2026 Film Room: Specialists to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;OscarGalindo30&nbsp;in the coupon code area.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm continuing coverage of the 2026 class by stepping into the film room to look at some prospects flying under the radar. In this article, I check out some of the top specialists in the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out the updated Class of 2026 rankings&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/nebraska/rankings/2026-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1617412' first='Evan' last='Lucas'] (K), Lincoln Northwest - 5'11" 165 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/EvanLucas_16" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@EvanLucas_16)</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although the Falcons' season may not have gone as they wanted, there were still several bright spots, including junior kicker [player_tooltip player_id='1617412' first='Evan' last='Lucas']. Evan converted three out of four field goal attempts, including attempts from 41, 40, and 27. He also made four of his five extra points. Despite the small sample size, Evan's offseason work has been impressive with a series of kicking camps that have kept him pushing his limits. Evan has posted clips of him nailing 50 and 40-yard field goals through college uprights. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17428729/6775f50b945e5a240f294297' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e3896d6c7cb"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='488228' first='Carter' last='Chapp'] (K), Millard West - 6'4" 170 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/Carter_Chapp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(@Carter_Chapp)</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another big leg for the Wildcats with junior [player_tooltip player_id='488228' first='Carter' last='Chapp']! Carter is currently listed as a kicker, but with his bigger frame at 6'4", 170 pounds, I wouldn't be surprised if we saw him used on offense. Carter has a solid leg that can drive home FGs from long range, with a long of 57 yards. Chapp also looked solid on kickoffs, consistently putting the ball inside the 20 or recording a touchback. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18271377/67264cfcb66cc40f79291024' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e3896d6c805"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1556219' first='Everest' last='Scherlizin'] (K), Omaha Westside </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Omaha Westside's [player_tooltip player_id='1556219' first='Everest' last='Scherlizin'] was one of the more productive kickers in Class A last season. The Warrior's kicker connected on 58 of his 64 extra-point attempts, a 90.6% rate. Scherlizin also proved to have quite the leg, with his longest made FG coming from 44 yards. In total, he knocked in nine of his 13 attempts. I can see Everest pushing for the top spot at kicker with another solid season and off-season of fine-tuning his craft.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18098607/67520e12d421fa6849d396ae' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e3896d6c829"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='488225' first='Leo' last='Bailey'] (P), Skutt Catholic - 6'0" 175 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/_Leo_Bailey">(@_Leo_Bailey)</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior [player_tooltip player_id='488225' first='Leo' last='Bailey'] had a strong showing as the SkyHawks' starting punter last season. In 27 punt attempts, Bailey recorded 888 total yards for an average of 32.9 and placed two inside the 20-yard line. He displays decent air time on his punts with solid rotation that always takes a friendly bounce after hitting the turf. With some spots at receiver opening up, I wouldn't be surprised to see Leo pick up some reps there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17848901/676decf7453574a036f20607' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67e3896d6c849"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1217252' first='Sam' last='Dolphens'] (LS), Papillion-La Vista South - 6'1" 210 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/DolphensSam">(@DolphensSam)</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Papillion-La Vista South's [player_tooltip player_id='1217252' first='Sam' last='Dolphens'] has emerged as not only the top long snapper in the state but also one of the best at his position in the country. Sam is listed as a 5-star kicker with the 4th overall boot in the country. Part of what sets Sam apart is his ability to rip the ball to his holder/punter despite subpar conditions, as shown by his tight spiral snaps that he delivers accurately in 25 mph winds. Great prospect who will garner solid college attention!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DolphensSam/status/1899234924969746776","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DolphensSam/status/1899234924969746776 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/DolphensSam/status/1901420308751683822","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DolphensSam/status/1901420308751683822 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1625822' first='Samuel' last='Smith'] (LS), Platteview - 5'10" 140 lbs - <a href="https://x.com/SamuelS31960480">(@SamuelS31960480) </a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Platteview's [player_tooltip player_id='1625822' first='Samuel' last='Smith'] is an interesting prospect who could play special teams, offense, or defense at the college level. For now, he is starting to garner attention for his play at long snapper after earning a 3-star distinction at the position. Smith could also step into a bigger role at DB or WR for the Trojans in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure to follow&nbsp;<em>@PRZ_OscarG</em>&nbsp;for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->