2026 Five On the Rise

With the 2026 ranking updates coming in hard and fast, the Prep Redzone Kansas Team continues to pour thorough available film, as well as getting out and seeing players in action in the off-season, visiting with coaches and other scouts and keeping a finger on social media to update our 2026 database of player information.   My on-going film review will continue seven days a week for the foreseeable future as there are approximately 300+ players and future stars to take a look at in the next few weeks. It is exciting to see the level of young talent in Kansas.   In my latest film review this week I uncovered some players who are already making a name for themselves but maybe are not getting the kind of attention they deserve. These guys are getting ready to take the gridiron by storm in 2024.     The End-of-the-Week Five are listed below:     [player_tooltip player_id='426515' first='Brayden' last='Pappas'], 5'9, 185, RB/LB, Eisenhower, is ranked #31. He is coming off a standout sophomore season when he played five different positions and put the state on notice of things to come. A versatile two-way player, he focused on defense last season as a headhunting linebacker, piling up 64 tackles on a tough Eisenhower defense. This year he will continue to go both ways but will focus on carrying the ball. Lining up as a single back he has a low center of gravity and is a slashing, pounding runner who makes decisive cuts with good burst and acceleration in the open field. He is a physical runner between the tackles and can also hit the corner and outrun defenders on the perimeter. This kid is going to enable the Eisenhower offense to really pop this fall, get out and see him in action.   [player_tooltip player_id='1113368' first='Daxton' last='Minton'], 6'0, 180, QB, Great Bend, is ranked #45. He is coming off a breakthrough season a year ago when he passed for 1,493 yards, 17 TDs and had a sparkling 98.3 QBR. He also gained 663 yards rushing and added another seven touchdowns, averaging 9.5 yards per carry. A dangerous dual-threat quarterback, he can make all of the throws, from short rhythm throws on outs, slants and crossing routes, to the deep touch pass. He is very comfortable throwing on the move and is adept at extending plays with his legs. His throwing motion could be a little more compact as he drops the ball in his shoulder rotation on occasion, but that can be tightened up in the off season. He can also throw off platform or from a wide range of launch angles. He is getting ready to go off this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='780113' first='Tyren' last='Parker'], 6'3, 185, WR/CB, Shawnee Heights, is ranked #25. He is coming off a standout season as a two-way star coming into his own. A long, athletic wide receiver with an excellent catch radius, he is also a smothering cornerback on defense. As a WR he is usually split wide on the weak side to expose mismatches. He is a smooth route runner who can make the contested catch or go up to the apex-point for the ball going over the middle. He is also a feared deep threat who uses his speed and acceleration to burn up the sidelines. On defense he is a prototype defensive back who can play as a physical lockdown corner but can also flip his hips and play bump and run with the fastest wideouts. He is also a speed burner of a return man who hits the gap with a burst and is gone. Get your popcorn out for this kid in 2024.   [player_tooltip player_id='638565' first='Leeland' last='Barth'], 6'2, 280, OL, Olathe North, is ranked #79. He is coming off a solid sophomore season and is getting geared up for a next-level campaign this fall. He is a big-framed mauler of a blocker who can play either offensive tackle position. He is still a little raw in the trenches as he stands up out of his stance a little too often, but you can see the potential power when he unloads on down blocks and walls off in pass pro. He locks up well on defenders, using his large frame and length to get under the defenders pads and drive from snap to whistle. He has a strong base and uses his leverage well when delivering a blow in the running game. He is getting ready to take a huge step this fall.   Elvis Ortego-Salanda, 5'8, 175, RB/WR, Garden City, is currently unranked. He is coming off a breakout season in 2023 as a versatile offensive weapon in the Garden City offense. He can line up as a single back, H-back, on the wing or flexed out wide as needed. He has good wheels and accelerates well to the perimeter on the variety of sweeps and reverses where he is featured in the offense. He is a rugged runner for his size, who hits hard, spins, jukes, moves well laterally and seems to always pick up yardage after initial contact. He is also an excellent receiver out of the backfield or flanked out, with soft hands and the ability to make the tough catch. He has a nose for the first-down marker or the end zone, whatever his team needs. Dynamite comes in small packages, get out and see him light the fuse this fall.     In conclusion, these guys may not be getting the big-time attention yet, but that is getting ready to change this fall. Put them on your watchlist and get out and see them while you still can. And, as always, if you have comments, questions or want to pass on information on players "flying under the radar" feel free to reach out to me via DM on X.

With the 2026 ranking updates coming in hard and fast, the Prep Redzone Kansas Team continues to pour thorough available film, as well as getting out and seeing players in action in the off-season, visiting with coaches and other scouts and keeping a finger on social media to update our 2026 database of player information.