Cracking the Rankings: Juniors From the Metro

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The moment players and coaches have been waiting for is finally here, as the 2024 season officially kicks off in a few days. Needless to say it's an exciting time in the Sunflower State, and much like last week, our staff is looking to add to that excitement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the latest Class of 2026 rankings being published today, we'll be pivoting our coverage to the juniors in the state. This September update isn't quite as large in comparison to the one from last week for the Class of ‘25, but that doesn't mean this next wave of newcomers is a small bunch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Class of ‘26 update welcomed in 86 new players. Of those 86 players, 29 of them are a product of the Kansas City metro and surrounding counties. As we do with each update, we'll be introducing the Prep Redzone Kansas community to these newcomers. Here's a look at seven of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Offensive Line</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1394781' first='Isaac' last='Renfro'] - Basehor-Linwood, 6'3”, 310</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our staff mentioned this first prospect during the recent team preview series and now he makes his official debut. [player_tooltip player_id='1394781' first='Isaac' last='Renfro'] of Basehor-Linwood entered in with the second highest debut for an offensive linemen from the KC area and surrounding counties. Renfro is the 35th ranked player at his position and the 256th ranked prospect overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Defensive Line</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1363887' first='Roch' last='Emanuel'] - Piper, 6'5”, 245</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After receiving praise during our preseason previews, [player_tooltip player_id='1363887' first='Roch' last='Emanuel'] of Piper made his way into the Class of ‘26 rankings. The big multi-sport athlete entered in at No. 255 and is the 27th ranked defensive lineman in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1363884' first='Bre'Naj' last='Price'] - Schlagle, 6'1”, 180</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Following Emanuel is another Kansas City, Kansas native that cracked the rankings. [player_tooltip player_id='1363884' first='Bre'Naj' last='Price'] debuted one spot behind Emanuel as the 28th ranked defensive lineman in the class and the 256th ranked prospect overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Defensive Back</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1357088' first='Milo' last='Burton'] - Olathe East, 6'2”, 185</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Up next are a pair of defensive backs from the <em>Sunflower League</em> that we previewed during our preseason coverage. The first of the two is [player_tooltip player_id='1357088' first='Milo' last='Burton'] of Olathe East. Burton made his debut at No. 257 and is the 25th ranked player at his position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1357083' first='Adam' last='Olson'] - Shawnee Mission South, 5'11”, 165</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming in a few spots behind Burton is [player_tooltip player_id='1357083' first='Adam' last='Olson'] of Shawnee Mission South. It wasn't mentioned during our preseason report, but Olson also handles kicking duties for the Raiders, and proved to have reliable leg in 2023. The versatile prospect came in as the 259th ranked player overall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Linebacker</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1394779' first='Jacob' last='Sharp'] - Basehor-Linwood, 5'9”, 170</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Renfro isn't the only Basehor-Linwood Bobcat featured in this report. [player_tooltip player_id='1394779' first='Jacob' last='Sharp'] joined his teammate inside the Top 300 at No. 266 and he landed at No. 38 out of 52 linebackers in the class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Running Back</span></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1343588' first='Tahj' last='Edwards'] - Lawrence, 5'10”, 165</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This last prospect featured is primed to have a breakout season. [player_tooltip player_id='1343588' first='Tahj' last='Edwards'] of Lawrence nearly cracked the Top 150 as he debuted at No. 158 and is the 18th ranked running back in the class. Edwards has the potential to be a key playmaker for the Chesty Lions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->