Stock-Rising Midwest 2026s Earning First P4 Offers this Spring

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school football offseason, despite it sometimes feeling never-ending, is a whirlwind of offers, visits, commitments, recruiting graphics, dead periods, workouts, and flips, especially since the transfer portal has rose to the forefront of college football. With so much recruiting information and movement happening week to week, it can sometimes be hard to differentiate and identify what's important, who the up-and-coming names-to-know are, and congregate the overarching themes from season to season,which is why <em>PrepRedzone </em>is digging deep into the recruiting space and breaking down some of the most important Midwest-related news on the unceasing and relentless recruiting trail. First up, we've highlighted some Midwest 2026s Earning their First P4 Offers this spring. Just the beginning for these future recruiting superstars. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212322"],"_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":"Wheaton's \u003cem\u003eSt. Francis High School\u003c/em\u003e has been an Olympic-sized swimming pool of talent the past couple cycles and has some even more promising talent coming up in their 2026 and 2027 classes. I've been covering Illinois high school football for a few years now, and it was obvious since he was a freshman that 2026 WR \u003cstrong\u003eZachary Washington \u003c/strong\u003ewas bound for the bright lights of P5/P4 football one day. \u003cstrong\u003eWashington\u003c/strong\u003e has lived up to the hype both on the field and on the recruiting trail, and last season he was the state's second-leading sophomore receiver and posted 44 receptions for 777 yards and 11 TDs, as well as 5 INTs as a DB, in what was a prolific \u003cem\u003eSpartans\u003c/em\u003e passing attack that one could argue was in the upper echelons of the Midwest. \u003cstrong\u003eWashington\u003c/strong\u003e earned All-Conference, All-Area, and Underclassmen All-State honors for his production, brings good size to the table as a sophomore at 6'2, 175 lbs., already has two years of varsity experience, and became an FBS offeree back in July when Miami (OH) became his first offer. Nine months later, with offers from Western Michigan, Western Illinois, and Kent State coming in between, \u003cstrong\u003eWashington\u003c/strong\u003e officially became a P4-level prospect when the University of Wisconsin became his first P4 offer on April 20th.\r\n\r\nOn tape, \u003cstrong\u003eWashington's\u003c/strong\u003e speed is an absolute game-changer, and he is a smooth and fluid athlete with confidence and competitiveness far above what his age would suggest. The 6'2, 175 lber. owns a great frame, looks all of his reported 6'2, displays plenty of length, and has a lot of room to fill in throughout high school and college. \u003cstrong\u003eWashington\u003c/strong\u003e is a big-time deep threat with more than enough speed to take the top off the defense, and the speed also shows up after the catch with explosive impact. He demonstrates a big catch radius, great coordination, and strong hands that can reel in receptions away from his body, all of which helped him complete some highlight-reel catches as a sophomore. He also displays pace and smoothness out of his breaks that helps him pull away from DBs when the ball is in the air, powerful COD ability and quickness at the top of the route, and significant contact balance for his size that can power through tackle attempts like a much larger ball carrier. He was a big play machine against high-quality, bigger school Illinois competition and showed some real-deal skills as a defensive back as well. Fantastic vertical ability when climbing the ladder and high-pointing the football as a DB, ball-hawking instincts, and his COD ability shows up in his man coverage skills as well. Lightning speed, top-tier athleticism and body control, two-way dominance, and confidence above his years, he's a no-doubt P4 prospect with a bright future ahead of him.\r\n\r\nIllinois, Iowa State, Michigan State, and Cincinnati are kicking the tires this spring as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1221928"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Every year, we see underclassmen prospects from the state of Iowa emerge early on the recruiting trail and with force. Generally possessing eye-popping size, two-way and multi-sport versatility, and toughness, I'd bet that if analytical data were being tracked on the topic, Iowa products perform at a higher clip at the collegiate level than the majority of states in America. We have yet another Iowa native checking these aforementioned boxes in 6'7, 220 lb. \u003cem\u003eWaukee High\u003c/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eSchool\u003c/em\u003e TE/DE \u003cstrong\u003eEvan Jacobson\u003c/strong\u003e, who has seen his recruiting stock blow up this spring. As it goes with many Iowa products, an instate P4 program pulled the trigger first, as \u003cstrong\u003eJacobson\u003c/strong\u003e was offered by Iowa State in late March, and SEC Texas A\u0026amp;M followed a couple days ago for a heavyweight second offer.