C/O 2026 Top 100 Countdown: Prospects Ranked 40-31

We continue to look closer at the prospects in the class of 2026 Top 100. The featured prospects below are ranked 40 – 31 overall in the class of 2026 and are in line to attract college attention during the spring and summer evaluation period. This report will be published weekly until we reach the # 6 recruit on the list. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/prz-new-england-c-o-2026-top-five-prospects-and-why/">The Top five recruits in the class of 2026 can be seen here.</a> All prospects in this report have recent verbal offers from NCAA Div 1 FCS schools.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />    Ranked: #40 overall recruit and the #4 wide receiver in the New England Region [player_tooltip player_id='1633101' first='Luke' last='Rogers'] has solidified his position as the #40 overall recruit and the #4 wide receiver in the New England Region. His impressive physical attributes—standing 6'3" and weighing 185 pounds—complement his high-level speed, which consistently stands out in film reviews. Rogers demonstrates a remarkable ability to create separation from defenders, thanks to his exceptional burst off the line of scrimmage and adept footwork with practical jab steps. His recent verbal offers from prestigious programs such as the University of Pennsylvania, Army West Point, Dartmouth, the University of New Hampshire, and the Air Force Academy reflect his growing recognition. Rogers shows versatility in his game, comfortably executing routes ranging from jump balls to slants and hitches. His strong ball skills and determination to block make him a well-rounded player. The upcoming season should be a great one for him, and his current film showcases a prospect with significant potential to rise even higher in rankings. For a closer look, view his highlights here: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/22619814/673c1ffe1216e129528a9cec">[player_tooltip player_id='1633101' first='Luke' last='Rogers'] Hudl</a>.      Rank: #39 Overall, #3 TE Class of 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='404668' first='Tanner' last='Raymond'] attends Choate Rosemary Hall and stands out as a premier tight end in the New England Region, currently ranked #39 overall and #3 in his position for the Class of 2026. His recent verbal offers from Georgetown, Fordham, Monmouth, and Columbia speak volumes about his potential and skill set. Tanner's athleticism is evident in his ability to excel at pass-catching and run-blocking. He demonstrates soft, reliable hands, making him a natural target in the receiving game. His tenacity after the catch allows him to gain extra yards, showcasing his strength and determination. Additionally, Tanner's defensive play is commendable; he brings speed, energy, and sure tackling to the field, further enhancing his value. His contributions extend to special teams, where his versatility is a significant asset. As he continues to refine his skills, Tanner's upward trajectory in the rankings indicates a bright future in collegiate football. For further insights into his performance, please view his highlight reel <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18585576/Tanner-Raymond">here</a>.      Ranking Update: #38 Overall, #3 Defensive Back, Class of 2026 – New England Region [player_tooltip player_id='385472' first='Giovanni' last='Joseph'] has continued to impress and solidify his position among the top prospects in New England. Currently ranked #38 overall and #3 among defensive backs for the Class of 2026, his recent verbal offers from prestigious institutions such as Brown University, Army West Point, and Harvard underline his significant talent and potential. At 6'0" and 176 lbs, Giovanni showcased his skills in the 2024 season, earning All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention honors. His film highlights a fluid athleticism coupled with impressive speed, making him a formidable opponent in coverage. Giovanni possesses exceptional coverage skills, quickly flipping his hips and efficiently navigating breaks. He rarely takes false steps, displaying noteworthy instincts and solid footwork. Moreover, his ball skills stand out—he exhibits excellent leaping ability and is capable of high-pointing passes, effectively disrupting taller receivers. Giovanni's combination of natural talent and developed skills justify his position in the top rankings and build anticipation for his future impact in collegiate football. For an in-depth look at Giovanni's abilities, view his latest film, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2QSnKh">Hudl</a>.      