5 Newly Ranked & Rising Recruits In The 2026 Class
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With the 2026 rankings update being releases, we’re taking a look at 5 of the newest additions to the class and what type of year they had, which got them on the board! Jayden Johnson Jayden Johnson 5'10" | 175…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2026 rankings update being releases, we’re taking a look at 5 of the newest additions to the class and what type of year they had, which got them on the board!
Jayden Johnson Jayden Johnson 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Marion | 2026 State IN – Marion – RB – 5’10” 175lbs
Johnson could end up being one of the best recruits in the entire state when this class is on the clock. You can see immediately why they gave him the ball early and often last year. He’s a decent sized back with great speed who can also play physical. He’s not afraid of contact, yet can avoid it. He’s got really good vision and can find lanes as they’re developing. With the agility to get to the hole as quickly as it comes available, you can see why he rushed for 921-yards as a freshman. While he isn’t a guy who will break a million tackles, he’s shown the capability to run through some of those would-be tacklers and keep his balance. They didn’t use him much at all in the receiving game, so it’s hard to know if it’s because he’s not capable, or they see how good he is carrying the ball, or didn’t want to give him too much at once. However, I’d love to see him get some opportunity to catch the ball, ideally in space, moving forward to see what else he can do. He’s too good at creating his own open space to not have some opportunities like that drawn up for him. As the season went along, he even began to understand how to let blocks develop before he exploded through the hole. Johnson is a must-watch for me moving forward and is a guy who is deserving of any recognition that comes his way.
Twitter: @JaydenJFootball
Khamel Moore Khamel Moore 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Bluffton | 2026 State IN – Bluffton – RB – 5’10” 175lbs
Moore is a very dynamic back who hits big plays time and time again. His future is very bright down in Bluffton and is someone you can imagine they’re going to ride a ton moving forward. He’s young, got a decent frame, and can take the punishment. He’s versatile, able to be moved around, and doesn’t make the same mistake twice which is always great to see. He came in right away, earned a role, and proved that he’s going to be a valuable piece for years to come. With the speed to bounce it outside and get the corner, he’s not someone you can take bad angles on. His agility is also fantastic and can make a defender miss in a phone booth. While I do think his timing at the mesh point can feel a bit rushed at times, overall his freshman year was absolutely fantastic. Moore put up 485 rushing yards and 5 TDs last year at the Varsity level as he got his feet wet. I imagine next year, that role is going to grow quite a bit, and Moore will build upon his freshman year.
Twitter: @KhamelMoore9
Parker Elmore Parker Elmore 6'4" | 185 lbs | ATH Jennings County | 2026 State IN – Jennings County – ATH – 6’4″ 185lbs
Elmore is going to be such an interesting guy to watch over the next few years. A rising basketball star as well, his options will be wide open. The raw athleticism is more than obvious. Length and speed are his strong suits and he takes stallion like strides down the field. Offensively, they have him at QB at times. His ability to get out of sticky situations and keep his eyes downfield. They’ve not just kept him at QB because he’s so athletic. He’s been a lead blocker and asked to be a FB/TE hybrid at times as well as lined up and caught passes. More often than not, Elmore is the guy who doesn’t seem to belong on that field, only because time and time again, he is the best, and biggest, athlete on the field. As of now, he’s got no set position. I think he could develop into an elite TE if he moved there, but I’m not sure how that changes the offensive dynamics. Elmore is explosive, even when lead blocking, and has so much raw untapped ability that it’s not even funny. Elmore’s freshman year included 514 passing yards and 4 TDs, 220 rushing yards and 1 TD, 200 receiving yards, and 2 TDs, and 36 total tackles with 1 interception and 1 fumble each. A really impressive season, no matter who you are or where you are. To be able to do that much for your team at the Varsity level, is pretty dang impressive. Elmore is now one of my favorite recruits in the entire 2026 class, simply because you have no idea what he can turn into. The athleticism he has combined with the 2 sport versatility has him as the single biggest wildcard to watch moving forward.
Twitter: @ParkerElmore1
Corbin Mullis Corbin Mullis 6'1" | 255 lbs | OL Hamilton Southern HighSchool | 2026 State IN – Hamilton Southeastern – OL – 6’1″ 260lbs
Mullis has been one of the most consistent linemen in the class for years. His willingness to work, the development on the field, and in the weight room has been big for him. He’s got HUDL film on an old account dating back to 2019 where you can see where he first came from to where he is now. The physical development has been the most impressive thing to this point. A big part of that is his work in the weight room. Mullis is just a freshman and can bench 245lbs, clean 275lbs, and squat 455lbs. A very impressive start in the weight room for your high school career. The weight room translates to the field for the most part and whenever Mullis has had a chance, he’s looked good. He’s got a strong base and powerful upper-body which can really give some defenders issues at the line. I think he’s best on the inside because of his ability to bend and be a lead blocker. Mullis is going to make his name known as an issue at the Varsity level very soon, and I anticipate that starts this fall.
Twitter: @CorbinMullis56
Eli Richardson Eli Richardson 5'9" | 185 lbs | LB Brownsburg | 2026 State IN – Brownsburg – LB – 5’9″ 185lbs
Richardson is a very dynamic LB who has elite speed and range. Speed that’s almost DB level, but he’s fairly thick and does a good job creating penetration and playing near the LOS. There are times he didn’t quite take the right angle, but his speed gives him much more room for grace than a lot of LBs. As he develops and gets better coming to balance and attacking the outside hip, I imagine that’ll clean right up. He’s strong and has no issue wrapping up the ball carrier when he gets his hands on them. He doesn’t panic when dropping back in coverage and keeps his feet sound. In zone, he’ll read the QB, stay in his zone, and react properly. He’ll snag an interception if the ball crosses his way when he’s back there as well. If he gets a chance to return it, there’s a chance it ends in a house call. Richardson is really good against the run. His speed and athleticism combined with that ability to create penetration and time things is a lethal combo. If he doesn’t earn a Varsity role this fall, I feel bad for the JV defenses that get in his way. He’s more than talented, physical, and smart enough to play at the Varsity level. Whenever he does get his chance, I can’t imagine he let’s them down. Overall, I feel Richardson is going to be a fantastic LB down the road when the dust settles.
Twitter: @Eli_Rich11