\r\n\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eJacobson\u003c/strong\u003e sports a notable and experienced basketball background running with MOKAN Elite, and the combination of size, speed, change of direction ability, and physicality is elite and displays NFL Draft potential. Plus, his brother played college basketball for Nebraska and Iowa State before switching to football, where he's currently a New Orleans Saints TE. Not only does he own some top-tier athletic traits, but Jacobson also is extremely versatile on the gridiron. He lined up all over the field and was used in a ton of different ways, both as a pass catcher and receiver, and can work as an inline TE, HB/wing, or flex out as a receiver to block or run routes. At 6'7, 220 with a ton of room to grow, his elite size and plus-length pop off the tape, and he did some great things in both the run and pass game as a sophomore. Displaying notable speed for his size that shows up on tape as a pass catcher, \u003cstrong\u003eJacobson\u003c/strong\u003e is a huge target in the passing game with a giant catch radius and the coordination and soft hands to reel in catches away from his body, and he even shows some shake and separation ability at the top of the route. As a blocker, he's a physical, strong, technically sound blocker who is powerful enough to handle DEs and linemen and nimble enough to break down and corral LBs and DBs out in space. Looks to finish and dominate his opponent when blocking as well. Normally, with TEs this size and this young, it's easy to say that they'd project well to the OT spot, which is normally the case, but \u003cstrong\u003eJacobson's\u003c/strong\u003e mobility, fluidity as a route runner, and versatility on the gridiron all lead me to believe that he could be a heckuva TE at the next level. I'm surprised he doesn't have double-digit P4 offers right now. All in good time, though.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1148535"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"A Wisconsin underclassman offensive lineman earning P4 attention? It's a tale as old as time and continued with 2026 \u003cem\u003eOak Creek High School\u003c/em\u003e 6'4, 300 lber. \u003cstrong\u003eJames Thomas\u003c/strong\u003e. Despite \u003cem\u003eOak Creek's\u003c/em\u003e tradition of producing high-quality high school football prospects, \u003cstrong\u003eThomas\u003c/strong\u003e came into his 2023 sophomore season unheralded and under the radar, which set up an eye-catching and explosive introduction to the Wisconsin and Midwest recruiting sphere when the Arkansas Razorbacks became offer #1 for the sophomore RT in mid-March. Now, he's the #1 prospect in Wisconsin's 2026 class, and the home state Badgers have also entered the mix after reaching out with an offer in early April. I shouldn't have to explain that it's a big deal when a Wisconsin kid earns the coveted Badgers offer, and \u003cstrong\u003eThomas\u003c/strong\u003e is looking like a heckuva talent out of the Badger State, even by the standard of OL recruits the state produces.\r\n\r\nAll of his 6'4, 300 lbs., \u003cstrong\u003eThomas\u003c/strong\u003e carries the weight well and is a strong, balanced, technically sound run blocker with good leg drive and some massive mits that knock opponents backward when he makes initial contact and gets under their chest plates. I like how he's laterally agile and can reach and square up DL outside of his gap, and his mobility extends to his ability to lead block and find work in space. Pass pro isn't passive, and \u003cstrong\u003eThomas\u003c/strong\u003e is a good example of that, as he brings the fight to his opponents and shows off a solid base and an effective pass set. The 300 lber. also understands leverage and knows how to take advantage of an opponent when he gets them off balance or out of position and has some thundering pancakes and finishes in his sophomore tape. A big, powerful mauler with a ton of time to continue developing his already-strong frame and some noticeable balance and agility, I think \u003cstrong\u003eThomas\u003c/strong\u003e looks primed to play iOL in college and is going to see make some even bigger waves on the recruiting trail when some junior tape starts coming out. Great move by the Razorbacks getting in there early!","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1229117"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The