2026 Rankings Update: QB New Additions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome to our August rankings update. This update was designed to reflect our final thoughts on the 2026 class before its senior season. We added over 125 new players and moved some guys around to reflect their summer performances, where applicable. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plenty of new guys hit our radar, and we're ready to break them down. Here's everything you need to know about the newly-ranked 2026 quarterbacks, including how they hit our radar, what we like about them, and what we want to see going forward. Take a look a these six 2026 QB new additions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Which 2026 QBs Joined the Rankings?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1672787"],"_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-6890c00c515e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When I began to dig beyond the numbers in the NCISAA ranks, it was obvious that Deifer was a guy who is not only good enough to crack the rankings, but to move safely into the middle of the group. Always a strong decision-maker, Deifer's arm and physical abilities have caught up to the mental side of his game, making him a true college prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1703166"],"_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-6890c00c5163d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This summer, we had the chance to go beyond some of the top passing leaders and really dive into the film of some guys who don't have elite numbers. Locklear is one of those guys and I really came away impressed with the way he navigates the pocket and delivers downfield. He keeps his eyes up when facing the pass rush and can deliver with accuracy. We'd love to see him improve his timing as a senior and think he has the arm talent to put up some good numbers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1704814"],"_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-6890c00c51684"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When I previewed the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/07/predicting-every-teams-mvp-eastern-plains-2a-3a/">Eastern Plains 2A/3A Conference</a>, I got the chance to dive into the film of some guys I'd never seen before and I came away impressed with Gardner's dual-threat abilities. He's tough to bring down and I like his size and arm talent as well. He'll need to continue developing as a pocket passer, but as an athlete with a true arm, he's a guy that can give defenses fits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1707841"],"_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-6890c00c516c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In his first year as a starter, Mitchell was impressive against a difficult schedule for Northwest Guilford, completing 60% of his passes and averaging over eight yards an attempt. He has some athleticism and rushing ability, even if he never really found a ton of space to run last year and every indication is that he should continue to get better this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1717915"],"_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-6890c00c51702"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Swansboro had plenty of struggles last season offensively, but there's reason to believe Till could take a giants step forward this year. For one, the running game should be better, and the schedule should be a bit easier. If given time to scan the field, Till could be a guy who improves as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1692403"],"_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-6890c00c51740"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gillis is a guy we've watched for a couple of years and though we didn't initially bump him from the watchlist to the rankings this offseason, we made the decision to move him up ahead of what could be a great season for the senior. He really struggled early last season, but is a guy who probably wanted the season to continue following a five-game stretch with a 9-to-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Continue to follow our 2026 rankings content this week on Prep Redzone. Want to send this to someone who doesn't subscribe? Support our work and give them promo code Helms30, good for 30% off their first billing cycle.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->