Mississippi's 2026 Class of Athletes

Athlete is a term used in football for kids that can do it all over the field, playing multiple positions. All of these prospects do just that. From offense, defense, and special teams, they impact games. Mississippi has some of the top prospects in the nation at this position with a few more to follow soon as things shake themselves out.   [player_tooltip player_id='212367' first='Preston' last='Ashley'] | Brandon High   Ashley is a kid that plays all over the field dating back to his junior high years playing running back and defensive back. If I'm not mistaken he even returned some in those years as well. He started off his freshman year playing the nickel position and done pretty good, good enough to garner power 5 offers early. He has now transitioned to the safety position and playing at a very high level. I personally still think he is a corner back, but as he told me in conversation that he doesnt care where he plays he just wants to help the team. He loves new challenges and to add to his game. He wanted to improve his tackling coming down hill and this position allows him to do that. He is a very fluid player with good hips and speed. His dad is a former D1 player at Ole Miss so the genes are there and they showed early. He has shown to be a willing tackler and awareness is off the charts for a young player. Currently has 3 power 5 offers Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Florida State. Look for this kid to be in the top 100 players when the new rankings come out.   [player_tooltip player_id='691273' first='Gavin' last='Howard'] | Holmes County   Howard can literally do it all. He has one of the most exciting mid season highlight films I have seen this year. He is such a fluid athlete that loves to compete. Line this kid up anywhere and it's a big play waiting to happen from a big time catch to a pick 6 this kid really knows how to find the endzone. He has really good twitch and instincts that allows him to play fast and diagnosis what is happening quickly. On offense his vision is really good when he gets the ball on screens, short routes, and in the return game. He has pretty good route running ability as well to go along with his great vision and deceptive speed. He runs effortlessly so it doesnt look like he's just running fast until you watch how he is pulling away from defenders. On defense he is a ballhawk, high points the ball really well. He knows offense so it helps him recognize patterns that are being ran at him and knowing what to jump. Just like on offense, when he catches a interception he knows one thing and that's get to the endzone. He currently holds 3 offers and just picked up 2 huge ones in Mississippi State and Auburn. He will be one to watch that should crack the top 250 at the least in that class. He is coached by a one of the best in Mississippi Marcus Rogers so look out for him be a dude, the man really knows what he is doing.   Tristan Burns | AACS   Burns is the type of player anybody would love because of the way he plays the game with so much heart. He isn't the biggest standing at 5'9 150, but do not let that fool you this kid will absolutely stroke you. He plays both sides of the ball at a very high level. On offense he plays slot receiver and is a nice route runner and good at yards after the catch. On defense he plays safety, but I truly think he is a cornerback. Nonetheless that kid is all over the field playing the game with a chip on his shoulder. You would think this kid is every bit of 6'2 200 the way he can tackle so well. He currently doesnt have any offers yet, but he is a dude that could fly onto the radar like some of the other undersized guys in other classes. He is one of my favorite prospects to date to cover.   [player_tooltip player_id='691288' first='Omar' last='Brand'] | Calhoun City   Brand is a nicely built prospect with potential all over him. He's about 6' 175 nicely put together with longer legs than torso type kid. He has really good quickness and speed that helps him excel. He is a very smooth route runner after watching him train this summer and attended a few camps. I really think this is an early offer kid, but he recently just got hurt. He played mostly on defense as a free safety and has been doing a solid job. Most people in their class run alot so most his highlights are of him coming down making tackles. He high points the ball very well and he can truly get in and out of his breaks better than most that I have seen his age. I think this kid's best football is in front of him as he recoups from his ACL tear. He doesnt hold any offers yet but sure that will change once he can truly exemplify his skillset.   Bralan Wommack | Hartfield Academy   Wommack is a big, strong, physical defender who was thought once to be a cornerback. He turns out to be a safety and is really really good at it. He has great size standing around 6'2 and thickly built prospect for a defensive back. At receiver his best trait is high pointing the ball, he was really good at that coming out of junior high. He has added yards after catch this year that has shown on film breaking multiple tackles on plays and scoring. On defense he is a straight ball hawk and can even line up at corner and lock them straight down. He was really good in press early on in his career playing 7v7 guarding bigger older guys. At safety he is a big play waiting to happen as he reads the QBs eyes well leading him to the ball. He has pretty good hands as well. He is already ranked in the top 100 players in his grade and only look for him to rise higher in the rankings as he gets older and wiser.

Athlete is a term used in football for kids that can do it all over the field, playing multiple positions. All of these prospects do just that. From offense, defense, and special teams, they impact games. Mississippi has some of the top prospects in the nation at this position with a few more to follow soon as things shake themselves out.