Freshman Friday | 2026 Prospects to Watch VIIII

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;OscarGalindo30&nbsp;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>After a bit of a pause, we are BACK with Freshman Friday! We have six great prospects that are on the come up and should be added to your radar ASAP!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out our recent 2026 initial rankings release <a href="https://prepredzone.com/nebraska/rankings/2026-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a></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='488169' first='Caden' last='Annis'] | ATH | Gretna/ Gretna East | 5'10" 145 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18143336/Caden-Annis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | Twitter</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gretna East is set to start operations next school year, and with playmakers like [player_tooltip player_id='488169' first='Caden' last='Annis'], it could be sooner rather than later that they start winning some games. My first impression is that Caden can make things happen... simple. He plays receiver but has an impact on defense and special teams. Annis is one of those players that you can't give an inch because he can stretch it a mile with his ability to take quick screens for big gains. He sees the field extremely well and has the agility to change direction and find holes to run through. He has deceiving game speed and will definitely burn you if you can't keep him in front of you. Special talent on the come-up!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18143336/6323791d041e13052cf02d6b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64559d82f2d43"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='470810' first='Treyton' last='Burke'] | QB/LB | North Platte | 6'2" 205 lb</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17843082/Treyton-Jay-Burke" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/treytonburke" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Treyton caught our attention during the Stock Up showcase back in December. He has great size for a freshman QB at 6'2" and 205 lbs, and he even looked like he could continue growing. Playing for North Platte asks that you can run the option very well, which Burke does. He is smart about when to handoff and when he should pull it and take it himself. Treyton isn't necessarily shifty or elusive, but he's just very good at exploding through his gap and accelerating after that. He's a tough guy to bring down, with a strong lower body to keep him pumping through contact. We got to see more of Treyton's arm at the showcase, and he showed great potential as a passer with a strong arm and solid ball placement. Hoping to see more of Treyton at future camps. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17843082/63575db8bd74ac0c5c612d7c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64559d82f2d74"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='488170' first='Eli' last='Fenster'] | QB | Bellevue West | 5'8" 140 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17422308/Elijah-Fenster" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/FensterEli1515" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The T-Birds 2026 class is really something special. One player to keep an eye out for is Elijah Fenster, who served as the freshman team QB in 2022. He has a great arm that can deliver the ball accurately on short and intermediate throws and has the strength to send it deep. He keeps his feet and eyes active when making his progressions. Fenster is a pretty good athlete overall, with the ability to take off on the ground and pick up first downs. Elijah evades pressure very well and can keep poised with defenders coming his way. Still some things to work on, but overall a solid player with tons of potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17422308/637fed7ac11a570598afe4cd' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64559d82f2d95"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='487753' first='Elijah' last='Gutz'] | WR | Lincoln East | 6'1" 175 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18001207/Elijah-Gutz" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/elijah_gutz" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the many great young talents on the Nebraska Red Wolves team. [player_tooltip player_id='487753' first='Elijah' last='Gutz'] has made huge strides as a receiver in nearly all aspects. Elijah developed as a player from a practice I attended in early January to the Prospect Tour showcase in mid-April. He is great at the catch point and follows through the entire catch process to secure the ball. He runs crisp routes and can change direction very well. He plays bigger than his reported size, with long arms to extend his radius and toughness to make him a handful to take down. Excited to continue watching Elijah develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18001207/635178f36655ff0d5c2c842f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64559d82f2db1"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='402141' first='Bryson' last='Williams'] | WR/ATH | Millard West | 6'1" 142 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18271138/Bryson-Williams" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/bwilliams_2828" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Being a freak receiver must run in the family. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='402141' first='Bryson' last='Williams'] plays like a mirror image of older bro [player_tooltip player_id='340477' first='Jackson' last='Williams']. Bryson's speed and explosiveness were the first things that stood out to me. He is a deep-ball threat that knows how to get behind defenders and take the top off of defenses. Williams does a solid job adjusting mid-route to give his QB an easier target. Bryson is very shifty with the ball in his hands and can create opportunities for himself when he has space in front of him. He is a player that you love to find different ways to feed him the ball because he is such a dynamic playmaker. Opposing defenses need to watch out!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18271138/635430e2f327a40938c1c582' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6455733717c95"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='402160' first='Nelsyn' last='Wheeler'] | RB/ATH | Grand Island | 5'9" 180 lbs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17738571/Nelsyn-Wheeler" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Nelsyn026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grand Island's [player_tooltip player_id='402160' first='Nelsyn' last='Wheeler'] is one of the top underclassmen prospects coming out of the Tri-City area. Wheeler's biggest asset is his pure speed, which he has reported a 4.51 40-time. He is extremely patient behind the LOS and possesses excellent vision to help him identify lanes. Between the tackles, he is a twitchy, elusive runner that can slide right off of tackles. He is also very dangerous if you let him gain the edge, as he has top-tier acceleration and burst when he turns the corner. Wheeler has also proven to be a great receiver that can catch out of the backfield and from the slot. Nelsyn has kept busy this spring with a tremendous track season, recently blazing his way to a 10.6 100m time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17738571/6308fa6df31d16043847cd54' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6455733717cd7"} /--> <!-- 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 -->