Freshman Friday: 2026 Players to Watch IV

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;OscarGalindo30&nbsp;in the coupon code area.</em></strong></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>We are back with another installment of the Freshman Friday series. Here we have five more freshmen that you need to watch out for this offseason and as they enter their sophomore campaign.</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='357772' first='Eli' last='Johnson'] | WR | Omaha Westside | 6'2" 185 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Hudl | <a href="https://twitter.com/elijohnson521" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='357772' first='Eli' last='Johnson'] is a flat-out gamer that shined at receiver, safety, and returner for the Westside Warriors. Eli is a tall, physical, rangy player with a great sense of the game already at an early age. He's a great route runner who can use his quick footwork to get open in all situations. He's especially dangerous in the red zone, where he can use his size and huge catch radius to make catches over mismatched defenders. I also like Eli's physicality, he doesn't mind fighting through some contact to make a catch or running through defenders to gain a few extra yards. The Warriors are loaded with talent across the board, but I think we should still expect to see Eli get some solid playing time next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16492823/63581d8ed45e0606544ad505' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f9760a2694e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='487557' first='Will' last='Anderson'] | QB | Millard West | 6'1" 185 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17821015/Will-Anderson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/WillAnderson13_" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millard West QB [player_tooltip player_id='487557' first='Will' last='Anderson'] looked like the top QB in the 2026 class after a solid start to his prep career. Despite dealing with injuries and battling for playing time, the young gunslinger threw for 784 passing yards and seven passing touchdowns with a QBR of 110.8. Anderson already showed a very mature arm that can make some pretty spectacular throws and deliver to all levels of the field. He didn't run the ball very much, but he did show his pocket mobility and ability to roll out to extend plays. Will can step up in the pocket with pressure while still getting the ball off on time and with great placement. Very excited to see what the next few years have in store for Will and the Wildcats!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17821015/635d6ec206614b0f301ce84b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f9760a26984"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='488110' first='Mikah' last='Arellano'] | WR/FS | Omaha Westview | 6'1"</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17821015/Will-Anderson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/mikah71888637" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the many bright spots on a young Wolverines team (first season in school history) was wide receiver/free safety [player_tooltip player_id='488110' first='Mikah' last='Arellano']. What stood out to me about Mikah's game is that he has great range and can close spaces quickly. I saw a few plays where Mikah was able to make the tackle while coming from the backside of the play. He started to show that he has a nose for the big play with two interceptions and a forced fumble. Expect Micah and his tall, lengthy frame to be used more in 2023 as the offense and the passing game mature in year 2. High upside player!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/mikah71888637/status/1581301483055681537?s=20","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/mikah71888637/status/1581301483055681537?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='487615' first='Tysen' last='Taylor'] | DL | Papillion-La Vista | 6'2" 200 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17713644/Tysen-Taylor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/TysenTaylor1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tysen played defensive end and center for a really good Monarch freshman team. I'll have to see more tape of him at OL, but for now, I really like his upside on the defensive side of the ball. Tysen is a player with a nonstop motor and reckless pursuit of the ball. He is quick to explode off the line and knows how to disengage from blocks at the LOS. He's the type of hustle player that will be near the ball on almost every snap. With the move up to the varsity ranks, I wonder if we could even see a transition to linebacker for Taylor. Either way, Tysen is going to be a beast for the Monarchs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17713644/63501a21f31cb4081c96c923' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f9760a269ac"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Jerry Jackson Jr. | DL/OL | Omaha Benson |</em></strong> <strong><em>6'0" 270 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18201344/Jerry-Jackson-Jr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryJacksonJr7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I couldn't find tape on Jerry Jackson, but I did get a good look at him during games I attended and at the Warren Academy Showcase. Jerry is a player I think is in store for a big off-season. He was a true trench warrior for the Bunnies in his freshman campaign as a starter on both the offensive and defensive lines. Jackson's biggest asset is his pure strength, as he can pack a lot of power behind his punch when he fires off the line. He has a mean streak on the field and looks to win every rep, whether he's on offense or defense. Definitely keep tabs on Jerry!</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><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 -->