Rankings Update: 2026 Small School New Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, Prep Redzone published a new round of rankings for the class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at the five newly ranked players among the 200 ranked athletes. Each athlete is from a smaller program in the state. This is the third report about the updated Kansas rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1229091' first='Tyler' last='Backman'],</strong> RB, 6'0”, 165, Norton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Backman enters the rankings in the No. 130 slot. He played running back last season for Norton, but could also play linebacker. He rushed for 618 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games during his sophomore season. He is also a threat in the passing game as he caught 11 balls for 136 yards and one touchdown last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1229092' first='Arihm' last='Gonzalez'],</strong> LB, 5'11”, 170, Stanton County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stanton County's Gonzalez enters the rankings at No. 131 overall.  He had an impactive sophomore season on defense and offense for the Trojans. In seven games, he finished with 48 total tackles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception. On the flip side, he rushed for 594 and four touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1229109' first='Brevyn' last='Campbell'],</strong> LB, 5'10”, 175, Marmaton Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Campbell is a multiple-sport athlete for the Wildcats. He racked up an impressive 106 total tackles in nine games as a sophomore. His speed and instincts led him to five tackles-for-loss and one quarterback sack. He also has a knack for creating turnovers finishing with one interception and one fumble recovery last fall. Campbell is currently ranked No. 132 in the Kansas Class of 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1229114' first='Caleb' last='Strathman']</strong>, LB, 5'10”, 160, Nemaha Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone ranked the Nemaha Central sophomore in the No. 133 position. He was a productive two-way athlete for the Thunder last season. In 13 games he recorded 84 total tackles. He finishes tackles, but also plays well in pass coverage. He registered six pass breakups and two interceptions last season. Offensively he scored seven total touchdowns and gained 359 yards receiving and 213 on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1261286' first='Talon' last='Conrad']</strong>, LB, 6'1”, 205, Wamego</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wamego's Conrad is a tough-nosed linebacker who enters the ranking in the No. 134 spot. Conrad has a nice combination of size and speed. Conrad's motor runs high and his experience playing for a perennial state title contender in Wamego will provide multiple intangibles that college coaches hunt for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->