Class of ‘26: Cracking the Rankings Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most exciting parts about each update is the reveal of the prospects that cracked the rankings. Typically we highlight a few of the newcomers ahead of the release date, but we decided to do things a bit different this time for the third Class of '26 update. Instead of using the <em>Watch List Series</em> as a sneak preview, we're featuring all 25 newly ranked prospects in a five-part series to truly give each player a warm welcome to the rankings. Starting us off first in Part I is a group of five that debuted from No. 17 overall to No. 32 overall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["904472"],"_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: 400u0022u003eWe'll be starting this five-part series off first with [player_tooltip player_id='904472' first='Bailey' last='Johnson'] of Lawrence. Johnson received the highest debut from this latest group of newcomers, as he entered the rankings at No. 17 overall, and he is the top-ranked offensive line prospect in the class. The 6-foot-1, 305-pound lineman displayed some encouraging signs during his freshman campaign. He does a great job of using his reach to negate pass rushers, and he exhibits good hand placement as well. Johnson showcases his raw strength in the run game, and he possesses the athleticism to play multiple positions along the offensive line.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["904477"],"_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: 400u0022u003ePrograms such as Mill Valley have a knack for developing playmakers year in and year out. Their 2023 graduating class was lead by Hayden Jay, their upcoming senior class has players like [player_tooltip player_id='259742' first='Tristan' last='Baker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='262775' first='Truman' last='Griffith'], and their upcoming junior class is undoubtedly headlined by [player_tooltip player_id='519316' first='Jayden' last='Woods']. Although it's still very early, [player_tooltip player_id='904477' first='Tyler' last='Laningham'] has the potential to be one of Mill Valley's next top prospects. He was absolutely electric at the freshman level in 2022, and he could earn a role on varsity this season. Laningham follows right behind Johnson at No. 18 overall, and he is the 4u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked wideout in the class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["810275"],"_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: 400u0022u003eComing in with the third highest debut is a prospect with a very high ceiling. There aren't many players from the Class of '26 that have playoff experience heading into the '23 campaign. [player_tooltip player_id='810275' first='Ayden' last='McGibboney'] is one of the few, and that experience is sure to give him an edge over his counterparts this season. McGibboney is the third newcomer to debut inside the Top 25 in this update, as he checks in at No. 20 overall, and he's the 5u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked receiver in the class. The athletic 6-foot-2, 175-pound wideout transferred to Blue Valley Northwest this off-season after a strong freshman year at Hayden Catholic in 2022.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["904437"],"_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 were a total of four signal callers that made the rankings in this update, and [player_tooltip player_id='904437' first='Cale' last='Williams'] of Olathe East came away with the highest debut of the group. Williams makes his debut as the 5u003csupu003eth u003c/supu003eranked quarterback in the class, and the 29u003csupu003eth u003c/supu003eranked prospect overall. He displayed smooth mechanics during his freshman year, and he appeared to be able to process reads quickly. His feel for the pocket is impressive, and he has the guts to deliver throws under pressure. He'll be a quarterback prospect to look out for in the future.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["904473"],"_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: 400u0022u003ePart I is capped off by arguably one of the most physical players from this upcoming sophomore class. There are two things that [player_tooltip player_id='904473' first='Brock' last='Rider'] brings to the gridiron. One, is a high-motor, and two, is an old-school mentality. Rider joins the rankings at No. 32 overall, and he is the 5u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked defensive lineman in the class. He plays with some nastiness along the defensive line, and has the ability to cause disruption for opposing offensive lines. He's a defensive prospect that could see the varsity field very early during the 2023 season.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b7f98dbd418"} /-->