Who’s “Next Up” in SWMO’s Class of ’26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the upcoming 2025 football season right around the corner, Southwest, Missouri is gearing up to produce some awe-inspiring young football players. I couldn't be more excited to see these young men in the class of 2026 show off their athletic skills under the Friday night lights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The six men featured in this article are poised to make their presence felt, and be among some of the top football players in the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1250603"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1700339,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-686206aa81e50"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A big, versatile receiver, I love Cooper's game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Camden is good at the game of football, and that's all you need to know. Sometimes people are just naturals at the things they decide to do, Cooper decided to play football, and he is a bonafide natural wide receiver. Blessed with the perfect size for a wide-out Cooper uses that to his advantage by bullying defensive backs off the line in press coverage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He showcases some pretty clean route-running for such a big target, while having the capability of lining up in the slot and out wide. I also think that with his size and speed, he could also be a candidate to give you some snaps at tight- end as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooper is poised to have a superb senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22321636/67a36df27a5c05c5086b3cb8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68620a3958bc8"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1700347,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1608068' first='Josiah' last='Dickerson']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"150","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Central High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Southwest7","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686206aa81f20"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Probably the most underrated out of class 2026 is [player_tooltip player_id='1608068' first='Josiah' last='Dickerson']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central didn't have the best 2024 football season, but [player_tooltip player_id='1608068' first='Josiah' last='Dickerson'] was a bright spot in the back end of the bulldog secondary. Dickerson is a peculiar study because of his versatility alone; he plays a rover/hybrid type of position, and he really carved out a pretty good role for himself, One play he might line up at deep safety, the next he might cover the slot, and two plays later he could be down close to the tackle box. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No matter where this young man lines up, he has a nose for the football; anywhere the football is Dickerson is always in on the action. Colleges love the players who can give you valuable snaps at various positions, and Dickerson checks all the boxes. One of the best technically sound tacklers in southwest Missouri Dickerson is on his way to having an even better senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":1700352,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Daniel Rose","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"175","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Joplin High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686206aa81fbe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the smoothest signal callers in the 26' class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Daniel Rose had an extraordinary Junior season, leading the C.O.C. conference in passing yards with 1,778. Rose also put up 15 passing touchdowns with the cherry on top being 150 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. Those are some gaudy numbers for a junior quarterback, so you can probably guess that I'm extremely excited to see what Rose has in store for his upcoming senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's going to be hard to find a Quarterback who throws a prettier deep ball than Daniel Rose. He shows great mechanics in his throwing motion, and the ball explodes off his hand. Not only can he complete deep passes, but the kid can hit every pass that you need him tom make. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rose already holds a college football offer from Central Methodist University, and I believe more colleges are going to come looking for Rose's services. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15037493/67390611183b6b4b7754bd36' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68620a3958c59"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1303922"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1700358,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-686207cd61cc6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A complete tight end prospect of class 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standing at 6'4 240 pounds, [player_tooltip player_id='1303922' first='Aiden' last='Schaefer'] is your classic inline tight end prospect. He has the size and capability to be a great run blocker, he does a fantastic job of sealing the edge and creating holes for ball carriers. Republic deploys a pretty run-heavy/veer type offense, so you have to be able to sink your hips and drive defenders off the line of scrimmage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Run blocking isn't the only thing he does exceptionally well, but Schaefer showed up at the MSU prospect camp ready to prove that he can also be a receiving threat. He has long, graceful strides that he uses to get to his spot, and uses his frame to shield off defenders from the football. He pairs his route-running with soft hands that he uses to catch the ball away from his frame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aiden has had a great summer attending camps. I think he's going to have an even better senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1585608"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1700363,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-686207cd61d20"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Everything you want in an interior offensive lineman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Size, strength, athleticism [player_tooltip player_id='1585608' first='Vance' last='Nally'] basically checks all the boxes that you want in an interior lineman. Logan-Rogersville has one of the most underrated offensive lines in high school football, and [player_tooltip player_id='1585608' first='Vance' last='Nally'] is a big reason why that is the case. Vance is the definition of a "dancing bear" he is a fluid mover with a real nasty streak that every offensive lineman should try to mimic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to find a weak attribute in Nally's game, he is super productive in the run and pass game. Most of the tape I found on Nally has him playing guard, although I definitely think he has more than enough athleticism to slide over to tackle and give you some valuable snaps there as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nally already holds multiple offers to play college football so it's no longer as to if he will play college football but where will he play college football. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17904307/6754cfa7806eb6501662e77d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68620a3958cb2"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1128432"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1700370,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-686207cd61d75"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An electric playmaker that's just getting started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of my favorite prospects that I have studied this year is [player_tooltip player_id='1128432' first='Gabe' last='Johnson'] out of Webb City high school. I don't think there is a more moveable chess piece in Southwest Missouri than Johnson. He has played QB, WR, DB and kick returner and has been productive at every single spot he's played. I believe Johnson's best spot should be at quarterback; he is electric with the ball in his hands. Webb city deploys a veer/ option type offense that is perfectly suited for [player_tooltip player_id='1128432' first='Gabe' last='Johnson']. He can get from point A to point B very quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don't be mistaken although he is labeled as a running type of quarterback Johnson is a highly capable passer of the football. He proved that by having a fantastic year for the southwest7 7v7 squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Call me a big fan of Johnson that's pulling for the kid to succeed, coming off an ACL injury he has a lot to prove his senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17315088/6570edb28cd42913ec3356a6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68620a395a387"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->