JaydenTankTerry   Another easy pick and surefire bet for future FBS status as a recruit, Grand Rapids product Jayden "Tank" Terry is in the midst of a tremendous freshman season on varsity and is sitting at 1,357 rushing yards and 13 TDs through 2022 so far. Also a West Michigan regional champ in the 100 and 70M dashes, Terry has been lethal out of Grandville's Power-T rushing attack and possesses a ton of juice and a consistent ability to hurt defenses if he gets the edge. Vision, balance, and burst are my favorite qualities when he's in at RB, and thanks to that track background Terry shows a strong and explosive lower body that can run through weaker tackle attempts and hurt defenses if he finds the sideline. That top-end speed could still be improved upon, and luckily the Tank has a bunch of offseason to work on his game and develop an already blossoming skillset that is sure to find FBS and hopefully P5 offers in the near future. They call him "Tank" for a reason! Love watching this dude run.   Martez Virgil (Brownsburg, IN) WR. 5'5, 125 lbs. @turbotez_1   Brownsburg High School churns out some of my favorite prospects in the Midwest year-to-year and is a program I check on routinely at all points of the calendar year. Whether you need skill positions or trench warfare specialists, the Bulldogs are a must-stop, and I'm a fan of the tape one of their young bucks is manufacturing in 2026 WR Martez Virgil. His feet are outstanding, capable of leaving DBs reaching for air in his releases and potent in the open field, setting up pursues with quick, explosive cuts and helping him hit that extra gear to pull away from defenders in the open field. He is dangerous in the open field, has game-breaking speed, and can turn a simple WR screen into a long and untouched TD run with no visible uptick in effort. For a smaller wideout right now, Virgil also displays some strong contact balance indicative of a player 20-30 pounds larger. Playmakers like that don't come around too often, and if he can hit the weight room hard and get some help from Mother Nature his future has the chance to be as bright as he wants it to be. You got a huge fan in me, Martez! Go 'Dogs.   Romeo Klein (Cedar Rapids-Prairie, IA) DL/OL. 6'2, 230 lbs. @RomeoKlein4   The instate P5 schools of the Hawkeye State in Iowa State and Iowa do an awesome job of identifying home-state talent early and pulling the trigger, and Cedar Rapids-Prairie freshman lineman Romeo Klein is sure to make their board after some of the work he's done as a first year. Against freshman competition, he is large, laterally agile, and shows closing speed, athleticism, and body control for a 6'2, 230 lb. 14-year-old. His motor never stops, he can pursue down the LOS and out into space as a DL, and I like his physicality and leg drive when playing OL. Big, strong kids from Iowa normally translate well to the B1G or Big12, and Klein may be in short order to join them if he continues to develop and build on that already-impressive frame and continue to excel athletically against varsity competition.   Mason Claus (Keokuk, IA) OLB/FB. 6'1, 170 lbs. @Mclaus106   The freshman OLB, SB, and FB from the high school of a little more than 500 students has tallied 25 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and 10 receptions for 67 yards against varsity competition in 2022. The 6'1, 170 lber. identifies and triggers on the football with a ton of speed that helps him get to the hips of ball carriers before they can react from his edge defender spot, and I also like his hands as a receiver and ability to dish out and absorb contact depending on the position he's playing. Don't sleep on small-school Iowa products!   [player_tooltip player_id='392779' first='Jackson' last='Cantwell'] (Nixa, MO) OT. 6'8, 270 lbs. @jcantwell2499   With eye-popping size and freakish weight room numbers relative to his size/age such as his 405 lb. bench, 420 lb. squat, and 285 lb. clean, Missouri native [player_tooltip player_id='392779' first='Jackson' last='Cantwell'] is far from a secret in the Show-Me State and an early frontrunner for the #1 player in MO's 2026 class. Also a stud basketball player recognized by our PrepHoopsMO site, Cantwell holds football offers from Mizzou and Kansas State, both of which came during this 2022 season, and the varsity LT looks and plays far beyond his freshman classification would suggest. Bendy, light-footed, balanced, and strong at the point of contact, Cantwell is a lean 270 lbs. and looks all of his reported 6'8, and can dominate and finish in both pass pro as well as run blocking. His footwork and change of direction skills are particularly impressive, and I can't emphasize enough that you do not see freshman tackles who look and can play like this as freshman. If he keeps it up he'll easily be a Top-50 player in America's 2026 class. More offers are coming!   Braylon Agee (Park Hill, MO)   I really wish I could get a reported size on the youngster from Missouri, as Park Hill's Braylon Agee looks tall, long, and lean and opens his highlight tape from 2022 with a gorgeous pick-six where he read and stepped right into a passing lane on a swing pass out of the backfield to the RB, plucked the ball out of the air, then exploded forward and used his long strides to take the ball to the house without an opponent coming within 20 yards of him. He then follows it up with another pick-six, and as a TE you also get a great glimpse of his burst and speed in that long and athletic frame. Agee has ball skills, coordination, and an explosive skill set that does not look like it belongs against freshman competition. Agee is a very impressive physical specimen who could see action on either side of the ball next season. You can't leave this type of athleticism on the bench!   [player_tooltip player_id='392813' first='Keenan' last='Harris'] (SLUH, MO) OLB/DB/WR. 6'2, 185 lbs. @KeenanHarris   PrepRedzoneMO Lead Contributor JP Rock has been all over this kid this fall and for good reason, as he possesses great size, is starting as a freshman for Missouri powerhouse St. Louis University High School, and has recorded 66 tackles, 6 TFLs, 1 sack, a FF, and a fumble recovery so far in 2022. The Billiken first-year has lined up all over the field this fall and can do just about everything asked of him on the gridiron. Whether he's exploding off the edge on a beautifully-timed blitz to level the QB, locking up the other team's WR1 on the perimeter, burning DBs as a wideout, or making a beautiful tackle in space, Harris is noticeably athletic on a team stocked with good athletes and possesses speed that can be utilized all over the field and greatly impact the game. A surefire future 4-star talent, I'm surprised that first offer isn't already on the board. Look for Mizzou to possibly change that as he visits Columbia for a game day experience this weekend.   --   Other Freshman to Watch   Hudson Turek (Sun Prairie East, WI) TE. 6'1, 180 lbs. @hudson_turek   Tyler Meziere (Bartlett, IL) WR/DB. @TMeziere2026   Daxton Minton (Great Bend, KS) QB. 5'10, 160 lbs. @daxtonminton12   Carter Brown (Tea Area, SD) FB/LB. 5'10, 160 lbs. @cb3916   Jamil Stephens Jr. (Ben Davis, IN) ATH. 5'5, 130 lbs. @jamil_stephens   Kingston Nyberg (Tea Area, SD) OL/DL. @KingstonNyberg   Braden Petzel (Mankato East, MN) OL. 6'9. @bradenpetzel1

This season, PrepRedzone has brought you detailed features of breakout 2023s, stock-rising 2024s, 2025s earning their first offers, noteworthy PWOs, and of course, curtain-raisers on future superstars from the 2026 class, all in the regular season this fall. Of the reports, the 2026 freshman article was a big hit, as both hardcore recruiting followers and casual high school fans are always interested in the up-and-comers and young bucks on deck to take over the prep football scene. Now that playoffs are underway all around the Midwest and it's win-or-go-home for all involved, PrepRedzone is circling back to the freshman class to highlight more '26s catching our scouts attention from the regular season, making noise on the prep football scene, and raising their stock and showing off real-deal Division 1 and potential P5 talent. As always, we're sticking with prep ballers from the greatest region in America, and we're pumped to bring our subscribers a first-look at some class of 2026 graduates you're going to be hearing a lot more about in the future. Enjoy this Midwest Regular Season Recap and thanks for reading.