Current Ranking: #37 Overall, #2 Defensive Back in New England. [player_tooltip player_id='405148' first='Nate' last='Olson'] has consistently impressed on the field, earning his current ranking as the #2 defensive back in New England for the class of 2026. Standing at 6'2" and 180 pounds, he possesses an excellent blend of physical attributes and instincts that sets him apart as a top prospect. Recent verbal offers from prestigious programs like Columbia, Army, UMass, Monmouth, Air Force, and Fordham reflect his growing reputation. His quick reaction times and superior field awareness make him a key player in run-support scenarios. Olson's ability to cover ground effectively allows him to play center field and deeper zones confidently. Moreover, his ball skills and leaping ability are noteworthy; he often high-points the ball, demonstrating a knack for competing against taller receivers. His footwork is advanced for his age, enabling him to maintain fluid movement and react adeptly during plays. Overall, Olson's combination of talent and work ethic places him firmly within the Top 100 prospects in New England, and he appears poised for continued growth and development as he progresses in his football career. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15299724/Nate-Olson/highlights">Highlight Reel: [player_tooltip player_id='405148' first='Nate' last='Olson']</a>      Current Ranking: #36 Overall, #8 DL in New England [player_tooltip player_id='1354512' first='Jovan' last='Chase'] has solidified his standing in the Top 100 with impressive recent performances and high academic prowess. Standing at 6'4" and weighing 255 pounds, Jovan's agility is remarkable; his recent 9'7" broad jump and a swift 4.2 5-10-5 shuttle time are indicators of his explosiveness and athleticism on the field. Competing out of Choate Rosemary Hall, Jovan has recently garnered verbal offers from prestigious institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard, Princeton, Temple, Brown, Cornell, and Dartmouth, highlighting his status as a dual-threat student-athlete. His film showcases a unique blend of speed and quickness, allowing him to disrupt offensive lines consistently. With excellent leverage, he exhibits lateral mobility that keeps him a step ahead of his opponents. As he continues to develop, there's little doubt that Jovan will only climb higher in the rankings. His skill set and academic commitment make him a highly valuable prospect in the New England region and beyond.      Ranking: #35 Overall, #2 Tight-End, Class of 2026 (New England) [player_tooltip player_id='570035' first='Matthew' last='Tybor'] continues to elevate his stock as a premier prospect within New England. Standing 6'5" and weighing 240 lbs, Tybor possesses the physical tools to dominate in the Division 1 arena. His recent performance has garnered verbal offers from several institutions, including the University of Massachusetts, the University of Rhode Island, Liberty University, Bryant University, the University of New Hampshire, Monmouth University, and Army Westpoint, underscoring his appeal as a top-tier talent. A highlight of his 2024 season film is a remarkable one-handed catch, showcasing his exceptional hand-eye coordination and his ability to perform under pressure. Tybor plays intensely and is willing to engage physically, effectively getting to the second level and adding the grit that every team desires. On the defensive end, his quick first step and impressive pass-rush skills highlight his versatility. His low pad level and refined hand technique allow him to disrupt the opponent's game plan, making him a dual-threat prospect. With recognition as a 2024 All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention, Tybor's trajectory points firmly towards a bright future in football. Overall, he remains an essential prospect to monitor as the recruitment season progresses. Link to Highlights: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16147992/Matthew-Tybor">[player_tooltip player_id='570035' first='Matthew' last='Tybor'] Hudl Profile</a>      Ranking Update: #34 Overall Recruit, #1 Defensive Back in New England (Class of 2026) [player_tooltip player_id='1079424' first='Kieran' last='Edwards'], a standout defensive back from Brunswick High School, has solidified his position as the top recruit in New England. Standing at 6'1.5" and weighing 186 pounds, Kieran possesses the ideal combination of size and athleticism crucial for a defensive back. His fast backpedal, quick break on the ball, and ability to cover receivers of all sizes set him apart. Kieran's recent impressive performances have garnered him verbal offers from top-tier academic institutions, including Georgetown, Yale, Brown, Cornell, UPenn, Dartmouth, Monmouth, Univ of New Hamshire, Air Force Academy, and  Navy Academy., demonstrating both his athletic prowess and academic appeal. Additionally, interest from military academies like the Air Force and Navy showcases his leadership and discipline