Dynamic Sophomore Stock-Risers in San Diego
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Evaluating the film for some of this season’s top stock-risers in San Diego’s 2026 class. Parris Vernon Parris Vernon 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR Mt. Miguel | 2026 State CA HEIGHT 5'10" POS ATH CLASS 2026 Parris Vernon Parris…
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Continue ReadingEvaluating the film for some of this season’s top stock-risers in San Diego’s 2026 class.
Vernon established himself as one of the most skilled and versatile athletes in San Diego’s sophomore class this season, totaling 876 receiving yards and 12 TDs on 54 catches and another 6 TDs rushing. He’s a high-utility weapon out of the slot that can operate and find space over the middle of the field and produces explosive plays in the screen game. He’s a quick, elusive home-run hitter with the ball in his hands showing great agility and field vision. Vernon picked up his first pair of offers from Colorado St. and San Jose St. during the season and should continue to generate interest with his playmaking skillset.
Josh Gonzales
Josh Gonzales
Gonzales was a massive producer for the Escondido offense this season totaling 76 catches for over 1,200 yards and 14 TDs. He’s a slick mover with strong, natural hands and can extend his radius to bring in passes outside his frame. He shows focused technique in his front-end releases and is crafty after the catch possessing ability to make the first defender miss. Gonzales and standout freshman QB Caden Thompson Caden Thompson 6’0″ | 180 lbs | QB Escondido | 2027 CA formed one of the most productive underclassmen QB/WR combos in San Diego this season and should definitely be on the North County radar moving forward.
Diehl led the D-II Section runner-ups in receiving (62 recs., 875 yards, 12 TDs) and INTs (10) as only a sophomore. He’s a long, reliable target as a perimeter WR with natural hands and the ball skills to win 50-50 balls in 1v1 situations downfield. He translates well as a FS at the next level with his strengths in coverage and aggressiveness as a tackler. He’s an instinctive middle-field safety that plays well with his eyes, capitalizes on mistakes over the middle, and seeks out the ball both as a tackler and coverage defender. Diehl is one of the top two-way playmakers to watch in San Diego’s 2026 class next season.
Parker “PJ” Johnson Parker “PJ” Johnson 6'0" | 185 lbs | WR Cathedral Catholic | 2026 State CA
Parker “PJ” Johnson Parker “PJ” Johnson 6'0" | 185 lbs | WR Cathedral Catholic | 2026 State CA
Johnson showed dynamic playmaking on both sides of the ball as a WR/RB on offense and S on defense. He’s a versatile receiving threat on offense that can create mismatches out of the slot or backfield and shows great body control at the catch point. He moved to more of a SS role this season showing range and downhill closing speed after spending his freshman season at CB. In coverage, he showed ability to play in space as an underneath defender and efficient, explosive breaks on the ball as a two-deep safety. He showed noticeable improvement in his physical athleticism and DB skillset from 2022 to 2023 and presents some of the highest upside of any 2026 prospect in San Diego. Johnson currently holds three offers from Arizona, San Diego St., and Colorado St.
Arrington was a massive in-season stock riser on the 2026 recruiting trail picking up offers from Penn St., San Diego St., and San Jose St in the fall. He’s a fluid, lengthy athlete at 6’3″/165 with D-I level speed and natural athleticism. He’s dangerous as a ball-carrier with the burst and elusiveness to produce explosive plays after the catch and in the return game. He possesses the speed to run with WRs downfield and the physical tools to be an effective cover-corner on the perimeter. Arrington established himself as one of the most naturally gifted athletes in San Diego’s 2026 class this season.