Freshman Friday | 2026 Players to Watch III
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Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: OscarGalindo30 in the coupon code area. Another Friday, another Freshman Friday feature article! Here are five more 2026 prospects that have started to catch college’s attention or have shown a high ceiling. Khalil…
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Another Friday, another Freshman Friday feature article! Here are five more 2026 prospects that have started to catch college’s attention or have shown a high ceiling.
Khalil “Champ” Davis | WR/DB | Omaha North | 5’11” 175 lbs
Omaha North’s Champ Davis wasted no time catching Power 5 attention after receiving an early offer from Nebraska. In his first season rocking the V’s, Champ looked like a player seasoned beyond his experience. As a receiver, he is an excellent route runner that can put defenders in a blender and exploit the soft spots in coverage. Davis has top-tier speed that allows him to track down deep balls and he’s automatic at the point of the catch. Champ hauled in 12 receptions for 218 yards and four receiving touchdowns. Davis isn’t just a threat as a receiver, he’s also a dangerous return man with 259 kick return yards and a physical corner that can battle with any receiver. Very talented young prospect that is only starting to scratch the surface… WATCH OUT!!
Owen Sutter Owen Sutter 6'3" | 225 lbs | TE Yutan | 2026 State NE | TE/ATH | Yutan | 6’3″ 215 lbs
Another player that is already drawing college interest is Yutan’s two-way stud, Owen Sutter Owen Sutter 6'3" | 225 lbs | TE Yutan | 2026 State NE . Sutter saw plenty of varsity time in his freshman season at tight end and defensive end. On offense, Owen already looked like a bright, well-rounded tight end that can deliver some devastating blocks and be a reliable target for his QB. Owen hauled in 13 receptions for 151 yards and a receiving touchdown in his freshman season. Sutter’s size is a major mismatch for most defensive backs and he has surprising quickness that can overwhelm slower ‘backers. Even if you can match up with him, Owen has shown that he has a big catch radius and make catches above or outside the opposing defender’s frame. What sticks out the most is his physicality as a blocker. His blocking skills were a huge help for a team that finished with 2,500+ rushing yards and 33 touchdowns on the ground. Keep an eye out for Owen this summer as he could be a prospect that adds offers soon.
Jase Reynolds Jase Reynolds 6'2" | 175 lbs | LB Elkhorn North | 2026 State NE | OLB/ATH | Elkhorn North | 6’2″ 165 lbs
The Wolves have a ton of young, talented prospects that stepped up for them. Jase Reynolds Jase Reynolds 6'2" | 175 lbs | LB Elkhorn North | 2026 State NE was one of the few freshmen that got their feet wet in varsity competition. In five games, Reynolds racked up 26 tackles from the outside linebacker position. He did a good job setting the edge and made several plays to stop rush attempts to his side of the field. Jase didn’t drop back into coverage a ton, but he still looked solid with the athleticism to cover receivers or tight ends. He shows good tackling fundamentals and technique. At 6’2″ I like his size and length especially at his position, with an offseason to bulk up and continue to develop, we should expect an even more dangerous #2 on the field in 2023.
Burke Brown Burke Brown 5'10" | 145 lbs | QB Omaha Westside | 2026 NE | QB | Omaha Westside | 5’10” 145 lbs
The Warriors just continue to reload with another solid class top to bottom in their freshman team. Brown has shown that he has the arm talent to be a dangerous QB in Class A once his time is up. The pass in the clip below displays his ability to throw an accurate deep pass while hitting his receiver in stride. He also looked good as a runner when he was asked to tuck and run. With great coaching around him and a mentor like starter Anthony Rezac Anthony Rezac 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Omaha Westside | 2024 State NE , I’m excited to see Burke’s development as he progresses through his prep career.
Nathan Axmann Nathan Axmann 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Waverly | 2026 State NE | RB | Waverly | 5’11”
One player that could develop into a star in the future is freshman Waverly RB, Nathan Axmann Nathan Axmann 5'11" | 175 lbs | RB Waverly | 2026 State NE . I don’t have a lot of tape of Nathan, but in the clips I’ve seen of him, he gives us a lot to be excited about with his potential. Nathan runs hard and with great vision that helps him find seams. In true Waverly fashion, Axmann is a physical player that can run through contact and has a vicious stiff arm. He does very well with just a single cut and has a solid burst after the change of direction. Waverly likes to run with a few backs, so don’t be surprised if Nathan slides into the RB rotation.
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