Other WA Freshman (26’s) Jumping up the Rankings Board

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><br>  A few weeks back we posted on the Northwest's top offensive and defensive lineups if we were combining Oregon &amp; Washington for 2026. Referenced below are ten additional freshman athletes ranked by PRZ who have the potential of being some of Washington's best. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>*No Particular Order</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='427640' first='Corey' last='Bushaw'] 6-0 195 LB Skyview</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Definitely one of WA's top young LB's for the 2026 class. Bushaw has done well on the camp circuit and has the size and physicality to play early for a Storm program who could rank among the top 4A teams in the state next year. The question becomes does he get legit time playing for a loaded Skyview group?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='726169' first='Nate' last='Donavan'] 6-1 190 QB Mount Si </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mount Si has produced some of the state's top QB's over the years and Donavan could be another one. The youngster MVP'd multiple tournaments among freshman as part of FSP and played well beyond his years. With continued progression over the off season, he could be the state's #1 ranked QB for his class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='726159' first='Nick' last='Elliott'] 5-11 175 DB North Central (Spokane)  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's rare for any freshman to earn all-conference honors, especially if your team goes winless on the year. Elliott accomplished this feat by being named an all-league WR/DB, while scoring every way possible. Look for the three sport talent to be listed towards the top of the charts.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='726157' first='Kingston' last='Fotualii'] 6-3 270 OL O'Dea  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As most know, ODea's freshman class is ridiculous and the team returning next year could be Washington's best. Everyone is aware of D1 offered 26's [player_tooltip player_id='284217' first='FA' last='Siale'] and [player_tooltip player_id='402788' first='David' last='Schwerzel'] who will rank among the nation's best for their class. That said as Fotualii earned all-conference honors as well and will be a name to remember.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='726161' first='Blake' last='Heryford'] 5-10 180 LB Tumwater</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look for Heryford to be a factor next year for a Tumwater team who is traditionally a 2A title contender. The Thunderbirds are 43-7 over the last four years with a title, so expect the talented backer to be an all-conference/all state guy potentially next season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='726170' first='Azalius' last='Lopez-Zuko'] 6-0 195 QB Camas&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lopez-Zuko is a physical athlete, who can throw, but also be a 100+ yard rusher every Friday night. He will be key for a Papermakers program who has featured the likes of all everything QB/FB/Athlete Jack Colletto of Oregon State.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='726171' first='Griffin' last='Matzen'] 6-1 250 OL/DL O'Dea</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matzen is another O'Dea HS and FSP product who will sure up one of the nation's top lines for 2026. With continued growth and development, he could be a legit Ivy League type kid with his 4.2 GPA.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='284216' first='Ellis' last='Oeltjen'] 6-1 160 WR Eastside Catholic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You have to like Oeltjen's overall size and athleticism. He did well over the off season as part of FSP and could play a role for Eastside next year. It will come down to team depth as the Crusaders are loaded at all positions. Watch him on the baseball field as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='726176' first='Landon' last='Thomas'] 6-0 160 WR Mead&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid has the potential of being really good. "Isaiah" Thomas was a standout among the freshman possessing legit speed and open field awareness. Look for him to be a 1^st&nbsp;team all-conference athlete on both sides of the football in the coming years.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='538469' first='Jamarion' last='White'] 6-2 210 DL Gonzaga Prep&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bullpups are traditionally one of the better teams in Washington as you can expect to hear White's name often. He doesn't necessarily have prototypical D line size, but he's young, and could project as more of an OLB. His ability to maneuver and come off the edge is impressive.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->