Diamonds in the Rough: Class of 2026

<p>There are diamonds in every class, however, the value for college coaches are finding the gems that go under-noticed. Here are 9 players that are good bets to outperform their current recruitment status.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Harlem McClendon | ATH | Myrtle</h2>   <p>Harlem McClendon (6-1, 190, 3.5 GPA) is a versatile athlete with a diverse skill set. As a big-bodied defender, his length and lateral footwork make him an ideal fit as a nickel defender, capable of covering multiple positions. On offense, McClendon is a swift-footed runner with impressive acceleration and a powerful frame that makes him difficult to bring down— often requiring multiple defenders to stop him in the box. His jump cuts and stiff-arm technique add to his effectiveness as a ball carrier. With his combination of size, agility, and physicality, McClendon has a lot to offer in multiple roles on the field.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1583050' first='Davis' last='Harrelson'] | Wide Receiver | Starkville</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1583050' first='Davis' last='Harrelson'] is a versatile a 6-2, 180-pound athlete contributing at running back and slot receiver. Currently, the offensive stalwart maintains a 3.8 GPA and has achieved a 21 on the ACT. </p>   <p>He exhibits a strong, resilient running style, often thriving through contact and demonstrating the ability to bounce outside for significant yardage. As a slot receiver, he showcases excellent agility and stop-and-go abilities in his route running and post-catch movements.</p>   <p><em>Recruiting Note: Harrelson recently received an offer from Hawaii</em></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1258749' first='Chavel' last='Williams Jr']. | Running Back | Oak Grove</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1258749' first='Chavel' last='Williams Jr']., a 5-9, 160-pound running back, recently received his first Division 1 offer from Southern Mississippi and Nicholls State. Known for his elite speed and agility, often described as lightning in a bottle. His seamless jump cuts and minimal wasted movement make him a dynamic runner. His acceleration is exceptional, making him a game-changing presence on the field.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Noah German | Defensive Back | West Harrison</h2>   <p>Noah German is a 5-9, 135-pound cornerback who exhibits strong man-to-man coverage skills, maintaining effective downfield spacing and demonstrating quick hip rotations to stay aligned with receivers. He effectively uses the sideline as an additional defender and leverages his vertical abilities to contest passes. On shorter routes, he displays fluid hip movements and solid closing speed, enabling him to break on the ball efficiently. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1303917' first='Cam' last='Bell'] | Defensive Back | Newton County</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1303917' first='Cam' last='Bell'] (5-11, 165) is an elite cornerback with a combination of skills that make him a true shutdown defender. His footwork in coverage is top-tier, with fluid hips allowing him to mirror receivers with precision. Bell's hand technique at the point of contact is violent and effective, using his savvy approach to consistently stack up pass breakups (PBUs). His swipe technique is refined, and his timing on downfield balls is exceptional as he doesn't give away his intentions, maintaining his composure and avoiding pass interference calls. Bell's ability to create an island makes him a valuable asset on the defensive side.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jayvion Lowery | Defensive Back | Choctaw County</h2>   <p>Jayvion Lowery is a 5-10, 150-pound safety who demonstrates exceptional skills consistently taking precise angles to downfield passes, resulting in numerous pass breakups and interceptions. His elite closing speed allows him to make impactful open-field tackles. Additionally, he has showcased his versatility by excelling in the nickel position, where he is a formidable presence in the run game and effectively pressures quarterbacks during scrambles. His ability to recognize keys early in the run game enables him to make decisive plays at the snap.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='742738' first='Jalin' last='Trotter'] | Wide Receiver | Lamar</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='742738' first='Jalin' last='Trotter'] (6-3, 195) is a physically imposing wide receiver with a rare combination of size, strength, and speed. Comparable to AJ Brown, Trotter is a dominant force on the field, able to burn defenders on deep routes with impressive secondary speed (4.6 40) that comes with little effort. His ability to accelerate quickly and reach top-end speed makes him dangerous in the screen and sweep game. Despite his size, his footwork and agility remain fluid, allowing him to be productive after the catch and make plays in space. Trotter is a reliable, powerful weapon who can create mismatches all over the field.</p>   <p><em>Recruiting Note: Trotter recently received offers from Southern Alabama and Arkansas State</em></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">De'Mario Davies | Quarterback | West Harrison</h2>   <p>De'Mario Davies (5-11) is a quarterback who excels at making precise throws on the run, particularly to the strong side. He specializes in middle routes and uses linebackers as decoys to open up passing lanes. With impressive pocket toughness, he is able to stand strong under pressure and deliver deep throws with accuracy. His quick release and ability to read the defense at the snap allow him to make fast decisions and move the ball effectively. Davies demonstrates strong playmaking abilities, showing both physical and mental toughness in high-pressure situations.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jazear Carter | Defensive Lineman | West Harrison</h2>   <p>Jazear Carter is a 6'2, 245-pound defensive end who showcases a strong swim move on the interior, effectively clogging running lanes and disrupting offensive plays. On the edge, Carter demonstrates quickness to exploit offensive tackles outside shoulders and possesses the power to execute effective bull rushes, making him a versatile threat on the defensive line.</p>   <p>Academically, Carter maintains a 3.9 GPA, reflecting his commitment to academics alongside athletics.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jazear_carter/status/1885413850440159340?s=61 </div></figure>

There are diamonds in every class, however, the value for college coaches are finding the gems that go under-noticed. Here are 9 players that are good bets to outperform their current recruitment status.