PRZIA 2026 Rankings Update | Small Town Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;OscarGalindo30&nbsp;in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One thing we make sure to do here at Prep Redzone is make sure that we are providing even coverage throughout the state. No matter the size of the school, we make sure to do our digging to find standout players who project well to the next level. After our recent update to the 2026 class rankings, I figured I could highlight some of the smaller school players who never fail to bring the juice to the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out four of my 2026 small school standouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238533"],"_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":"Jorden's play on the backend of the West Lyon defense was impressive to watch and earned him a spot as a top 7 defensive back in his class. The first thing that popped out about Jorden's tape was his playmaking ability and nose for the football. Jorden is a very rangy player who can cover a lot of ground from that deep field spot and does an excellent job reading the entire field. Once he keys in on his reads, he displays great closing speed to the ball. Meyer is a very willing tackle who won't hesitate to step up to defend the run and showed that he can take on ball-carriers 1v1 in the open field. He showed his playmaking ability after finishing the year with 4 interceptions while also tacking on 27.5 tackles, a TFL, and 2 fumble recoveries. Jorden is also an asset as a return man and should step into a bigger role on offense as a junior. Big things coming up for Jorden!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66307a9a6d12d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17415436/655658fb5b3caa0270f08f24' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66307a9a6d1eb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1242834"],"_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":"Here's a big, versatile athlete who is primed to turn some heads once he gets in front of more coaches. Mulder had a statement season as a sophomore, carrying the ball 144 times for a team-leading 833 yards and scoring nine rushing touchdowns. Brayson flashes great vision and patience when carrying the ball and can find open lanes seamlessly. At 6'4u0022 and 205 pounds, Brayson is a handful to try and tackle, especially when he can get a head of steam going. If you decide to stay in his way, Brayson will either run past you, through you, or even over you. Great burst and acceleration once he sees the open field. Even with Brayson's huge rushing season, I believe he projects best on defense, where he can use his length and athleticism to terrorize opposing quarterbacks. Mulder is quick to get off the ball and does a great job making impactful initial contact to stun his opponents before ripping through to get into the backfield. Great pursuit. Brayson ended his sophomore season with 27.5 tackles, 6 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, and an interception. Get this guy in front of coaches!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66307a9a6d247"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18063455/6557c7242ab0be05547eccb7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66307a9a6d267"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1242256"],"_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":"One of the more interesting prospects that I've reviewed in this class! Nevada's [player_tooltip player_id='1242256' first='Austin' last='Waldera'] had a big breakout season in his first year as a starter with 57 tackles, 6 TFLs, and a fumble recovery while playing a nickel/OLB/safety hybrid role. Waldera has the size and strength of a linebacker but flashes the fluidity and coverage skills of a defensive back. He did a great job covering slot receivers and showed the quickness and agility to stay with right on their hip pockets through the route. I like Austin's aggressiveness when he is asked to play downhill, especially at the LOS where he displayed the physicality to disengage from blocks in order to pursue the ball. Just a gamer on the field!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66307a9a6d2dc"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17977823/65c89ae00c54121100f28ad0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66307a9a6d2fc"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1241490"],"_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":"Osage sophomore receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1241490' first='Sage' last='Christensen'] made a top-125 debut on the rankings and has the potential to keep rising for our next update. Sage had a solid showing as the WR3 for the Green Devils, ending the year with 14 receptions for 180 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns. I really enjoyed watching Christensen's tape and was very impressed with his ability to find open spots in the defense. He does a great job improvising when plays break down and has a solid connection with his QB, which allows him to go exactly where he needs to go. He does a great job following through the catch process and exhibits the body control to adjust to the ball mid-catch. Christensen also recorded 25.5 tackles on defense. Solid prospect with massive upside!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66307a9a6d351"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18223210/652eb58cf56156077837916f' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66307a9a6d36f"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Make sure to follow @P</em>RZ_OscarG for more coverage of Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting news.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->