New to the 2026 Rankings (71-80)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 Rankings have been updated and increased to 100 total players ranked in the class. 62 new players have seen their name added in the update and we'll break down who was added. Here were the players who debuted in the 2026 rankings in this update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1138213"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Bridgeport sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1138213' first='Noah' last='West'] was fun to watch when watching his highlights from this season and enters the 2026 rankings as the #15 OL and #71 overall player in the class. If he were 2-3 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier he'd probably be in the Top 50. At 6'0 235, he's undersized right now but West still has two more years to hit a growth spurt and raise his ceiling. His play on the field though was impressive for a sophomore offensive lineman starting on a very good Indians' team and program. Of course, he's very polished in run blocking in their single-wing scheme and is your prototypical tough physical Bridgeport lineman. Being asked to pull a lot in their offense gives you a good barometer of his athleticism and he moves well for a young lineman. West is powerful for his age and strong which was apparent by seeing the number of pancakes and knockdowns on his highlight tape. You can tell he plays with an edge and a bit of a nasty streak which is typical of players in that program. His size allows him to play with good leverage and he has good drive off of the ball. If he grows physically his ranking will increase in the future and stock will rise.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1138543"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1138543' first='Abelardo' last='Meza'] was a sophomore two-way starting lineman on a Class AAA Spring Mills playoff quarterfinals team and now ranks as a Top 75 player and #7 DL in the 2026 class. Meza could be ranked as an OL or DL but with his current size of 6'1 240 he projects better as a defensive lineman. However, I thought his play at offensive tackle was really good for a sophomore playing a tough schedule. Meza showed quick feet on offense with apparent athleticism that many young linemen don't have. His kick steps at tackle looked smooth and quick which also translates to the defensive line. Meza can play zero through three-tech along the interior and has room to add size to his frame to play there in college. He can take on double teams on the DL with the physicality and strength to hold his ground when he's doubled. Meza also has the quickness and speed to run down ball carriers when the play is away from him. I think he can move up in the rankings in the next two years if he continues on his current trajectory.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1139376"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Musselman linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1139376' first='Colton' last='Shelton'] is an intriguing prospect because of his size and athleticism. Shelton only stands at 5'8 155 playing varsity linebacker on a Class AAA team in a tough conference but performs above his size. Shelton is a very good athlete doubling as a point guard on the Applemen basketball team and seeing time as a running back too. Shelton has a knack for the football on defense which was on display in Musselman's 6-0 win over Hedgesville when he returned a fumble for the game-winning touchdown and forced an interception on a tipped pass. Whether or not he can play linebacker in college will depend on how much bigger he gets the next two years but Shelton appears to have plenty of athleticism to slide back to safety if not. If he increases in size in the future his ranking is sure to rise and one of the only things lowering his ceiling right now.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["906670"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Another Musselman Appleman that I liked in the 2026 class is tight end [player_tooltip player_id='906670' first='Sean' last='Benton']. Benton is a JV player right now for them but I imagine he'll see varsity action next season to help fill the hole of the graduating [player_tooltip player_id='891260' first='Troy' last='Woolaston'] at TE. I think Benton would've been a starting varsity TE at a lot of schools in WV this season but the patience waiting his turn will only benefit him the next two years. He has very good size for a young TE at 6'4 205 with plenty of room to continue adding weight to his long frame. I would have liked to have seen blocking highlights to gauge that aspect of the position, but it appears he was used as more of a big-bodied wideout at the JV level. Benton does have very good ball skills and although he'll face more talented defenders at the varsity level he was able to go over the top of them and snag contested catches. It looked like he had quality speed after the catch as well and could get yards after the catch. If Benton performs at the varsity level in the next two years his ranking is sure to increase.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["894628"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"A young safety prospect that I like is Wheeling Park's [player_tooltip player_id='894628' first='Isaac' last='Sands'] who had a productive sophomore season for the Patriots. Sands totaled 28 tackles, 7 passes defended, and 2 interceptions during his sophomore campaign on a Class AAA playoff squad. He saw varsity time as a freshman at Wheeling Central Catholic before transferring over to Wheeling Park where he became a starter. Sands is a versatile DB who can play as a center fielding deep safety or creep into the box to fit the run but also line up over a slot receiver. He has good pursuit and recovery speed while also being quick enough to make a tackle in space. I like his natural instincts at safety and he appears to have a high football IQ for his age. Sands does a nice job reading the play and putting himself in the right position to make a play on the ball and on a ball carrier. A bit undersized right now at 5'8 165, but he has time to keep growing and getting stronger which will benefit his game even further and raise his ceiling.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["894678"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"The Linsly Cadets have two pass catchers in our 2026 Top 100 with the second being [player_tooltip player_id='894678' first='Lucca' last='Troullos']. The 5'10 140 slot receiver saw plenty of varsity action this season for the Cadets playing some very good competition. His role increased the second half of the season due to an injury to a fellow receiver which should give Troullos good momentum going into his junior year. A good off-season in the weight room and further development will benefit his game but he has a good foundation to work off of. Troullos was mainly an underneath route runner in their offense so it will be good to see him add to his toolbelt in the future with higher depth routes. He also showed good things on special teams where he can make plays as a returner on punts and kickoffs. Troullos is pretty raw right now and probably produced a year earlier than they expected but early playing time in a very good program will greatly benefit him moving forward making it exciting to watch him develop.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659f4e8186dab"} /-->