2026 Rankings: October Newcomers
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This week on Prep Redzone Oklahoma, we’re putting a spotlight on some of the top 2026 prospects in the state. From guys who have been shining since they were freshmen to others who are enjoying breakout seasons this fall, we got it all covered. On Monday, we released our updated 2026 rankings. Throughout the week, we’ll be breaking down different position groups and overall standouts in the state’s 2026 class so far. In this post, we’re putting the spotlight on five prospects who are newcomers to the 2026 rankings. While some might have been on our radar and have had breakout season, others have exploded with big sophomore campaigns. Keep it locked in throughout the week for more breakdowns on 2026 prospects. And check back every Monday in October for more prospect ranking updates!
Going from somewhat of an unknown over the summer to the top five of the overall rankings is no easy task. But Lawton MacArthur wide receiver Joshua Rushing Joshua Rushing 6’3″ | 195 lbs | WR Lawton MacArthur | 2026 State OK has been an absolute star for the Highlanders this season and has emerged as a potential star for the Highlanders moving forward. They are coming off their first loss of the year last week but can bounce back in a big way and remain in the district title hunt this week. Sean Cooper is one of the more knowledgeble trainers in the state of Oklahoma and produces a ton of next level talent with C4 in Durant. And when he mentions Rushing as being the next one up in his 2026 group that is already loaded, we listen. We’re looking forward to seeing more of Rushing in person either this season or in the offseason in a camp setting or at a 7v7 tourney.
Around this time last year, we first got a chance to see Stillwater’s Nehemiah Kolone Nehemiah Kolone 6’4″ | 245 lbs | DL Stillwater | 2026 State OK but he wasn’t making an impact on the varsity level yet. But you could still see potential in his physical play and size and let’s face it, it was hard last year for a freshman to break into the lineup on an undefeated state championship team. But this season, Kolone has led a defensive front that has been nasty for the Pioneers. We saw Stillwater pick up their first win this season when they beat Norman on the road and Kolone was a big reason why the Pioneers didn’t give up any points defensively. Kolone is an absolute force up front along the defensive line. We thought there was a lot of potential with the Stillwater big man and so far, it’s playing out that way and what’s scary is he’s just scratching the surface.
Highlights
We’ll keep saying it until more people start paying attention. Mustang is going to be scary good in the near future with some of the talent they have coming up in the 2026 and 2027 classes. We wrote about some of them last week during our 2027 breakdowns. This week, it’s all about the 2026 class and one of their leading receivers this year is sophomore Jaden Johnson Jaden Johnson 6’1″ | WR Mustang | 2026 State OK who happens to be the younger brother of former Mustang All American Jacobe Johnson. As we mention quite a bit with the freshman and sophomore classes, it’s still incredibly early. But Johnson has already shown some playmaking ability this season and it won’t surprise us if he becomes one of the more consistent receivers in this class. There are some really good skill players in this group and Johnson is one of them.
We listed Lincoln Christian sophomore Malakai Dillard Malakai Dillard 6’0″ | ATH Lincoln Christian | 2026 State OK as the breakout star of Class 3A at the midseason point a few weeks ago. Dillard was somewhat of an unknown back in August but that didn’t last long. We got a chance to see him in person in week one and he’s emerged as Lincoln Christian’s top receiver in an offense that has been lighting opponents up all season. Dillard has not only become Lincoln’s leading receiver, he’s also a standout on the defensive side of the ball and has made some spectacular plays in the secondary. It’s going to be interesting to see where Dillard ends up as a prospect, but we’re very interested in seeing more of him moving forward. And that should be easy this season, considering Lincoln Christian is once again in the hunt for the Class 3A state championship.
Bixby sophomore quarterback Carson Kirby Carson Kirby 5’11” | 185 lbs | QB Bixby | 2026 State OK had already earned his spot in the ranking this time around but he then went out last week and had his best game of his young career. In the win over Broken Arrow, Kirby threw for a little over 300 yards and six touchdowns and just three incompletions on the night. Kirby is a quarterback we saw quite a bit this offseason while he played in various 7v7 tournaments. He always impressed us and he seems to have emerged as Bixby’s top quarterback when they’re wanting to move the ball downfield in the air. But as we’ve learned in the last season and a half, the Spartans are not afraid to play multiple quarterbacks. They played three on the first possession of this season. But Kirby has put up some big numbers when he’s been back there at quarterback.