Rankings Update: 2026 Top Stock Risers

This morning Prep Redzone Kansas published updated rankings for the Class of 2026. Those rankings now include 460 total athletes and 89 new additions to the rankings group.   Yesterday, a report was published previewing ten athletes in the rankings and Prep Redzone Kansas scouts will be featuring this class all week. Athletes, parents, and coaches with subscriptions can access those rankings by using this link.   Athletes, Coaches, and Parents can use this link for an explanation of the rankings process. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/how-we-rank/">https://prepredzone.com/how-we-rank/</a>   I would also like to share that the availability of public stats and social media updates on college recruitment play a large part in the rankings process once athletes become juniors. All Prep Redzone Kansas scouts have X accounts, and that is the easiest way to share information with us.   Profiles for new athletes have been created on Prep Redzone and can be claimed by using the following link <a href="https://prepredzone.com/prospect-index/#claim-profile-anchor">https://prepredzone.com/prospect-index/#claim-profile-anchor</a>   Athletes with claimed profiles that include extra contact information and video packages for our college coach subscribers to access are given a slight edge during the rankings process.   In this day and age of college sports, athletes need to be self-promoters to get noticed. High school athletes can not expect college coaches to just randomly show up to a game anymore. The more platforms you use to get your name out there the better, but X is the preferred platform for Prep Redzone Kansas scouts.   If anyone has further questions about the rankings process I can be contacted at the following email address <a href="mailto:deckscoutks@gmail.com">deckscoutks@gmail.com</a>. Please note that I will NOT respond to negative, inappropriate, or rude emails.   This first report features five athletes who made large jumps up the rankings. Each one moved into the Top 20. My second report today will feature athletes debuting in the rankings for the first time.   Stay tuned all week for more coverage of the Kansas Class of 2026.   Members of the Kansas Class of 2027 are now on the clock as that will be the next set of rankings updated. Athletes in that class interested in being considered for the rankings can follow and DM me on X at KSScoutDeck. They can also email me at the address listed above, or create their own profiles on Prep Redzone using the link above.  If a player creates their own profile, they must include their name, high school, height, weight, and preferred positions to be included in the rankings. Incomplete profiles will NOT be included in the public rankings.   [player_tooltip player_id='585905' first='Hunter' last='Higgins'], DL, 6'5”, 240, Maize South, ‘26   Higgins announced his college commitment to Kansas last week. He jumped from the No. 23 position into the No. 4 slot. Higgins is a quick defensive lineman who is solid against the run and the pass. He recorded 43 tackles in eight games for the Mavericks. He also registered 11 quarterback sacks and seven tackles for loss. The Maize South prospect chose to verbally commit to Kansas after narrowing his final options to Nebraska, Michigan, and Wisconsin.   [player_tooltip player_id='585904' first='Jaylen' last='Mason'], QB, 6'3”, 195, Wichita Northwest, '26 (Kansas)   Mason parlayed an excellent junior season and an early verbal commitment to Kansas University to jump 10 spots in the rankings. The Grizzly signal-caller is now ranked No. 7 overall by Prep Redzone. Mason posted impressive numbers in 11 games last season. He threw for 1,977 yards and rushed for 645 yards. He threw 24 touchdowns and rushed for nine. He has recorded back-to-back 1,000-plus-yard passing seasons.   [player_tooltip player_id='1083225' first='Trenton' last='Kern'], LB, 6'1”, 210, Great Bend,  ‘26   Kern was among the state leaders in tackles last season and moved up 11 spots in the rankings from No. 25 overall to No. 15. He has posted back-to-back seasons with 100-plus tackles. During his junior campaign, he collected 113 tackles in 10 games. He has 13 career TFLs and four quarterback sacks. Kern is also a solid baseball prospect, who hit .383 last season for the Panthers with two home runs and 22 RBIs.   [player_tooltip player_id='780341' first='Parker' last='Schwarz'], ATH, 6'1”, 200, Prairie View, ‘26   Schwarz is one of seven athletes to jump into the Top 50 from outside No. 100. The Prairie View prospect is ranked No. 17 overall after previously being ranked No. 104. He is posting eye-popping rushing numbers. In 11 games last season, he rushed for 2,305 yards on 163 carries. He has rushed for 4,983 yards in three seasons and could easily make a run at 7,000 with a solid senior campaign. He has scored 63 career touchdowns on the ground and rushed for 26 last fall for the Buffaloes.   [player_tooltip player_id='1114740' first='Stephen' last='Carroll'], OL, 6'2”, 260, St. Thomas Aquinas, ‘26   Carroll moved into the Top 20 and is ranked No. 19 overall. He was previously ranked No. 54 overall in the Kansas Class of 2026. He is built like a tank and is fast for his size. Carroll also wrestles and competes in track and field. He has played both center and guard and moves like a freight train when he pulls. Division I and Division II offensive line coaches should be getting in line to talk with Carroll.

This morning Prep Redzone Kansas published updated rankings for the Class of 2026. Those rankings now include 460 total athletes and 89 new additions to the rankings group.