Class of 2026 Rankings Update: Biggest Stock Risers

The Class of 2026 Rankings are updated and must see content! So many new faces that have led to a lot of shake ups in the rankings. Even with the new additions there were plenty of athletes who were able to prove that they deserve to move up from their previous spot. Whether it be camp performances or rewatching the tape, these athletes left no doubt that they deserved to climb the charts. Let's look into the talent and traits of these risers.    Stock Movement: #13 to #4   Todd already was one of the top players and linemen in Wisconsin entering this recent update. After reviewing his film a couple times this offseason, though, it was clear that he wasn't high enough. Todd is a massive IOL with devastating power to match that elite size. The junior has an explosive burst off the line in the run game and is able to easily create power on contact. Marx is great at running his feet through his opponent to create that big push and he is a mean, nasty finisher of his blocks. Todd also supplements that raw power with impressive balance and body control. That allows him to always keep himself in a position where he is most powerful or recover from awkward angles getting back to positions where he has leverage. Todd is a monster in the trenches and I believe he will show this fall that he has D1 talent.     Rankings Movement: #27 to #7   Next up we have our LB1 in the Class of 206 who made 20 spot jump this offseason. The new LB1 and new Top 10 athlete holds an offer from Michigan State and we should see plenty others join the recruitment for Tyler. Watching him on tape from his sophomore season, it is clear that he has elite traits. Tyler has great instincts for the position, and has a fantastic burst when he reads run and attacks downhill. He flies through the line and closes quickly on the ball. Heinle also has the important ability to play between the tackles while keeping himself clean from blockers. It is impressive watching him move in traffic. Tyler also brings sideline to sideline range, easily running down RBs trying to get outside. And, of course, the junior LB is as reliable as it comes when looking at tackling. The sophomore was a key piece to a team that made it to state in 2023. Look for him to help give Grafton a great chance of getting back to Madison.     Rankings Movement: #90 to #11   Gavin was our biggest riser in the rankings update, and it is easy to see why after watching him in person a few times this summer. The development he has made since the end of his sophomore year is special. He has continued to grow and fill out his frame, but while doing so we have see him flexibility, mobility, and overall fluidity in his movements also increase. In 2023 Gavin was a kid that simply overpowered his opponent. This summer in camps we are seeing him use more of his overall traits to give himself easy wins and the best chances for success against DLs. Gavin is coming back to the field this fall bigger, stronger, and more agile. He also returns with an offer from Northern Illinois already. Big things are ahead, and his climb up the rankings may just be getting started. A big breakout year is coming.     Rankings Movement: #50 to #30   One of the most versatile skill players in the 2026 Class made a 20 spot jump during this rankings update. The former QB now impacts the game at WR and DB for Waukesha West and he also adds returner reps too. On offense, Josh dominates at outside receiver in every facet. He has plenty of speed to get behind the CB and stretch the field. The rising junior has great ball skills both at the catch point to make difficult catches in traffic and also adjust to passes that may not be right on target. The 6'2" WR also shines in the redzone where he can go up and high point the ball over a CB or box them out near the sideline.   On defense, Ziebell brings the physicality to the DB position. He delivers well-timed, devastating hits to break up passes. As a return man, Josh shows special level vision. He has the athletic tools, but more importantly he sees the field and paths to success where he can let those physical traits win. I can't wait to see him continue to pump out tape this fall from varsity action.     Rankings Movement: #85 to #53   Another big mover was Arrowhead's WR [player_tooltip player_id='1220692' first='Ryan' last='Heiman']. A massive reason why has nothing to do with what he has done on a field this summer. More what he did on the track this spring. They say you can't teach speed, so good luck finding someone that can come in and keep up with Ryan on the field because this kid can absolutely fly. He has a 10.69 100M time under his belt, and it carries over. His highlights have plenty of examples of him making DBs look like they are running in slow motion on the field as he breaks off big chunk plays. Ryan isn't just a track athlete on the field though. We see him show off the soft hands on those deep downfield passes and flash quick hands in the short passing game. I can't wait to see Heiman and the rest of this talented Arrowhead offense take the field this fall.     