PRZNE 2026 Rankings Update | Watchlist Gems
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Just because the 2026 rankings only list the top 75, doesn’t mean the star power ends there! Check out these four players listed in the 2026 watchlist that I believe are hidden gems and could be huge risers as they…
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Continue ReadingJust because the 2026 rankings only list the top 75, doesn’t mean the star power ends there! Check out these four players listed in the 2026 watchlist that I believe are hidden gems and could be huge risers as they go into their junior seasons.
Full 2026 rankings are available HERE.
The Cavaliers fielded a somewhat young offensive line who had to learn on the fly. One group member who wasted no time standing out was sophomore Dylan Choutka Dylan Choutka 6’1″ | 210 lbs | OL Bishop Neumann | 2026 State NE , who played well on both the offensive and defensive lines. His play at right tackle helped pave the way for a Cavaliers rushing attack that totaled nearly 3,000 yards on the ground. One thing that stood out is that Dylan constantly brings the fight to his opponent, especially as a run blocker, where he can display his mean streak. He’s very mobile and can easily reach the second level to clear out linebackers. Choutka does a great job with this positioning on blocks and has the strength to overpower and move defenders out of running lanes.
The Lincoln Lutheran Warriors have much to look forward to with emerging two-way sophomore Trenton Ernst Trenton Ernst ATH Lincoln Lutheran | 2026 State NE . Trenton is a player who was a staple in our weekly “Top Performers” series during the season either due to his offensive or defensive production, ending the season with 56 receptions for 695 yards and 5 receiving touchdowns while also posting 23 tackles, a TFL, and a team-leading three interceptions. My biggest takeaway from watching Trenton’s HUDL clips is how fluid of an athlete he is on both sides of the ball. Ernst has quick footwork, fluid hips, and a high football IQ. On offense, he does a great job eating up man coverage, especially coming out of the slot, with his slick route-running and great sense for finding weak zones in coverage. Ernst has an elite ability to track the ball in the air and has the speed and quickness to get under it. He’s not a big player, but he does seem to play bigger than his size and will go up for contested balls or bat away passes with no hesitation. Hope to see more of Trenton this offseason!
The Gering Bulldog’s defense featured several defenders who spent the entire season flying around the field. One of those was linebacker Bo Gable Bo Gable 6’0″ | 180 lbs | ATH Gering | 2026 State NE who ended his year near the top of his team’s tackles list with 80 total tackles, a TFL, and a fumble recovery. Bo is a solid athlete with upside at both offense and defense. He’s a versatile outside linebacker who can play coverage or be lined up near the line of scrimmage. Bo is a reactive player who reads his keys well and can quickly get to his spot to make a play. He is athletic enough to pick up backs and tight ends in coverage. He can do On offense, I really liked seeing the physicality Bo brings as a blocker, as he never passed on the opportunity to pancake a defender. Great jump ball receiver! I am looking forward to seeing more of Bo in the upcoming years.
Seth emerged as one of the budding young stars on the upstart Gretna East Griffins. The sophomore receiver ended his season as the team leader in receptions and receiving yards with 27 receptions for 533 receiving yards and three touchdowns, averaging an impressive 17.4 yards per reception. Seth plays with a little more seasoning to his game than most receivers his age. He really stands out with his route-running, displaying quick, shifty footwork and a good sense of where soft spots in the defense will be. There were several plays in Seth’s tape where he could exploit empty zones and make defenders bite on double moves to give himself extra room for separation. Tough player— Seth had a few receptions in which he had to battle with DBs and hold onto the ball through contact. Kraegel also displayed a nice burst after the catch and tacked some YAC after some of his receptions. Expect Seth to be a key part of the Griffin’s talented young core for the next few seasons.
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