on and off the field. Kieran's sure tackling ability and speed make him a versatile asset, capable of making impactful plays both in the box and along the boundary. As we approach the season, it's clear that Kieran is not only a premier prospect but also a player with the potential to make significant contributions to any collegiate program. Video Highlights: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2M5J4d">[player_tooltip player_id='1079424' first='Kieran' last='Edwards'] Highlight Reel</a>      Current Rank: #33 Overall, #7 DL - New England Region [player_tooltip player_id='1632536' first='Tim' last='O'Malley'] has proven himself a formidable force on the field, earning his spot as one of the top defensive linemen in New England. His recent verbal offers from prestigious institutions, including UNH, Cornell, Army, Brown, Harvard, Dartmouth, Lehigh, Yale, and Columbia, highlight his academic and athletic prowess. At 6'2" and 250 lbs, O'Malley showcases remarkable physicality, demonstrating a consistent ability to overpower or out-quick high school offensive linemen. In our recent film review, dated 2/25/25, we noted his quick-twitch get-off skills, which allow him to dominate the line of scrimmage. He effectively commands double teams and can shed blockers using strong technique and footwork. His capability to penetrate gaps, maintain leverage in the run game, and develop pass-rush moves further underscores his potential at the collegiate level. Recognized as a 3rd Team Connecticut All-State Player in 2024, O'Malley is skillful and possesses a strong football IQ. Tim's upward trajectory in rankings is a testament to his hard work and talent, making him a player to watch as he progresses through his high school career.      Ranking Update: #32 Overall, #12 Offensive Lineman (Class of 2026, New England) [player_tooltip player_id='385352' first='Chris' last='Oswitt'] continues to solidify his position as a top recruit in the New England region, showcasing impressive skills and physical attributes. Standing at 6'3.5" and weighing 280 lbs, Oswitt has proven his measurements through verified participation at the Fordham camp. His athleticism shines with a recorded 40-yard dash time of 5.3 seconds, noted during the Holy Cross camp. In our mid-season film review, Oswitt's ability to reach the second level and execute effective power blocks stands out. His technique reflects adequate pad level and leverage, essential for an offensive lineman's success. Notably, he demonstrates agility and a fierce competitive spirit—qualities that contribute to his "nastiness" on the field, allowing him to dominate opponents. His pre-snap adjustments highlight his football IQ and readiness. Receiving verbal offers from prestigious programs, including UPenn, Dartmouth, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Georgetown, Bryant, Brown, Army, Cornell, Umass, and Navy, indicates his rising profile. We anticipate his continued development and performance will further enhance his ranking in the Top 100. Chris is on track to make a significant impact at the collegiate level.      Current Ranking: #31 Overall Recruit | #3 WR, Class of 2026, New England Andrew Esposito has shown remarkable progress since our last evaluation, solidifying his place as one of the top prospects in the region. Standing at 6'3.5" and weighing 187 pounds, Esposito exhibits a unique blend of size and athleticism. His ability to “high-top” the ball and impressive playmaking skills distinguish him as a versatile threat on the field. In a standout performance in the 2024 early season, he logged nine receptions for 271 yards, underscoring his YAC (yards after catch) potential and knack for making big plays. His five touchdowns from this game are a testament to his scoring ability, placing him among the state's elite in the record books. Esposito has garnered verbal offers from a host of prestigious programs, including Army, Dartmouth, Princeton, Brown, Lehigh Univ., Fordham Univ., Columbia, Yale, Bryant, UNH, Georgetown, Air Force, Townson, Navy, and Cornell, indicating a bright future at the D1 level. As a 2024 1st Team Connecticut All-State Player, he consistently demonstrates toughness and competence in high-pressure situations. We believe he deserves sustained recognition and expect continued growth and impact heading into the collegiate ranks.

We continue to look closer at the prospects in the class of 2026 Top 100. The featured prospects below are ranked 40 – 31 overall in the class of 2026 and are in line to attract college attention during the spring and summer evaluation period. This report will be published weekly until we reach the # 6 recruit on the list. The Top five recruits in the class of 2026 can be seen here. All prospects in this report have recent verbal offers from NCAA Div 1 FCS schools.