Rankings Update: Class of 2026 Top New Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone Kansas released a rankings update this morning for the Class of 2026. The rankings now include 325 total athletes. Eighty-seven athletes are making their debuts in the rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a report on the top ten new additions to the rankings. Each athlete is a returning starter for their respective programs and is currenlty ranked 150-159.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1330998' first='Joshua' last='Flanigan Jr']</strong>, DL, 6'3”, 240, Wamego</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flanigan debuts in the ranking at No. 150 overall. He is a hard-nosed defensive lineman I saw compete this summer. He will be relied on to anchor Wamego's defense as the program will have a young and inexperienced offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1333003' first='Kharson' last='Montgomery'],</strong> OL, 5'11”, 290, Smith Center</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith Center's Montgomery joins the rankings at No. 151 overall.  Montgomery can play on both sides of the ball but earned all-league first-team honors for his blocking skills. He has invitations to play in all-star games next offseason and is being recruited by Kansas State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1348451' first='Julian' last='Johnson'],</strong> RB, 5'8”, 170, Collegiate</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson is the highest-ranked new running back in the Prep Redzone Kansas rankings. The Spartan back debuts at No. 152 overall. He is a speedster who rushed for 892 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1402695' first='Dustin' last='Cochran'],</strong> OL, 6'4”, 250, Wichita Northwest</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Northwest Grizzlies have two new prospects joining the rankings. Cochran joins the rankings in the No. 152 position. Cochran is a versatile and big “bear” of an athlete. He is listed as an offensive lineman and played tackle last season. He also has lined up at defensive end and has the speed to be a tight end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1402693' first='Mason' last='Barth'],</strong> OL, 6'1”, 240, Shawnee Mission Northwest</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barth debuts in the ranking at No. 154. He is a bad dude who wrestles and plays rugby. He has a low center of gravity, legs like redwoods, and plays with excellent pad level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1402696' first='Deongelo' last='Williams'], </strong>OL, 6'4”, 255, Wichita Northwest</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams is a rugged offensive lineman who debuts at No. 155 overall. He plays guard for Northwest and explodes off the line of scrimmage. He has the speed to pull and block at the second level when called upon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1327745' first='Drake' last='DeBaun'], </strong>TE, 6'6”, 215, Shawnee Mission South</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shawnee Mission South's DeBaun enters the ranking at No. 156 overall. He is a multi-sport prospect with good hands. He plays power forward on the basketball court. He has played tight end, defensive end, and taken snaps at quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1403609' first='Arley' last='Morrell'], </strong>TE, 6'6”, 200, Pratt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You have to appreciate a kid who posts highlights from his team's jamboree the day after on HUDL! Morrell started last season as a sophomore for Pratt and debuts at No. 157 in the class of 2026. He had three receptions for 80 yards and took it to the house twice in Pratt's scrimmage. He is a big target with breakaway speed.  He is a multiple sport prospect and a state track champion. College coaches better get in touch with him in a hurry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1403638' first='Cooper' last='McGowan'], </strong>TE, 6'4”, 185, Ellsworth</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McGowan joins the rankings at No. 158 overall. We have him listed as a tight end, but he is also an outstanding defensive end who could get recruited to play either position. He has received interest from both Kansas State and Iowa State. Look for him to continue to work his way up the Prep Redzone rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1403581' first='Lane' last='Kesler'], </strong>OL, 6'5”, 270, Hiawatha</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hiawatha big man Kesler debuts at No. 159. He is an offensive tackle with quick feet. He is also a paint monster on the basketball court and you can see how his basketball skills have transferred to the gridiron. He is a possible college signee in both sports.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->