2026 Watchlist For Upcoming Ranking Updates

With the 2026 ranking updates rapidly approaching, the Prep Redzone Kansas Team continues to analyze film and visit with coaches and players to ensure the new ranking updates will be as comprehensive and accurate as possible.   My marathon tale-of-the-tape film review continues unimpeded as there are 300+ players and future stars to take a look at in the coming weeks. There is a ton of young talent in Kansas and I want to make sure and cover as much as I can with the time available.   In my latest film review over the last couple days I flushed out a number of unranked players that need some attention, as well as narrowed down my list for the Mid-Week Five that I will be reporting on today. The studs below made the final cut and it is an impressive bunch. These guys are getting ready to make some noise this fall.     The Mid-Week Five are listed below:     [player_tooltip player_id='780500' first='Carter' last='Hajek'], 6'0, 205, ATH, Nemaha Central, is ranked #10. He is coming off an extraordinary state-championship sophomore year when he not only amassed just under 3,400 total yards and 56 touchdowns, but was 2A offensive player of the year and non-senior defensive player of the year. As a rugged wildcat quarterback he carried the ball over 350 times and finished second in the state in rushing with over 2,400 yards. He also passed for 962 yards and had a sparkling 102 QBR, but where he shines is as a powerful runner who hits like a hammer, shreds arm tackles, is surprisingly deceptive in the open field and has a knack for finding the endzone. On defense he was among the state leaders in interceptions, using his instincts and read and react skills to swarm the ball in flight. Get your popcorn out for this kid, he's going to take things to a whole new level.   [player_tooltip player_id='780309' first='A'maree' last='Bohannon'], 5'11, 175, Wichita East, is ranked #29. One half of the celebrated Bohannon brothers, he is coming off an excellent season a year ago as a versatile defensive back with a nose for the football. He is athletic enough to play any of the positions in the secondary from being a shutdown corner to centerfielder free safety roaming the deep zones. He has good speed and tracks the ball well, flipping his hips and controlling his body to stay in the receiver's hip pocket. He reads the quarterback and scheme quickly and will close fast to make tackles at the line of scrimmage or on the perimeter. He can play a finesse game in zone or get physical delivering a blow on the run or making life miserable for receivers. He is a smothering open-field tackler who seems to always be around the ball. Get out and see him shine this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1229117' first='Ian' last='Premer'], 6'6, 205, WR/DB, Great Bend, is currently unranked. He is coming off a standout sophomore season when he caught 32 passes for 538 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging just under 17 yards a catch. He was also a top-flight safety on defense, racking up 64 tackles and picking off four passes. A long, athletic wideout with excellent hands and a huge catch radius, he goes up to the apex-point of the pass and is almost impossible to stop in the endzone. He is usually split wide to force secondary mismatches and take advantage of his physical tools. He really shines on yards after the catch, demonstrating good lateral movement and body control. He is also a standout safety on defense where he is a ballhawk floating over the top and using his football instincts to fly to the ball. He is already getting a lot of big program looks, get out and see him while you still can.   [player_tooltip player_id='1228933' first='Peyton' last='Goble'], 6'0, 245, OL, Derby, is currently unranked. He is coming off an injury-shortened year when he was off and running on a great start to his high school career. He is a well-rounded offensive lineman with good skill sets who can play anywhere along the LOS but is particularly effective at either guard position. He has a strong frame and good feet and show cases his ability to block well in space and in pass pro. He is very effective pulling and blasting the edge or shifting gears up field to cut off linebackers. He locks in getting good leverage and caves in down blocks and walls off the middle in pass pro. He has excellent technique, using his feet and hands effectively and jarring defenders when he strikes pads. Get out and see a rising star in the trenches while you still can.   [player_tooltip player_id='283951' first='Kamarion' last='Bodney'], 6'4, 195, WR, Wichita Heights, is currently unranked. He is coming off a breakthrough season a year ago as a long, rangy wide receiver who can make things happen. He has an excellent wing span for a wideout and has soft hands making the difficult catch. Although he lines up in tight on occasion he is used more on the flank to overwhelm corners and get him the ball in open space. He is a big, physical receiver who runs good routes underneath setting up the long ball. He moves well laterally, is deceptively fast and is very difficult to tackle once he has the ball. He is athletic enough to eat up man coverage and blow through zone on his way to the endzone. If you are in Wichita you need to get out and see this guy in action in 2024.     In conclusion, get out and watch these guys or put them on your watchlist to follow through the remainder of their high school football careers. And, as usual, feel free to reach out to me with any comments, questions, or if you have any names of players “flying under the radar”, via DM on X.

With the 2026 ranking updates rapidly approaching, the Prep Redzone Kansas Team continues to analyze film and visit with coaches and players to ensure the new ranking updates will be as comprehensive and accurate as possible.