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Fast-Rising 2026 Prospects To Keep A Close Eye On

Fast-Rising 2026 Prospects To Keep A Close Eye On
Matt DeBary
Matt DeBary June 5, 2025 @ 12:39 PM
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In this article:

Gavin Yates-Lyons
Gavin Yates-Lyons 6'2" | 180 lbs | ATH | 2026
GA
Joshua Davidson
Joshua Davidson 6'2" | 240 lbs | EDGE | 2026
GA
Shannon Adkins
Shannon Adkins 6'2" | 215 lbs | LB | 2026
GA
Grady Howell
Grady Howell 6'5" | 285 lbs | OL | 2026
GA
Lawrence Brown Jr
Lawrence Brown Jr 6'3" | 195 lbs | LB | 2026
GA
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These 2026 prospects are on the rise right now in Georgia...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1623209"],"_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-6841b4adeadd7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A powerful small-town lineman with impressive mobility in the run game, Howell is a big 6-foot-5 285-pounder who loves to pull and bury linebackers at the second level. He shows strong lower-body strength, plays with balanced feet, and runs really well for his size. He's one of the more underrated offensive linemen in the state for the 2026 class and recently earned a new offer from UT-Martin. He's currently ranked as the No. 41 OL prospect in the state</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1663765"],"_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-6841b4adeae2d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A small-town defender with size, instincts, and physicality at 6-foot-2 215-pounds, Adkins has a true nose for the football who can fight off blocks and attack the ball-carrier. He's one of the top returning defenders in the area and is coming off a giant junior season where he made 102 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble. He's active, closes well, and earned a new offer this week from Georgia State. Look for him to see a new ranking in the next 2026 Prep Redzone update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1685643"],"_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-6841b4adeae75"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An Atlanta-area defender with strong hands and an impressive motor, Davidson has the ability to fight off tackles and identify the ball-carrier. He's a stout run defender with the potential to turn into an impactful pass-rusher next fall as a senior. He made 54 tackles last season with 11 TFLs and six sacks. After a strong 2024 season, Davidson is expected to have an even bigger senior season this fall. He's one of the top returning defenders in the region who added a recent offer from UNLV.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1685658"],"_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-6841b4adeaebb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A playmaking athlete from South Georgia with dependable hands and big-play ability, Yates-Lyons is one of the more underrated two-way standouts in the area who shined last season at both wide receiver and defensive back. He brings a lean frame and impressive ball skills that allowed him to haul in 25 passes for 403 al-purpose yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, he made 26 tackles and one INT. He'll be added to the latest 2026 Prep Redzone rankings this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1319924"],"_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-6841b4adeaefe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the top defenders on a loaded Grayson team, Brown Jr. is a strong pass-rusher who made play after play in the backfield. He brings a lengthy frame, active hands, and closes well when chasing down the ball-carrier. He's one of the top returning defenders in the region and earned a new offer recently from Purdue. As a junior last fall, Brown Jr. made 30 tackles, 12 TFLs and six sacks to go along with an eye-opening 28 more QB hurries. Look for more offers to come his way this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

These 2026 prospects are on the rise right now in Georgia...

Grady Howell

Grady Howell

GA
OL
HEIGHT 6'5"
WEIGHT 285
POS OL
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Grady
Howell OL
Class
2026
Height
6'5"
Weight
285
HS
West Laurens
|
GA
Fast-Rising 2026 Prospects To Keep A Close Eye On
A powerful small-town lineman with impressive mobility in the run game, Howell is a big 6-foot-5 285-pounder who...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Grady Howell

State: Georgia
School: West Laurens
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Shannon Adkins

Shannon Adkins

GA
LB
HEIGHT 6'2"
WEIGHT 215
POS LB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Shannon
Adkins LB
Class
2026
Height
6'2"
Weight
215
HS
West Laurens
|
GA
Fast-Rising 2026 Prospects To Keep A Close Eye On
A small-town defender with size, instincts, and physicality at 6-foot-2 215-pounds, Adkins has a true nose for the...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Shannon Adkins

State: Georgia
School: West Laurens
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Joshua Davidson

Joshua Davidson

GA
EDGE
HEIGHT 6'2"
WEIGHT 240
POS EDGE
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Joshua
Davidson EDGE
Class
2026
Height
6'2"
Weight
240
HS
Stockbridge
|
GA
Fast-Rising 2026 Prospects To Keep A Close Eye On
An Atlanta-area defender with strong hands and an impressive motor, Davidson has the ability to fight off tackles...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Joshua Davidson

State: Georgia
School: Stockbridge
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Gavin Yates-Lyons

Gavin Yates-Lyons

GA
ATH
HEIGHT 6'2"
WEIGHT 180
POS ATH
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Gavin
Yates-Lyons ATH
Class
2026
Height
6'2"
Weight
180
HS
Lowndes
|
GA
Fast-Rising 2026 Prospects To Keep A Close Eye On
A playmaking athlete from South Georgia with dependable hands and big-play ability, Yates-Lyons is one of the more...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Gavin Yates-Lyons

State: Georgia
School: Lowndes
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Lawrence Brown Jr

Lawrence Brown Jr

GA
LB
HEIGHT 6'3"
WEIGHT 195
POS LB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Lawrence
Brown Jr LB
Class
2026
Height
6'3"
Weight
195
HS
Grayson
|
GA
Fast-Rising 2026 Prospects To Keep A Close Eye On
One of the top defenders on a loaded Grayson team, Brown Jr. is a strong pass-rusher who made...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Lawrence Brown Jr

State: Georgia
School: Grayson
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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Rankings

499 Players Ranked

  • 1
    Tyler Atkinson

    Tyler Atkinson

    Grayson

    Texas
  • 2
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    Kaiden Prothro

    Bowdon

    Georgia
  • 3
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    Xavier Griffin

    Gainesville

    Alabama
  • 4
    Jorden Edmonds

    Jorden Edmonds

    Sprayberry

    Alabama
  • 5
    Aaron Gregory

    Aaron Gregory

    Douglas County

    Texas A&amp;M
View Full Rankings

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