Class of ‘26: Welcome to the Rankings Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <em>Welcome to the Rankings</em> series was first rolled out in March, and it's back again to properly introduce the latest group of newcomers from the recent Class of ‘26 rankings update. With the Class of '26 rankings initial introduction taking place this past January, this is the first official group of newcomers to join the recruiting class. Twenty-five prospects from across the state made their debut in the April update, which increased the class to 50 ranked prospects. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similar to the Class of '25 update that took place in March, we'll also be splitting up this welcome party into three articles to highlight the massive group of newcomers. Since quite a few prospects from this incoming group were revealed prior to the update, we'll be focusing on 15 that have yet to be mentioned. Here's a look at five of the highest ranked newcomers that cracked the Top 25. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["780113"],"_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":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eStarting us off in Part I is the prospect with the second highest debut from the April update. Meet [player_tooltip player_id='780113' first='Tyren' last='Parker'] of Shawnee Heights. Parker is a 6-foot-2 wideout with elite athleticism, and is arguably the most explosive player in the class. There's not much film from his freshman year, but between his play during 7-On-7 season and his performance off the gridiron, it's evident that Parker has the potential to become one of the top vertical threats in the state. Parker entered the rankings at No. 10 overall, and is the top-ranked receiver in the class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["780117"],"_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":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eComing in a few spots behind Parker with the third highest debut is [player_tooltip player_id='780117' first='Kellan' last='Roth'] of Washburn Rural. Roth is another exceptional talent out wide, as he entered the rankings at No. 14 overall and is the 3u003csupu003erdu003c/supu003e ranked receiver in the class. While Parker has already made a strong case to be considered the most explosive prospect in the class, Roth is an early candidate for best hands. Time and time again he put together spectacular catches during the 7-On-7 circuit. The 6-foot-1 wideout possesses a wide catch radius, and displays great body control for his age.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["780477"],"_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":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe running back position is shaping up to be one of the strongest groups in this upcoming sophomore class. [player_tooltip player_id='780477' first='Blaise' last='Adger'] of Olathe North joined the talented group as the 3u003csupu003erdu003c/supu003e ranked back in the class, and the 18u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked prospect overall. Adger dominated at the freshman level in 2022, and proved to be one of Olathe North's most promising offensive prospects. He's a physical runner with good balance, and does a great job of reading his blocks. Much like his counterparts at the top of the class, Adger also possesses a burst to burn defenders after he clears the second level.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["780305"],"_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":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eAs of late, Mill Valley's coaching staff has received quite a bit of praise for their ability to develop stud defensive prospects. However, the job they've done with their offensive line shouldn't go unnoticed. Their next big-time offensive line prospect looks to be [player_tooltip player_id='780305' first='Nick' last='Philhour Jr.'] . The 6-foot-3, 275-pound offensive tackle shined at the freshman level in 2022. Philhour Jr. displays solid hand placement, and possesses quality pass blocking fundamentals for his age. He's the new top-ranked offensive lineman, and is the 19u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked prospect in the class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["780479"],"_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":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eIf folks were impressed with Washburn Rural's [player_tooltip player_id='780117' first='Kellan' last='Roth'], then they'll really be intrigued by this next prospect. [player_tooltip player_id='780479' first='TJ' last='Minikwu'] is another newcomer from Rural, and he debuted just inside the Top 25 at No. 23 overall. Minikwu was an underclassmen that came on strong for Rural's varsity squad late last season. While a few of the running backs in front of him are a bit more elusive, Minikwu is the type of back that can wear defenses down. Not only is he a bruiser, but he's also a patient runner with solid vision. He and Roth have the potential to earn roles on varsity this season.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64517ba11a363"} /-->