Sunflower State has been producing some outright freaky prep prospects as of late, especially in the 2025 class, and looks to keep the momentum going into 2026 with the help of recruits like \u003cem\u003eGreat Bend High School's\u003c/em\u003e 6'6, 210 lb. sophomore WR/TE \u003cstrong\u003eIan Premer\u003c/strong\u003e. Hard to notice \u003cstrong\u003ePremer\u003c/strong\u003e on the recruiting trail, as he brings an excellent frame as a pass catcher and a decorated and prolific basketball background to the table as a football prospect. \u003cstrong\u003ePremer\u003c/strong\u003e went for 21 PPG, 9 RPG, and 3 APG as a sophomore this spring on the hardcourt, and that size and multi-sport resume can be a deadly combination when combined correctly, which the Kansas native does. He's seen one of the biggest blowups of any 2026 in this article and the entire Midwest, as his first offer from the instate Kansas Jayhawks on March 11th led to offers from Nebraska, Tennessee, KState, Michigan State, Mizzou, Auburn, Indiana, Texas A\u0026amp;M, and Penn State.\r\n\r\nNow owning of the healthier offer lists in the Midwest 2026 crop of prospects, \u003cstrong\u003ePremer's\u003c/strong\u003e sophomore tape displays an absurdly tall, long, and athletic pass-catcher that is an obvious mismatch and nightmare assignment for DBs at the prep level. \u003cstrong\u003ePremer\u003c/strong\u003e can beat you in a variety of impressive ways while moving like a WR 6 inches shorter, but he takes full advantage of his eye-catching size in the contested catch and after-the-catch departments. Posting 32 receptions for 538 yards and 9 TDs, \u003cstrong\u003ePremer's\u003c/strong\u003e speed and premium length are the first two traits to pop off the tape, and despite his size, the WR/TE can easily take the top off the defense and has a ton of reps torching CBs deep and completing splash plays far downfield. A zone and man coverage beater, the 6'6, 210 lber. can complete receptions with DBs draped all over him, sports a huge catch radius, and can reel in one-handed, highlight-reel-worthy catches like it's a walk in the park. He demonstrates unsurprising contested catch capability given the basketball background and can climb the ladder and high-point the rock to win 50/50 balls over tight coverage while floating through the air and coming down with the rock through contact in an eye-catching fashion. \u003cstrong\u003ePremer's\u003c/strong\u003e quickness and cutting ability after the catch is as exciting as it is hard to find, and he put some nasty cuts on would-be tacklers that sent them flying past him grasping at air or clutching their ankles while trying to figure out how that XL ball carrier just cut on a dime so easily.\r\n\r\nIn the age of TEs becoming full-time pass-catching assets and game-changers, \u003cstrong\u003ePremer\u003c/strong\u003e is a can't-miss name in the 2026 with some elite upside at the position that could one day find its way into the NFL Draft. Top-tier speed, quickness, balance, and open field capability at his size.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["573482"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Ohio is one of the most fruitful and fertile recruiting grounds for high school football athletes, and year after year we see a prospect explode on the recruiting trail in quick and noteworthy fashion. For the 2026 class, \u003cem\u003eOlentangy High School's\u003c/em\u003e 6'1, 195 lb. safety \u003cstrong\u003eKaden Gebhardt\u003c/strong\u003e is the current representative of this trend, and although he did receive his first P4 offer in January from West Virginia, I think he still qualifies for this Midwest recruiting feature thanks to the volume of offers he added once the spring rolled around. Since February, Purdue, Indiana, Wisconsin, Duke, Cincinnati, and Oklahoma all have extended offers to the rising junior, who posted 129 tackles, 4 TFLs, 4 PBUs, 3 INTs, 2 FF, and a sack as a sophomore playing Division 1 high school football in Ohio.\r\n\r\nAn instinctive, dynamic, natural, physical, smooth, and fluid safety and third-level defender, \u003cstrong\u003eGebhardt\u003c/strong\u003e sports loose hips, great timing in his breaks, as he doesn't waste steps and breaks on the ball with noticeable and effective pace, and is dangerous with the ball in his hands and took some INTs to the crib in athletic fashion. In light of a recent trend of NFL first-round draft picks, I think it's important to note that \u003cstrong\u003eGebhardt\u003c/strong\u003e is a multi-phase contributor and an explosive and effective returner on special teams where he can show off his burst, vision, footwork, and top-end speed. That aforementioned speed shows up in run defense as well, as