Class of ‘26: Cracking the Rankings Part II

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The&nbsp;<em>Cracking the Rankings</em>&nbsp;series continues on as we take a look at the newcomers featured in Part II. There's a bit of a theme with this second group. A majority of these prospects hail from the higher classification levels in the state, and nearly all of them are offensive skill players. While the offensive side of the ball headlines this group, there is one Class 3A defensive prospect that is sure to excite folks. They're a group filled with promise, and they each landed inside the Top 50 during the recent update.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["904441"],"_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: 400u0022u003eOne team that is due to bounce back during the '23 campaign is Blue Valley North. They fielded a fairly young team in 2022, but now that young talent is looking to step up this season. One underclassman to look out for will be [player_tooltip player_id='904441' first='Bobby' last='Knighton']. He impressed at the freshman level last fall, and he possesses the skillset to make the jump to varsity this year. The 5-foot-11 wideout proved to be a reliable target as a freshman, as he flashed great hands and the ability to get separation from corners. Knighton is also a threat after the catch. He comes away with the highest debut from this group at No. 33 overall, and he's the 6u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked receiver in the class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["904450"],"_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: 400u0022u003eFollowing right behind Knighton is another Blue Valley area prospect. [player_tooltip player_id='904450' first='Beckett' last='Linden'] of Blue Valley Northwest joined the rankings as the 34u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked prospect overall, and the 6u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked quarterback in the class. While [player_tooltip player_id='585904' first='Jaylen' last='Mason'] and [player_tooltip player_id='585906' first='Iverson' last='Scott'] are considered the top two dual-threat quarterbacks in this class, Linden has a strong case to be considered the third best dual-threat prospect. He has the ability to hurt defenses on broken plays, and he can add another element to the Huskies' ground game on designed runs. While his legs are impressive, Linden also displays great precision on deeper throws. It will be interesting to see if he earns some varsity playing time as a sophomore.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["904442"],"_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: 400u0022u003eThere are now two young wideouts from the Hutchinson Salthawk program in our player database, as [player_tooltip player_id='904442' first='Robert' last='Hunter'] joined [player_tooltip player_id='470778' first='Camrynn' last='Harris'] inside the Top 50 in the recent update. Hunter entered the rankings as the 7u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked receiver in the class, and the 35u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked prospect overall. The 5-foot-10, 155-pound wideout is a true competitor, and his performances throughout camp season are a reflection of that. During June, Hunter showcased sharp route running and a great release off the line at camps such as the u003cemu003eUniversity of Coloradou003c/emu003e, the u003cemu003eUniversity of Kansasu003c/emu003e, u003cemu003eKansas Stateu003c/emu003e, and the u003cemu003eUniversity of Oklahomau003c/emu003e. He's a prospect that has the potential of being an impact player in the future.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["904448"],"_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: 400u0022u003eThe fourth highest debut from this group comes from the lone defender of the bunch. [player_tooltip player_id='904448' first='Ezra' last='Spiller'] of Rock Creek checked in at No. 36 overall, and he's the 3u003csupu003erdu003c/supu003e ranked linebacker in the class. While Spiller is listed as a backer, defensive end was where he earned varsity snaps in 2022. Despite being undersized at the position, Spiller managed to contribute 23 total tackles and one sack in seven games. This goes to show Spiller's versatility as well as his toughness. The Mustangs' coaching staff may opt to line him up in the trenches once again this season, but he's likely to project as a linebacker at the next level.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["904443"],"_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: 400u0022u003eDuring this recent update, [player_tooltip player_id='904443' first='Chase' last='Carter'] of Wichita Northwest became the fifth Grizzly to join the Class of '26 rankings. His debut makes it five prospects from Northwest to crack the Top 50, as he came in at No. 37 overall, and he's one spot back behind [player_tooltip player_id='904442' first='Robert' last='Hunter'] as the 8u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked wideout in the class. The Grizzlies are widely known for their elite rushing attack, but when they opt to throw, they like to take their shots down the field. This is where Carter can be a difference maker. He's a 6-foot-2, 185-pound vertical threat that boasts a wide catch radius, which allows him to win 50/50 balls.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64bf2cccec64c"} /-->