2026 Rankings – Top Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 football season is right around the corner and at the conclusion of spring practices across Oklahoma, it's a perfect time to update the prospect rankings! We started this week with the state's 2026 class and went from a Top 25 to a Top 50. If you missed that update,&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/06/updated-2026-oklahoma-rankings-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">you can check out the list right here</a></strong>! Throughout the week, we're diving deep into the rankings with prospect breakdowns. We're discussing why these players are already on our radar and already on the radar for the next level. Keep it locked in throughout the week as we break down more 2026 prospects. And check back each Monday this month for a new ranking update! Next week, we'll be updating the 2025 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this breakdown, we're putting a spotlight on the top prospects that are newcomers to this latest ranking update. When we're going from a Top 25 to a Top 50, we're obviously doubling the number or prospects so there's going to be quite a few new names. But these guys all stood out in a major way and are the highest rated prospects among all of the newcomers. We break down what has stood out to us so far and what they could be down the road. Keep it locked in each day for more prospect breakdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["467409"],"_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":"Edmond Memorial offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='467409' first='Laird' last='Williams'] was the highest rated prospect when it came to the newcomers in this latest update. He has been a prospect that we've had on our radar since our 2026 prospect coverage first began halfway through the previous season. We said it then and we'll repeat it now. There is a lot to like about Williams when it comes to his potential as a prospect. He looks the part immediately with a strong frame at 6'6 and some of his film from last season is incredibly impressive. But right now, it's simply potential and we're hoping to see Williams take that next step this fall on the varsity level. Edmond Memorial had a very senior-heavy offensive line last season so now Williams has the opportunity to crack the lineup and be an impactful player up front. If that happens, he'll take another jump up in this class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["858870"],"_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":"As just a freshman, 2026 standout [player_tooltip player_id='858870' first='Blaine' last='Hipp'] enjoyed a breakout season and it looks like his best football continues to be ahead of him. Hipp became a big target within the Hominy offense and with a 6'5 frame, he's going to have a size advantage every time he steps on the football field. Hipp is already getting the attention of college coaches and he's going to have a few more opportunities as the Bucks are going to be one of the top teams in Class A this season. We think he certainly has the potential to be the leading receiver on an offense that's going to be lighting up the scoreboard all season. Our breakdown on Hipp is just based on film, production and opinions from coaches. We're hoping to see him and a few other standouts from Hominy in person at some point this season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["858871"],"_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":"Union defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='858871' first='Daijon' last='Gaines'] is another perfect example of a prospect that has a ton of potential and needs to show it at the varsity level. Gaines appears to be the next guy up at Union and they've had a really good run of defensive backs over the last decade. There have been quite a few that have come through this Union program and the Redhawk coaches are very excited about the potential of Gaines to be the next guy in that discussion. He already looks the part in person as a cornerback. We got a chance to watch Gaines a few times during the offseason while he played 7v7 with 918 Elite and he impressed. Union has a few 2024 defensive backs that should get quite a bit of looks from colleges and while the coaches are checking them out, we'll be surprised if they don't notice the up and coming Gaines in that Union secondary.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["449184"],"_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":"Newcastle 2026 running back [player_tooltip player_id='449184' first='TJ' last='Bradford'] was definitely high in our minds as we completed the ranking update over the weekend. He was one of the final 2026 prospects that we saw in person before we finalized the update. On Friday evening, we caught Bradford in person at the Mustang team camp where Newcastle was scrimmaging with Bishop McGuinness. Bradford was outstanding on a number of occasions while toting the rock and he even showed that he can be a two-way star with some big plays on defense as a defensive back. Bradford got our attention early on during his freshman season when he put up some big numbers in a non-district game in September. The Racers are going to have a very experienced offense this fall and Bradford could be one of the breakout stars in Class 4A this season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["434614"],"_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":"Our final prospect on this breakdown is Millwood quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='434614' first='CJ' last='Turnbull'] and he's a prospect that we wrote about following the last ranking update. He's definitely in the mix with some of the other top quarterbacks in the state's 2026 class and he's proven it over the last ten months. First off, he helped lead Millwood all the way to the Class 2A state championship game. And the Falcons are going to come into this season with the expectations of making a return trip to Edmond with Turnbull leading the offense. Then you look at what the Millwood product has done this offseason and it's hard not to be impressed. He was one of the top quarterbacks in attendance at our camp back in January and he had a really good spring followed by showing out on the college camp circuit already. He has a fairly high ceiling already.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6487611e989d9"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->