Underrated 2026 Players to Know

The 2025 season begins tonight for a few teams. Many seniors are hoping for big final years of their high school career. Today we look at 10 underrated seniors who could make a huge impact for their teams this year.    Kade is a heat-seeking missile at linebacker. He flies around the field and delivers punishing hits. He can line up at outside and inside linebacker. Kade is relentless when it comes to rushing the quarterback. While he is not the biggest linebacker (5 ‘10, 187 pounds) he makes up for it with his speed, passion, and energy. He sets the edge well and wiggles by blockers. Kade is due for a huge role and a huge season for Mukwonago this year.     Carter is a do-it-all player out of Berlin. He was second on the team in rushing and receiving yards while also tailing a team leading 5 interceptions. Offensively, can stretch the field when he lines up out wide or make plays out of the backfield. On defense, he is a ballhawk in the secondary. Carter uses his speed and ball skills to jump routes. Carter is a super impressive all-around athlete who always seems to be around the ball.     Jack is a jack-of-all-traits offensive lineman. He has a powerful upper body with tremendous strength where he pancakes defenders and shrugs them out of the way to open up car-wide holes. Jack also is one fast pulling guard. He moves very fluidly and looks for someone to hit. As the lineman of the year in the SWC and an honorable mention All-State lineman, Jack is bound for an even bigger senior season.     Cole has the ability to wreak havoc in the backfield. Rarely do you see a defensive lineman with his speed. He fires off of the ball and at times will beat the offensive lineman to the spot. He has a high motor and fights through the bigger blockers. There is not a play where Cole is not giving 100% of his effort. He has a growing 6 ‘4 2020 proud frame that helps him disrupt passes and plays. I think Cole will anchor Oshkosh North's defense this season in huge ways.     Carter has an absolute cannon for an arm at quarterback. He launches the ball far down the field where only his receiver can catch it. Carter also can pull out his fastball and accurately hit his targets. He directs his receivers where he wants them to be. He stands at 6 '2 and is very comfortable in the pocket. Rarely does he make mistakes when the pocket collapses. Carter has the tools to be college quarterback, and I expect him to have a huge senior season.     Suly is an offensive mismatch for opposing defenses. His size overpowers smaller cornerbacks and creates havoc in the secondary. Sully adjusts and attacks the ball when it is thrown his way. He thrives on back shoulder catches. Sully not only has uber impressive hands, but he also has electrifying speed. The speed contributes on special teams where he recorded three kick returning touchdowns last season. Sully has the skillset to be one of the top receivers in Division 5.     Carson is a super talented 2026 quarterback. There is not a throw on the field that he cannot make. Carson brings some zip to the ball when he targets his receivers. At times when the play breaks down, he can dance around the pocket and launch the ball while on the run to his teammates. He also can make plays on the ground with his deceptive speed. There is a lot to like about Carson's game. I think he will light up the scoreboards for a really good Boyceville team this year.     Matthew is a thumper; both on offense and defense. He uses his violent arms to heave defenders out of the way. In pass protection, Mathew is very quick off the ball and uses his hands to handle pass rushers. He runs his feet and shucks defenders to the side. Defensively he splits double teams and does the dirty work on the line. Mathew will be a big part in New Richmond's quest for another conference title.     Luke plays multiple defensive positions at an extremely high level. You can line him up at cornerback and he has the athletic ability to stay with faster receivers. Luke can roam the middle of the field as a sideline to sideline linebacker. You can also let him set the edge as he can swim under blocks and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He plays bigger than his size and does it all for Menomonie. Expect a big senior season out of Luke.     Connor runs with extreme patience at the running back position. Then, once he sees an opening, he explodes through the hole after that. He follows his blockers well and has the vision to see all parts of the field. Connor seems to always find a running lane to use. His vison helps him out in the screen game where he is very dangerous after the catch. Connor averaged 130 yards per game on the ground last year and I think he is just scratching the surface of his potential.

The 2025 season begins tonight for a few teams. Many seniors are hoping for big final years of their high school career. Today we look at 10 underrated seniors who could make a huge impact for their teams this year.