Watch This! Watch List to Rankings

The Class of 2026 rankings were a big project. We pushed the list from less than 270 up to 400 ranked athletes. Plus we added several athletes to the Watch List. The Watch List is where we list athletes who have found a way to grab our attention, but don't currently have film to breakdown and rank. So they go to the Watch List in hopes that during the next update they will have film. During this update we saw several publish film and make the jump into the rankings. Those athletes are our focus today. Let's dive into the fresh film and see what these juniors have to offer!    We were pumped to see the junior film come out for the 6'7" 230 lbs TE out of Ellsworth, WI. The film didn't disappoint as you can tell. George debuts as our #1 TE in the state and looks like an athlete who will have his share of D1 offers over the coming months.   Rohl is a TE that you can utilize in all situations. Put the big man inline and let him drive DEs off the ball in the run game with his power. Get him out in the passing game from that inline position as well. George does well getting a clean release and quickly proves that he is too athletic for LBs to stick with him up the seam or across the middle. The TE can also be split out wide and use that elite frame to overwhelm CBs as he boxes out or high points the ball with his large catch radius. Size, raw talent, alignment & usage versatility all come together to build our TE1 in the Class.      I was pumped to see the 6'4" 280 lbs DL/OL pumping out highlights on Hudl this season. He is clearly one of the top DL in this Class based off the tape and based off his strong showing at the PRZ WI Winter Showcase this past December. So I was excited to see where he would fall among his peers in this update.   The tape is so fun to watch. Tristen is a force at DT/NG. He has the elite frame and with it comes the power to take on double teams and eat up blocks without giving up much of any ground. In situations where he can go 1 on 1 with his opponent Tristen has the quick first step, heavy hands, and the ability to quickly create power off the burst to drive his man into the backfield to force disruption. Tristen also plays with some quick lateral agility that allows him to last second position himself so he has better leverage to beat his man. I highly recommend this tape.      A two way athlete that I have had an eye on for a while now is Cedarburg's [player_tooltip player_id='948133' first='Ryan' last='Lempke']. The 6'5" 225 lbs edge rusher and TE has proven to be a key piece for his team. I love the way this kid plays off the edge. Every snap he has a plan of attack and a move that he is going to set up. He usually has a counter move in his back pocket too. Lempke is relentless off the edge and between his length, bend, and hand fighting moves he has become a force.   At TE you get more of a feel for his athleticism. Ryan is able to get off the line clean and is smooth through his routes. The junior TE does a great job of using his size to protect the ball at the catch and forces the defense to earn their tackles with his run after the catch. Let the film do the talking.      With his older brother now at North Dakota it was time for Grant to take the wheel of the Burlington offense. Safe to say the offense is in great hands. Grant has the elite frame of a next level QB that is fully equipped with the arm talent that is also required to play at the next level. Grant's range is up there with the best. He can push it 40, 50 yards downfield while coming out of a scramble, and it looks easy when he is able to set his feet and fire. The ball carries the velocity all the way to the receiver too. It is also great to see the mobility he has to keep plays alive and when he is moving in the pocket he has the poise to keep his eyes downfield. This kid may be one of the breakout athletes of the summer.      A year ago when Brody attended one of our Showcases you could see the potential. Long frame that was ready to be filled out while also working on becoming more and more athletic and comfortable at that size. Fast forward to now and Brody looks very much like a next level recruit. He is able to reach a DL to his inside gap with his sudden lateral movement. The kid now plays with excellent body control as he is able to use his knee and ankle flexibility to win the leverage battle in the trenches. The junior also brings the power as he consistently creates a positive flow on the line with his blocks. The arrow is pointing up for Brody. Check out his junior tape.      You have to love the potential within this kid. He brings an elite frame that towers over every LB or DB he has or will face. Give him time to continue to fill out his frame and the mismatch that he will provide as a TE will be a massive advantage for an offense and play caller. His long strides cover ground at a clip that catches DBs off guard and in the open field there is a second gear. The body control to find ways to make the catch is well developed and he has hands you can trust. Caden is also a willing blocker and has plenty of examples of him helping break contain for his RBs. With added size and strength that will be a big plus at the next level as well. Tap into the highlights below.      Another potential breakout athlete of the summer is the 6'4" 240 lbs DE out of Oregon. Sabastian looks the part of a college edge defender, and is now publishing tape that supports it. The junior DE is able to find ways to get into the backfield over and over. He can win with power and bull rushes. Especially when he focuses on leverage and hand placement. Sebastian also flashes the closing burst to chase down RBs across the formation. The junior also does well setting the edge and staying the widest man when he has to contain. Check out one of the newest DL on our boards.      We have talked about exciting potential with a few of these athletes, and among that list needs to be [player_tooltip player_id='1220753' first='Brady' last='Starosta'] of Kenosha Tremper. Brady has an elite frame that is starting to fill out perfectly. From the DE position Brady is able to wreck havoc in the backfield. He is raw when it comes to pass rush moves, but the kid always finds ways to disengage and get after the QB. Even when he doesn't get there the junior has the awareness to get his hands up in the passing windows. Brady plays with a solid burst off the snap as well. Give these highlights a look for yourself.      You have to be a fan of the way this kid plays on the OL. He is relentless with his blocks, not stopping until he puts his man on the field. Sam does a great job of getting his hands inside, pulling them in close, and using leverage to drive any opponent off the line. Between the technique, power, and nasty mentality I have strong beliefs that this kid will find a home on the interior at the next level. Sam does a great job of double teaming, then moving up to the second level defender once level one is secured. There is a lot to like with this kid's game. Definitely dive into the tape.      Parker made a strong impression at the recent PRZ WI Showcase with his play at CB. The junior is a twitchy athlete that demonstrated over and over he has the reactive athleticism to mirror receivers throughout a route tree. Parker also possesses a very effective closing burst that allows him to recover when he does get out of position. The junior does a great job of understanding how aggressive he can be without drawing flags too. There's a confidence to his game that is needed while out on an island like CBs are. Big fan of this kid.

The Class of 2026 rankings were a big project. We pushed the list from less than 270 up to 400 ranked athletes. Plus we added several athletes to the Watch List. The Watch List is where we list athletes who have found a way to grab our attention, but don't currently have film to breakdown and rank. So they go to the Watch List in hopes that during the next update they will have film. During this update we saw several publish film and make the jump into the rankings. Those athletes are our focus today. Let's dive into the fresh film and see what these juniors have to offer!