2026 Watchlist to Ranked

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Deep dive into the 2026 prospects who jumped from the watchlist to the rankings with strong junior seasons.</h2>    Extremely active defender with a versatile skillset to play multiple positions. Effective in both run support and dropping back into coverage he has the ability to play all three downs and line up at the LOS or in the secondary. Plays fast and aggressive, exploding through contact to be violent when taking on blockers, tackling, and in coverage. Good anticipation skills and instincts to diagnose the play as it develops and trigger to the ball. He's got good change of direction and acceleration out of his break to close space in a hurry. He's dynamic in his ability to fill the run, play man coverage against a slot, or rush off the edge. Had a breakout season as a junior and should continue to climb rankings and recruiting boards as the cycle progresses.      Anchored the OL playing Center throughout Mountain View's run to the state championship game. At 6'4” 310 lbs. he's got the size and skillset to be effective playing multiple positions on the line. Flashes good natural strength and power at the POA. He's strong in the hands and is a violent finisher that sustains his block to the whistle. Plays with a good wide base to be balanced and under control when engaging defenders. Accelerates his feet at contact to drive opponents off the ball and clear running lanes. He's quick out of his stance to snap the ball and gain positional leverage. Great ability to control opponents with good hand usage and footwork. Moved from the Watchlist to inside the top 100 overall.      Hoyt is a downhill LB that disrupts opposing offenses with good instincts and reactionary quickness. Compact and well-built frame at 5'10” 200 lbs. allows him to out leverage opponents and accelerate at the POA to deliver heavy contact. He's got good eye discipline to make quick decisive reads and locate the ball. Shows he can disengage from blockers with his hands or work around using his lateral agility to avoid contact. He's a competitor that plays hard and is relentless in pursuit to make plays downfield or sideline to sideline. Finished his junior season with 115 total tackles and being voted First Team All Region 6A Central and First Team All City Tempe Union.      Versatile DL prospect that has the size and skillset to play both interior or the edge. At 6'3” 240 lbs. he's got a strong build with a good combination of bulk and athleticism that makes him difficult to move in both the run game and as a pass rusher. Well proportioned to engage with offensive linemen while maintaining enough quickness to chase down ball carriers laterally. Like his strength at the POA to shed blockers, set the edge, and create disruption at the LOS. Good ability to rush the passer, he fight off blocks quickly and collapses the pocket forcing the QB to escape. Maintains excellent gap control, stays patient and doesn't over commit to open up running lanes. Finished the 2024 season with 41 total tackles, 14.5 TFL, and 8.5 sacks.      Jensen plays a lot bigger than his 6'1” 260 lb. frame. He combines his technique, athleticism, and power to be highly effective playing multiple positions on the interior line. He's a natural bender with good all around quickness to get to the spot. His initial quickness and speed out of his stance allows him get early positional leverage and shows he can adjust his angles/approach based on defenders movement. Low center of gravity and good leverage gives him the ability to overpower opponents and win at the contact point. Mirrors movement well with good lateral agility and recovery speed to stay in front and sustain. One to watch going into his senior year.      Hainley is a creative QB with a great ability to improvise and make something out of nothing. He does a great job using his pocket awareness and movement to escape pressure and buy time as he scans the field for an open target. Shows he can be accurate to all three levels and isn't afraid to take a shot to give his receiver a chance to make a play. Doesn't lose any accuracy when rolling out and throwing on the run to either direction. Will square up his hips and shoulders to the target but can also use his athleticism and body control to complete off platform passes. Prefers to be a thrower first but has plus athleticism and lateral agility to make plays with his legs when he needs too.