Class of ‘26: Six Prospects Climbing the Ranks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout this summer, the spotlight has predominantly shined on the upperclassmen in the state. But, with less than a month and a half until kickoff for the 2023 campaign, we're shifting our focus to the upcoming sophomore class. The Class of '26 was last updated in late April, and although not much changed at the top of the rankings, there's been multiple members that have worked their way up the ranks over the past few months. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These young prospects have impressed at various showcases and competitions over the summer, and their stock is rising ahead of their sophomore year. Here's a look at six of the highest <em>Stock Risers</em> from the latest Class of '26 rankings update.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["780089"],"_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: 400u0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='780089' first='David' last='Wakes'] of Shawnee Heights is one of three prospects that went from being a newcomer in the previous update, to being a u003cemu003eStock Riseru003c/emu003e in the latest edition. Wakes leads the pack in this July update, as he moved inside the Top 25 to No. 21 overall, and he's now the 3u003csupu003erdu003c/supu003e ranked athlete in the class. While he's categorized as an athlete, Wakes has really impressed at running back this summer. He proved to be an impactful runner during padded team camps and scrimmages, which should earn him some carries on varsity this fall.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["780453"],"_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: 400u0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='780453' first='Devyn' last='Davis'] of Bishop Miege was the second u003ciu003eStock Riseru003c/iu003e to move inside the Top 25 during this update. The Bishop Miege product climbed five spots to No. 23 overall, and Davis is now on the heels of [player_tooltip player_id='586961' first='Jalen' last='Johnson'] for a Top 3 ranking in the defensive line group. Since debuting in the April update, Davis has been busy turning heads at multiple showcases this summer. Davis strung along solid camp performances while at u003cemu003eKansas Stateu003c/emu003e and u003cemu003eMidAmerica Nazarene u003c/emu003ein June, and he was selected as a standout performer at the u003cemu003eKC Varsity Combinesu003c/emu003e in early May as well.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["283949"],"_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: 400u0022u003eThe third highest increase in rank during this update belongs to [player_tooltip player_id='283949' first='Jarek' last='Purdy']. Purdy was featured as a u003cemu003eStock Riseru003c/emu003e in the previous update, and he's continued to climb the ranks since then. During this update he became an official member of the Top 10, as he climbed from No. 15 overall to No. 10 in the class, and the top-ranked athlete spot now belongs to him. Purdy's play during the 7-On-7 circuit was well documented this past spring, but we've yet to highlight the work he's put in this summer. He put folks on notice while at theu003cemu003e University of Nebraska's u003c/emu003ecamp showcase in June, and he also received an unofficial visit from the u003cemu003eCornhuskers'u003c/emu003e coaching staff.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["652686"],"_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: 400u0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='652686' first='Jamarcus' last='Tyson'] is yet another member of the previous group of newcomers to earn a higher ranking in this latest update. In the April update we mentioned his versatility and multi-sport background; both of which have been on full display this summer. Tyson showcased his pass-catching ability while at the u003cemu003eUniversity of Kansas u003c/emu003ein June, and he's also flashed his skills on the diamond as well. He moves up four spots to No. 30 overall, and Tyson is now up to No. 6 in his position group. He's a player capable of cracking the Top 25 in the next update.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["426515"],"_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: 400u0022u003eThe fifth highest increase in rank came from one of the more overlooked running backs in this class. Back in January we pointed out that [player_tooltip player_id='426515' first='Brayden' last='Pappas'] was a player to keep an eye on as he progressed throughout this summer. It's safe to say he's lived up to this expectation, as Pappas has impressed at a few camps over the past few months. Pappas competed at a padded u003cemu003eKansas Stateu003c/emu003e camp in June, and he performed well at the u003cemu003eSharp Top Prospectu003c/emu003e combine in late May. His progress earns him a spot at No. 19 overall, and he maintains his status as the 4u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked back in the class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["586976"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eRounding off this group of u003cemu003eStock Risersu003c/emu003e is [player_tooltip player_id='586976' first='Pharrell' last='Adams'] of Wichita East. Adams moved up a few spots to secure the No. 15 overall ranking, and he continues to be the 2u003csupu003endu003c/supu003e ranked linebacker in the class. He's posted some strong numbers this summer, and one of his best performances came just 10 days ago while at u003cemu003eWilliam Jewell'su003c/emu003e camp showcase. Adams went on to post a 4.7 40-yard dash time and he clocked a 4.4 pro-agility time as well. These times are encouraging to see, and they're an indication that he's likely to get faster as he develops over the next few years.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b5b11c1a758"} /-->