Monday Watchlist Review '26 Players Ready to Dominate

The weekend film review spills over into Monday and just ahead of the release of the 2026 rankings, which will feature a number of new players who were able to catch the scout's collective eye. It will also include some seasoned vets who have been ranked for awhile now and are patiently waiting to see where they end up.   In my most recent marathon tape review, I continued to look for the up-and-coming ballers who have really stood out, but at the same time give a shout to a few of the guys already ranked who have impressed me for some time now.   In this report we will take another multi-positional look at some of these ballers from the Wichita and surrounding areas who have been taking their game to the next level after this past fall.   So, without further adieu, let's take a closer look at five top performers from the class of 2026:   [player_tooltip player_id='1401788' first='Houston' last='Bowlin'], 6'2, 280, DL/OL, Derby, '26, is a two-year starter coming off a standout junior season as a part of a strong Panther defense. He played well enough to get recognized as an all-conference, honorable mention all-state defensive lineman and along the way racked up 37 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and a caused fumble. He is a relentless mauler in the trenches who can be moved up and down the line of scrimmage but really stands out as a run-stuffing nose guard in the middle. One of the best aspects of his versatile game is his instincts and read and react skills. He uses his mental edge to always be around the ball, and when he arrives he is an aggressive hitter. He is already hard at it getting ready for this fall and he is going to rip it up.   [player_tooltip player_id='1113368' first='Daxton' last='Minton'], 6'0, 195, QB, Great Bend, '26, is another two-year starter coming off an excellent junior season when he led his team into the playoffs. He has the athleticism and dual-threat skills to set him apart but where he really differentiates his game is his ability to extend plays and make something out of nothing. He led his team to a 9-1 record last fall and along the way piled up 1,800+ yards and 22 touchdowns despite sitting once the game was in hand. As a passer, he has a live arm capable of all the throws, completing 96 of 150 passes for a 65% completion percentage, 17 TDs to six picks and an excellent 115.0 passer rating. On the ground he picked up 400+ yards, which also included a sizzling 65-yard TD run. This guy is going to be one of the top QB's in the state this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1228926' first='Raphael' last='Oblinger'] 6'0, 205, LB/DE, Kapaun, '26, the “Duece” is coming off a shortened season due to injury but has already shown scouts and coaches that he has a standout game that will transfer to the next level. He is a headhunter of a defender who can play multiple positions across the front but where he really excels is as an outside linebacker or on the edge destroying plays on the perimeter. He has a powerful base with heavy hands that he uses to bust offensive tackles in the mouth. Rushing the pass he has an athletic bend, maintains good pad level and fights through double teams well. With his top-end quickness and lateral movement he tracks the ball in a hurry. He will be primed and ready for a monster senior year.   [player_tooltip player_id='426515' first='Brayden' last='Pappas'], 5'8, 185, RB, Eisenhower, '26, is coming off another impressive season, this past year as a punishing running back after starting as a sophomore while playing five different positions. He is a versatile all-purpose back who can pound the rock, catch the ball out of the backfield or provide the crushing lead block as needed. This past year he gave D1 coaches a glimpse of things to come, picking up 1,200+ yards rushing for a 6+ yard average and seven touchdowns. As the single setback, he has great spatial awareness with the ball in hand and reads and reacts to exploit the smallest gaps. He has a low-center of gravity, with good burst and blows through arm tackles for big yards after initial hit. He is going to be one of the top running backs in the state in 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='1228897' first='Nolan' last='Durr']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nolan-durr/"></a> , 6'3, 215, Edge/TE, Cheney, '26, is another two-year starter who has drawn considerable attention from coaches and scouts with his next-level play the last few years. He is an athletic, multi-positional standout who really erupted last fall as a jackhammer of an edge defender. On the year he piled up just under 60 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, a half-dozen sacks and 13 hurries. He has prototype size, with a wing span just under 80″, and the reach and hands to man-handle blockers. He blows by OT's to decimate the passing attack, or cave in the run game between the tackles. He has a strong base with good lateral movement that he uses to track down plays on the corner. This guy is getting ready for total domination this coming fall.   In conclusion, get these guys 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.

The weekend film review spills over into Monday and just ahead of the release of the 2026 rankings, which will feature a number of new players who were able to catch the scout's collective eye. It will also include some seasoned vets who have been ranked for awhile now and are patiently waiting to see where they end up.