The Watch List- 2026s Who Caught Our Eye This Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome back to The Watch List!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we are looking at some talented 2026s who have caught our eye over the past week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, be sure to check out their tape below!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1653209"],"_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-67f40aaae6261"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1653209' first='Jaxon' last='Newton'] is a talented ATH out of Walter Wellborn who put together an impressive junior season last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newton is a versatile playmaker for his team's defense who can provide great coverage downfield and terrific run support near the line of scrimmage. Newton is a quick and instinctual defender who flies around the field- he's terrific at reading and reacting to offenses and has the speed and pursuit skills to make impact plays every snap.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newton also makes huge plays for his offense out of the backfield as a RB- he's quick to find rushing lanes and has the speed and acceleration to turn upfield for huge plays on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newton has had a busy offseason, picking up offers from Toledo and North Alabama over the past week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to watch his tape below, he's a talented LB/S with a huge senior year ahead of him this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19343515/66e4968fa636015eb563be0c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f42e972155b"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1190952"],"_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-67f40aaae62e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cappie Reed is a talented LB out of UMS-Wright who has been a huge piece of their defense over the last two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reed is a tackling machine who helps his defense come up with stops nearly every snap. He's terrific against the run and consistently flies downhill to fill in rushing lanes and fight off blockers to take down the ball carrier. Reed is terrific at tackling- he gets low, wraps up, and can come up with stops behind or right by the line of scrimmage for little to no gain.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reed is just as productive against the pass- he's a really effective blitzer who consistently gains great pressure and racks up sacks on the quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reed had one of his best seasons yet last fall, ending his junior year with 136 total tackles (10 for loss), 2 sacks, one safety, and one fumble recovery. With production like that, teams at the next level are starting to take notice- Reed picked up his first offer from Hinds Community College a few weeks back!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to watch Reed's junior season tape below- he was dominant last year and has a huge year ahead of him this fall, stay tuned!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15991600/674ddf43f944d22bcd555866' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f42e9721625"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1577242"],"_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-67f40aaae632d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1577242' first='Darius' last='Brown'] is a talented WR out of Mattie T Blount who put together one of his best seasons yet last fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is a quick, reliable WR who can hurt defenses at multiple levels of the field. I'm really impressed with Brown's twitch and route running, he's quick on his feet, gains great separation, and can find ways to easily get open underneath and deep downfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown has a great set of hands and skills after the catch he uses to haul in receptions and evade defenders in the open field- he's really fast, elusive, and smart with the ball in his hands, consistently avoiding big hits and making the most out of every reception. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown was really impressive throughout his junior season last fall and deserves more eyes, do yourself a favor and check out his tape below!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19081342/67262ddea953dda75e9e1bea' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f42e97216c6"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1653250"],"_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-67f40aaae636f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1653250' first='Noah' last='Hicks'] is a dominant DB out of Moody who made a huge impact in their secondary last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'1 175, Hicks has great size and speed at the position he uses to physically wear down WRs lined up in front of him. Hicks is terrific in coverage- he's quick on his feet, isn't easily baited, and has the ball skills to track, break up, and pick off passes all over the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hicks is just as good against the run- he's a talented tackler and plays with great pursuit, consistently flying in from across the field to come up with stops. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hicks made a ton of impressive plays last season, ending his junior year with 40 total tackles (25 solo) and several PBUs and INTs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to check out some of Hicks' tape from last season below, he's a talented DB with a huge senior year on the horizon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22742986/67302ebcc32d5a463c73f733' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f42e972176a"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1653251"],"_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-67f40aaae63b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1653251' first='Deshaun' last='Pope'] is a talented member of Hillcrest's defensive line who's coming off one of his best seasons yet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pope is explosive off the snap and has violent hands he uses to get past offensive linemen and into the backfield to come up with big stops. Pope is an effective pass rusher who generates tons of pressure and brings down the quarterback but is even more unstoppable against the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pope is a dominant run defender- he completely blows up the line of scrimmage, fights off blockers, and brings down the ball carrier on almost every rushing play. It's seriously impressive watching the power and leverage Pope plays with- he bullies offensive linemen and puts them on their heels to come up with huge stops in the trenches on a routine basis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pope picked up offers from North Alabama and Mercer over the past week, and with his talent, he will have more sent his way in no time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Do yourself a favor and check out Pope's tape from last season below, he's a talented player on Hillcrest's defensive line with a bright future ahead. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19370290/671de700935fb6b106bb3727' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67f42e9721805"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->