2026 Rankings Update: Northern Nevada Risers

<p><em>Taking a look at some of the rankings risers out of northern Nevada from Prep Redzone's latest update to the 2026 rankings.</em></p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Cronin moved up from the #19 spot to the overall top-10 with the huge recruiting movement he's seen this offseason. The 6'6"/280 two-way player out of Bishop Manogue announced his commitment to Boise St. last month after picking up eleven D-I offers since the start of the year. He was a breakout player on both sides of the ball last season but carries tremendous upside at OT heading into his senior season. Cronin checks in as the #9 overall prospect in Nevada's 2026 class.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KoleLCronin/status/1930039948431995199 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Hummel rose into the overall top-20 after a massive offseason on the recruiting trail. The state's #4-ATH has picked up eight D-I offers since March including Nevada, Eastern Washington, Utah Tech, and all three service academies. He's been one of Nevada's most productive two-way players over the past two seasons posting 17 receiving TDs and 10 INTs since 2023. He's a high-level athlete with elite instincts and ball skills from his FS spot. Hummel is one of the top uncommitted prospects in northern Nevada coming into the fall season. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BradyHummel4/status/1943170546218291617 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Blinkinsop moved into the overall top-50 with the strong offseason he's been putting together over the past several months. The 6'1"/220 EDGE has continued to show promising skill and athletic development at recent camps and just picked up his first pair of offers from Southern Utah and CSU-Pueblo. He's explosive in his get-off, has strong hands, and plays with great technique and leverage as a rusher. Blinkinsop is the top EDGE defender in northern Nevada coming into his senior season with Spanish Springs.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Blink_011908/status/1944441951241076787 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Jackson comes into his senior season with Douglas as a top-50 overall prospect and the sixth-ranked ATH in Nevada's 2026 class after following up his breakout junior season with a strong offseason. Rushed for 1,400 yards and 19 TDs and totaled 71 tackles on defense last fall. Likely fits in as a SS at the next level with the physicality, coverage skill/instincts, and athleticism he brings to the secondary but should continue to be one of the most productive two-way playmakers in northern Nevada this season. Jackson picked up his first FCS offer from Southern Utah in late June.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ZackJackson007/status/1938347466132492769 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Valencia has steadily been rising the PRZ NV 2026 rankings since being added to the watchlist ahead of his junior season. He's a versatile offensive weapon for Lowry that takes the majority of snaps at QB but is most effective as a runner with the ball in his hands. He has a RB build at 5'10"/170, does a good job of pressing the LOS, and hits the hole with noticeable burst and acceleration. He shows good vision between the OTs and can make athletic, off-schedule throws when evading the rush. Valencia likely fits in as a RB or gadget playmaker at the next level but should continue to operate as the most productive ball-handler for Lowry's offense this season.</p>      <p class="text-gray-700">McCullar was a new addition to the PRZ rankings back in December and a riser in this latest update ahead of the 2025 season. He's a physical safety that's taken advantage of opportunities to showcase more of his coverage skill and athleticism on the offseason circuit in recent months. He was Fernley's second leading tackler last season with 83 total (40 solo), 5 TFLs, and 2 INTs and was a productive rusher on offense with over 600 yards and 6 TDs. He's a strong, reliable tackler in space, can play at multiple levels of the defense, and shows good range as a deep-middle safety. McCullar has picked up four D-III/NAIA offers since May.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/riley_mccullar/status/1948093796593631435 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Kraintz has shown promising development this offseason coming into his third season as starter for the Elko offense. He's a mobile passer that rushed for just under 1,000 yards and 11 TDs last season, gets the ball out with a quick, efficient release and shows impressive finesse and accuracy fitting passes into tight windows. Kraintz is a QB to keep an eye on for continued development this fall and should be on the D-III radar ahead of his senior season.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/EthanKraintz_12/status/1943809938805207257 </div></figure>

Taking a look at some of the rankings risers out of northern Nevada from Prep Redzone's latest update to the 2026 rankings.