’26 Rankings Update: Watchlist Prospects that Entered the Top 25

They say that good things come to those who wait. In this case, prospects who have sat idle on our watchlist for various periods of time have finally gotten their due. With their film watched and evaluations written, it is now time to sign their praises to see who rested on the watchlist only to shoot up the rankings.   Additionally, <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/1492/register/combine-series-new-yorknew-jersey">Prep Redzone New Jersey's High School Combine</a> is returning to Jackson, NJ on Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 9am to 12pm. Take this opportunity to <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/1492/colleges">perform live in front of college coaches</a> and be evaluated by our Prep Redzone scouts. Use the following promo code to receive a discount at checkout: MankariousCombine25    Funny story about [player_tooltip player_id='736705' first='Luke' last='Wafle']. One day I was speaking with Prep Network's Editor in Chief and he mentioned that someone reached out to say "how do you not have [player_tooltip player_id='736705' first='Luke' last='Wafle'] ranked?" I explained that we are aware of him and he was idling in the watch list awaiting our next rankings update.   Well, the wait is over. Wafle totally shot up the rankings to claim the #2 spot in the state. There is much to like on film about Wafle that makes him a national recruit. First, he possesses a tremendous get off walks opponents backwards due to the tremendous power he is able to generate. His power-generating get off has no impact, however, on his ability to make quick movements. Impressively, you see Wafle's body begin to have the out-and-up arch to it, meaning that his hips are engaged coming out of his stance. The deadly combination of hand fighting and closing speed makes him a very difficult to limit when pass rushing. When Wafle does not get to the quarterback for a sack, he is extremely disruptive, impacting and rushing throws in a negative way. Similarly, Wafle takes excellent angles of pursuit and does not seem to blow contain. As a tackler, we see him totally drive his body through the man as well. As a run stopper, Wafle is fast enough to beat kickout blockers to the point of attack, getting around them, and blows up plays. Lastly, we see him work to refit hands and win leverage that way. There are truly very few holes in Wafle's game and he has a very good shot to start as a true freshman at a big-time program.     [player_tooltip player_id='284057' first='Brady' last='Shust'] is a prospect that I have known about and heard about for about two years now. The last two years have been disappointing for me, though, as I was never able to find tape on Shust. That changed this offseason and, after watching his tape, Shust is absolutely one of my favorite prospects and is as complete a tight end as you will find. First, as a target Shust refuses to catch the ball with anything other than his hands - each and every time. Perhaps what makes him so intriguing a prospect, however, is that he has the speed to split cover 2 safeties up the middle when running posts. A subtle thing that he does well is slow play play action passes to sell the fake, while simultaneously creating a void in the coverage to serve as a safe outlet for his quarterback. As you might expect from tight ends of his size, Shust can absorb hits and maintain possession of the ball and also stay on his feet. Moreover, he runs with a forward lean as contact arrives to get cheap-and-easy yardage when he eventually falls forward. Defenders who go low on him are subject to getting hurdled as well. So clearly we can see that Shust is an excellent target, but how does he block? Shust has shown to block as an in-light tight end, a sniffer, and along the perimeter. When sealing across the formation he delivers a good pop when kicking out; but what impressed me the most was that he maintains an idealistic base when drive blocking and keeps his elbows tights to his frame.     Admittedly so, I am a very tough on linebacker evaluations and typically have them ranked lower relative to other position groups. That said, [player_tooltip player_id='1566516' first='Jaxon' last='Bastante'] might be the highest linebacker I have ever evaluated thus far for Prep Redzone. Bastante is an outside backer that form fits his tackles like it has been taught since time immemorial. Furthermore, he has shown to effectively read his keys and play down hill - especially when playing reach. When facing reach palys he does a great job keeping his outside arm free when walked up at the line in such scenarios. As he reads his the tackle to his side, Bastante is like a machine either flowing over the top when he steps down. In such power situations, he is also evasive and quick enough to avoid either the kickout or wrapper coming his way. Early to the run and late to the pass are his priorities, but he does have the speed, athleticism, and hips to retreat and pay the pass.     Winslow might be a football factory for athletes at this point, as [player_tooltip player_id='1642034' first='Julian' last='Peterson'] is the newest shiny toy they get to deploy. On film Peterson looks like a tall, long corner who drives on the ball well - specifically in the quick game. These breaks allow him break up a number of passes and tip-drill opportunities. As a run defender, Peterson is really good at getting his hands on the man in front of him, shedding the block, and keeping his force responsibility. More than most corners, I thought as though Peterson was physical for his position and is an extremely good tackler who hits/wraps/drives in an elite way. Peterson seems to enjoy the challenge of playing press coverage, as he allows nearly zero separation and stays in the hip pocket of his matchup.     In my time as a scout, I find that the non-public schools tend to raid and pillage the top talent in the trenches across the state. Considering this, I might have a soft spot for [player_tooltip player_id='1246342' first='Miles' last='Muldrow'] who elects to play for, and be a part of the renaissance, of his hometown team in Franklin. I thought Muldrow had a solid vertical kick step, while showcasing some confidence and ability to move his feet and keep base with an outside rusher. A lot of the time we see Muldrow win with his size and strength. He is a powerful prospect capable of getting his opponents moving. Lastly, Muldrow's feet allow him to quickly recover and reset in various situations.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2026 Rankings Update Coverage</h2>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-i"></a><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-i"></a><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-i">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part I</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-ii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part II</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-iii">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part III</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-iv">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part IV</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-v">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part V</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-film-evals-for-new-additions-part-vi">Ranking Evaluation Scouting Notes, Part VI</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/26-rankings-update-the-defensive-line-film-room-part-i">Defensive Line Film Room, Part I</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-the-linebacker-film-room-part-i">Linebacker Film Room, Part I</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-the-quarterback-film-room-part-i">Quarterback Film Room, Part I</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-the-wide-receiver-film-room-part-i">Wide Receiver Film Room, Part I</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-shake-up-within-the-top-150-ranked-part-i">Biggest Rankings Jump, Ranked Prospects, Part I</a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/04/26-rankings-update-watchlist-prospects-that-entered-the-top-25">Watchlist Prospects that Entered the Top 25</a>

They say that good things come to those who wait. In this case, prospects who have sat idle on our watchlist for various periods of time have finally gotten their due. With their film watched and evaluations written, it is now time to sign their praises to see who rested on the watchlist only to shoot up the rankings.