2026 Class Loaded with Basketball/Football Dual Sport Stars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Hoops Illinois and Prep Redzone Illinois released the latest updates of the 2026 class this week.&nbsp; One thing is crystal clear is that this might be one of the best dual sport classes in recent memory.&nbsp; It has stars on the hardwood and gridiron all over both rankings.&nbsp; We examine them here!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801887' first='Nasir' last='Rankin'] (Morgan Park)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football Ranking: #2<br>Basketball Ranking: #20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which Sport for College: Football 85%/15% Basketball (Has Talked About Doing Both)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rankin is an absolute freak show on the football field as a wide receiver and defensive back.&nbsp; His speed, athleticism, and instincts are top notch.&nbsp; He is ranked as an ATH but we believe his best assets are what he brings as a lights out safety that can change games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the hardwood Rankin uses his strength and athleticism to score in the open floor, break down defenders off the bounce, and has a pretty good jumper.&nbsp; Solid defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399916' first='Davon' last='Grant'] (Dekalb)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football Ranking: #3<br>Basketball Ranking: #23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which Sport for College: Football 100%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In our eval of Grant we said he was Calvin Johnson like on offense and Sean Taylor comp on defense.&nbsp; That pretty much describes a future hall of famer if he hits his ceiling.&nbsp; At his size he is a monster on both sides of the ball.&nbsp; Offensively he is a huge wide out that can make any catch.&nbsp; Defensively he knocks guys out and makes plays as a centerfielder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For hoops the elite athleticism is what immediately pops every time we see him.&nbsp; He plays power forward for Dekalb using his strength, quickness, and explosiveness inside for massive dunks, dominating on the glass, and swatting shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212319' first='JC' last='Anderson'] (Mt. Zion)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football Ranking: #4<br>Basketball Ranking: #24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which Sport for College: Football 100%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson is the top tight end in the 2025 football class.&nbsp; He has offers from pretty much every school in the country.&nbsp; Has such a smoothness to his game as a route runner and catches the ball so naturally.&nbsp; One of the premier prospects in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Helped lead his hoops team to the state final four and was consistently among the best 3A teams in the state a year ago.&nbsp; Back to the basket post that can anchor down low, score with feel, and rebounds at a very high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399937' first='Gavin' last='Mueller'] (Wheaton St. Francis)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football Ranking: #10<br>Basketball Ranking: #89</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which Sport for College: Football 90%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mueller has not played a snap of high school football until this season.&nbsp; That changed as a junior.&nbsp; Before he took a snap however he racked up a ton of Power 4 offers because of his play at summer camps.&nbsp; Strong and physical TE that can catch passes with fluidity.&nbsp; Ton of upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is an experience hooper as well playing on the Illinois Wolves during the spring and summer along with a key role for St. Francis.&nbsp; Physical rebounder and scorer around the hoop that pops with his athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399944' first='Stephen' last='Brown'] (Marist)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football Ranking: #23<br>Basketball Ranking: #4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which Sport for College: Basketball 70%/Football 30%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is the top ranked post prospect in his class.&nbsp; The bouncy four man plays off his athleticism throwing down dunks, runs the floor, finishes out of the dunker spot, and flashes ball skills.&nbsp; Defensively he can switch and protect the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Marist wide receiver recorded a touchdown in his first game of the season.&nbsp; What makes him so intriguing as a football prospect is his size, length, and ability to high point passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401613' first='Karter' last='Krutsinger'] (Bishop McNamara)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football Ranking: #62<br>Basketball Ranking: #144</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which Sport for College: Football 80%/Basketball 20%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a very strong 2026 QB class Krutsinger sets as a the #9 passer.&nbsp; comes out of his hand well and is best right now on intermediate routes.&nbsp; Touch on short passes when needed and zip on others.&nbsp; Throws it well on the move and has projectable developmental upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Combo guard on the hardwood who brings toughness and shot making to the table.&nbsp; Put his name on our radar with his ability to hit the three ball for 1 Dream on the PHC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Claude Mpouma (Phillips)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football Ranking: #65<br>Basketball Ranking: #79</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which Sport for College: Football 85%/Basketball 15%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mpouma is a total projection at 6'7” 300 pounds as an offensive tackle.&nbsp; Not much film out there yet, but he already holds three group of 5 offers.&nbsp; Could fly up the board with a strong junior campaign.&nbsp; He has size, footwork, and mobility that all project well toward the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More of a hooper for the first half of his high school career.&nbsp; He won a state title this past year at Phillips where he was their physical presence down low scoring in the paint, defending, and snatching all of the rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rico D'Alessandro (Maine South)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football Ranking: #73<br>Basketball Ranking: #46</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which Sport for College: Basketball 50%/Football 50%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is our first true 50/50 call.&nbsp; D'Alessandro has been on our radar as a basketball prospect since he entered high school.&nbsp; Combo forward that plays with a ton of skill and is very productive as a role player whether in high school or on his travel team.&nbsp; Does what is asked of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football he is a wide receiver that could even move inside to a tight end.&nbsp; Good hands, solid route runner, and makes plays in contested catch situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401626' first='Richie' last='Darr'] (Bishop McNamara)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football Ranking: #154<br>Basketball Ranking: #109</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which Sport for College: Basketball 50%/Football 50%</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No real lean either way at this point.&nbsp; He is a small college prospect right now in both sports.&nbsp; Football wise he is an intriguing tight end with upside in the limited tape we saw.&nbsp; Basketball he popped on our radar with his size and activity level over the summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->