Class of ‘26: Four Offensive Prospects to Know
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With this being the initial update for the Class of 2026, there won’t be the traditional Newcomers or Stock Riser articles that folks have grown accustom to seeing. Instead, to follow up on the reveal of the Top 10, we’ll be taking…
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Continue ReadingWith this being the initial update for the Class of 2026, there won’t be the traditional Newcomers or Stock Riser articles that folks have grown accustom to seeing. Instead, to follow up on the reveal of the Top 10, we’ll be taking a look at the rest of the prospects that make up the Top 25. During the Top 10 reveal, it was clear this class had no shortage of offensive talent, as there were six offensive players featured in the group. While those players currently headline this side of the ball for the Class of ’26, there are plenty more on the outside of the Top 10 that folks should get to know. Here’s a look at four offensive prospects that have the potential to earn a role on varsity this season.
To begin this piece, we’ll be looking at the current No. 1 ranked wideout in the class. Washburn Rural has shown an impressive ability to develop next-level talent at wide receiver the past two seasons. In 2021 there was Robby Bolin, this past year Amr Sabbarini Amr Sabbarini 6’0″ | 180 lbs | WR Washburn Rural | 2023 State KS , and this coming season, Titan Osburn Titan Osburn 6’3″ | 175 lbs | WR Benedictine College | 2024 State KS looks to be the next man up. But, after Osburn graduates next year, Peyton Goehring Peyton Goehring 5’11” | 155 lbs | WR Washburn Rural | 2026 State KS is a prospect that has the potential to become Rural’s next top pass catcher. Goehring showed flashes of this during the ’22 season; making some ridiculous grabs at the freshman level. He’s displayed some of the best hands in this class thus far, and he’s likely to expand on his 5-foot-11, 155-pound frame.
Speaking of programs that have consistently sent receivers to the collegiate level. Wichita East may have yet another young wideout on their roster capable of reaching that potential. The receivers the Blue Aces typically produce are smaller in stature, but they are some of the most explosive and shiftiest players in Class 6A. Drelon Smith Drelon Smith 5’9″ | 155 lbs | WR Wichita East | 2026 State KS fits this mold, and he’ll be a prospect to watch over the next few years. Smith has already been clocked at 4.6 in the 40 and has also posted an 11.4 in the 100-meter dash. His speed makes him a dangerous big-play threat not only at receiver, but on special teams as well. Although East’s receiving room is deep on varsity, Smith still could provide great depth.
With each off-season that comes; coaching staffs across the state assess the young talent on their roster to see who could potentially fill a void the next season. The Hutchinson Salthawks are deep in this process, as they’re searching for a prospect to replace Noah Khokhar Noah Khokhar 5’9″ | 170 lbs | ATH Hutchinson | 2023 State KS . While Camrynn Harris Camrynn Harris 5’10” | 150 lbs | WR Hutchinson | 2026 State KS isn’t quite yet the dynamic player Khokhar is, he flashed early signs of being a playmaker during his freshman season. As a member of Hutchinson’s freshman squad, Harris was their top vertical threat, and was arguably their best player as well. Harris primarily lined up out wide last year, but his speed could be used in a variety of ways as a sophomore. If Harris can gain the strength to get yards after contact, then he’ll be a tough player to contain in the future.
Highlights
A majority of the prospects in this class are bound to improve throughout this off-season. But, one that could quickly climb the ranks, is Brayden Pappas Brayden Pappas 5’7″ | 185 lbs | RB Eisenhower | 2026 State KS of Eisenhower. Pappas put together highlight after highlight at the freshman level in 2022. The Eisenhower coaching staff made it a priority to get the ball in his hands as much possible, which usually resulted in a big play. The 21st ranked prospect is a physical runner for his size, and his pass catching ability makes him a threat out of the backfield. But his best asset is his explosiveness. Once he gets past the second level of the defense, he switches into another gear to outrun defenders in the secondary. Really looking forward to seeing the progress he’ll make heading into his sophomore year.