2026 Rankings Update: Top Athletes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The latest edition of the Prep Redzone Illinois Class of 2026 has been unveiled.&nbsp; Here we dive into the top players at each position.&nbsp; Today we look at <strong>2026 Rankings Update: Top Athletes</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801887' first='Nasir' last='Rankin'] (Morgan Park)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What makes Rankin such a special prospect is like Travis Hunter in this years draft he is both the #1 pass catcher along with if he chose to go that route the best defensive back in the class at safety.&nbsp; This past year at Morgan Park he focused mainly on the offensive side of the ball with spectacular results.&nbsp; Truly elite ball skills going up and getting it in contested situations with super human acrobatic grabs.&nbsp; Creative runner with the ball in his hands and is willing to go over the middle especially on deep post routes.&nbsp; Shake at the top of his routes gets DB's out of their shoes.&nbsp; Adjusts incredibly well to the ball in the air winning jump balls on a consistent basis.&nbsp; Powerful cuts with the ball in his hands.&nbsp; Tracks it well down field.&nbsp; YAC monster!&nbsp; Can also make big plays on jet sweeps!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1399916' first='Davon' last='Grant'] (Dekalb)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grant is listed as an athlete because we believe he could also be an elite strong safety, but he is committed to Illinois as a big and explosive wide receiver.&nbsp; Elite size at 6'4" 210 pounds.&nbsp; High points ball in the air consistently winning 50/50 balls.&nbsp; Boxes out defensive backs and is tough to bring down.&nbsp; Can also win on short possession routes.&nbsp; Explosive route runner that explodes with the rock in his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1669534' first='Brandon' last='Jenkins'] (Hersey)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jenkins is a two way star that racked up 1,865 all purpose yards for 17 scores along with 3 picks on the defensive side.&nbsp; He was seen playing RB, slot WR, KR, CB, and FS.&nbsp; Jeez!&nbsp; At 6'0" and 185 pounds he is a true athlete with great size.&nbsp; As a corner he jumps routes being able to come off his receiver for interceptions.&nbsp; Covers a lot of ground on the back end and flies to the ball where he hits hard.&nbsp; Like how he tracks the ball in the air and bats down passes.&nbsp; As a running back he displays a smooth running style&nbsp; Doesn't look rushed at all hitting the hole and has smooth acceleration.&nbsp; Vision on the second level to make defenders miss.&nbsp; Breaks tackles and can catch the ball out of the backfield.&nbsp; Looks effortless as a runner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212321' first='Tanner' last='Glock'] (Wheaton St. Francis)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Glock is such a versatile weapon on both sides of the ball.&nbsp; As a wide receiver he is money on the skinny post route where he splits the defense down the middle of the field tracking it well for long gains.&nbsp; Crisp route runner that has a knack for getting open.&nbsp; Defensively as a corner he makes plays on the ball in the air and bats down passes with good instincts.&nbsp; Can also play some free safety where he reads the defense as a centerfielder making plays on the back end.&nbsp; Gets off blocks to make tackles.&nbsp; Impacts on special teams and showed some vision and breaking tackles as a back. So many ways to deploy him!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='802039' first='Ayden' last='Ginn'] (St. Laurence)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ginn is an offensive weapon and slot corner at 5'9" 155 pounds.&nbsp; The elite speed jumps off the film at you.&nbsp; As a corner he had a nice pick six and worked well out of the slot in the run game crashing down for TFL in the run.&nbsp; Wraps up as a tackler despite lack of ideal height.&nbsp; Crisp route runner on offense as a wide out that can also make guts miss on jet sweeps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='801715' first='Joseph' last='Gray'] (Whitney Young)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray is a 6'0" 170 pound middle linebacker and offensive weapon.&nbsp; Very instinctual as a linebacker.&nbsp; Plays with closing speed to the ball taking great angles getting tackles for loss.&nbsp; Flashes in coverage.&nbsp; As a back and wide receiver he has good hands and game breaking ability. linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->