2026s That Could Earn an Offer This Fall

The Class of 2026 is already off to a hot start. Several already hold multiple P4 offers and will have wide array of options by the end of next summer. However, right behind those first wave of athletes that have early offers is a group that is on the doorstep of their first offer. WI is loaded in that area. There are so many athletes that I could see earn offers once their junior film starts coming out this season. This group needs to be highlighted because you are going to want to watch these kids as they look to dominate week in and week out. Let's dive in!    When thinking of kids in the Class of 2026 that have to be on the doorstep of their first offer, the first kid that comes to mind is the massive, smothering OG out of Appleton East HS. Todd has so much of the package that D1 coaches need in the trenches.   He already looks the part at 6'3" 285 lbs. The junior is absolutely loaded with power from his hands to his feet. Todd is able to explode out of his stance and get into the DL instantly off the snap. From the second he is engaged the big man is able to run his feet through his man with good hand placement and leverage. That power is there during pass protection as well. He can set a stout anchor that can't be driven off the line, giving his QB a secure pocket to step up into. Marx also has that mean streak mentality on the field.   The stud OL is looking to dominate his opponent and finish them to the ground every snap. D1 coaches, when you come to WI looking to build new recruiting relationships [player_tooltip player_id='511172' first='Todd' last='Marx'] is one of the first that you need to get to know.     Mitchel was only able to play five games due to injury in 2023, so that might be why he is apart of this list. Coaches will want to see he is recovered and back to his ways of dominating this fall before extending an offer.   I'm confident that coaches are going to be very happy with what they see when that tape does start to come out. Mitchell has continued to grow and is now up to 6'5". It is also clear that his frame is starting to really clean up and add on good muscle while staying around that 290 lbs mark. The stud '26 OL is also looking very light on his feet in clips we have seen of him this summer.   I believe he is going to take a big step this fall. The dominant OL is going to be the top talent on the Arrowhead OL this fall. Look for those agile, nimble feet to get him into positions to consistently overpower opponents while also opening up easy to find running lanes for his talented RB teammates. This is going to be a huge season for Mitchel. Get eyes on him as soon as you can.     [player_tooltip player_id='212467' first='Mason' last='Black'] is poised to have his breakout year in 2024. The 6'5" DE has always had elite length while in HS. What he has lacked was some quality size on his frame, but the incoming junior is reportedly up to 220 lbs now. No doubt there is plenty of room for even more size on him, but to see that he is able to put size on is a plus for next level coaches.   On the field, that extra size is going to be a difference maker. Last season we saw how quick he can be off the line and how much ground his long strides can cover in a short amount of time as he would get to the QB within a few steps it seemed like. The junior has also done a great job of learning to use his hands early in his career and as a sophomore was very effective with them.   Now as a junior, look for the growing DE to start winning with power. Look for him to start setting a strong edge vs the run and being able to overpower OTs when he wants. Showing a mix of wins with speed/agility and power is going to really start to prove how talented and well rounded he is as a prospect. A big year is loading up for the DE.     A top 2026 talent outside of the trenches is Franklin's safety, [player_tooltip player_id='1188748' first='Dominick' last='Walters']. The 6' athlete is now up to 190 lbs, looking more and more like a high end DB prospect. As a sophomore Dominick was already looking like one of the best safeties in WI. His football IQ is well developed. He has a great feel for what is developing in front of him, he reads the eyes of the QB, and his reaction time to trigger on what he is reading happens in an instant.   Physically, the incoming junior has excellent range that is amplified by the mental quickness he has. He can go from midfield to the sideline to break up passes. Dominick has shown that he can be shot out of a cannon when coming downhill to stop the run. Walters is also one of the most reliable tacklers in the state. He is a wrap up tackler who will also deliver a big hit every chance he gets. Completing the well rounded game, Walters also has soft hands to create turnovers. Dominick may be slightly undersized at 6' 190 lbs, but everything on his tape shows that he can play at a high level. Don't overlook the standout DB.     For a few years now Harper has been right there knocking on the door of being WR1 in this Class, and during this next update I think we see him take the spot. The 5'10" 180 lbs WR simply dominated defensive backfields as an underclassman. Now as an incoming junior things should only get more nightmarish for CBs and safeties trying to stay within striking distance of him.   