Class 2A: 2026 “Sure Tacklers” To Look Out For Next Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We like to help you guys stay on point with who is going to be the next big thing. We enjoy introducing you to guys you have never heard of. There are a few guys that we can introduce you all to this year. We are going to start out with some skilled positions, and then go on to the trenches. Let's check it out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Tailen Sampson - LB - 5'9" - Northeast HS / @SampsonTailen </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/SampsonTailen/status/1602464362240917504?s=20u0026amp;t=yfeuW86ndqk3oOy6Scxiig","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/SampsonTailen/status/1602464362240917504?s=20&amp;t=yfeuW86ndqk3oOy6Scxiig </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His footwork is impeccable in multiple phases of the game. In pursuit, his feet never stop, and that is an under appreciated quality for playing on the defensive side of the ball. The guy keeps his feet active as he searches for lanes to the ball-carrier, and it keeps him balanced and ready to accelerate when he spots one. Even taking on blockers, he drives his feet to get his opponent off balance so he can disengage and get back in pursuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Jeffery Hughes - LB - 5'9" - Westside HS / <a href="https://twitter.com/jeffery9881" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@jeffery9881</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hughes routinely takes proper angles to the ball, using both the sideline and his other teammates as boundaries. His ability to play with outstanding leverage, he is nearly impossible to get around, and it's even less likely that he'll let the runner slips through his arms. There is also minimal hesitation between Hughes seeing it and springing into action. That's why I believe he can be special when his instincts catch up at the position. Hughes also has no qualms with contact. He understands leverage well, getting low, and delivering the blow when he's in position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1090795' first='Rinaldo' last='Callaway'] - DE - 6'3" 190 - Southwest HS</em></strong> <strong><em>/ @mrd1nardo</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/mrd1nardo/status/1591476515694329862?s=20u0026amp;t=6ocMKzs5p5R9-igTtBIjRw","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/mrd1nardo/status/1591476515694329862?s=20&amp;t=6ocMKzs5p5R9-igTtBIjRw </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Callaway<strong><em> </em></strong>keeps good balance when initiating contact, and plays with natural body lean, leverage and explosiveness. Good play strength, pushes the pocket and does a good job not getting deeper than the QB and takes away the ability to roll-out. He also has solid bend around Tackles. Terrific use of hands to keep himself clean and uses his hands and explosiveness to setup inside counter moves to win through B gap.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->