Recruiting Rumblings: Top 2026 Targets Closing in on Decisions

Prep Redzone is a scouting service first and foremost. We strive to provide rankings for not just the top players in each class, but for the guys who will fill D2 and D3 rosters. But as we scout, we also pick up information about where players intend to play at the next level. I'll never spoil a player's announcement, even if I know where they'll end up. That's not my job and it's not enjoyable. However, as players narrow down their lists and ultimately commit, we can add some context.   Since it's April, this particular update is a bit top-heavy, with several elite players in a loaded 2026 class approaching decisions. However, as we approach the season and, ultimately, the signing periods, we'll have more information on some of the guys weighing FCS and D2 options.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top 2026 Players Trimming Lists</h2>   We'll start with a few of our top 15 players in the 2026 class.   In a development that shocked plenty on the national scene, elite West Forsyth recruit [player_tooltip player_id='953021' first='PJ' last='Dean'] showed up at Sunday's Under Armour Next Camp as a full-time defensive tackle, despite being a national recruit on the offensive line. It's a move that, in this writer's opinion, is one of the best I've seen in years. I've actively advocated to have Dean lower than others have him on the offensive line. His frame just isn't meant to hold the 310+ pounds he'd need to hold to be an SEC (Or Big Ten) offensive lineman. That's why he currently sits at 15th in our state rankings.   He made the switch to full-time defense though and looks like a future All-American defensive tackle. He also announced a final three of Ohio State, South Carolina, and Georgia and I've heard that each of the SEC schools feels confident. Both the Gamecocks and Bulldogs were unsurprised by the switch to defense as both have been quietly recruiting him as an interior defensive tackle from the beginning. Expect him to move up our rankings with the position change and expect a decision to come soon.   Hough corner [player_tooltip player_id='284097' first='Samari' last='Matthews'] is one of the best corners I've scouted for Prep Redzone and I'm shocked the national recruiting services aren't higher on him. He's a guy who could challenge for the top spot in our 2026 rankings thanks to elite length, speed, and technique.   He, too, dominated at Sunday's Under Armour Camp. While he's targeting a later decision date (August) he seems to be down to four schools: Clemson, Texas, Florida State, and South Carolina, though he visited Miami Tuesday.. South Carolina has been there from the beginning and Clemson feels confident as well, from what I'm hearing. He's at Texas on Wednesday, and that seems to be the third of his top schools. Whoever gets Matthews will get a guy who looks college-ready. Don't be surprised if he plays early in 2026.   [player_tooltip player_id='823700' first='Aiden' last='Harris'] and his twin, [player_tooltip player_id='951444' first='Andrew' last='Harris'], each have the same top 10 schools with official visits set together for the summer to Penn State, South Carolina, Auburn, and NC State.   Each player's recruitment has been similar, with Ohio State and Auburn each having early momentum. The twins held off committing early and look like they'll let the process play out, a smart move in my opinion. Even though Ohio State doesn't have a scheduled visit, don't forget about the Buckeyes.   We love the versatility of each prospect. Aiden can play anything from 3-technique to pure edge rusher while Andrew has the strength to play edge and the quickness to play linebacker.   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Notre Dame Trying to Lock Down Tar Heel State</h3>   NC State had a down year, Bill Belichick and North Carolina are trying to recruit nationally, and while Clemson always lurks and South Carolina is pushing back in, it's Notre Dame that has found some recent success in North Carolina.   The Fighting Irish have prioritized North and South Carolina recently, pulling seven players from the Tar Heel State in the 2022-2025 classes. They've ramped up their efforts in 2026 as the Tar Heel State boasts one of the best classes of elite players in recent memory.   According to 247Sports, the Irish have offers out to eight uncommitted prospects, with two others in the state (Weddington's [player_tooltip player_id='284098' first='Thomas' last='Davis Jr.'] and South Garner's [player_tooltip player_id='1156972' first='Ebenezer' last='Ewetade']) already committed. But those aren't just courtesy offers.   I'd label them "in the game" with five of those eight offered players. Myers Park's [player_tooltip player_id='1002307' first='Rodney' last='Dunham'] is an edge rusher we've loved since the start. He's committing Thursday and from what I've heard, Notre Dame feels like they've got a good shot to land the elite pass-rusher.   South Garner's [player_tooltip player_id='615340' first='Ekene' last='Ogboko'] isn't nearly as far along in the process as some of his fellow 2026 players, as he's still in the process of narrowing down an enormous offer list, but the Fighting Irish seem to have some staying power there. Independence defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='402298' first='Nick' last='Reddish'], Rolesville edge rusher [player_tooltip player_id='662372' first='Zavion' last='Griffin-Haynes'], and Jordan IDL [player_tooltip player_id='321266' first='Noah' last='Clark'] all have visits scheduled to South Bend. Griffin-Haynes seems to be a bit higher on a couple of other teams, but the Irish are in the thick of all of those races.   Reddish just visited the Irish and has an official scheduled for the summer.   Notre Dame loves to recruit North Carolina and it seems that 2026 could be the pinnacle of its Tar Heel State success. Don't be surprised if they nab more top talent from North Carolina than any other team in the country.

Prep Redzone is a scouting service first and foremost. We strive to provide rankings for not just the top players in each class, but for the guys who will fill D2 and D3 rosters. But as we scout, we also pick up information about where players intend to play at the next level. I'll never spoil a player's announcement, even if I know where they'll end up. That's not my job and it's not enjoyable. However, as players narrow down their lists and ultimately commit, we can add some context.