he displays eye-catching pursuit and closing speed and is rangy in run support, plus will lay the boom at the contact point. I love watching him run the alley or get downhill to meet RBs behind the LOS in particular. The coverage skills are some of the most impressive I've seen scouting Midwesterners this school year, as \u003cstrong\u003eGebhardt \u003c/strong\u003eis an instinctive MOF defender who can gain depth in his backpedal, is patient, and allows route concepts to develop but decisive when reading the QBs and WRs and making a play on the ball, and smoothly inserts himself into passing lanes and made INTs and PBUs on a variety of routes all over the field. Plus, he shows great ball skills, is a natural at undercutting receivers and beautifully plucking the ball out of the air, and can also find paydirt as a blitzer. As a former safety, I came away very impressed with \u003cstrong\u003eGebhardt's\u003c/strong\u003e skillset, production, athleticism, and dynamic ability at the position. I'll be very curious to see if Ohio State enters the picture soon.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["560100"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"I'm cheating a bit here, as \u003cem\u003eIndianapolis Lutheran's\u003c/em\u003e standout 2026 DT \u003cstrong\u003eCameron Mchaney \u003c/strong\u003edoesn't have a P4 offer yet, but boy is this kid knocking on the door for one, as he holds three FBS MAC offers and was recently named the #1 prospect in Indiana by \u003cem\u003e247Sports. \u003c/em\u003eA strong sophomore who is fresh off a 305 lb. x4 bench press and 151' discus toss in April, \u003cstrong\u003eMchaney\u003c/strong\u003e posted 81 tackles, 13 TFLs, a sack, and a forced fumble as a sophomore and kept the momentum going into the offseason with strong performances at our \u003cem\u003ePRzIndiana\u003c/em\u003e Stock-Up Showcase, Indiana Preps camp, and UA Next Camp series in Nashville.\r\n\r\nGood size at a premium position, the NG/3T opens his sophomore tape with a beautiful form tackle that sent shockwaves through the helpless RB knocked parallel to the ground and flat on his back while shaking the ball loose for a big-time hit and turnover, setting the tone for what is a very impressive sophomore highlights. The blend of twitch and power is P4-worthy and quite the eye-catcher on film, and he also possesses overpowering strength, heavy hands, and a good first step that helps him win reps from the snap. Despite being a massive DT and prospect, \u003cstrong\u003eMchaney\u003c/strong\u003e is nimble, light on his feet, and balanced, and he can easily bullrush OCs and OGs back into their RBs and QBs or beat you laterally in impressive fashion. The 6'2, 290 lber. is a strong tackler and can finish plays through contact, displays a good motor and has the strength, technique, and motivation to split and work through double teams to make plays in the backpedal, and is overall a crushing, gap-stuffing, must-account-for presence right in the heart of the LOS who can take over a game in both run and pass defense. Don't find athletes of this caliber and this size too often, especially at one of the game's most important positions.\r\n\r\nPurdue is sniffing around, as is Indiana I'm sure, and if I was a betting man, I'd have no problem wagering that \u003cstrong\u003eMchaney's\u003c/strong\u003e first P4 offer is right around the corner!","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["1127277"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"This wouldn't be a Midwest-focused P4 feature unless the Show-Me State was involved. \u003cem\u003eCarthage High School\u003c/em\u003e 6'4, 220 lb. DE/TE \u003cstrong\u003eLandon Bland\u003c/strong\u003e is representing Missouri well on the recruiting trail, so well in fact that the home state Tigers are his latest offer, coming in mid-April. With two-way versatility and a multi-sport background as a talented pitcher on the school's baseball team, \u003cstrong\u003eBland\u003c/strong\u003e presents an intriguing package off the jump. That seems to be an agreeable point, as \u003cstrong\u003eBland\u003c/strong\u003e earned P4 and overall offer #1 in early March from the new Wisconsin Badgers staff, which was followed by Nebraska, Kansas, KState, and Mizzou heading into the summer camp season.