Early 2026 Watch List standouts to keep an eye on

I was able to make some rounds to check out a few class of 2026 prospects and what I discovered is that the class is promising to produce some early risers sooner rather than later. Let's take a look at a few who have been standing out this Spring and making a major push not just to play on Friday nights but to be key contributors to their team's overall success.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/04/image-30.png" alt="" class="wp-image-767808" width="205" height="315"/></figure>   CORNELIUS SHAW JR.   CORNELIUS SHAW JR. I 6'0.5 235 I 2026 I DT/SDE I CONROE I CONROE, TEXAS I @cjshaw_52   Remember the name Cornelius Show! This kid already possesses a big body yet doesn't carry the weight poorly. Well-built with a solid stature and large trunk that allows him to produce power within his playing leverage. He has shown the power and quickness to play inside or out. He is surprisingly sudden with his hands at the point of contact and utilizes the bullrush well combine with an occasional shoulder dip to spin to disengage the would-be blocker. Shaw has a motor that can't be questioned in training, practice, game competition, or film. The kid answers directive with "Yes and No Sir"! He is as coachable as they come which spells trouble for opposing offensive lines next season. I'm keeping a close eye on this one...   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/04/image-32.png" alt="" class="wp-image-767811" width="212" height="223"/></figure>   RODRIGO BRAVO   RODRIGO BRAVO I 6 190 I 2026 I QB I COLLEGE PARK I THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS I @rodrigobravojr   Bravo is a quintessential pro-style quarterback who thrives at reading his keys. Great pocket presence and ability to manipulate rushers into taking terrible pursuit angles by utilizing box footwork. Bravo is great at keeping his rear leg loaded to produce power for his passes and snaps his hips well on his release. Bravo will be QB1 for the College Park Cavaliers for the upcoming season as a sophomore. Look for him to take a jump with the newfound experience and be an instant impact for a program that is under new management with former DeSoto co-defensive coordinator Kyle Coats taking over for Lonnie Madison after missing the playoffs.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/04/image-31.png" alt="" class="wp-image-767809" width="275" height="179"/></figure>   KANYE SMITH   KANYE SMITH I 5'10 162 I 2026 I ATH/DB I CONROE I CONROE, TEXAS I @ksmith0505   Kanye Smith is a versatile safety that was a headhunter and ball hawk in the 2022 season. Smith is a great transitioner out of his peddle with fluid hips and bad intentions when he decides to come down and strike on an unassuming opponent. Extremely high IQ and contributes his playing speed partly to God give talent, partly to work ethic, and partly to his affection for film study. This kid had a nose for the ball and when he comes down hill he really comes down hill. Smith has the ability to be a box safety, shift out to corner, play nickel, or quarter back the backend with his football acumen. Point blank, this guy can play....   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/04/image-33.png" alt="" class="wp-image-767812" width="219" height="258"/></figure>   SHANE DUNCAN   SHANE DUNCAN I 5'7 135 I 2026 I SLOT I CONROE I CONROE, TEXAS I @shanedu89874754   Some will say that its not the size of the dog in the fight but instead its the size of the fight in the dog. Duncan, though a tad undersized for a freshman is far from a "Rudy" story. Duncan has an insane work ethic and will to maximize his abilities. He can be found staying after practice or running the route tree on his own in an empty stadium or field. Duncan is a sure-handed slot with great tools to build on due to his ability to be quick with intermediate routes and tireless motor.   SLEEPER CHOICE:   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/04/image-34.png?w=703" alt="" class="wp-image-767885" width="194" height="282"/></figure>   ELIJAH DUNN   ELIJAH DUNN I 5'9 205 I 2027 I @elijahdunn834   Dunn is a man-child of a player who plays both sides of the ball. Be it fullback, linebacker, or defensive line; Dunn is just built different. This bulldozer athlete is already power cleaning 225 pounds, squatting 405, and benching 225 as an eighth grader. Dunn loves contact and is already getting major praise from his high school program. Look for him to be one of the rare freshmen that can physically make the transition to varsity and be an impact for all four years of his high school career.,

I was able to make some rounds to check out a few class of 2026 prospects and what I discovered is that the class is promising to produce some early risers sooner rather than later. Let's take a look at a few who have been standing out this Spring and making a major push not just to play on Friday nights but to be key contributors to their team's overall success.