2026 Wichita/Extended Area Talent Continues to Impress

Took a brief respite from my self-induced tape marathon to watch a mixed-review national championship game that was interestingly played on a day it would share with numerous other major events. The game and participants deserved better.   Just a few years ago, the players in that big game were high school kids like the ones I am reporting on, grinding the process year around, aspiring for that ultimate honor of reaching the rareified air of national championship football.   The players and coaches work too hard to get to the apex point of the sport, only to have it reduced to almost an afterthought to many amongst all the other notable activities captivating the nation's collective attention.   But, I digress, as said, they deserve better, and I'll leave it at that.   In this report we have a handful of ballers who are destined to take that important next step to playing football on Saturday but have some business to take care of this fall before worrying about all that.   Which is a good thing, maybe the next-level mover's and shaker's will fine-tune things between now and then.   So, without further adieu, let's take a closer look at these 2026 ballers already on the fast track:   [player_tooltip player_id='595719' first='Jamaal' last='Jackson III']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jamaal-jackson-iii/"></a> , 5'10, 185, RB, Labette County '26, has been playing in almost obscurity at times in southeast Kansas, despite the fact that he has been going scorched earth on the competition all year. The highlight was his effort late in the season when he carried the ball 39 times for a staggering 416 yards and seven TD's. In his last two games of the year he gained 600 yards and scored eight TD's. Those weeks catapulted him into the top three in the state in rushing as he ended up with 1,822 yards on the ground, with another 210 through the air for 2,000+ total yards and 20 touchdowns. He is a slashing runner with great burst, who makes quick, decisive cuts and turns on the afterburners. Once he explodes into the open, forget about it. He is gone. Get your popcorn out this fall, he is going to go off.   [player_tooltip player_id='1325108' first='TJ' last='Mills']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tj-mills/"></a> , 5'11, 175, WR/DB, Eureka, '26, is coming off a big year as a three-way player who does a little bit of everything. He is moved around quite a bit, splitting out, lining up in the slot, or as a running back. He runs the jet sweep to perfection and with his 4.4 speed and acceleration is dangerous running and catching the ball out of the backfield. For the year he carried the ball 16 times for 251 yards for a 16 yard average, caught 18 passes for 269 yards and posted six TD's. On special teams he punted on occasion, but was used mostly as a lethal return man; picking up 366 yards on returns, and another three TD's, including a long of 98 yards, for 886 total yards and nine scores. On defense he has a nose for the ball, picking up 58 tackles, two TFL, and two picks. This guy is going to be en fuego in 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='1325120' first='Tucker' last='Goss']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tucker-goss/"></a> , 6'1, 190, FB/LB, Ellsworth, '26, is another aggressive baller coming off a season when he gave coaches and fans a glimpse of things to come. He is a versatile back who can pound the rock and also deliver punishing lead blocks. On offense he gained just under 300 yards rushing and scored six TD's. He also caught four passes for 84 yards to give him just under 400 yards of offense and seven scores. On defense he is a battering ram of a linebacker bent on destruction. He uses his top-end closing speed, football instincts and read and react skills to shut down the run game as an inside backer or storm the gates off the edge to stop plays on the perimeter. On the year he had 60 tackles and six tackles for loss. He also plays basketball and baseball. This guy is getting ready to dominate this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1551651' first='Zakhyon' last='Roberts'], 5'9, 155, WR/ATH, Wellington, '26, is coming off a solid season as a versatile athlete who brings a big-time speed element to his game. Last season he played for Wichita Southeast as a receiver, d-back and return man, but has since transferred to Wellington. As a receiver he can split wide, line up in the slot or as an H-back as needed. He was fed the ball in creative ways, ending up with 11 receptions for just under 200 yards, and a sizzling 18-yard average, which included a 22-yard TD catch. He also had 400 yards in returns to give him just under 600 yards in total offense. On defense he uses his quickness and speed to smother wideouts and collapse on the ball in a hurry. In limited action he had seven tackles and a TFL. He is going to give the Crusaders even more speed to air it out this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='904440' first='Dalton' last='Hornback']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/dalton-hornback/"></a> , OLB/Edge, 6'2, 220, Derby, '26, is coming off a standout year as one of the top defenders on the Panther's sledgehammer defense. He was a playmaker on the edge all year, often absorbing double-teams to free up teammates and blowing up plays as the ball is snapped. He has a sky-high football IQ, with next-level read and react skills that he uses to expertly diagnose plays. He has a powerful, athletic frame with 4.6 forty speed that he uses as an active, aggressive mauler in the trenches. Coming off the edge he has great body lean, quickness and physicality that typically translates into mass destruction in the backfield. For the year he piled up 51 tackles, eight TFL, four sacks, and had a fumble recovery for a touchdown. He is going to be one of the top edge players in the state this fall.   In conclusion, get these studs-in-the-making on your watchlist and follow the lead-up to the 2025 season. And, as always, if you know of any players or teams “flying under the radar” give me a shout via DM on X. Keep grindin'.

Took a brief respite from my self-induced tape marathon to watch a mixed-review national championship game that was interestingly played on a day it would share with numerous other major events. The game and participants deserved better.