2026 Watchlist: Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mississippi high school football is beaming with talent through all classes, with 2026 arguably leading the way in terms of sheer athletes producing across the Magnolia state. Here are six players college coaches need to review as we enter the second half of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tyler Wiley | Defensive End | Lafayette County</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyler Wiley (6-4, 245) is a big-bodied defensive tackle with impressive strength and run-stopping abilities. He provides a strong presence in the trenches, effectively filling gaps from the DT position. Wiley demonstrates a solid swim move from both the edge and tackle spots, using his strength to bullrush and disrupt the middle of the pocket. Additionally, his active hands allow him to impact passing lanes, making him a key defensive asset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1258754' first='Devin' last='Snow'] | Wide Receiver | Marshall Academy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1258754' first='Devin' last='Snow'] (6-0, 160) possesses exceptional hands and the ability to make catches in all situations. He excels at fighting through contact, maintaining concentration on tipped balls, and making athletic, in-the-moment adjustments for tough grabs. Snow is a reliable wide receiver, especially in tight, high-pressure situations. His sneaky open-field speed adds another layer to his game, making him a dependable and dynamic target.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quaysie Lane | Defensive Back | Choctaw County</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quaysie Lane (6-0, 165) provides excellent underneath support from the safety position. His quick reaction time and explosiveness allow him to fill the box effectively, making him a key player in run support. Lane is an outstanding open-field solo tackler, showing great discipline and control. In coverage, he adjusts well to double moves and demonstrates solid ball mechanics across all areas of the field. His tight, hip-locking defensive style leaves minimal windows for receivers, making him a reliable asset in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1407627' first='Xzavier' last='Webber'] | ATH | Heritage Academy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1407627' first='Xzavier' last='Webber'] (5-11, 170) possesses game-breaking speed on offense, making him a deep threat with the ability to track over-the-shoulder and contested catches with precision. His hand coordination through tipped or batted balls stands out, showcasing his concentration under pressure. On defense, Webber is a strong run support player, quickly filling gaps and playing aggressively in the box. His natural instincts and physicality make him an ideal fit for nickel packages, where he consistently demonstrates his ability to make plays in both coverage and run defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kaleb Webster | Defensive Back | Newton County</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaleb Webster (5-10, 180) is a hard-hitting safety known for his quick reactions, particularly in run support and underneath coverage. His timing when attacking receivers is impressive, often leading to pass breakups. Webster excels in open-field tackling, using a variety of techniques to effectively bring down ball carriers, making him a reliable defensive presence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1303917' first='Cam' last='Bell'] | Defensive Back | Newton County</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1303917' first='Cam' last='Bell'] (5-11, 165) is a versatile athlete who excels at multiple positions—QB, DB, and WR. As a receiver, he showcases impressive elusiveness and vision, navigating through traffic and finding gaps quickly. In the defensive backfield, his fluid hip transitions and explosive breaks set him apart, along with his active hands and strong awareness on passes in the air. At quarterback, Bell's accuracy is notable, particularly on boundary throws and deeper routes. His all-around instincts and skills make him a standout wherever he plays on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->