2026 Rankings Update: Top Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 rankings were published today by Prep Redzone Kansas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The class now includes 240 ranked athletes and a total of 38 new debuting athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the second of multiple reports featuring players in the Kansas Class of 2026 to come this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This report focuses on six athletes who saw their positions in the ranking skyrocket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='904447' first='James' last='Dunnigan Jr'].,</strong> ATH, 6'3”, 190, Manhattan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manhattan's Dunnigan jumped into the top 20 after being ranked No. 97 overall. He is now ranked No. 17 after receiving offers from Kansas, Kansas State, and Nebraska. The Manhattan prospect has explosive speed. Most of his varsity reps as a sophomore came on the defensive side of the ball. He finished with 29 total tackles last season and added one reception. He could have an impact on special teams and it will be interesting to see how he evolves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1113457' first='Nate' last='Sims'],</strong> ATH, 6'1”, 155, Ottawa</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sims is currently ranked No. 18 overall after previously being ranked No. 138. There is not a ton of tape or online stats available for the Ottawa prospect. He does however have offers from Kansas and Kansas State in hand. College coaches have seen something during the camp season that they are intrigued by.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='291673' first='William' last='Owens'],</strong> TE, 6'2”, 230, Wichita East</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owens moved up 30 positions from No. 74 to No. 44 overall. The same said about Sims could be used to describe Owens. Wichita East did not post stats on Max Preps last season. Owens attended camps at Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Kansas State. He has plus speed and that speed could be utilized on either side of the ball. He is a young prospect to keep tabs on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1228896' first='William' last='Yeldell']</strong>, TE, 6'5”, 205, Olathe South</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yeldell is now ranked No. 45 overall. He was previously ranked No. 158. Kansas is quickly becoming a tight end factory and college coaches can add Olathe South's Yeldell to that list. He has a big frame and can high point the ball making him a dangerous target in the red zone. Coaches and scouts also have to gain an appreciation for a prospect who brags about how physical summer camps are on his social media account.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1147087' first='Aidan' last='Flanagan'],</strong> LB, 5'10”, 190, Topeka High</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flanagan was previously ranked by Prep Redzone, however, his profile was lost during a tech update. He is now ranked No. 46 overall. The Trojan linebacker had 30 total tackles as a sophomore and was named the “Newcomer” of the year for his team. He has bulked up over the summer and showed off his skills at the Kansas State camp. He has solid defensive instincts and is not afraid to unload the wood when he makes a hit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='705204' first='Vaughn' last='Overton'],</strong> DB, 6'3”, 175, Olathe West</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overton jumped into the No. 47 position. He was previously ranked No. 128 overall. The defensive back position is the hardest for me to scout and I often under-rank them. That was for sure the case with the Owls' shut-down corner. He parlayed a busy summer camp schedule into an offer from Butler Community College. He also is a dominant player on the 7v7 circuit competing for STFFA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->