Freshman Friday | 2026 Prospects to Watch – Last of Year

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: OscarGalindo30 in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have arrived at the last Freshman Friday article of the school year. The 2026 class has shaken its "freshman" status and are now hungry sophomores. I will bring this feature back next season when we start highlighting a red-hot incoming freshman class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Until then, check out these freshman prospects that could continue to make names for themselves next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='488223' first='Jr' last='Garner'] | WR | Norris | 6'2" 170 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/9896729/Jr-Garner" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/jrgarner5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norris has a solid group of athletes at their skill positions going into 2023. One player to watch out for is [player_tooltip player_id='488223' first='Jr' last='Garner'], who is a tall, lengthy receiver with all the tools to be among some of the top pass-catchers in his class. He is expected to continue to grow and fill out his frame, so there's a chance we could be talking about him as a tight-end prospect by the time he's a senior. I only had a few clips to go off of, but just in the clip below, you can see some of the insane catches he's capable of. He does a good job getting behind the defense and has the leaping ability to beat defenders at the high point. Looking forward to watching more of Jr in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/9896729/6353eff0478eac0e70f50877' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-647157597ef70"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='487610' first='Brody' last='Parr'] | RB/DB | Papillion-La Vista | 5'8" 135 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17713516/Brody-Parr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Brodyparr23" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top workhorse backs in the freshman class is PLV's, [player_tooltip player_id='487610' first='Brody' last='Parr']. His toughness and versatility stood out right away in Brody's game. He's very tough and has no issue running the ball north-south while taking on defenders in the box. He displays great balance when he runs and has the strength to fight through tackle attempts. Brody has great vision and can find open lanes easily, even showing the cutback ability to bounce inside runs to the outside and accelerate from there. He also looked like a solid receiver out of the backfield, taking advantage of his open-field playmaking ability. Brody could also make a push to play on defense after he did a great job at corner for the Frosh Monarchs. He has great instincts, breaks on the ball quickly, and is a very willing tackler on the outside. Solid prospect with huge upside!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17713516/63588d5664decd0dc0d0e7c6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-647157597ef9b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='487572' first='Mikey' last='Hunter Jr.'] | WR | Lincoln North Star | 5'7" 150 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17796682/Michael-Hunter-Jr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Mikeythefuture6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unfortunately, an injury shut down North Star's [player_tooltip player_id='402159' first='Mikey' last='Hunter'] Jr just as he was getting acclimated into the offense. Like the many great NELITE wideouts, Mikey already does a lot of things at a level beyond his age, like route running, footwork, etc. He's sharp at the break-off point of the route and does a great job attacking the ball in the air and securing it with his hands. Very good and secure hands receiver. I think Mikey could be absolutely dangerous in the slot, where he can use his quick twitch and crisp route running to eat up slot/underneath defenders. He also displays a great work ethic and gives every rep 100% which is always encouraging to see in young prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17796682/63670fecb3c8cd0ab868aed1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-647157597efb9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='487564' first='Bo' last='Meier'] | TE/ATH | Blair | 6'5" 190 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17966399/Bo-Meier" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/BoMeier1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't have a ton of tape on Blair's [player_tooltip player_id='487564' first='Bo' last='Meier'], but from what I've gathered, he is a player that Bears fans should look forward to watching. Already at 6'5," Bo has great size that can project him at several positions, from tight end to defensive end and outside linebacker/edge defender. The Bears always find ways to get their playmakers on the field, so I wouldn't be surprised if we saw Bo rotate in on varsity next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Make sure to follow @PrepRedzoneNE on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with all your Nebraska prep recruiting news.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->