2026 Rankings: Names to Know
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2026 Rankings are out and updated, and we have 100 players ranked with another 125+ on the watchlist. This article here is meant to throw a ton of names at you with a quick hit on who they are, where…
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Continue Reading2026 Rankings are out and updated, and we have 100 players ranked with another 125+ on the watchlist. This article here is meant to throw a ton of names at you with a quick hit on who they are, where they play, and maybe some projection or analysis. All these guys interest me from a prospect standpoint, and several have limited or no film. 20 Names to keep an eye on through summer camp season, the fall, and even beyond as these prospects look to continue the hot recruiting trail in New York.
Jaiden Brooks Jaiden Brooks 5’11” | 170 lbs | DB Canarsie | 2026 State NY , a relatively unknown name as of now is one of the next players in line to make some big waves for Canarsie. Canarise develops WRs and CBs well as evident with multiple D1 players last season and a few more currently on the roster. A name to watch out for.
Nyheem Cooper Nyheem Cooper 5’8″ | 175 lbs | RB Frank J Macchiarola | 2026 State NY not only has some really solid production but is a name a few coaches have mentioned and had a nice performance at the elite V showcase. At 5’9 175lbs there is good measurables there for a freshman and Cooper is one of the top backs in this class, which I may add has a bunch of PSAL guys.
Unclear when we will see Octavious White Octavious White 6’3″ | 260 lbs | OL Canarsie | 2026 State NY hit the field for Canarsie but they graduate a lot of offensive lineman and might have some chances to win jobs during their training camp. White is an intriguing OL name to watch in the PSAL.
Orion Trujillo Orion Trujillo 5’10” | 215 lbs | LB Iona Prep | 2026 State NY was solid at the Elite V showcase and has some really quality pass rushing moves for his age. Solid measurables and solid athleticism could lead to some varsity work this year and Trujillo is a name to watch moving forward.
Highlights
6’5, 290lbs and a season of varsity under his belt Jor-el Lee Jor-el Lee 6’5″ | 290 lbs | OL Kenmore West | 2026 State NY is already size wise one of the top players in this class, there are clear areas for improvement amongst his footwork and movement but there is a ton of potential. With a couple 2024 OL from Buffalo with P5 offers, Jor-el Lee Jor-el Lee 6’5″ | 290 lbs | OL Kenmore West | 2026 State NY is a name to keep an eye on as schools keep digging for talent in WNY.
Fedel Smith Fedel Smith 6’0″ | 210 lbs | RB CBA-Syracuse | 2026 State NY is another guy on this list because of some really good measurables. The RB/LB is in a good program that develops players well and is a player to watch at couple different positions.
Justin Wu Justin Wu 6’0″ | 175 lbs | ATH Monsignor Farrell | 2026 State NY , a quality athlete for Monsignor Farrell looks to take the jump to varsity this season and there are some open spots on both sides of the ball at playmaking positions. Wu is capable of playing both sides of the ball and could look for some serious playing time.
I don’t think Miles Sinclair Miles Sinclair 6’2″ | 185 lbs | WR Moore Catholic | 2026 State NY sees a ton of varsity time this year but at a program that develops wide receivers and athletes consistently especially in recent years Sinclair is a name to watch going forward.
Sean McKenney may not start this season but he is a name to watch going forward on an Archbishop Stepinac team that routinely has really solid offensive line groups and development.
Jeru Hall Jeru Hall 5’11” | DL William Floyd | 2026 State NY was a standout at not the most recent PrepRedzone showcase but the one before that and he is a intriguing name to watch out on Long Island for William Floyd.
Malachi Collins Malachi Collins 6’2″ | 250 lbs | OL Elmont | 2026 State NY has fantastic JV tape playing Center for Elmont is a name to watch as he makes the jump to varsity this fall.
Out of Hutchinson Tech in Buffalo, Mbaiyo is a solid LB/DE prospect at 6′ 200lbs as just a freshman and looks to take a step forward after getting some varsity work last season.
Ka’Mauri Guinyard was a top LB performer at the Elite V showcase and projects as a OLB/DE prospect for Archbishop Stepinac. Guinyard has good size and moves well for the position. Impressive length as well with a strong wingspan.
Highlights
Armani Johnson Armani Johnson 5’8″ | 155 lbs | ATH Long Island City | 2026 State NY has really good instincts and has a knack for finding the ball. Johnson is one of the top returners on Long Island City and figures to be one of the more underrated DBs in the PSAL next season.
With a recent transfer of a couple CTK DBs and RBs there is a clear path to playing time for Justin Medina Justin Medina 6’0″ | 170 lbs | RB Christ The King | 2026 NY , not sure what position he fits best as I have not seen him in person yet but an intriguing prospect for CTK who has some serious position battles this fall.
Julius Jackson Julius Jackson 6’4″ | ATH South Park | 2026 NY has made some waves in the 7v7 circuit and at 6’5 is a very intriguing TE/WR prospect for South Park. South Park has one of the top QBs in the state but lose their top three receivers from last season.
Eddie Keeler Eddie Keeler 6’1″ | 185 lbs | TE Archbishop Stepinac | 2026 NY could be the next TE up for Archbishop Stepinac who just graduated Bodhi Ogg Bodhi Ogg 6’3″ | 215 lbs | TE Archbishop Stepinac | 2023 State NY to Buffalo. There are a couple guys in that TE room with some potential but Keeler is young and has some really good potential as a pass catching TE.
Eric Pirello is a solid slot WR prospect who had a solid year on JV last season. Pirello has good quickness and has a solid catch radius and is a name to watch going forward.
At 6’8 350lbs Khalil Cox Khalil Cox 6’9″ | 325 lbs | DL CBA-Syracuse | 2026 NY is on this list for an obvious reason. CBA-Syracuse actually has a stacked 2025 OL group so Cox does not have a path to a bunch of playing time this season. The CBA program up in Syracuse no doubt as a plan to develop Cox and get him to a more ideal playing weight so he can maximize his athletic ability.
Highlights
Isiah Anariba Isiah Anariba 6’1″ | 270 lbs | OL Tottenville | 2026 NY is a young Tottenville OL who is a name to watch as plenty of eyes will be on Tottenville’s backfield with some very talented players in the 2026 & 2027 class.