An Early Look At Tomorrow’s Stars. 2026 Rankings New Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 class came out and set a record immediately with the amount of defensive players (18) to finish the season with 60 or more tackles. Previously, the record of freshman to accomplish that feat was only 12. This class is already making noise and today we're taking a look at a handful of the newest additions to the state rankings and some of those tackling machines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='560086' first='Zaidyn' last='Ramsey-Fox'] - Noblesville - RB - 5'9" 155lbs - 2026</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fox came out and not only had one the best freshman seasons, but one of the best seasons for anyone in the state in general. As a freshman he came in and commanded a ton of work early. He took that role and ran with it, literally. Fox put up 1416-yards on the ground with 21 total TDs on the year. He broke a long of 80-yards where he was able to showcase all of his positive traits. He's got quick feet, he's shifty, hard to bring down, and can get lost behind linemen until he shoots out the backside of the hole and is 1 on 1 with the safety. He's incredibly young but the talent and potential are obvious. If he develops physically some over the next few years while continuing to perform like he did this year, Fox will be a household name throughout the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Previous Rank: N/A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Rank: 4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: N/A</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HUDL: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16463469/Zaidyn-Ramsey-Fox">https://www.hudl.com/profile/16463469/Zaidyn-Ramsey-Fox</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='560139' first='Bodie' last='Howell'] - Eastbrook - ATH - 6'0" 160lbs - 2026</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howell is a 2-way player for Eastbrook who looked fantastic this year on both sides of the ball. When he carried the rock, he was effective and efficient. Working in as a rotational back as a freshman and scoring 5 TDs only bodes well for him in the years moving forward. He showed he's capable and can handle a load and will likely get a bigger slice of the pie next year. Defensively though, he proved to be quite the player. Howell put up 62 tackles, 3 TFLs, and 3 Interceptions on the year. He showed a ton of range and good vision. He usually takes the proper angle and then is able to make an open field tackle. He's as sound of a tackler at his age as anyone you'll come across. He's a decent athlete with an upside still unknown but for a freshman year, he did exactly what he needed to which was ball out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Previous Rank: N/A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Rank: 39</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: @Bodie_Howell</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HUDL: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14912230/bodie-howell">https://www.hudl.com/profile/14912230/bodie-howell</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='560133' first='Brock' last='Brownfield'] - New Palestine - OL/DL - 6'3" 235lbs - 2026</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brownfield is a fantastic, young and raw, recruit with a ton of potential and made his impact as a freshman for one of the best programs in the state which isn't easy to do. Brownfield started 12 games on a defense that suffocates opposing offenses and he helped chip in right away. Not only is his 6'3" frame legit, he's a good athlete and doesn't have any issue bending or getting off the ball. He's not stiff and has incredibly strong hands. He was able to put up 41 tackles, 10 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles as a freshman. A complete season from a freshman. If he was an upperclassman with that kind of year, he'd be a highly sought after recruit. However, he's only freshman which means if he's able to develop and perform at this level for the years moving forward, he's going to be one of the best recruits in the entire state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Previous Rank: N/A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Rank: 8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: @BrockBrownfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HUDL: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17744841/Brock-Brownfield">https://www.hudl.com/profile/17744841/Brock-Brownfield</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='560092' first='Paul' last='Oliver'] - Linton-Stockton - ATH - 6'3' 205lbs - 2026</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oliver is a fantastic upcoming recruit who plays on both sides of the ball. He's a lengthy receiver who is able to go up and over the top to bring down some contested catches. He's a massive problem for defenses in the redzone. His 7 TDs on the year proved to be big for him in showcasing what he can do. With a frame like that, you'd hope he can be a redzone threat but to prove it in year 1 is a good thing. Oliver also plays on the defensive side of the ball and he seems to see the field well. He lived in the opposing backfields so much last year that his numbers almost seem fake. He put up 56 total tackles, 20.5 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, while also causing 2 fumbles. An insane season to say the least but it was the way he looked doing it. A high-motored player with a fantastic frame who is a great athlete. Wheels up for Oliver and his future moving forward because he's on the radar now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Previous Rank: N/A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Rank: 20</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: @Paul_Oliver13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HUDL: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17852306/Paul-Oliver">https://www.hudl.com/profile/17852306/Paul-Oliver</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='560096' first='Russell' last='Goodman'] - Linton-Stockton - LB - 6'2" 180lbs - 2026</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goodman burst onto the scene with one of the most complete defensive seasons possible. He's a real 6'2" and has long arms which allows him to get off blocks and make tackles as they come his way. He's got decent range and has no issue playing in the box and defending the run. Playing in both types of coverages are a work in progress but he's more than athletic enough to succeed at a high-level once he's got more of the mechanics down. This year in his Freshman campaign he put up 130 total tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, while forcing 1 fumble. An aboslutely insane year in terms of numbers, but with him it felt like he just started to scratch the surface. He played more confident as the season went on and with that he was playing faster and more free. If he's able to develop physically and play like that again, he'll be one of the most sought-after recruits in the state in no time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Previous Rank: N/A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Rank: 16</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: @RGoodman2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>HUDL: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17844636/Russell-Goodman">https://www.hudl.com/profile/17844636/Russell-Goodman</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->