Harper has plenty of long speed to play D1 football. We see him easily pull away in the open field from DBs and beat pursuit angles trying to cut him off. Even with the excellent long speed, the quickness and explosiveness in small areas is even more impressive. Harper is an effective route runner because of his quickness, his balance, and his explosiveness. We see several WRs be able to run clean routes that open up separation, but the way that Harper explodes out of breaks with power sets himself apart from the field. Hughes also shows that balance and power after the catch breaking tackles. On top of it all, Harper is great at tracking the ball and being able to get his hands on it. Once he does that its a done deal because of how reliable his hands are.   This is the guy to know among WRs in WI. He headlines a talented group of kids at the position.     Arguably the most versatile athlete in the Class of 2026 without an offer is Kenosha Bradford's DB/WR [player_tooltip player_id='402807' first='Brandon' last='Walton']. The 6'2" athlete is starting to fill out that long, lanky frame and is now sitting at 165 lbs as we enter the 2024 season. Brandon is a talented athlete on the track as well. As a freshman he posted one of the Top 5 fastest 200M times in school history. A school that has put out some elite athletes over the years.   On the field, the effort and range jump off the tape as a sophomore. Brandon is a kid that will chase down an RB across the field one play. The next we play he will be playing a deep half and doing a great job of finding WRs entering his zone and easily turning and running with them stride for stride. The '26 has excellent awareness while playing safety. We see several examples of him picking up receivers and making great plays on the ball. Brandon doesn't shy away from the physical side of the position either. He will line up in the box and be a reliable asset against the run game. He is a good tackler and very slippery to land a block on.   On offense, Walton is a big play threat on every snap. That long speed gets him behind the defense over and over. His soft hands make easy catches, and he is able to adjust on the fly to where the ball is at in flight. This is one of the top athletes to know in this Class.     Tommy is one of my personal favorites. He was asked to carry a big chunk of the Marquette offensive success in 2023 and it resulted in a D1 State Championship. Even as a more undersized 5'9" 170 lbs back, the wear and tear didn't effect him on the field as he capped off that championship run with a 30 carry performance in Madison.   Tommy brings such a well rounded game to the position. He runs between the tackles angry. The '26 will break tackles and can make LBs miss one on one in the hole. Novotny also has the electric, big play part of his game when he gets outside the tackles. His speed can beat defenders to the corner and down the sideline. Plus you can count on him to be a check down option or designed receiver on things like screens. Tommy has great instincts with the ball in his hands and is able to see the field and read where to go instantly. Tommy is the best RB in the Class without an offer.     Brock has made the move from safety to LB and has quickly picked up the traits and duties of the job. The 6'2" 210 lbs '26 plays OLB for Bay Port. It is quickly apparent that even as a sophomore Brock's range and physicality are going to get him the attention of D1 coaches. Against the pass, Brock is able to blitz from the slot or playing off ball OLB and still get to the QB before they get the pass off. Brock has an explosive first step when rushing the edge and because of his speed and wide alignment, OTs very rarely see him coming and can get out to block him.   Against the run is where we really see that high end physicality shine. He takes on pulling linemen with proper leverage that allows him to not give up any ground. That usually clogs up the attempted running lane and blows plays up. Gauthier has much needed lateral movement to his game as well. He is able to make guys miss that are trying to block them, or at least make them not get the angle they want so he can slip off and still make the play.   I believe Brock will be more of an ILB at the college level, and his traits are well on their way towards developing for that job. Keep an eye on the rangy, physical prospect.     We end with a budding mismatch at WR. [player_tooltip player_id='284221' first='Tony' last='Jones Fisher'] is still growing, and currently checks in at an impressive 6'3" 180 lbs. A great frame for an outside receiver at the next level. The play on the field as a sophomore gives me even more confidence that he will be playing at a high level of college ball.   Tony has a smooth release off the line and can accelerate with his long strides quickly as he stacks CBs on deep routes. Key to the outside position, Tony is able to find and adjust to the ball in the air and use his long frame to high point the ball away from DBs. The upcoming WR is still developing his route running, but he has the body control to get through routes efficiently and also shows good body awareness along the sideline. As the route running develops more and more, Tony is going to force defenses to send CBs help on his side of the field. He is a quickly developing mismatch.

The Class of 2026 is already off to a hot start. Several already hold multiple P4 offers and will have wide array of options by the end of next summer. However, right behind those first wave of athletes that have early offers is a group that is on the doorstep of their first offer. WI is loaded in that area. There are so many athletes that I could see earn offers once their junior film starts coming out this season. This group needs to be highlighted because you are going to want to watch these kids as they look to dominate week in and week out. Let's dive in!