2026 Check In- Prospects Picking Up Attention this Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're checking in on some of the state's talented 2026 prospects who have been picking up attention from programs at the next level this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're diving into the tape to see what's what, and are giving you the latest on their recruitment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, make sure to watch their tape below. These guys have some serious talent and deserve more eyes!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1669274"],"_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-681b7d5091cf9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1669274' first='Alijah' last='Johnson'] is an impressive QB/ATH out of Benjamin Russell who's coming off a big junior season last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson is a talented dual-threat QB who can hurt you with his arm and his legs. Johnson has some serious arm talent- he throws with impressive accuracy and can push the ball downfield really well for huge gains. He's also quick to make decisions, I'm really impressed by his processing and how he performs under pressure- you can tell he's experienced at the position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think Johnson's best trait is his ability to throw on the move- he has some serious arm talent that lets him roll out and deliver some really beautiful passes while he's on the run/off platform. With his athleticism, he opens up so much of what you can do offensively- it's really fun to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson picked up an offer from North Alabama yesterday, and with his talent, it won't be surprising to see more sent his way soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out some of Johnson's junior season film below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14934892/673d17d66108e6d747fe76e4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681b7d509204a"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1471216"],"_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-681b7d50920d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1471216' first='Parker' last='Lindsey'] is a dominant OT out of Fayette County who is starting to see his name pop up in the recruiting world.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lindsey has been a reliable LT for Fayette County, especially in their run game. He's an athletic lineman who can deliver huge blocks from level to level and consistently pave the way for his teammates upfront and downfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm most impressed with Lindsey's athleticism- he moves super well at 6'3 275, has impressive flexibility, and great strength/power he uses to consistently lay out defenders. He's got a great skill set I think will easily translate to the next level, and teams are starting to notice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lindsey announced he had picked up his first D1 offer from North Alabama!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was really impressed with Lindsey's tape from last season- check him out below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15073756/6702cf170d70d6a671a368cb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681b7d5092109"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1669296"],"_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-681b7d5092181"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1669296' first='Cooper' last='Pennington'] is a dominant two-sport athlete out of Shelby County who has dominated in football and baseball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, Pennington is a talented TE who can create in the passing game and open up opportunities for his teammates as a blocker. He's a fluid route runner with a great set of hands and terrific physicality he uses to help create blocks in the trenches and further downfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, Pennington is a hard-hitting LB who can play the run and pass really well. He's got great instincts, can cover lots of ground, and is consistently near the ball to make plays. I'm impressed with how he attacks the run, he flies downhill to fill in lanes and create stops for little to no gain. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pennington has seen his recruitment open up this offseason, picking up offers from Sacramento State and Mercer over the last month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pennington had a terrific junior season you can check out below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16161425/6754d564df1471399e58f789' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681b7d50921b6"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1669308"],"_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-681b7d509222c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1669308' first='Conner' last='Wellingham'] is a dominant OL prospect out of Hokes Bluff who has made a huge impact for his offense upfront.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'6 330, Wellingham pretty much physically dominates any defensive lineman he meets in the trenches. He's a mauler in the run game who explodes off the snap, plays with great leverage and power, and opens up huge rushing lanes at the line of scrimmage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm most impressed with how Wellingham plays through the whistle- he's a high-effort guy who finishes blocks every single snap, consistently putting DL on their heels and into the dirt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wellingham has started to see his recruitment open up over the last week, picking up offers from West Alabama and North Alabama! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was really impressed with Wellingham's tape, he's got a big senior season ahead this fall:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/23712392/66f88166e927c91e337978f3' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681b7d5092260"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1669322"],"_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-681b7d50922d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1669322' first='James' last='Kelly'] is a talented RB/WR prospect out of Hewitt-Trussville who has become a big piece of his team's offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelly is an explosive weapon in Hewitt Trussville's offense who can produce wherever he's lined up. At 6'0 215, he has great size and speed and can make a ton of great plays out of the backfield as an RB. He has great vision and breakaway speed he uses to follow his blockers and create explosives on the ground. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm really impressed with Kelly's receiving skills- he uses his size and hands downfield to make contested catches over the tops of defenders, proving himself to be a real threat as a pass catcher. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kelly has had a busy offseason, picking up offers from Georgia Southern and Southern Miss over the last month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watch some of Kelly's tape below- he's a talented player who deserves A LOT more attention:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14463069/675a34746d3675ff8ea05d63' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-681b7d509230a"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->