Weekend Film Review: 2026 Baller Alert

The Prep Redzone Kansas Team continued the marathon film study over the weekend, pouring thorough available film, as well as getting out and seeing players in action, visiting with coaches and keeping a finger on social media to update our 2026 database of player information.   My on-going film review will continue into the foreseeable future as there are approximately 300-400 players and future stars to take a look at in the next few weeks. There is a ton of young talent in Kansas.   In my weekend film analysis, I took a look at one of the rising young stars in the Kansas football scene as well as a bunch players who are already making a name for themselves but are not getting the kind of attention they deserve. That will change this fall, as they are just getting started.   The Weekend Five are listed below:   [player_tooltip player_id='585904' first='Jaylen' last='Mason'], 6'2, 185, QB, Wichita Northwest, is ranked #2. He is coming off a breakout season while putting the rest of the state on notice that there is a new sheriff in town. He is a dangerous dual-threat quarterback who has an impressive maturity to his game already. He is poised in the pocket, with athletic feet and uses his eyes to move defenders. He has a compact shoulder rotation, a seamless release and throws an accurate ball. He can make all of the throws from deep seam routes to quick-release outs and slants, as well as from off-platform and from different launch angles. He throws well on the move and has good mechanics throwing to the left. He is flawless in the run-pass option and a good runner whether it is on designed runs or extending plays. Get your popcorn out this fall, this kid is for real.   [player_tooltip player_id='1241209' first='Jackson' last='Reed'], 6'0, 185, OLB, Eisenhower, is currently unranked. He is coming off a standout season a year ago as one of the few sophomore starters on a top-notch Eisenhower defensive unit. An active, aggressive, headhunter of an outside linebacker, he has excellent football instincts and is particularly effective at timing the blitz and shooting gaps. When he drops down to come off the edge, he blows by blockers with good body lean and quickness. He has good read and react skills and will step up and hit blockers in the mouth while slamming the gate shut on the run game between the tackles. He moves well laterally and takes good pursuit angles. He is also a suffocating tackler who will deliver a blow in the open field. Get out and see a rising star in the Wichita area.   [player_tooltip player_id='1241211' first='Mason' last='Martin'], 6'2, 165, WR/CB, Hoisington, is currently unranked. He is coming off a good sophomore season as a versatile two-way player. On offense, he is split wide and forces mismatches all over the field. He is a long, athletic receiver with an above-average catch radius. He has soft hands, runs tight, precision routes and works the sidelines effectively. He is fearless going over the middle and is comfortable making the contested catch in a crowd or going up to the apex point of the ball in the end zone. On defense, he is a smothering cornerback who can jam the receiver at the line or turn and go, flipping his hips and playing bump and run. He back pedals smoothly and shifts gears in response to misdirection well. He can play man or float in zone, baiting the QB to try and throw his way. Get him on your watch list for this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1083225' first='Trenton' last='Kern'], 6'1, 225, MLB, Great Bend, is ranked #9. He is coming off an outstanding sophomore season as an athletic All-State linebacker who is gearing up for great things to come. He is also a special teams warrior, whether he is blocking kicks or as a standout punter. As one of the best linebackers in the state, he can play any of the backer positions, but he is most effective as a head-banger of a middle linebacker who blows up the running game between the tackles. He is a tough, physical, old-school linebacker who has great football instincts and flows fast to the ball. He is very effective at stuffing the run but also excels in the open field, taking out backs on the perimeter or sliding back into zone on pass coverage. Get out and see a star on the rise this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1241213' first='Leland' last='Bradshaw'], 6'2, 250, DT/G, Eudora, is currently unranked. He is coming off an excellent start to his high school career as brawler of a defensive lineman who can play anywhere along the defensive front but is particularly effective as a tackle deep down in the trenches. He has a powerful base and frame and maintains good pad level coming off the ball. He has an excellent initial step and uses his strong hands to neutralize blockers before shucking them to the side. He has quick feet, moves well laterally and flows fast and hard before lowering the boom on the ball carrier. He is an active force in the middle with a nose for the football. Definitely one that is flying under the radar, get out and see him this fall.     In conclusion, 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 continued the marathon film study over the weekend, pouring thorough available film, as well as getting out and seeing players in action, visiting with coaches and keeping a finger on social media to update our 2026 database of player information.