2026 Watchlist: Five Elite Freshmen Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For those new to the Prep Redzone Colorado scene and interested in a subscription, use code <strong>WESLEY30</strong> for 30% off your first subscription!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The watchlist for the freshman class of 2026 has come out with 100 players working toward their place under the spotlight. The lack of film and exposure for the class as a whole makes it a little difficult to rank prospects when so few are on the recruiting radar, so a watchlist is more fitting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The majority of first-year players find themselves developing on the freshman level and paying their dues while waiting for their turn under the lights on Friday nights. Exposure comes easier for those who laced up with varsity, but plenty of non-varsity players managed to get film of their games and attend camps to help get their names out. There is, however, a handful of first-year players who have begun their recruiting journey early, building massive reputations as prospects. This article will highlight five freshmen who emerged from their first seasons as top prospects in their class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of Colorado's top 2026 prospects have transferred out of state to continue their careers in the South following their high school debuts in the Box State. Even though they are not on the watchlist for Colorado, the accomplishments of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212243' first='DJ' last='Bordeaux']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401303' first='Breck' last='Kolojay']</strong> are still worthy of recognition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bordeaux </strong>is a quarterback who received offers from Penn State and Colorado after an outstanding playoff performance with ThunderRidge. Bordeaux transferred to Georgia during the second semester to attend Alpharetta shortly before earning offers from Pitt, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/__GoDJ__/status/1646246034723733504?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/__GoDJ__/status/1646246034723733504?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kolojay</strong> is a highly-touted offensive lineman who played his debut season for Valor Christian and finished with an appearance in the 5A state championship game. Kolojay earned offers from Colorado, BYU, Penn State, Colorado State, and Miami before transferring to Florida to play for IMG Academy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/breck_kolojay/status/1633871950182510593?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/breck_kolojay/status/1633871950182510593?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283697"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='283697' first='Camden' last='Jensen']u003c/strongu003e is a talented player whose stock value as a prospect was high during his middle school days. The 6-foot-6, 235lbs tight end has athleticism that allows him to line up as a receiver and make spectacular catches and the physicality needed to be a powerful blocker. His early offer from Iowa State puts him in company with a couple of prior Division I tight ends to come out of the Heritage program. Jensen entered his debut season as a highly anticipated player, and he did not disappoint, making him a prospect that should be on every D1 recruiting board in the region.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64430006043cd"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Cam_Jensen97/status/1620795664442728448?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/Cam_Jensen97/status/1620795664442728448?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283707"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='283707' first='Tufanua' last='Ionatana Umu-Cais'] u003c/strongu003eis a defensive lineman who recently earned his first D1 scholarship from the University of Colorado. The early offer from the Buffs is an obvious push by the program to keep Colorado's top talent in Colorado. The 6-foot-3, 298lbs nose guard has formidable strength, impressive speed, and the agility of a coverage outside linebacker. Umu-Cais is another elite player to suit up for the Bruins with the expectation of becoming a top prospect in the country, adding to Cherry Creek's resume of having defensive linemen go on to play at Power 5 schools nationally.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6443000604433"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/umucais/status/1640902581185658880?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/umucais/status/1640902581185658880?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["504133"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003cstrongu003e[player_tooltip player_id='504133' first='Jaxon' last='Pyatt']u003c/strongu003e is a linebacker who has started to receive attention from college programs for all the right reasons. He is an absolute menace with a nose for the football and the ability to fly around the field, causing problems for the offense. Pyatt is already on the radars of multiple Power 5 programs, making him a prospect with a stock value on the verge of skyrocketing.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-644300060448a"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JaxonPyatt/status/1642549136481476608?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/JaxonPyatt/status/1642549136481476608?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>How to become a better prospect and be evaluated by Prep Redzone.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A great way to help an athlete gain attention and raise their prospect value is to attend college camps, have well-structured film, and be a proactive communicator via Twitter, email, text, etc.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you or someone you know would like to be a part of the database, claim or create a <a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospect-index/claim-your-profile/">free player profile</a> with Prep Redzone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->