Class of ‘26: Top Upcoming Sophomores in the State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been three months since folks were first introduced to the top prospects from the Class of 2026. Through the course of these past three months, these players have wasted little time in preparing for their highly anticipated sophomore season. Which is why now is a great time to highlight the progress they've made, and to give an update on the latest movement within the Top 5. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back in January it was mentioned that change was likely to come in the next Class of '26 rankings update, and that point proved to be true. Three of the Top 5 prospects from the previous update still remain within this elite group, but spots 2 through 5 saw some change. In addition to this, there are now two new members in the Top 5, with one being the highest ranked newcomer in this update. Check out the latest group of top prospects from the upcoming sophomore class, and be sure to see the rest of the now 50 ranked players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["585903"],"_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":"The spot in the Top 5 that remained the same from the previous update was at No. 1 overall, as [player_tooltip player_id='585903' first='Aaron' last='Bohannon Jr.'] maintained his status as the top-ranked prospect in the class. There hasn't been much buzz surrounding the No. 1 overall prospect, but that's likely to change with summer quickly approaching. Bohannon Jr. announced earlier this month that he'll be attending the first leg of this year's u003ciu003eKC Varsity Combinesu003c/iu003e, and he's likely to attend more showcases over the next few months. These showcases will be a great opportunity for him to prove that he belongs at No. 1.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["585904"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"After debuting at No. 3 overall in the previous update, [player_tooltip player_id='585904' first='Jaylen' last='Mason'] moves up one spot to become the 2u003csupu003end u003c/supu003eranked prospect in the Class of '26. It's debatable, but there might not have been a freshman with a better spring than Mason. He's looked phenomenal throughout the 7-On-7 circuit this spring, and has consistently put together impressive performances with u003ciu003eWichita Wheat's u003c/iu003e18U squad. His game has improved significantly since last fall, and his stock is on the verge of soaring. Mason could work his way up to No. 1 overall if he continues this rapid pace of progression.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["780142"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"This next prospect was featured in the first Class of '26 u003ciu003eWatch Listu003c/iu003e, and now he checks in as the highest ranked newcomer in this April update. [player_tooltip player_id='780142' first='Johnmichael' last='Fountain Jr.'] makes his debut at No. 3 overall, and is now the top-ranked linebacker in the class. Fountain Jr. was one of only a few freshmen to earn u003ciu003eAll-GWAL u003c/iu003ehonors last season, and he has the potential to emerge as a u003ciu003e1u003csupu003estu003c/supu003e Team u003c/iu003eselection as a sophomore. It's safe to say Northwest's program has a bright future with Bohannon Jr. and Fountain Jr. leading the way.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["611097"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Another freshman that's been turning heads this spring has been [player_tooltip player_id='611097' first='Kelvin' last='Parker III']. He's been featured a few times over the past few months, and deservingly so. Parker III has put together a collection of impressive highlights from the 7-On-7 circuit, and he most recently put his skills to the test at the u003ciu003eUnder Armour Next u003c/iu003eshowcase. He's also been selected to compete at the u003ciu003e2023 FBU Top Gun Showcase u003c/iu003ein July. Parker III's recent success brings him into the Top 5 as the 4u003csupu003eth u003c/supu003eranked prospect in the class.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["585905"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Closing out the Top 5 in this April update is [player_tooltip player_id='585905' first='Hunter' last='Higgins']. While a few of the top prospects in the class have shined on the gridiron this spring, Higgins has received interest for his play on the diamond. The Maize South product earned a spot in the starting lineup for the Mavericks' varsity squad, and back in February he announced that he received his first D-I offer for baseball from u003ciu003eWichita Stateu003c/iu003e. This just goes to show that he's one of the most well-rounded prospects in the class.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6449cd47ea1ee"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The back half of the Top 10 consists of No. 6: [player_tooltip player_id='586964' first='Christopher' last='Wash'] – Mill Valley (DL), No. 7: [player_tooltip player_id='585906' first='Iverson' last='Scott'] - Wichita East (QB), No. 8: [player_tooltip player_id='586960' first='LJ' last='Bowens'] – Blue Valley North (RB), No. 9: [player_tooltip player_id='611096' first='Aiden' last='Scott'] – Shawnee Heights (QB), and No. 10: [player_tooltip player_id='780113' first='Tyren' last='Parker'] – Shawnee Heights (WR). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->