Rankings Movement: #74 to #54   Brody makes the 20 spot jump on the back of a great camp season. We have covered the impressive numbers like his 4.46 40s, 34.9" vertical, and 4.14 pro agility along with other great athletic measures. We also saw him standout at massive mega camps with that Top 5 pro agility time among 800+ athletes at the River Falls camp. He also proved that on the field, in live action, his control and use of those traits make him a dangerous matchup at receiver and a viable option at CB or safety on the defensive side of the ball. This fall we get to see him as QB1 for Winneconne, so we get to see even more of his athletic tools. I know he is up for the challenge. This is a kid to keep an eye on these next two years without a doubt. He is athletic, competitive, and has thrived in the scenarios he has been placed in so far.     Rankings Movement: #84 to #61   Kevin really impressed me when I went back through his tape, proving to me that I was sleeping on him. We have him heading in the right direction now as he jumps nearly 20 spots and right on the verge of being a Top 5 RB. Kevin already has legitimate varsity experience with 730 yards under his belt as a sophomore.   On tape, the first word that comes to mind is patience. Kevin has a plethora of athletic tools in his 5'10" 185 lbs frame including 10.86 100M dash speed. He stands out because he knows how to use it. Kevin doesn't rush, instead he lets things develop, trusts his OL and his vision, then when he sees that glimpse of daylight he flips the switch. Kevin has the ability to stick his foot in the ground and accelerate quickly to get himself through lanes into open grass where he can hit the jets. Defenses are put under pressure with Kevin on the field because they have to contain him. If they let him into space he has the speed to be gone. I'm excited to see if the rising RB can push for the 1K mark on the ground this fall.     Ranking Movement: #128 to #81   This Waterford offense has a wide array of athletes at its disposal. Members of the OL, RBs, and a WR have all stood out this offseason and they look like they are set for big years. However, none of that happens without a talented athlete at the helm leading the way. It looks like they have that in Caiden Dessert. The 6'2" 180 lbs QB is a dual threat prospect who put up nearly 1,000 yards of total offense in 3 games of action in 2023. Through the air, Caiden is an accurate passer from the pocket or on the run. The mechanics and footwork are both crisp, and that leads to reliable accuracy to every level of the field. The arm strength is solid too, and I think we could see that continue to improve over the coming years to really round out his arm talent. On the ground it almost catches you off guard seeing how quickly the 6'2" 180 lbs athlete can accelerate when he decides to tuck it away. He has excellent top end speed to do damage and has good instincts with the ball in his hands as a runner. I think we see a monster year from the 2026 QB this fall.     Rankings Movement: #107 to #84   An offensive lineman who could be in position to make the biggest jump in the post-season update in Brookfield East's [player_tooltip player_id='402811' first='Grady' last='Farley']. He has the raw tools, and if he can take the next step in his development and show that he did this season then big things will be ahead for Grady. He has elite size for the OL at 6'6" 290 lbs with a 7' wingspan making him a massive problem for pass rushers to try and get around. Where it will be important for Grady this season is showing how well he can move and react at that size. Some of his camp clips are hinting at a solid improvement in lateral movement and flexibility while looking more comfortable overall. If that carries to the field this fall we could see a massive leap for Grady. This is definitely a prospect with plenty to offer.     Rankings Movement: #101 to #91   James is moving in the right direction, now inside the Top 100 overall, and also inside the Top 10 of his position group. The 1st Team All Conference back is a productive varsity athlete that could breakout this fall and really turn heads this fall. He has 4.65 40 speed, plenty fast enough to create the big play when he breaks through the defense. When you turn on the highlights you see a gifted playmaker with the vision to find ways to attack the defense while on the fly. James has the agility to be able to cut on a dime and make defenders miss in tight spaces then accelerate to his top speed. The incoming junior also finds a lot of success between the tackles despite his smaller frame. He plays the position fearlessly. I'm a fan of his game.

The Class of 2026 Rankings are updated and must see content! So many new faces that have led to a lot of shake ups in the rankings. Even with the new additions there were plenty of athletes who were able to prove that they deserve to move up from their previous spot. Whether it be camp performances or rewatching the tape, these athletes left no doubt that they deserved to climb the charts. Let's look into the talent and traits of these risers.