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<p><strong><br>As mentioned the Oregon 2026 Rankings will be updated this coming week and here we take a look at a few athletes who are more than deserving of being added. </strong></p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1699751' first='Luke' last='Carli'] 6-1 190 WR Wilsonville</p>
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<p>Carli just did a good job at the Les Schwab Bowl and was one of the more underrated players in the state at the 5A level last season for the state champs. He has good size and can play on either side of the ball, catching 24 passes for 314 yards and 2 TDs, to go with 27 tackles on defense in 2024. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1699759' first='Hudson' last='Coe'] 6-4 225 DE Central Catholic</p>
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<p>Another under the radar athlete who did an outstanding as a junior, making 33 tackles with 8 TFL's and 2 sacks. The Rams have a litany of big names and talent so Coe didn't necessarily get the notoriety he should have but that will likely change this year. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1699765' first='Lewis' last='Knapp'] 6-1 200 LB Bend</p>
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<p>Lewis was a 2nd team all IMC LB last season and a team captain. It's not always easy to get recruited out of Central Oregon but Knapp is an impressive 3-sport athlete who can play on either side of the ball. Look for him to be heavily recruited by some of the local, D3/NAIA universities. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1699768' first='Brady' last='Shaw'] 5-10 200 RB Woodburn</p>
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<p>You have to appreciate a kid like Shaw who put up solid numbers as a junior for a program that competed in the toughest 5A conference in the state. On the year he averaged 10 yards per carry, rushing 60 times for 600 yards and 10 TDs. He could be a 1000+ yard back this season. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1699778' first='Ayden' last='Collman'] 6-4 240 OL Stayton</p>
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<p>Collman is an intriguing and athletic 6-4 prospect, who helped Stayton finish 8-4 last season, while winning a playoff game and losing to 5A state champ Marist twice. The 2-sport athlete (basketball) projects as a potential all state lineman. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1699779' first='Lars' last='Welch'] 6-3 270 G/C Hood River</p>
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<p>Welch is a three-year varsity starter and 1st team all-conference returner who was a big reason for Hood River's 7-3 season last year. From a projection standpoint the guard/center position is a perfect fit. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1699796' first='Ethan' last='Eby'] 6-0 220 LB Sisters</p>
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<p>The 2x 1<sup>st</sup> team all-conference LB is another kid many don't know about playing 4A ball out in Central Oregon. He has been physically dominant and should be the guy on both sides of the ball for the Outlaws this season. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1699802' first='Dillon' last='McCracken'] 6-4 280 OL Santiam Christian</p>
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<p>There isn't necessarily a lot known about McCracken but at 6-4 280 the potential is there while playing for one of the better 3A teams in the state. Santiam finished 9-2 last year losing to state champ Burns in the quarterfinals. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1692216' first='Max' last='Duncan'] 6-0 180 WR Bend</p>
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<p>Duncan did a good job last season for the Lava Bears and was impressive at the NW Showcase. The team captain should be one of the better receivers in the IMC with high end academic schools vying for his services (4.2 GPA). </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1699811' first='Caelan' last='Riley'] 6-2 220 QB/ATH Roosevelt</p>
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<p>You have to like Riley who is a big physical athlete that can play multiple spots. Head coach Ryan McCants has done a phenomenal job at Roosevelt and will put Caelan in a spot to succeed this year. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1699834' first='Nixon' last='Nippert'] 6-4 195 WR Gresham</p>
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<p>Nippert has had an outstanding off season recently competing in the Les Schwab Bowl. The 6-4 wide out has the potential of being an influential receiver for a Gresham program that returns some legit guys. It's been tough with the Gophers going (5-30) over the last four years. </p>
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<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1700178' first='Ben' last='James'] 5-10 165 WR Liberty</p>
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<p>James comes from a talented family and is a dual threat athlete (baseball). He earned 2nd team all Pacific honors last season at WR and should be one of the best in the conference this year. </p>
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