Need to Know 2026s
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Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a new PRZ WI subscription! The sophomore Class has a lot of names that are going to catch the attention of the next level early and often as they enter their junior season. However,…
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The sophomore Class has a lot of names that are going to catch the attention of the next level early and often as they enter their junior season. However, there are a stable of kids that coaches should not wait to learn about. These are athletes I expect to develop into high end prospects. Get these dudes on your boards now, and check out the film to see the potential for yourselves. Let’s get started.
A QB I expect to watch take over a varsity job is West De Pere’s Patrick Greisen. The impressive sophomore is poised for a big breakout year, but coaches need to get him on their radars now. Patrick has a growing frame that has him looking the part of a prototypical signal caller. The underclassman has developed excellent mechanics at a young age. From his feet to his eyes, you see his whole body work together to get the ball out quickly, accurately, and with zip on the ball. The spot on accuracy is so impressive. He knows when he needs to put it up high, back shoulder, or right in stride. His ability to put touch on the ball or rip it downfield between two defenders is next level quality. The young playmaker also does a great job of moving in the pocket to buy time while keeping his eyes downfield. Big things are ahead for Greisen.
An impressive athlete who has made an impact in the varsity defensive backfield of Kaukauna is safety Luke Tetzlaff Luke Tetzlaff 6’2″ | 185 lbs | DB Kaukauna | 2026 State WI . The sophomore already has a strong, athletic frame with size to play at a high level of college football. Watching the tape, I quickly became impressed by how well the safety was able to flip his hips and change direction in any way out of his backpedal. Luke flashed the speed and range to be able to make plays all over the field from the safety position. He has developed strong instincts and a quick ability to read and diagnose plays. Luke is a very sure tackler that you can trust to be the last line of defense or make tackles against the run in the box. Tetzlaff is an athlete you can trust to roam the secondary and put himself in position to make plays. Add in the size, speed, and strength that he has and you have a high end prospect to know.
Ryan Westrich
Ryan Westrich
Ryan looks like a stud in the making. The sophomore has rare length in his 6’6″ 235 lbs frame. He jumps out of his four point stance and wins his reps in a slew of ways. His first step and long strides give him the chance to win with speed. The sophomore also wins with power. He can collapse the pocket with his bull rush and split double teams. Westrich also brings a high motor, and has the highlights showing him making plays just from not quitting. The big man also consistently gets his hands involved, maximizing his length. Ryan looks like a special prospect. He has traits you can’t teach, a high motor, and still so much to learn that will make him even more dangerous on the edge. Get to know him now.
Teams looking for the next wave of stud offensive linemen need to make sure they get eyes on the 6’4″ 280 lbs sophomore from Appleton East. Todd has a huge frame, but he sets himself apart with the quickness and athleticism that comes with that immense size. Todd makes it look easy as he bursts out to LBs or pulls and leads across the formation. Marx instantly turns that range into power on contact, flattening LBs and delivering devastating blocks on DL when he pulls. Todd is also able to maul DL that line up over him. The heavy handed OL is able to drive his man off the line, and he has the nasty mentality needed to thrive in the trenches. Todd looks to put everyone in the dirt. He is quickly turning into a dominant force on the OL.
Highlights
An exciting two way athlete who shines at WR and DB is sophomore Brandon Walton Brandon Walton 6’2″ | 155 lbs | ATH Kenosha Bradford | 2026 State WI from Kenosha Bradford. The long athlete jumps off the tape when you watch the highlights. The long athlete has excellent top end speed. Speed that he uses to pull away in the open field and beat pursuit angles on offense or chase down plays across the field or run with receivers in coverage. Despite the larger frame, Brandon is elusive with the ball in his hands. He is quickly developing the vision to set up blocks and find lanes with the ball in his hands. The awareness in zone coverage is also impressive. Walton sees receivers entering and leaving his zone. There are highlights showing him quickly drop and pick up new receivers and just as quickly flip his hips to turn and run with them. At this point, I could see Brandon playing either side of the ball at the next level. Check out the strong tape.
Lamont is a dominant basketball player, but football coaches need to get eyes on the sophomore stud early and often. Lamont is a two way playmaker with special traits. His speed jumps off the tape as he eats up cushion from DBs, stacks them, and runs away from them as he tracks the ball downfield. After the catch, Lamont is a shifty runner with sudden jukes and the agility/acceleration to make defenders miss. That suddenness also appears in his route running, especially on the quick routes that require sharp breaks. Lamont has the athleticism to shine on either side of the ball. Plus his hoops talents are going to have a lot of coaches checking him out. Give the tape a look.
Samuel “Sam” Simpson Samuel “Sam” Simpson 6'4" | 275 lbs | OL River Falls | 2026 State WI
Samuel “Sam” Simpson Samuel “Sam” Simpson 6'4" | 275 lbs | OL River Falls | 2026 State WI
River Falls has been pumping out next level athletes for years. An up and coming prospect is the 6’4″ 265 lbs OL Sam Simpson. The sophomore is developing into a dominant run blocker. He fires out of his stance, and uses leverage to his advantage very consistently. His highlights are full of examples of him getting underneath DL and bulldozing them off the line. The budding prospect also shows the athleticism to get up to the second level and still land those hard hitting blocks. The underclassman also brings that mean streak you need to set the tone in the trenches. Simpson looks like he has a bright future and a ton of future potential. Get to know the rising prospect.