Class of ‘26: Cracking the Rankings Part III

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 15 newcomers still to highlight from the recent Class of '26 rankings update, folks will be treated to more bonus coverage. The first two groups featured in this five-part series were filled with exceptional players, and the group in this third piece is no different. There isn't much of a drop off in terms of talent between this third bunch and the previous ones. Four of these five prospects rounded off the Top 50, and one came just a spot shy of joining them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["904440"],"_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: 400u0022u003eDerby may have lost some key defenders from their 2023 graduating class, but they have quite a few young prospects ready to step up this season. One to keep in mind is [player_tooltip player_id='904440' first='Dalton' last='Hornback']. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound edge rusher headlines this group with the highest debut at No. 41 overall, and he is the 7u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked defensive lineman in the class. Hornback earned some varsity snaps in one game during the '22 campaign, and he's looked impressive this summer. He possesses a quick first step, and his ability to dip and bend off the edge makes it very difficult for tackles to get a hand on him.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["904476"],"_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: 400u0022u003eBishop Miege is widely known as one of the top programs in Kansas, and their ability to consistently develop talent is why they're always viewed as state title contenders. One position they've especially had success at developing is wide receiver. Their most recent breakout receiver was [player_tooltip player_id='352452' first='Teryn' last='Jackson'] in 2022, and this season it could be [player_tooltip player_id='904476' first='Aidan' last='Buzan']. He recently made his debut at No. 42 overall and is the 10u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked wideout in the class. Buzan is a lengthy 6-foot-1 prospect that has the potential to be a threat out on the perimeter. This off-season he's posted a 4.5 40-yard dash time, and he's hit 34 inches in the vertical.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["904112"],"_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: 400u0022u003eIn Part II of u003cemu003eCracking the Rankings, u003c/emu003ewe featured Blue Valley North's promising young wideout, [player_tooltip player_id='904441' first='Bobby' last='Knighton']. Now in Part III, we'll be taking a look at the player that distributed the ball to Knighton in 2022. [player_tooltip player_id='904112' first='Lark' last='Anderson'] joined his fellow Mustang teammate inside the Top 50 in the recent update, as he entered in at No. 43 overall, and he's the 7u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked quarterback in the class. Anderson has one of the stronger arms in this class, and he does a great job of improvising when the pocket collapses. He's a signal caller that could thrive in the play-action game; given his mobility and accuracy on the run.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["904111"],"_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 Olathe North Eagles continue to be well represented in the Class of '26 rankings, as [player_tooltip player_id='904111' first='Ethan' last='Naidu'] became the 5u003csupu003eth u003c/supu003eOlathe North prospect to crack the Top 50. Naidu landed in at No. 47 overall in this update, and he became the top-ranked tight end in the class. With his current size and blocking ability, Naidu's ceiling can be very high. His current measurements ahead of the '23 campaign list him at 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, which means he has plenty of room to grow over the next two years. If Naidu can continue to sharpen his skills as a pass-catcher, then he could become a sought after tight end by his senior year.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["904445"],"_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: 400u0022u003eWe conclude Part III with the final quarterback prospect added during the recent July update. [player_tooltip player_id='904445' first='Zane' last='Viegra'] of Hays nearly joined the rest of this group inside the Top 50, as he entered the rankings at No. 51 overall, and he's the 9u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked signal caller in a class loaded with promising arms. Similar to [player_tooltip player_id='904111' first='Ethan' last='Naidu'], Viegra's frame is sure to intrigue recruiters. He heads into his sophomore year at 6-foot-2, and although his frame is lanky, Viegra has plenty of time to add size. There's a chance he could earn some varsity action this season, as Hays' staff determines who will be the full-time starter.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64c309cf6bc88"} /-->