North Dakota 2026 Rankings: Newcomers, Part III

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1161045' first='Roman' last='Barnes'], OL, Bismarck St. Mary's Central 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/RJB7741">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1539555,"width":"327px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Barnes-crop-339x223-1729738958.jpg?w=338" alt="" class="wp-image-1539555" style="width:327px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest new addition in the trenches into the 2026 rankings is Bismarck St. Mary's Central [player_tooltip player_id='1161045' first='Roman' last='Barnes']. The 6'5 280 pounder is one that I was anxious to get the tape after seeing him at the UND Flagship Camp this summer and the tape pops out quick with a agile first step and the aggressive hands and pad level I was really hoping to see. Roman also shows off great body control and balance for his size and as you would expect, gets great leverage at the point of attack. Those that know how I evaluate prospects for PRZ, know I try to be conscious about grading underclassmen, but I certainly like the shot Roman has to play at the Division I level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422613' first='Gabe' last='Whipple'], QB/DB, Kindred 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/gwhip22">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1539558,"width":"343px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Gabe-crop-339x223-1729739043.jpg?w=338" alt="" class="wp-image-1539558" style="width:343px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big thing I preach to any football prospect out there is timing is key, whether that is sending tape to coaches, PRZ, etc. and Kindred quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1422613' first='Gabe' last='Whipple'] is a good example of sending that tape on time to get on our 2026 ND board. Gabe is a QB prospect you can tell has a great base of rhythmic poise as a pocket passer. Gabe also shows off great balance with his throws on muliple levels and has his arm strength tuned to offer the best fit strength persistently on tape. Gabe is one that I feel still has even more upside to show off in the coming years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1475706' first='Noah' last='Herr'], QB, Bismarck Century 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/Noah_Herr14">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1539560,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/herr-crop-339x223-1729739134.jpg?w=338" alt="" class="wp-image-1539560" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Noah is a 2026 quarterback that has a sound mix of athletic skillsets and arm talent. The 6'0 175 pound has great elusiveness outside of the pocket and doesn't lose an ounce of arm strength throwing from the run in my eyes. He also showed off a more fiery quicky release than I expected to see when I first rolled his tape for the first time. He also shows off good ball fits on his intermediate routes and QB I will be tracking thru the end of the season into the offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422654' first='Brooklan' last='Bruce'], ATH, Grand Forks Central 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/BrooklanBruce13">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It took under eight seconds for Grand Forks Central 2026 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1422654' first='Brooklan' last='Bruce'] to make a statement on tape. He showed off a very impressive sideline catch with the vertical, excellent athleticism, and athletic balance around the sidelines. The 5'11 165 pounder also shows off instinctive change of direction into the second level as a route-runner as this kid throughout his tape continued to show off consesus hands in high traffic areas which to me weighs heavily in a tape eval in our rankings for wide receivers. Brooklan also flashes ideal pursuit angles as a safety. He sure looks like a early add to my radar for 2026 stockrisers to watch this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1261686' first='Zach' last='Bense'], LB, West Fargo Sheyenne 2026</strong> <a href="https://x.com/BenseZach">Twitter</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1539573,"width":"338px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/Bense_0aa803-crop-339x223-1729739451.jpg?w=338" alt="" class="wp-image-1539573" style="width:338px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zach's first look on tape shows off a linebacker that once he see the ball carrier, his hips light up to burst to the point of attack. He also shows off very quick sheds getting of his blocks with sound position angles persistently to the ball. He also is a linebacker that I feel would test well with his pro agility and the L-Drill into testing this summer as he has great change of direction at his disposal. I believe I can already can count on Zach being one of my 2026 stockrisers by next update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->