8 Northwest football prospects who are quickly rising

This week's Northwest Showcase event at Western Oregon University featured more than 900 prospects with roughly 200 college football coaches on hand to watch the action.   For some, the camp proved to be a game-changer, as several Northwest prospects raised their stock significantly with strong showings.   Here's a look at 8 prospects who shined Tuesday, and should expect to see their recruitments soar in the coming weeks and months.   QB [player_tooltip player_id='1232699' first='Cade' last='Mitchell'], Mountainside (2026)   Class of 2026 quarterback (and javelin district champion) [player_tooltip player_id='1232699' first='Cade' last='Mitchell'] has now won positional MVPs at both the Avery Showcase and Northwest Showcase in recent weeks.   The 6-foot-3, 210-pound signal-caller is arguably the top senior quarterback in the state of Oregon and has backed up that hype this spring.   Mitchell has big breakout potential this fall and he's delivering on that promise.   A 6A all-state-caliber season could very well be in store.   RB/WR/CB [player_tooltip player_id='1345172' first='Jarrett' last='Martin'], Banks (2026)   In a fairly stacked Session 1 at the Northwest Showcase at the running back position, [player_tooltip player_id='1345172' first='Jarrett' last='Martin'] quickly earned "standout status" and was elevated to the top group among running backs.   The 5-foot-11, 185-pound playmaker displayed the soft hands and route-running ability that make him a viable wide receiver and he proved to be a difficult cover for linebackers most of the day.   At Banks, Martin should flourish this fall - and he is definitely a player to keep an eye on for postseason award.   He was one of the biggest pleasant surprises of the 900-plus athlete camp.   RB [player_tooltip player_id='402415' first='Killian' last='Sombe'], Central Catholic (2026)   [player_tooltip player_id='402415' first='Killian' last='Sombe'] is a known commodity as one of the top running backs in the state of Oregon.   And while he didn't participate in the 1-on-1 showcase portion of The Northwest Showcase, he looked great physically.   Sombe holds a big-time offer from Boise State, but he could very well reach another gear in his recruitment this summer and fall.   In a loaded 2026 Oregon class of runnings - Lake Oswego's LaMarcus Bell and Lakeridge's [player_tooltip player_id='284119' first='Ansu' last='Sanoe'], for example - Sombe may have the highest ceiling if he puts it all together.   OL [player_tooltip player_id='1397350' first='Xavier' last='Berry'], Cascade Christian (2029)   To say [player_tooltip player_id='1397350' first='Xavier' last='Berry'] had a "breakout performance" at The Northwest Showcase would be a massive understatement.   The "manchild" eighth grader - complete with a 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame - was so dominant against his age group he was moved up to the top group of athletes/recruits and he held his own.   Berry was pulled aside by the Oregon Ducks and added a scholarship offer, and he also holds offers from Sacramento State, San Jose State and Washington.   The Washington product is going to be a national recruit - and he has five-star upside.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='1246545' first='Josh' last='Christensen'], Lake Oswego (2027)   After sitting behind two all-state-caliber edge-rushers at Lake Oswego last fall, [player_tooltip player_id='1246545' first='Josh' last='Christensen'] was already considered a possible "riser" among the 2027 class.   What he did this week at The Northwest Showcase put him on a direct path to scholarship offers.   The 6-foot-6, 245-pound baby-faced defensive end dominated Session 2 and earned the overall MVP for the session, a spot typically handed out to a bluechip recruit (four-or-five-star prospect).   Christensen was simply dominant at a level that will immediately make him a preseason all-state pick - and a likely multi-offer prospect - sooner rather than later.   He took arguably the biggest leap of any player at the camp - from relative no-name to a must-evaluate player for FBS programs.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1112394' first='Geovoney' last='Burks'], Roosevelt (2026)   The 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker showcased his mobility and athleticism in coverage and looked the part of a Division I linebacker.   Following his strong showing at The Northwest Showcase, Burks had a workout in Eugene with the Oregon Ducks.   He's an intriguing athlete, potential PIL defensive player of the year and is ascending at the right time.   I fully expect FCS programs to jump in soon - with FBS programs keeping an eye on him.   Burks appears to have taken big strides forward this offseason, and his recruitment should follow suit.   LB [player_tooltip player_id='1609761' first='Tyler' last='Holmes'], West Linn (2028)   The younger brother of Oregon State offensive lineman Zach Holmes, [player_tooltip player_id='1609761' first='Tyler' last='Holmes'] has a bright future.   Going up against one of the camp's top running backs in 1-on-1, Holmes delivered the day's top highlight, ripping a short pass out of the running back's hands with one hard to register a diving/tumbling interception.   It was a "wow" moment for those in attendance and showcased the type of foot speed, hand-eye coordination and athleticism to warrant future evaluation.   It's early for the young 'backer, but the trajectory is pointing straight up after a stellar camp that left me intrigued.   DB [player_tooltip player_id='726165' first='Jasiah' last='Denmark'], Puyallup (2026)   Let's face it: If you follow football in the Pacific Northwest you likely already know [player_tooltip player_id='726165' first='Jasiah' last='Denmark']'s name.   The 6-foot cornerback already holds offers from Boise State, California, Penn State and others and is among the top defensive backs in the region.   Still, he provided yet another reminder of his talent at this week's Northwest Showcase, earning the MVP award for his session.   Receivers found it difficult to make plays on the talented cornerback, who more than lived up to the hype as one of the camp's biggest names coming in.   It will be fascinating to see if his stellar spring leads to a flurry of recruiting activity.   Clearly, he's earned it.

This week's Northwest Showcase event at Western Oregon University featured more than 900 prospects with roughly 200 college football coaches on hand to watch the action.