Gem Alert: Un-offered Athletes to Get Eyes On

Code JohnsonCombine25 gets you a discount for the May 18th Showcase in Milwaukee!   The Class of 2026 is off and rolling with commitments and a ton of offers. Early returns are that it is a special Class and a deep Class. One that is going to send potentially dozens of athletes of athletes to the FBS/FCS levels. We are also seeing D2 and some D3 programs getting things going with offers going out. Now that a few months have gone by of heavy recruiting in the Class of 2026 I wanted to take some time to go through athletes that don't have that first offer, yet. But a look through their tape could get things rolling, so that is what we are here to help do today. Get that tape back out in front of coaches and keep the buzz on these talented kids going strong. Let's get into it!    When it comes to creating mismatches in the trenches you won't find a better prospect in WI than [player_tooltip player_id='402818' first='Neeko' last='Rodgers'] of Catholic Memorial. Neeko is building a legitimate, high-end frame at 6'1" 270 lbs, but it is the way that he plays at that size that is different and sets him apart from the crowd. Neeko can win in so many ways. He has a solid initial burst out of his stance and quick hands to battle guards and centers. You will see him show quick feet and hips to slip past a lineman or get skinny between two OL. The big fella also brings a closing burst that catches ball carriers off guard and range to chase down plays outside of the pocket. The combination of size, quickness, and power packed into this 2026 DT is hard to find. Give his highlights a look.     I have a strong feeling that if Roeker does make it to summer without an offer, we will see that change pretty quickly after he gets to put pads back on. In the toughest conference in WI Patrick showed up and dominated on a weekly basis. In pass protection he proved he could get depth and use his length to be able to handle speed rushers. Plus the '26 dropped a stout anchor any time an edge tried to go through him. Where Patrick is most dominant, though, is in the run game. The 295 lbs junior is able to generate so much force from his powerful base to his hand use and placement. He hits like a ton of bricks and runs through contact to create that surge you look for in the trenches. Roeker won a lot of reps against a lot of top competition as a junior. Big things ahead for this kid.     Another OL that is ready for a breakout summer is Hartford's [player_tooltip player_id='700208' first='Sam' last='Johnston']. The 6'4" 275 lbs athlete has a solid collection of building blocks within his game to continue to build upon. In pass protection Sam has proven to be a fluid athlete. One that can get good depth and also mirror the change of direction and counter moves of an edge rusher. In the run game Sam does well winning with leverage, getting underneath his opponent and bulldozing them out of gaps. There is a strong base of power throughout Sam's game on top of his leverage and athleticism. He is putting in the work and getting out to plenty of visits as well. Only a matter of time until things start to pick up steam for him.     It looks like we are in position to see a big season for [player_tooltip player_id='1610036' first='Jackson' last='Connor'] at Verona. The show might start this summer at camps as Jackson works towards his first offer. There is plenty to catch the eye with the 6'4" 195 lbs athlete. Jackson uses that mismatch frame to provide a huge catch radius because he has soft, reliable hands to grab the ball off the top shelf. The impressive junior creates a lot of his separation with his sheer size and strength to box out DBs and also high pointing the ball with good timing. Connor also has highlights where he is able to simply run past DBs deep downfield. Jackson's size, catch radius, and ability to win in redzone situations should get him attention by the time summer rolls around.     One of the state's best edge defenders is looking for that first offer. The versatility that the 2026 edge/OLB brings to the field is very intriguing. Having a chess piece that you can move out to the slot, rush off the edge, or play off-ball OLB would be a huge advantage for a DC. Connor shows off excellent range and a strong base of instincts that work together to get him around the field in time to make key plays/stops. Connor is more than just an athlete at the LB position, though. He is a stout edge setting run defender and has shown that he can shed blocks very efficiently on his way to the football to make tackles. Kreger is a physical, tone setting LB with the athleticism to play all three downs at the next level.     Nolan has big things ahead of him. He is going to be a big riser during the summer rankings update, and before that I have a strong feeling he is going to be earning some impressive offers. First off, Nolan looks the part of a D1 prospect. He carries 295 lbs really well on his 6'5" frame. The big fella has outstanding range to pull across the formation quickly and comfortably. Watching Nolan move in the trenches and out in space, it seems natural and easy for him. That size and athleticism also come with unfair power. His initial punch devastates a lot of defenders, and if that doesn't pancake them Nolan has the lower body strength to run opponents out of running lanes. Duffy has so many impressive traits to continue to dial in. He is looking like a kid that will be pushing for a Top 25 spot potentially.     The offseason work is continuing to pay off as Adam is getting bigger, stronger, and more explosive. The All-Region DL is going to be a nightmare matchup for OL this summer and fall. His junior tape shows an athlete that can win with his first step quickness and acceleration, or with constantly active hands, or with speed around the edge. Adam is going to be back on the field even more explosive following the offseason dedication. The '26 DE is also going to be even more effective with battling through blockers and using power to get penetration. Adam is one of my first choices for athletes who could be on the verge of a massive breakout year. Keep a close eye on how this kid looks when things get rolling this spring/summer.

Code JohnsonCombine25 gets you a discount for the May 18th Showcase in Milwaukee!