Introducing the Next Top Prospects in Kansas
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Since the completion of the ’22 campaign in late November, ranking season has been in full effect for each graduating class in the state. Over the past few months, each class has been updated with the Class of ’25 being…
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Continue ReadingSince the completion of the ’22 campaign in late November, ranking season has been in full effect for each graduating class in the state. Over the past few months, each class has been updated with the Class of ’25 being the most recent. But one class that has yet to be highlighted, is the Class of 2026. The anticipation for this update has been building, and the time has now come for folks to be introduced to the next wave of top prospects in Kansas.
The top-ranked player in this class was revealed earlier this week, as Aaron Bohannon Jr. Aaron Bohannon Jr. 5'5" | 160 lbs | RB Wichita East | 2026 State KS of Wichita Northwest made his debut at No. 1 overall. The rest of the prospects featured in this update consist of players that were on the radar of Prep Redzone Next, as well as players we’ve been tracking since September. This group of nine in particular follow behind Bohannon Jr. to form the rest of the Top 10. Change is bound to happen in future updates, but for now, these are the top players from the Class of ’26.
LJ Bowens LJ Bowens 5'8" | 160 lbs | RB Blue Valley North | 2026 State KS – Blue Valley North, 5’8”, 160, RB
Twitter: @bowenslj5
Checking in at No. 2 overall in the class is Jamie “LJ” Bowens of Blue Valley North. Bowens exhibited great vision and elusive running during his freshman campaign, and he made an early case to be considered the most explosive player in this class. His ability to consistently find cutback lanes and accelerate past defenders helped him earn Blue Valley North’s Freshman Offensive MVP. It’s evident that he is already one of the most talented players on North’s roster, and his playmaking could uplift a varsity squad that struggled to score points in 2022. Look for Bowens to compete for playing time this season.
Jaylen Mason Jaylen Mason 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Wichita NW | 2026 State KS – Maize, 6’1”, 175, QB
Twitter: @_jaylenmason
The 3rd overall prospect should be a familiar name to some. Prep Redzone Kansas first became aware of Jaylen Mason Jaylen Mason 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Wichita NW | 2026 State KS ‘s potential last summer at the KC Varsity Combines, and he’s been a prospect on our radar since then. He enters the rankings as the top quarterback prospect in the class after showcasing his impressive dual-threat ability at the junior-varsity level, and under the bright lights of the varsity stage. In Mason’s six varsity appearances, he accounted for 280 yards of total offense and two rushing touchdowns. Maize will have a good problem on their hands this season, as Mason and Drew Kemp Drew Kemp 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Maize | 2025 State KS are both capable of being the starting quarterback for the Eagles.
Hunter Higgins Hunter Higgins 6'5" | 240 lbs | DL Maize South | 2026 State KS – Maize South, 6’4”, 215, DL
Twitter: @HigginsHunter11
At No. 4 overall is a prospect that could give Jaylen Mason Jaylen Mason 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Wichita NW | 2026 State KS and the Maize Eagles some trouble over the next few years. A freshman starting at the varsity level isn’t very common in Class 5A. What’s even more uncommon is earning All-League honors as a freshman. That just goes to show the talent Hunter Higgins Hunter Higgins 6'5" | 240 lbs | DL Maize South | 2026 State KS already possesses. Higgins earns the top defensive lineman ranking after an exceptional first year starting at defensive end for the Mavericks. The lengthy edge rusher collected 34 total tackles in 2022, and contributed four sacks as well. He’s already displayed some next-level traits, and is likely to build on that during his sophomore year.
Iverson Scott Iverson Scott 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Wichita East | 2026 State KS – Wichita East, 6’2”, 185, QB
Twitter: @IversontheQb1
The Blue Aces of Wichita East shape up to be an intriguing team this coming season. Everyone in the state knows who will be under center for them this fall, as DaeOnte Mitchell DaeOnte Mitchell 5'11" | 195 lbs | QB Wichita East | 2024 State KS returns for his fourth year as the starter. However, folks may not know who will be the heir to throne in 2024. That spot is likely to be occupied by Iverson Scott Iverson Scott 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Wichita East | 2026 State KS . The 6-foot-2, 185-pound lefty rounds off the Top 5, and follows just behind Jaylen Mason Jaylen Mason 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Wichita NW | 2026 State KS as the 2nd ranked quarterback in the class. Even as a backup this past season, Scott still managed to earn an All-League Honorable Mention nod. It’s rare for a program to have two highly touted quarterbacks on their roster.
