2026 Weekend Watchlist

The Prep Redzone Kansas Team plowed through tape all weekend looking for young talent who needs to be upgraded or added to the rapidly approaching 2026 ranking updates in May.   And, along with that, my marathon film study continues in order to see as many players in action as possible. My plan for this month remains the same, publishing reports three times a week that provide status on the 2026 stars in development, as well as select five to seven players in each report who seriously caught my eye in the daily/weekly review process.   In this report, I will be focusing on a variety of different players and positions that have performed well enough to already be ranked, but for whatever reason have not been getting the coverage they deserve.   Listed below are the weekend stars in the Kansas football scene that jumped off the tape over the past few days.   The Weekend Five are listed below:   [player_tooltip player_id='586976' first='Pharrell' last='Adams'], 6'0, 210, LB, Wichita East, is ranked #7. He is coming off a standout sophomore season when he accumulated an impressive 110 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, six sacks, and added a fumble recovery and an interception for good measure. The "Beast From East" is already one of the top linebackers in the state and is making a name for himself as an athletic, explosive hitter. He can play any of the linebacker positions but particularly excels as a middle or inside backer who blows up the run game between the tackles. With a strong base, weaponized hands and good burst he shoots gaps like a heat-seeking missile and causes major disruption in the backfield. He is a defensive playmaker who is strong enough to bust offensive tackles in the mouth and still chase down backs on the perimeter. This kid is the real deal, get out and see him lead a powerful East defense this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='780429' first='Zane' last='Farney'], 6'0, 180, RB, Sterling, is ranked #37. He is coming off an incredible start to his high school career when he piled up 1,506 yards rushing, averaging 7.4 yards per carry and scored 16 touchdowns. He is also already a two-time all-state RB and was a finalist for the Offensive Player of the Year award a year ago. Lining up as a lone setback, he is a smooth, athletic, instinctive runner who finds gaps quickly and with his quick burst and acceleration is in the secondary before the defenders know what has happened. Once in the secondary, he uses the entire field as an elusive, slippery runner with great lateral movement who leaves defenders grasping at air. He is deceptively fast with excellent football speed, who was very rarely caught from behind once he broke loose on one of his many long TD runs. Definitely one to get out and see this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='780131' first='Nick' last='Pittman'], 6'2, 295, OT, Bishop Carroll, is ranked #71. He is coming off a good sophomore season and has been busy hitting the combine circuit this off season in order to take his game to the next level this fall. He is a driving blocker, who goes hard from snap to whistle, often concluding with the defender on the turf. He can play any of the positions along the offensive front but is particularly effective as a brawling tackle who can seal off the perimeter in pass pro or cave in down blocks in the running game. He has a strong base and uses his leverage well while neutralizing defenders in the trenches. He has good feet and moves well, particularly chipping and getting to the second level to cut off linebackers. Get out and see a guy who is going to be a force in the trenches this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='986134' first='Noah' last='Kobuszewski'], 6'4, 240, TE, Topeka Seaman, is ranked #11. He is coming off an excellent sophomore campaign when he put Kansas on notice as a big, athletic receiver who has just scratched the surface. A versatile receiver who lines up in tight but can also split out wide, line up in the slot or operate as an H-back. He is a long and large target with soft hands and a huge catch radius. He was used in a variety of ways in the Seaman offense to get him the ball in space. On short-intermediate slants, outs and hitches he finds seams in the defense and once he has the ball in his hands is a powerful, physical runner who piles up yards after the catch. He is also a devastating weapon in the end zone where he uses his size and length to go up to the apex-point of the pass and make the contested catch. Get out and see a diamond in the rough this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='780089' first='David' last='Wakes'], 5'11, 190, RB, Shawnee Heights, is ranked #30. He is coming off a solid sophomore season when he gave opponents an idea of what to expect for the next few years. A powerful, bruising runner who hits the hole hard, making decisive cuts and then uses his good burst and acceleration to create immediate separation. He is a physical, slasher of a runner with a low center of gravity on impact and is tough to bring down in the open field. He shreds arm tackles and when he decides to run someone over he lowers the boom on defenders in his path, often dragging multiple players with him. He is a tough, old-school running back who can get his team the tough yards, but is also a dangerous playmaker who can make things happen. Get this kid on your watchlist and get out and see him while you still can.   In conclusion, some of these guys may not be getting a ton of 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.

The Prep Redzone Kansas Team plowed through tape all weekend looking for young talent who needs to be upgraded or added to the rapidly approaching 2026 ranking updates in May.