2026 Wichita/Western Kansas Watchlist Players

The 2026 class is gearing up for the pivotal junior year in their high school careers. A small percentage of the standout players start making a name for themselves in their sophomore season, but more often than not it is the junior season that becomes the breakthrough. In that scenario the table is set for a brilliant senior season for all the recruiters to see.   As we approach the 2024 season and the film study rolls on seven days a week, it is obvious there are some 2026er's that have been nose to the grindstone getting ready in the off-season.   Listed below are five players who caught my eye in our most recent film study who appear primed and positioned to do just that – make this fall the springboard season for taking their game to the next level.   Below are the Weekend Five:   [player_tooltip player_id='283949' first='Jarek' last='Purdy']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jarek-purdy/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jarek-purdy/"></a> , 6'0, 170, WR, Hays, is ranked #14. He is the highest-ranked player in this report and has shown fans and opponents a glimpse of things to come, but nothing like what they are getting ready to witness this fall. Coming off a season when he caught 25 passes for 404 yards, averaging over 16 yards a catch, he scored seven touchdowns, averaged over nine yards a carry rushing, scored a pair of rushing touchdowns and was a dangerous return man on punt and kickoff returns. He is an all-around, versatile, playmaker who is positioned all up and down the line of scrimmage. One play he lines up in the slot, the next he is split wide to force mismatches and still later he is getting the ball on the reverse. He runs sharp, disciplined routes in the short-to-medium passing game, and is able to make the difficult contested catch. He is a dangerous deep threat tracking the long ball, using his speed and athleticism to create separation and burn secondaries. He is a slippery, elusive runner after the catch and is difficult to bring down in the open field. Get your popcorn out for this kid.   [player_tooltip player_id='780335' first='Brody' last='Litton']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/brody-litton/"></a> , 6'6, 245, DE/TE, Beloit, is ranked #23. He is coming off a good sophomore season as a dominating two-way player with prototype size and drive to take things to the next level. He has been flying under the radar somewhat out in Western Kansas, but was recognized a year ago as an all-state non-senior star in the making. He is a long, rangy, mauler of a defensive end with a powerful base and outstanding reach. On the edge, he dominates the perimeter with his size and athleticism, overwhelming blockers and pounding quarterbacks into submission. When he reads the run, he collapses down between the tackles to essentially destroy the opponent's running attack. He has good feet and quickness and is active on the perimeter chasing down speedy running backs. This kid has all the tools, the drive and just keeps getting better and better, keep an eye on him this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1228897' first='Nolan' last='Durr'], 6'3, 215, Edge/TE, Cheney, is ranked #42. Another Cheney warrior hitting it hard in the off-season in preparation of defending their 13-0 State Championship from a year ago when he piled up 45 tackles, nine tackles for loss and five sacks. He is a two-way, multi-positional standout who really shined a year ago as a rock-solid edge defender. He has good size and a wing span just under 80", with reach and heavy hands that he uses to bust would-be blockers in the mouth. He comes off the edge low and powerful, with great body lean. He blows by tackles to decimate the passing attack, or caves in the run game between the tackles. He has a strong base with good lateral movement that he uses to track down running backs on the perimeter. His football instincts are laser-focused, with next-level read and react skills and impressive closing speed. Get out and see a kid getting ready to dominate this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1228926' first='Raphael' last='Oblinger'], 6'0, 220, Edge/LB, Kapaun, is ranked #80. He is coming off a solid start to his high school career and has been burning the candle at both ends getting ready to make some serious noise this fall. Already generating notice from numerous schools from D1 to NAIA, he has packed on muscle over the off-season, fine-tuned his forty down to 4.6 and his vertical up to 37". He is athletic enough to play any of the linebacker positions but really impresses as a dominating edge rusher. He has a strong base with weaponized hands that he uses to power through offensive tackles getting into the backfield and sacking the quarterback or working through traffic to get to the ball carrier. He comes off the edge like a heat-seeking missile with a powerful bend, excellent pad level and fights through double teams to blow up plays in the backfield. Get out and see a determined kid on the rise this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1114751' first='Jesus' last='Delgado'], 6'1, 215, LB, Salina Central, is ranked #150. He is coming off a good start to his high school career marred somewhat by injuries that caused him to miss a few games. He has been hitting it hard in the off-season and has been very active on the camp-clinic circuit making a name for himself as an athletic, powerful, fast linebacker who is getting ready to dominate this fall. He is a multi-positional player who thrives as a ball-buster of an inside linebacker. He is very active prior to the snap moving around and up and down the LOS before he shoots the gap in a flash. He has a strong base with good wheels and lateral quickness. He uses his 4.6 speed to track down running backs on the perimeter and is a rugged open-field tackler who hits like a sledgehammer. He is getting ready to lead a stout Salina Central defense and showcase his next-level skills in impressive fashion this fall. Get out and see a stud in the making.   In conclusion, get out and watch these guys or put them on your watchlist to follow through the remainder of their high school football careers. And, as usual, feel free to reach out to me with any comments, questions, or if you have any names of players “flying under the radar”, contact CoolDaddyO via DM on X.

The 2026 class is gearing up for the pivotal junior year in their high school careers. A small percentage of the standout players start making a name for themselves in their sophomore season, but more often than not it is the junior season that becomes the breakthrough. In that scenario the table is set for a brilliant senior season for all the recruiters to see.