Aiden Scott Aiden Scott 6'4" | 190 lbs | QB Shawnee Heights | 2026 State KS – Shawnee Heights, 6’3”, 165, QB
Twitter: @Aiden_Scott14
Aiden Scott Aiden Scott 6'4" | 190 lbs | QB Shawnee Heights | 2026 State KS of Shawnee Heights kicks off the second half of the Top 10. Scott enters the rankings at No. 6 overall and is the 3rd ranked quarterback in the class. This high debut comes after Scott performed well at the freshman and junior-varsity level in 2022. In addition to his play from this past fall, Scott also turned heads at a few showcases, which drew him slight interest from Oklahoma State and Tulsa. While some quarterbacks from this class may have to wait their turn during the ’23 campaign, Scott could be one that sees the varsity field sooner rather than later.
John Hoytal John Hoytal 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Washburn Rural | 2026 State KS – Washburn Rural, 6’2”, 180, QB
Twitter: @hoytal_john
One of the common themes from this first update for the Class of ’26, is the surplus of talent at the quarterback position. John Hoytal John Hoytal 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Washburn Rural | 2026 State KS of Washburn Rural adds more depth to the position group, as his debut at No. 7 overall makes it four quarterbacks ranked inside the Top 10. There’s not much film out on Hoytal, but the freshman did show glimpses of his arm talent during an event in December. He possesses an athletic frame at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, and has the arm strength to fit the ball into tight windows. Hoytal is likely to backup Branton DeWeese Branton DeWeese 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Washburn Rural | 2024 State KS this year, but he’ll be another signal caller to look out for in 2024.
Traeh West Traeh West 5'5" | 150 lbs | DB Shawnee Mission South | 2026 State KS – Shawnee Mission South, 5’5”, 145, DB
Twitter: @TraehWest
Up next at No. 8 overall is the top defensive back in the class. Traeh West Traeh West 5'5" | 150 lbs | DB Shawnee Mission South | 2026 State KS of Shawnee Mission South was a player that earned his stripes in 2022. He was a rising prospect on the Raiders’ freshman squad, and eventually worked his way up to the varsity level late last season. His first varsity experience is a small sample size, but he fared well against a tough Olathe West team. The freshman displayed some encouraging signs in that game. He covered ground quickly, showed solid open field tackling, but most importantly; he wasn’t intimidated. His talent will be on full display when he competes with Emp1re 7-on-7 this spring and summer.
Cameron Love Cameron Love 6'4" | 155 lbs | ATH Olathe North | 2026 State KS – Olathe North, 6’4”, 155, ATH
Twitter: @Cam_Love0
Several years ago, Olathe North produced a two-way prospect that possessed a rare combination of size and athleticism. That prospect turned out to be Isaiah Simmons. Fast forward to 2023, Olathe North could have another potential star on their roster. While Cameron Love Cameron Love 6'4" | 155 lbs | ATH Olathe North | 2026 State KS has a long way to go before he becomes the high school prospect Simmons was, he did show flashes of being a playmaker on both sides of the ball at the freshman level. Love’s rangy frame and speed will present many options for the Eagles’ coaching staff this fall. The 9th ranked prospect can be a legit vertical threat on the perimeter, or he can be a versatile safety on defense.
Rey’Zhian Shears-Montgomery Rey’Zhian Shears-Montgomery 6'0" | 205 lbs | ATH Wichita East | 2026 State KS – Wichita East, 5’11”, 170, ATH
Twitter: @ReyShears
Capping off the Top 10 is the 2nd ranked athlete in the class. Rey’Zhian Shears-Montgomery Rey’Zhian Shears-Montgomery 6'0" | 205 lbs | ATH Wichita East | 2026 State KS isn’t quite the two-way prospect Cameron Love Cameron Love 6'4" | 155 lbs | ATH Olathe North | 2026 State KS is, but he is arguably the most versatile defender in the class. His play in 2022 not only earned him a spot in the rankings, but he also received multiple showcase invitations, with notable ones like the KC Varsity Combines and the You Are Athlete camp. In addition to this, Shears-Montgomery was invited for an unofficial visit to Pitt State in November. Getting his name out in the recruiting world this early will be very beneficial. Especially when he gets to see how his game measures up against a variety of competition.