Class of ‘26: Cracking the Rankings Part III
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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…
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Continue ReadingWith 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.
Derby 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 Dalton Hornback Dalton Hornback 6’2″ | 225 lbs | DL Derby | 2026 State KS . The 6-foot-1, 215-pound edge rusher headlines this group with the highest debut at No. 41 overall, and he is the 7th 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.
Bishop 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 Teryn Jackson Teryn Jackson 5’9″ | 150 lbs | WR Bishop Miege | 2025 State KS in 2022, and this season it could be Aidan Buzan Aidan Buzan 6’1″ | 150 lbs | WR Bishop Miege | 2026 State KS . He recently made his debut at No. 42 overall and is the 10th 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.
In Part II of Cracking the Rankings, we featured Blue Valley North’s promising young wideout, Bobby Knighton Bobby Knighton 5’11” | 170 lbs | WR Blue Valley North | 2026 State KS . Now in Part III, we’ll be taking a look at the player that distributed the ball to Knighton in 2022. Lark Anderson Lark Anderson 5’11” | 170 lbs | QB Blue Valley North | 2026 State KS 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 7th 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.
The Olathe North Eagles continue to be well represented in the Class of ’26 rankings, as Ethan Naidu Ethan Naidu 6’2″ | 200 lbs | TE Olathe North | 2026 State KS became the 5th Olathe 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.
We conclude Part III with the final quarterback prospect added during the recent July update. Zane Viegra Zane Viegra 6’3″ | 190 lbs | QB Hays | 2026 State KS 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 9th ranked signal caller in a class loaded with promising arms. Similar to Ethan Naidu Ethan Naidu 6’2″ | 200 lbs | TE Olathe North | 2026 State KS , 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.