\r\n\r\nI came away from watching \u003cstrong\u003eBland's\u003c/strong\u003e sophomore tape quite impressive. He opens his tape with a good rep against the #1 OT in the class of 2026, and things only get better from there. The 225 lber. can go speed-to-power and has some pop at the contact point, is twitchy and technically sound, and owns a strong, versatile pass-rushing arsenal that showed off a variety of moves such chop/rips, long-arms, arm-overs, bullrushes, and counters. He can operate as a standup EDGE who can also put his hand in the dirt, and he's generally a 5T but can align wider. \u003cstrong\u003eBland\u003c/strong\u003e displays eye-catching pursuit speed, can start-stop and accelerate with noticeable pace, and closes more like a LB than DE and with explosive results, he has an impressive rep of him mirroring and making a 1-on-1 tackle in a huge amount of space against a jittery QB that highlighted some terrific body control and COD ability. Would have been a great rep for a LB, much less a DE of his size. The 6'4 pass-rusher also demonstrates excellent bend and can really drop his hips at the top of the arc, \u003cstrong\u003eBland\u003c/strong\u003e shows off his strength in a rep where he brings down a well-built RB with one arm while a big OT is draped all over him and dragging him down. Can be physically dominant, game-changing presence from the edge of the LOS, and has a game that looks well-built for the college level.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["1170567"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Back to Indiana, we go! About an hour outside of Chicago sits the town of Merrillville, home to a couple of high schools rich in high school football talent that have been popular destinations on the recruiting trail the past couple cycles, most notably \u003cem\u003eAndrean High School\u003c/em\u003e, home to our next standout 2026 recruit. 6'6, 320 lb. versatile OL \u003cstrong\u003eBen Novak\u003c/strong\u003e is a massive 15-year-old who earned All-State honors last fall and has seen a fruitful spring that saw P4 offers roll in from Louisville and Indiana, as well as Toledo and Akron.\r\n\r\nI saw \u003cstrong\u003eNovak\u003c/strong\u003e work primarily as RG and LT, and he's a skyscraper on tape who also displays some exciting mobility and versatility along the offensive line's various assignments. \u003cstrong\u003eNovak\u003c/strong\u003e is an effective puller who gets out of his stance well and can square up opponents off a full head of steam, a crushing run blocker, who can work to the second level and change direction and adjust his body in space. He does a good job of driving his legs post-contact and owns good balance for a 300+ pounder. I like his pass pro experience and the 6'6 sophomore shows he can gain depth in his pass set while staying square and keeping some bend in his hips and lower body, plus he looks to finish in pass pro as well. Additionally, I saw him take charge and communicate schematic changes and adjustments pre-snap, adding another positive wrinkle to \u003cstrong\u003eNovak's\u003c/strong\u003e overall physical, dynamic, and balanced skillset. Plus, he's a giant human being. Has P4 written all over him.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["563425"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Verified speed will always get you college looks early, and \u003cem\u003eCarlson High School's\u003c/em\u003e sensational sophomore RB \u003cstrong\u003eIzaiah Wright\u003c/strong\u003e has it in spades, which, when combined with his plethora of other accolades and traits, culminated in his first P4 offer just yesterday. \u003cstrong\u003eWright \u003c/strong\u003ehas a 100M best of 10.83 and went 11.03 100M as a freshman at State and PRed at 10.98 as a freshman as well, and as a sophomore RB for \u003cem\u003eO.A. Carlson,\u003c/em\u003e he tallied 1,965 rushing yards and 29 TDs to earn A.P. All-State First Team honors. That's too much going for an underclassman to not earn a P4 offer, and after his Miami (OH), Central Michigan, Toledo, and Western Michigan reached out with MAC offers, Minnesota made a great move and became P4 offer #1 just yesterday!\r\n\r\nPossessing splash play, game-breaking speed that can finish big runs, outpace even good pursuit angles, and make defenders look like they're sprinting in slow motion, \u003cstrong\u003eWright\u003c/strong\u003e is patient when allowing his blocks to develop and displays burst when he hits the hole or sees space he can exploit. He's a twitchy cutter who sets up defenders and utilizes space and timing well, sometimes looking multiple steps ahead of defenders, and he consistently demonstrates excellent contact balance. \u003cstrong\u003eWright\u003c/strong\u003e has reps of him breaking tackle attempts from half the defense as well as running and staying upright through multiple tackle attempts at a time, and it's safe to say he owns an effective stiff-arm and mean truck-stick when he decides to use them.  In all honesty, I'm surprised it took him this long to get a P4 offer and I would be thrilled if the Gophers landed the talented RB out of The Mitten.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6633a17a56c92"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->