Newcomers To The Block: 2026’s To Keep An Eye On
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The 2026 class is just a few years away from being called on but it’s never too early to take a look at guys who could easily be names to remember as the year nears. Mckale Bottles Mckale Bottles 6'3"…
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Continue ReadingThe 2026 class is just a few years away from being called on but it’s never too early to take a look at guys who could easily be names to remember as the year nears.
Mckale Bottles Mckale Bottles 6'3" | 185 lbs | LB West Noble | 2026 State IN – West Noble – ATH – 6’3″ 195lbs – 2026
Bottles is a raw athlete who is developing on the field and looks good doing it. His 6’3″ gives him incredible stride length and he chews up yardage in a hurry. He’s primarily been at Outside Linebacker to this point and I don’t see any negative reason for that to change. If anything, his length could make him a good pass rusher if they put him on the line. He’s quick, off the ball fast, and has a high motor. 3 things you really want to see with someone near the LOS. Later in the season they began to put him in the Slot on a WR and he was more than successful. He’s able to beat his blocks and knows to force the ball back inside. He takes good angles and can wrap up in open space most of the time. He’s young, but you can’t help but like what you see so far. I think if Bottles hits the weight room some before he comes out, he could really blossom into a special player. Guys with his length, natural heavier weight with thicker frame, and ability to bend don’t come around that often. Bottles feels like a guy who is going to be the one who decides how far he goes simply based on how hungry he is. He’s got the intangibles no doubt and just finished a promising freshman year, so it should be full throttle moving forward.
Twitter: @McKale_Bottles
Avin Robinson Avin Robinson 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR Brownsburg | 2026 State IN – Brownsburg – WR – 6’0″ 160lbs – 2026
Robinson has come a long way from just the tape below. Unfortunately, that is the only link I can embed for him, but there is more than his 8th grade tape available. He’s already a much better athlete who you can tell has grown quite a bit since then. He’s quick off the line and is a fantastic deep threat as he’s able to get behind the defense and make some spectacular grabs while moving full speed. He’s also playing 7 on 7 with the CE stars and has had some great moments there where he continues to develop. Most recently, he had a nice clip go up with a Deep Post where he crosses the Safeties face, catches the ball in stride on his finger tips, and then is able to stay up and get to the endzone for 6. A sign of things to come for Robinson I’d imagine just based on his development to this point. It’s crazy what a year can do for a young man in terms of development and Robinson is a great example. Who he is today vs the clips below is astounding when you look at how far he’s come. The best part for him is he’s still got 3 more years to continue developing so there’s no telling where he could be by then.
Twitter: @AvinRobinson2
Matthew McKitrick Matthew McKitrick 5'11" | 195 lbs | ATH Western | 2026 State IN – Western HS – ATH – 5’11” 180lbs – 2026
McKitirck is a young back who has a ton of a big play ability that he showcased last year time and time again. He hit multiple long TD runs, including a pair of scores in the same game from 48 & 58 respectively. When he sees daylight, he’s got a second gear and acceleration he can switch to like not many others can. He’s definitely still getting his feet underneath him and learning all the ins and outs of playing Varsity RB, but it was never too much for him. His tape as the year went on got better and that’s exactly what you want. He put up 10.6 yards per carry on the year and had 5 TDs all while showcasing his speed and ability to hit the home-run. McKitrick is someone I can see coming out and having a really big year. He’s listed at ATH because he also returns kicks and plays DB. He’s seemingly on the field all the time, and I only see him getting more work in the near future, especially carrying the ball.
Twitter: @MMcKitrick21
James Williams James Williams 6'3" | 280 lbs | OL Lawrence Central | 2026 State IN – Northrop – 6’3″ 255lbs – OL/DL – 2026
Williams is going to be a good one. Oh man you have to be excited. Turning on his tape, there’s no way you’d believe he’s a freshman. The way he’s able to blow guys off the ball, especially in the running game, is impressive. It’s not consistent yet because he’s young, raw, and still a bit underweight for an offensive lineman, but he’s getting there and it won’t take long. He flashes with these plays where it’s like he’s activating an X-factor on Madden. It feels like he gets angry and just obliterates the guy across from him and will take him for a 20-yard ride if he has to. He’s also able to set his feet in the passing game. While he could do a better job basing up on a consistent base and not just going for a punch, he’s young and has 3 years ahead of him to continue to learn. He’s a freshman who started Varsity right away and will have a mountain of reps coming out after graduation. With his size and ability to flip that switch, Williams could be one of the most sought after recruits in the state when it’s all said and done.
Twitter: @BamBalling
Van Krisiloff Van Krisiloff 6'0" | 160 lbs | K Cathedral | 2026 State IN – Cathedral – K – 6’0″ 150lbs – 2026
Krisiloff is likely making it a little bit easier to sleep at night for the Cathedral coaches, and will continue to do so for 3 more years. To have a good kicker, especially in High School, can make a world of difference of how to approach things. Knowing if you get to about the 30-yard line that you can trot out Krisiloff is a pretty big advantage. For a young kicker, he’s consistent and didn’t seem to have much issue kicking in the biggest games when the lights were brightest. More than that, Krisiloff is also able regularly boot the kickoff through the end-zone for a touchback. Controlling the field and having more range than most teams you play can only highlight the value of kickers and Special Teams play in football. Krisiloff is someone who can easily enter the category of elite players to come out of Cathedral by the time he graduates. Krisiloff a big legged and accurate kicker who can really set himself up for a ton of success over the next few years, if he’s able to show it wasn’t a fluke and that this is who he is.
Twitter: @VanKrisiloff