Final New England C/O 2026 Ranking Preview

In this report, we highlight eight prospects who will be listed in our rankings after a solid junior fall season. All prospects will be ranked on Prep Redzone New England and graded and projected for various College-Division level play by a Scouting New England Scout.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />    [player_tooltip player_id='1589372' first='Ryan' last='Dickhaut'] is a versatile defensive prospect from Xaverian Brothers High School, showcasing his skills primarily as a free safety in his highlight film. This evaluation is based on the first ten clips reviewed, highlighting his potential as a player in the 2026 recruiting class.     Key Attributes: Zone Coverage Ability: Dickhaut can cover in zone coverage packages, effectively read the quarterback, and make timely breaks on the ball. His instincts allow him to anticipate routes and react accordingly. Instincts and Aggression: Good instincts are evident in his decision-making, allowing him to be in the right place at the right time. He plays aggressively, which often puts him in a position to make impactful plays. Tackling Technique: He tackles low, which is essential for bringing down larger ball carriers. However, enhancing his technique to use a secure wrap-and-roll method consistently would improve his effectiveness in the open field.   Need for More Open-Field Clips: While he shows promise, additional clips of him making open-field tackles while utilizing a secure technique would offer a clearer picture of his tackling prowess. It would also be beneficial to see more instances where he showcases a burst and quickness when reacting to the ball carrier.   Physical Measurements: His lean frame matches his stated height and weight. Still, verification of these measurements and his speed, agility, and explosiveness during athletic testing is recommended for a more comprehensive evaluation.   [player_tooltip player_id='1589372' first='Ryan' last='Dickhaut'] is a promising defensive back/linebacker prospect with a solid foundation of skills suited for the next level. His instinctive play, aggressive tackling style, and ability to cover well in zone schemes make him a valuable asset for his team. As he continues to develop, honing his open-field tackling technique and verifying his physical attributes will be key to progressing in the recruiting process. For further insights into his performance, check out his highlight film .      [player_tooltip player_id='1588534' first='Eli' last='Bush'] is a versatile prospect from Falmouth High School, displaying the ability to impact both the defensive and offensive sides of the game. His highlight film reveals his skills as both a defensive end and tight end, demonstrating promise for the 2026 recruiting class.   Offensive Attributes: Tight End Role: He is a tight end on offense and demonstrates strong blocking skills. He consistently blocks until the whistle, effectively finishing plays and overpowering defenders.   Physical Verification: While he appears physically capable of playing inside as a down tackle, further verification of his speed and agility during athletic testing would be beneficial for evaluating his overall skill set and ranking.   Position Versatility: He played primarily as a defensive end but was evaluated as an inside defensive tackle, showing his adaptability to different roles on the defensive line. His attributes are Quick Off the Line, Block Disengagement, and Sack Production.   Areas of Improvement: While his burst off the line shows potential, enhancing his speed and flexibility could improve his ability to attack ball carriers more explosively.   [player_tooltip player_id='1588534' first='Eli' last='Bush'] is a rising defensive lineman and tight-end prospect with a well-rounded skill set suitable for the next level. His ability to perform effectively on both sides of the ball and his physicality and versatility make him a player to watch in the 2026 recruiting class. With further development in his explosiveness and agility, Bush has strong potential to attract interest from college programs. Check out his highlight film for more insights into his performance and skills.     [player_tooltip player_id='1588932' first='Aidan' last='Canty-Whitt'] is a promising offensive lineman from Middlesex School who had a standout season, contributing significantly to his team's success, including a big bowl win. His highlight film showcases a variety of attributes that make him a notable prospect in the 2026 recruiting class.   Key Attributes: Wide Base: Aidan plays with a wide base, providing him stability and strength when engaging defenders. This aspect of his technique allows him to effectively handle opponents of various sizes. 2nd Level Blocking: He can drive defenders to the second level, showcasing his power and determination to finish blocks while pulling. This capability is crucial for a lineman to create running lanes for ball carriers. Quick Feet & Hands: Canty-Whitt exhibits quick feet and hands in pass protection, allowing him to engage and disengage effectively from defenders. His agility aids in providing solid protection for the quarterback   [player_tooltip player_id='1588932' first='Aidan' last='Canty-Whitt'] is a highly regarded offensive lineman prospect with good skills and potential at Middlesex School. His combination of size, technique, and football intelligence makes him a player to watch in the recruiting landscape as he continues to develop his skills. With his strong performance this past season and contributions to his team, he will surely attract attention from college programs. For further insights into his performance, check out his highlight film.      [player_tooltip player_id='1549741' first='Andrew' last='DeGirolamo'] is an emerging tight-end prospect from Mansfield High School with a promising skill set that positions him as a player to watch in the 2026 recruiting class. His highlight film showcases several key attributes that indicate strong potential for development at the collegiate level.   Key Attributes: Versatile Alignment, Quickness After the Catch, Soft, Reliable Hands, Bending and Flexibility, athletic frame.   Route Release Improvement: When lined up out wide, there's a noted need for a quicker release off the line of scrimmage into his routes. Enhancing this aspect will help him create separation from defenders more effectively.   Speed Verification Needed: To enhance his evaluation, verifying his speed will be crucial, as it will determine his effectiveness in outrunning defenders and capitalizing on opportunities after the catch.   [player_tooltip player_id='1549741' first='Andrew' last='DeGirolamo'] is a promising tight-end prospect with a diverse skill set that hints at significant potential for growth and development. His versatile usage, soft hands, and quickness after the catch make him an exciting player. DeGirolamo will likely attract attention from college programs seeking an athletic tight end as he continues refining his skills. For further insights into his performance, check out his highlight film.      [player_tooltip player_id='1589399' first='Orion' last='Fernandez'] is an emerging defensive back prospect from Catholic Memorial High School, showcasing a range of skills that position him as a dynamic player in the 2026 recruiting class. His highlight film reflects his athleticism and playmaking ability.   Key Attributes: Explosive Playmaker: His first clip displays an impressive interception followed by a touchdown run, highlighting his explosiveness and burst after making a play. This capability underlines his potential as a game-changer on the field. Quick Reactivity: Fernandez reacts quickly to plays, showcasing his ability to read the game and position himself effectively to respond to offensive actions. Hip Fluidity: He demonstrates the ability to flip his hips quickly in either direction, a crucial skill for maintaining coverage against agile receivers. Press Man Coverage: Orion can play press-man coverage and be left isolated on an island against receivers. His skill set in this area highlights his confidence and capability as a cover corner.   Height Concerns: While he possesses many strengths, his height may concern many Division 1 and Division 2 programs. Verification of his overall speed and agility will be crucial for improving his projected ranking.   [player_tooltip player_id='1589399' first='Orion' last='Fernandez'] is a dynamic defensive back prospect with a diverse skill set, making him a strong candidate for collegiate play. His quickness, press coverage ability, and playmaking skills set him apart as a standout athlete. As he continues refining his abilities and improving his physical metrics, Fernandez will likely attract attention from college programs looking for a talented defensive back. For further insights into his performance, check out his highlight film.      [player_tooltip player_id='804811' first='Ben' last='Taglianetti'] is an impressive offensive line prospect from Bishop Hendricken High School, showcasing skills that highlight his promise for the 2026 recruiting class. His highlight film demonstrates his athleticism and effectiveness in the run-and-pass game.   Key Attributes: Fast Feet: Ben possesses fast feet, allowing him to engage quickly with defenders and maintain mobility both in run blocking and pass protection. This agility helps him navigate around opponents effectively. Powerful Run Blocker: Taglianetti is a "bulldozer" in the run game, bringing significant strength and power to his down-blocks and combo blocks. His ability to create running lanes is a key asset for his offensive line. Second-Level Blocking: He can reach the edge and second level efficiently, demonstrating the agility and awareness to engage linebackers and further clear pathways for the ball carrier. Finishing Blocks: Ben consistently looks to finish every block, showing his aggressive mentality and commitment to the play, which is crucial for success in both run and pass situations. Wall in Pass Protection: In pass protection, he presents as a formidable wall, effectively anchoring against defensive linemen. His strength allows him to protect the quarterback and provide a stable pocket for passing plays.   [player_tooltip player_id='804811' first='Ben' last='Taglianetti'] is a powerful offensive line prospect with the skills conducive to making an impact at the next level. His fast feet, strength in run blocking, and solid performance in pass protection make him a player to watch in the upcoming spring season. As he continues developing his skills, Taglianetti will likely draw attention from college programs seeking a strong offensive lineman. For further insights into his performance, check out his highlight film.      [player_tooltip player_id='1580480' first='Kaden' last='Baltazar'] is a promising defensive back prospect from Bishop Feehan High School, demonstrating a skill set that highlights his potential for success at the next level. His highlight film highlights several key attributes defining his playing style in the 2026 recruiting class.   Key Attributes: Man Coverage Ability: Baltazar's highlight film features numerous clips of him pressing in man coverage. However, there's room for improvement in using his hands to slow/disturb the WR release from the line of scrimmage and to prevent WRs from getting open, which will enhance his effectiveness as a cover corner. Instincts and Reactivity: He showcases good instincts on the field, allowing him to read plays effectively. His quick reaction time is especially valuable when supporting against the run or responding to screen passes. Tackling Technique: As a solid tackler, he strikes through the body of ball carriers, essential for effective tackling and minimizing yards after contact.   Speed Verification Needed: Kaden's speed needs to be verified to enhance his evaluation. This metric will be instrumental in assessing his overall athleticism and ability to match up against faster receivers at the collegiate level.   [player_tooltip player_id='1580480' first='Kaden' last='Baltazar'] is a dynamic defensive back prospect with a versatile skill set that can contribute significantly to the next level. His instincts, reactivity in run support, and ball skills position him as a player to watch in the 2026 recruiting class. With continued development, particularly in refining his man coverage techniques and verifying his speed, Baltazar is likely to make an impact in college football. For further insights into his performance, check out his highlight film.      [player_tooltip player_id='801373' first='Joshua' last='Gabriel Richards'] is an adaptable and skilled defensive lineman from Middlesex School, showcasing a range of techniques and athleticism in his highlight film. His performance illustrates his potential for success at the next level in the 2026 recruiting class.   Key Attributes: Low Pad Level: Richards plays with a consistently low pad level, crucial for leveraging and maintaining control against offensive blockers. This aspect enhances his effectiveness in engagements. Varied Moves: He utilizes a mix of moves to penetrate the backfield effectively, showcasing versatility in his pass-rushing techniques and enabling him to disrupt plays in the offensive backfield. Pass-Rushing Skills: His best asset appears to be rushing the passer, where he can beat high school offensive linemen and win at the line of scrimmage regularly.   [player_tooltip player_id='801373' first='Joshua' last='Gabriel Richards'] is a dynamic defensive lineman prospect with skills suitable for the next level. His low pad level, varied pass-rushing moves, and solid tackling ability make him a player to monitor in the 2026 recruiting class. With continued development, particularly in refining his techniques, Richards is positioned to attract attention from college programs seeking a prominent defensive asset. For further insights into his performance, check out his highlight film.

In this report, we highlight eight prospects who will be listed in our rankings after a solid junior fall season. All prospects will be ranked on Prep Redzone New England and graded and projected for various College-Division level play by a Scouting New England Scout.