2026 Rankings Update: Rising Talents

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Breaking down some of the rankings risers from PRZ NV's latest update to the 2026 player rankings. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1343857"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67fde4e73f6f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hummel has been one of the biggest offseason risers out of northern Nevada after picking up his first three D-I offers from each of the service academies over the past month. The state's fourth-ranked junior ATH has proven to be an elite playmaker on both sides of the ball after totaling 70+ catches for over 1,400 yards on offense and 10 INTs over the past two seasons. Projects as a S at the next level with the physicality, athleticism, and ball skills he brings to the table. Look for Hummel to continue to bring in D-I offers heading into his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After a great conversation with <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachAlexMeans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachAlexMeans</a> I'm super blessed to announce my 3rd division 1 offer from The Air Force Academy!! <a href="https://twitter.com/RGJpreps?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RGJpreps</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NevadaSportsNet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NevadaSportsNet</a> <a href="https://t.co/39SFBiWGnJ">pic.twitter.com/39SFBiWGnJ</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1343857' first='Brady' last='Hummel'] (@BradyHummel4) <a href="https://twitter.com/BradyHummel4/status/1909358946357592417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1336588"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67fde4e73f76b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Purcell rose into the overall top-50 just before picking up his first D-I offer from UNLV a few days ago. The #3-DL prospect in PRZ NV's 2026 rankings has been flying under the recruiting radar despite showing an impressive combination of power, skill, and athleticism as an interior disruptor. Carries a strong, physical frame at 6'4"/320 and has the potential to develop into a dominant front-seven defender with the high-level upside he brings to the table. Purcell is a defender on the rise that's quickly establishing himself as one of the top DL prospects in Nevada's 2026 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Highlights from The Polynesian Bowl Lineman Showcase! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AG2G?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AG2G</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HEAVYHITTERS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HEAVYHITTERS</a> <a href="https://t.co/Rs8oNhLt89">pic.twitter.com/Rs8oNhLt89</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1336588' first='Poe' last='Purcell'] (@purcell_poe) <a href="https://twitter.com/purcell_poe/status/1906584197063721030?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1544607"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67fde4e73f7c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Horibe was a rankings riser in this latest update after putting together an impressive junior season for Pahrump Valley. Passed for 2,000 yards and 30 TDs with only 6 INTs last fall. He's one of the most naturally gifted passers in his class with the arm strength and accuracy he packs into his 6'2"/180 frame and is a dual-sport athlete in football and baseball. Stands tall in the pocket, operates with quiet feet, and can fit it into tight windows outside the numbers. Horibe- the fifth-ranked QB in PRZ NV's 2026 rankings- is a sleeper prospect among Nevada's junior QBs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://share.qwikcut.com/6783492e43b031d95fd29d1f/Kayne%20Horibe%20-%202026%20QB%20-%20Pahrump%20Valley%20High%20School%20(NV)">Junior Highlights</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1576413"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67fde4e73f81e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith was a riser in this latest rankings release after being named a new addition in December 2024's update. The 6'2"/260 DL out of Centennial has continued to ascend this offseason with some notable performances at recent offseason events. Shows good quickness off the ball and possesses the hands, power, and agility to get off blocks in a hurry when attacking the backfield. Produced a highly productive junior season with 57 tackles, 6 sacks, and 15 TFLs in the fall. Smith should start to see his interest level rise over the coming months as one of the top DL prospects in Nevada's junior class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1576888"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67fde4e73f869"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gonzalez was a new addition to the 2026 rankings back in December and rose into the top-100 in the March update as he continues to put his name on the northern Nevada radar. The 5'11"/200 will come into his senior as Carson's top returning tackler after posting 102 total and 10.5 TFLs as a junior. He's an athletic defender that can get sideline to sideline and create negative plays shooting gaps between the OTs. Gets to the ball with quick reactions/trigger off the snap and looks comfortable in space as a coverage defender. Gonzalez has kept his offseason schedule busy with camps and visits and should start to see his name on the radar in the near future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Had a great time watching the UNR Spring game at the home field! 🔥🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/NevadaFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NevadaFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NevadaSportsNet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NevadaSportsNet</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachLynch?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachLynch</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NV_DennisEck?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NV_DennisEck</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachChoateFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachChoateFB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NevadaRecruits?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NevadaRecruits</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BJ_Robrtsn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJ_Robrtsn</a> <a href="https://t.co/QpwpXuR4AQ">pic.twitter.com/QpwpXuR4AQ</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1576888' first='Justin' last='Gonzalez'] (@justingonzal_ez) <a href="https://twitter.com/justingonzal_ez/status/1910901678364373055?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1579294"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67fde4e73f8b8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith is another prospect that was newly added to the 2026 rankings back in December and has continued to rise up the board during the course of the offseason. He's a highly athletic and physical tackler that likes to get downhill and attack the backfield with speed and quickness. Showed promising versatility as a junior and carries a long, lean frame (5'11"/170) that could see him play an OLB/SS role at the next level. Smith is an underrated Vegas defender that offers some intriguing upside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">[player_tooltip player_id='1579294' first='Aaron' last='Smith']<br>Junior Year Varsity Highlights <br>Jersey# : 31<br>Cell#: 702-901-9503<br>Email: aaronjsmith0831@gmail.con<br>X: <a href="https://twitter.com/Aaron_smith702?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Aaron_smith702</a><br>Shadow Ridge High School <br>C/O 26<br>OLB, MLB, DE<a href="https://twitter.com/defendtheridge?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@defendtheridge</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/702HSFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@702HSFB</a> <a href="https://t.co/ce30XcrfUs">https://t.co/ce30XcrfUs</a></p>&mdash; [player_tooltip player_id='1579294' first='Aaron' last='Smith'] (@Aaron_smith702) <a href="https://twitter.com/Aaron_smith702/status/1885455341187719222?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2025</a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->