2026 Rankings Update: A Closer Look at the Secondary

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/iowa/rankings/2026-rankings/">new set of rankings</a>&nbsp;for the Class of 2026 dropped on Thursday. We published&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/08/look-inside-process-of-compiling-26-update/">an overview</a>&nbsp;on how the update came together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday, we dive into positional ratings with a slick, interactive breakout chart from Prep Network designers. It provides a view of all of the guys ranked at each spot. Click on a name and it takes you to his profile. Pretty slick. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We started with the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/08/2026-rankings-update-a-closer-look-at-the-o-linemen/">offensive line</a> and have arrived at the defensive backs. The top spot was occupied by Iowa City West standout [player_tooltip player_id='1238512' first='Julian' last='Manson'], one of our stock risers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a deep pool of players in the secondary. And guys listed as Athletes in the update could end up fortifying that group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reports on Stock Risers and New Additions appear below the chart.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/position-ranking-table {"name":"acf/position-ranking-table","data":{"class":"2026","_class":"field_65cfb7374abb9","position":"2495","_position":"field_65cfbfcb19ad6","national_rankings":"0","_national_rankings":"field_660c1d73c0e49","state":"","_state":"field_65cfb88a603fe"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66bfa22c7c762"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STOCK RISERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1238512' first='Julian' last='Manson'], 6-3, 195, Iowa City West</strong>: Following a stellar sophomore season that saw him deliver 31.5 tackles (3.0 TFL), two interceptions and a kick-return touchdown, Manson earned scholarship offers after camping at Iowa and Minnesota this summer. He's up to our No. 5 player overall in the update in a really strong class. As he shows during his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17874037/63582e09066af404fc7c527c">sophomore highlight video</a>, Manson is a dynamic athlete with big-play ability. He's long-limbed and runs very well as evidenced by him helping West sprint relay teams reach state. Also a standout for the Trojans in basketball, expect it to be a impactful junior year for JuJu. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1242254' first='Treyton' last='Mitchell'], 6-1, 170, Ogden: </strong>Mitchell rises up to No. 6 in the DB rankings and 64th overall in the update. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17695754/65cbceaa90eebd0544ad88a7">sophomore highlight video </a> reveals a safety that has a good feel for pre-snap identification, which allows for advantageous positioning. Post-snap, Mitchell flows well to the football in run support and holds up nicely in coverage. His length and athleticism serve him well in defending the pass. He produced 14 tackles and an interception as a 10th-grader. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NEW ADDITIONS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360345' first='Jack' last='Bowlin'], 6-3, 195, Lynnville-Sully:</strong> The Hawk debuts in the rankings as the No. 7 defensive back and the 71st-ranked player overall in the class. You can see why college coaches would like his future on defense when viewing Bowlin's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18084618/653955727bdce206906610a5">sophomore highlight video</a>. We also see a guy that makes plays with the ball in his hands, whether by reception or return. In the secondary, he benefits from good instincts and long arms. With his height, there's a possibility he grows into a linebacker for some systems. He delivered 35.0 tackles and five picks in '23. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1359006' first='Ethan' last='Swisher'], 6-0, 160, St. Edmond:</strong> Swisher joins the rankings with a spot among the Top 10 defensive backs. He'll look to build on a 10th-grade campaign that saw him rack up 32.0 tackles (2.5 TFL) and intercept a pass. When we pop on his <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18085543/652da89e02bbd60650a922ef">sophomore highlight video</a>, Swisher proves to be a dynamic player in the secondary. He is sturdy in run support. When in coverage, Swisher sticks on receivers and closes well on the ball in the air. He diagnoses plays well pre-snap and after they're underway. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1370707' first='Kinnick' last='Jensen'], 6-4, 190, Ridge View: </strong>The first rankings with Jensen show him as the No. 11 player in the secondary and at 111 overall. While he doesn't have a sophomore highlight video posted on his Hudl page, there are individual game clips. You can also click on one of his basketball videos to get a sense for the athletic upside. It shows up on the gridiron, where he impacts the game on both sides of the ball. He tied for the team-lead in receptions. He also shined at cornerback, where he intercepted a pass, played the run well and looked very fluid at the position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1351704' first='Dustin' last='Herzberg'], 6-0, 165, WDM Valley: </strong>The Tigers annually boast one of the state's deepest rosters. So when a freshman plays, it's noteworthy. Herzberg was the only one to do so last season. Valley brings back a lot of production from its '23 state semifinal team, which could make it difficult to earn a lot of reps. Herzberg looks ready for any available playing time after a strong tour on the <a href="https://x.com/dustyw_44/status/1819194259204890989">summer camp circuit</a> at South Dakota State, Central Missouri and elsewhere. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->