Class of ‘26: Welcome to the Rankings Part III

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before we pivot away from the Class of '26, we can't move on without highlighting the third group of newcomers featured in Part III of <em>Welcome to the Rankings</em>. Through this welcoming party we've had the pleasure of introducing folks to several players, and now the spotlight is turned to the final five. Although this group wasn't amongst the highest-ranked newcomers, they're still a promising bunch that has the potential to flourish over the next few years.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A few of the prospects from this final group head into the '23 campaign with some varsity experience, and the other three will look to find a role during their sophomore year. These five may be ranked in the back half of the Top 50, but they're all capable of climbing the rankings in future updates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["780500"],"_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 first is a prospect that could be one of Class 2A's biggest breakout players this fall. [player_tooltip player_id='780500' first='Carter' last='Hajek'] of Nemaha Central joined the rankings at No. 37 overall, and is the 7u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked athlete in the class. His last name may be familiar to some, as he's the younger brother of 2022 u003cemu003eClass 2A OPOYu003c/emu003e, [player_tooltip player_id='243299' first='Cooper' last='Hajek']. With Cooper graduating, Nemaha Central's staff could look to Carter to take over his brother's role during the '23 campaign. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound prospect possesses the size and athleticism to become the Thunder's next Swiss Army Knife.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["780429"],"_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: 400u0022u003eThis upcoming sophomore class is headlined by quite a few prospects from Class 6A and 5A. However, small-town prospects such as [player_tooltip player_id='780500' first='Carter' last='Hajek'] and this next newcomer prove that there is talent throughout all classification levels. [player_tooltip player_id='780429' first='Zane' last='Farney'] of Sterling made his debut as the 7u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked running back in the class, and the 39u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked prospect overall. Similar to Hajek, Farney also made his varsity debut in 2022, but Farney would see a larger role during his freshman season. As a freshman, Farney led the Black Bears in rushing with 1,270 yards and 12 scores; all while averaging over five yards per carry.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["780092"],"_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: 400u0022u003eIn Part II of this three-part series, folks were introduced to two of the three quarterbacks that cracked the rankings in the recent update. Now in Part III, everyone gets the opportunity to meet the third newest signal caller from the Class of '26 rankings. [player_tooltip player_id='780092' first='Solomon' last='Hirsch'] of Bishop Miege debuted at No. 42 overall, and is the 7u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked quarterback in the class. What Hirsch lacks in physical tools he makes up for with his clean mechanics and accuracy. He'll likely have to wait his turn behind [player_tooltip player_id='353224' first='Marco' last='Rodriguez'], but given Miege's track record under center, the Stags will develop Hirsch into a solid quarterback prospect.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["780105"],"_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: 400u0022u003eThere's a few defenders from this class that folks should be excited about this season. Some have already been mentioned, but another to keep in mind is [player_tooltip player_id='780105' first='Xavier' last='Tafoya'] of Liberal. Tafoya is one of the more physically imposing players in the class, and his weight room numbers can back that up. His early development helped earn him some varsity time in 2022, as he recorded 22 total tackles in four games. Tafoya is currently listed as a defensive end on Liberal's roster, but his frame fits the mold of a linebacker. Liberal is sure to use the 6-foot-2, 210-pound prospect in a variety of ways on defense. He checked in at No. 44 overall in the recent update.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["705204"],"_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: 400u0022u003eClosing out the u003cemu003eWelcome to the Rankingsu003c/emu003e for the Class of '26 is [player_tooltip player_id='705204' first='Vaughn' last='Overton'] of Olathe West. Overton was one of the final additions in this update, as he landed just inside the Top 50 at No. 46 overall, and he's the 4u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked defensive back in the class. The Olathe West product flashed his talent a few times this spring; competing with u003ciu003eEmp1re'su003c/iu003e 15U squad during 7-On-7 season. Olathe West has excelled at developing their defensive backs in recent years, and they're sure to maximize Overton's rangy frame. His first snaps at the varsity level may come from special teams, but his length could be a valuable asset to the Owl's secondary.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-645a316517762"} /-->