PRZIA 2026 Rankings Update | Watchlist Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: OscarGalindo30 in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With every new set of rankings, there is always a group of watchlist players who I note as potential risers. The 2026 watchlist is no different, as several players, I believe, are in store for huge pushes this offseason. These players are guys who possess "can't miss" tangibles/size or are varsity contributors but have yet to post tape to review.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out these four watchlist players who could make a big jump for the next update!</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":["1238537"],"_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":"Despite not having tape available to watch, it was very hard to not look at Zach and think about the massive potential. Part of what caught my attention about Breitbach was his listed size at 6'4u0022 and 295 pounds, which is easy to get excited about. Couple that with the fact that he comes out of an Ankeny program that has pumped out some great talent on the OL and that Zach will have an opportunity to make a push for more minutes on varsity next season, and it's clear why he's a player I'm going to keep a close eye on.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6625d81fe1cc8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1248124"],"_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":"Lawton-Bronson has a pretty solid 2026 group that has already contributed big time. Among that group was linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1248124' first='Lane' last='Mitchell'], who had a spectacular sophomore season in which he racked up 43.5 tackles (tied for 2nd on team), 7.5 TFLs, and two sacks. We couldn't get film on Lane, but seeing his early production gives us tons of optimism about him going forward. I expect Lane to make the rankings sooner rather than later.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6625d81fe1d2a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1242843"],"_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":"This was one of my biggest misses in this update. OABCIG's [player_tooltip player_id='1242843' first='Jack' last='Gilbert'] is an interesting prospect who was an electric two-way contributor. The Falcon's sophomore capped off last season with 27 receptions, 366 receiving yards, five receiving touchdowns, 24.5 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions (one returned for a TD). When watching Jack's tape I couldn't help but think that he never seems out of position whether he's on offense or defense. As a receiver, he does an excellent job slipping into open windows for his QB to find him, especially over the middle of the field and on intermediate routes. Jack also has the toughness to hang on to the ball through contact and can tuck the ball and rumble his way upfield for extra yardage. On defense, Gilbert fills his assignments very well, whether it be pass coverage or rushing the passer. He displayed nice fluidity in coverage with the ability to flip his hips and change direction quickly to break on the ball. Gilbert plays with a mean, physical edge to his game when he's allowed to pin his ears back to do some head-hunting. Great tackler. Most definitely a player who should be on the ranked list!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6625d81fe1d87"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20167440/65507c166898e9135c5e3865' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6625d81fe1e2d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1221969"],"_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":"Cedar Fall's [player_tooltip player_id='1221969' first='Jaden' last='Ubben'] was an impressive-looking athlete who caught my attention in this round of updates. Ubben is listed as a tight end and defensive end with the frame and athleticism to continue growing into either of those positions. The only thing that kept Jaden from making the rankings was that we didn't have a ton of film on him. However, in the clips that we did see, Jaden gave us tons to look forward to with flashes of his playmaking ability. Just in the clip below against Waterloo West, you can see Jaden's instincts and play recognition shine as he reads the screen and is able to make a play on the ball before taking it all the way back for a score. Expect Jaden to keep rising as he gets more opportunities.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6625d81fe1e86"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17858168/64fb47205b46d70c5c5a2bfa' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6625d81fe1ea4"} /--> <!-- 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 -->