Then vs. Now: Tracing the Rise of Six 2026 Recruits

Every now and then, it's worth going back to see where it all started. For this piece, I pulled up the freshman film of some '26 guys and paired it with their most recent junior-year tape. I wanted to see what's changed — what parts of their game have taken a leap — and what traits were already baked in from the beginning. Sometimes the growth is obvious. Other times, it's about realizing that what makes them special now was already showing up, just in smaller flashes back then.    Then: Brody was a scrappy, fearless nickel even as a freshman. He showed no hesitation shooting gaps and playing downhill, and he played with a physical edge that most guys his age just didn't have yet. What stood out was how confident he was in his reads — he trusted what he saw and he was usually right.    Now: That same physicality is still there, but what jumps off the screen now is how much more polished he's become. His footwork in coverage has taken a huge leap, and you can tell how much he's worked on his hip mobility and movement skills. He flows across the field a lot smoother and is still just as decisive, but now with more technical refinement and control behind it.      Then: Robert started out as a safety, but even back then, he was already making his mark against the run — which isn't easy to do from that deep. He worked downhill really well and had a knack for slipping through unnoticed because teams just didn't expect him to be up near the line that quickly. He played with a quiet edge and always seemed to be in the right spot.    Now: That early physicality and downhill trigger clearly translated as he grew into his frame. With the added size and that same mobility, his transition to outside linebacker has been seamless. He still shows off solid footwork in coverage, but he doesn't have to work as hard to make plays near the line — he's already there. His length lets him shed blocks with ease and stay active around the football. It's the same mindset, just in a bigger, more polished package.      Then: Austin had the frame early on — you could see the length and catch radius — but he was still figuring out how to move in it. His steps were a bit heavy, and he didn't have a lot of explosion off the line. But even with the foot speed still coming along, you could already see the strong hands and that ability to win tough catches in traffic.    Now: If you didn't see the name, you might not believe this is the same guy. He's transformed into a clean, fluid route runner who gets separation through crisp breaks and body control. He still has that tight end size and catch radius, but he moves like a true wideout now. It's clear he's worked hard to refine the details of his game, and the jump is impressive.      Then: Tyrique had the strength from day one — that was never in question. He could lock guys up and control reps when he got his hands inside, but if he didn't win early in the rep, things could break down quick. Mobility was definitely a work in progress.    Now: Not only has the power stuck around, but the movement has caught up. He's quicker with his feet, but more importantly, he's precise — getting them where they need to be to gain leverage and finish plays. Add that to his nonstop motor and you've got a guy who doesn't just win reps, he sets the tone. He looks like someone you build a front around.      Then: Ian had the tools to stay in front of even quick edge rushers, which says a lot for a young offensive lineman. But back then, he was mostly playing reactively — handling whatever the defense threw at him rather than dictating the terms of the rep. He wasn't the tone-setter, and while the ability was there, the confidence to take over reps was still developing.    Now: He's flipped that script. Whether it's run or pass, he's the one initiating now. He brings serious power at the point of attack and plays with a great base. His low center of gravity makes him tough to move, and even if he gives up a little in size, he rarely loses in strength. He's learned to drive through defenders and take control of reps early. That shift from reactionary to assertive has elevated his game a ton.      Then: Jordan was already a reliable open-field tackler as a freshman, with solid straight-line speed and some real pop behind his hits. But like most young linebackers, he didn't always trust what he was seeing right away. You could see his eyes tracking the ball, but there was that extra beat of hesitation before he pulled the trigger — totally normal for someone still learning how to read and react to the speed at this level.    Now: That hesitation is long gone. Jordan plays with a confidence and instinct that just wasn't there early on. He diagnoses the run game quickly and attacks downhill without second-guessing. But even more impressive is how smooth he is in coverage — pulling off his read and jumping into passing lanes naturally. He moves across the field with real fluidity and balance now, and it's clear he's become a complete linebacker, not just a downhill thumper.

Every now and then, it's worth going back to see where it all started. For this piece, I pulled up the freshman film of some '26 guys and paired it with their most recent junior-year tape. I wanted to see what's changed — what parts of their game have taken a leap — and what traits were already baked in from the beginning. Sometimes the growth is obvious. Other times, it's about realizing that what makes them special now was already showing up, just in smaller flashes back then.