Freshman Friday: 2026 Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: OscarGalindo30 in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The freshman class has the potential to be a big one, with a couple of players already receiving D1 offers and even more picking up college interest. This is the first installment of a new weekly "Freshman Friday" feature, highlighting some of the up-and-coming prospects in the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out these five freshmen that should be added to your radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='487609' first='BJ' last='Louis'] | LB | Omaha North | 6'1" 210 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17751433/BJ-Louis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/iambjlouis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings already have one freshman with a Power 5 offer, I think linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='487609' first='BJ' last='Louis'] could be the next one up! BJ stepped into a deep varsity linebacker rotation and shined through. Louis has a next-level frame already as a freshman and used it well to dominate at the line of scrimmage. He showed flashes of being a great edge rusher with his ability to climb the pocket He's quick off the snap and can use his power and speed to create huge problems in the pocket. Louis finished the season with 42 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Louis, in this system, could be a dangerous thing for opposing QBs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17751433/6336edee4205dd048874220f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63dd773996e9e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='487758' first='Ethan' last='Amenyah']| DL/TE | Millard West </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18352780/Ethan-Amenyah" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/amenyah_ethan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ethan is a player that I think is an interesting prospect to watch in the upcoming years. The Millard West athlete played defensive end and tight end for the Wildcats in his freshman year. What stood out to me was Ethan's first step and quickness off the snap. He shoots right out of his stance and keeps his hands ready to counter linemen. Amenyah also has a relentless pursuit with the speed and athleticism to track down scrambling QBs and backs. Could play outside linebacker as he moves up into the varsity ranks. Prospect with a high ceiling!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18352780/6351c910a6770200e8194db5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63dd773996ec7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='487562' first='Blaise' last='Baughman'] | RB | Blair | 5'9" 165 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17739428/Blaise-Baughman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/BaughmanBlaise" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blair had one of the top freshman teams in the state, with several great players emerging as future stars. One of them was RB [player_tooltip player_id='487562' first='Blaise' last='Baughman'], who was the feature back on the Blair freshman team. In only 6.5 games, Blaise rushed for 982 yards on 115 carries and 21 rushing touchdowns. Blaise is a very tough runner that can dominate in between the tackles and absorb contact. He trusts his vision and knows when to bounce the run outside and hit the next gear. Blaise also impressed on the defensive side of the ball with 37 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. His football IQ is evident on defense as he plays his gaps very well and can time his blitzes. Blair has been a hotbed for great young talent in recent seasons, Blaise could be another big name to come out of the Bears program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17739428/6361c102a018e306b089f6cc' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63dd773996ee6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='487602' first='Carter' last='Glab'] | OL | Millard South | 6'1" 210 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17760186/Carter-Glab" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Cglab5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Millard South Patriots have a talented crop of young bigs that have impressed so far. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='487602' first='Carter' last='Glab'] is a name to watch out for on the offensive line after showing a lot of upside this past season. He brings the physicality and toughness you love to see in your linemen, playing all the way through the whistle on most snaps. Glab is pretty athletic and can move up into the second level to clear out linebackers and continue to make blocks downfield. Carter is also consistent with his hand use and did a good job winning the inside hands battle. The Patriots are a team to watch out for with their freshman talent!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17760186/636c6ed48cded502804073db' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63dd773996f04"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='795472' first='Keian' last='Kaiser'] | LB | Sidney | 6'1" 160 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17452671/Keian-Kaiser" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/keiank09" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keian is a player that just came across my radar this week, and I was impressed with his freshman tape. He received a good amount of varsity playing time for the Red Raiders and totaled 43 tackles with an interception. As a freshman, he already shows a lot of great LB traits with his toughness to play downhill, he can fight off blocks on the edge, and is a solid tackler. He does a good job being patient with his reads before shooting off to attack the ball. Once he's triggered run, he is very explosive when hitting his gaps and has no problem meeting the back in the hole 1v1. Keian is a tall, lengthy backer who's a little slimmer, but as a freshman, he has more than enough time to pack onto his frame. Like his upside! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17452671/63744db396768b0c80bd5125' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63dd773996f20"} /--> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Make sure to follow @PrepRedzoneNE on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with all your Nebraska prep recruiting news.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->