Breakdown of the Updated Class of 2026 Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;OscarGalindo30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em>.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2026 rankings finally received a much-needed update, adding over 150 new names to our rankings and watchlist. There was a ton of movement in this update, including a new #1 prospect in Millard South's [player_tooltip player_id='476963' first='Jett' last='Thomalla'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What goes into the rankings? The most significant factor that goes into the rankings is the tape that you put out. Seeing how a player performs against a live defense in a real game situation is the best way to evaluate a player. The best way we can do this is by watching your Hudl film, but we also make our way out to games to watch prospects in person and watch available games online. Your in-game performance isn't the only way we scout players; often, we use previous experiences with the prospect at camps, 7v7s, practices, scrimmages, etc, go into our evals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top 5 breakdown:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millard South's <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='476963' first='Jett' last='Thomalla']</em></strong> (QB) claims the top spot in a long-overdue update for the 2026 class. Thomalla really started his rise as Nebraska's top prospect in the spring/summer with strong 7v7 showings, a great Elite 11 performance, and improvements in several areas of his game. His senior season was one for the ages as he rewrote state, class, and game records on a nearly weekly basis, finishing the year with 3,484 yards, 58 passing TDs (3 rush TDs), 72% completion rate, and a 146.4 QBR. Thomalla also set several career records, including 10,253 passing yards, 134 passing TDs, a 66% completion rate, a 132.8 QBR, and two Class A state championships. Thomalla is set to sign with the Alabama Crimson Tide during the early signing period.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Omaha North's <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='488174' first='Darion' last='Jones']</em></strong> (CB/ATH) moves into the #2 slot after another productive campaign as a two-way star. After a breakout junior season, teams learned to stay away from the playmaking North cornerback. Darion ended his junior season with 25 tackles, 3 TFLs, a sack, three interceptions (two returned for TD), and a forced fumble. Even with opposing offenses moving away from Jones, he still found ways to help his team as he recorded 25 catches, 390 receiving yards, five receiving touchdowns, two punt return touchdowns, and a kickoff return TD. Darion will be joining an Iowa Hawkeyes secondary known for producing stars. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millard South's <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='487568' first='Amarion' last='Jackson']</em></strong> (WR) checks in at #3 in the latest rankings update. In what was already a tremendous prep career, Amarion still managed to save his best for last, recording 50 receptions, 966 receiving yards, and 16 receiving touchdowns. Amarion has been a consistent star for the Patriots since breaking out as a freshman and is now Iowa State-bound with two Class A state championships on his resume, 3,321 career receiving yards, and 40 touchdowns. Amarion is part of a great group of Nebraska players set to join the Iowa State Cyclones after graduation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millard South's <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='487573' first='Isaac' last='Jensen']</em></strong> (TE) is the #4 player on our board after helping the Patriots secure back-to-back champions. Isaac is a big-bodied tight end at 6'6" and 230 pounds who established himself as a reliable target who can attack all levels of the field, ending the year with 34 catches for 658 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns. Now, Isaac is headed to the SEC to play for the Mizzou Tigers, where they are excited to get an elite pass-catcher and blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millard South's <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='402157' first='Landen' last='Von Seggern']</em></strong> (OL) is the top player in the trenches in the latest update, as he checks in at #5. Landen was projected as one of the top prospects in his class as a freshman, and he has more than delivered on those expectations with back-to-back championships on an all-time offense. He has developed into an all-around complete player whose elite pass protection and run blocking have made him among the most feared trench warriors in the state. Fittingly, Landen is headed to Illinois, where he will play under Bret Bielema, who has a track record of putting linemen in the league.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out the top 15:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#6 <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='402160' first='Nelsyn' last='Wheeler']</em></strong> (RB - Millard South - Illinois Commit), #7 <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='402141' first='Bryson' last='Williams']</em></strong> (DB - Omaha Westside - Iowa State Commit), #8 <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='488116' first='Jase' last='Reynolds']</em></strong> (LB - Elkhorn North - Nebraska Commit), #9 <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1114606' first='Barry' last='Fries']</em></strong> (LB - Elkhorn North - Iowa State Commit), #10 <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='402156' first='Kaprice' last='Keith']</em></strong> (DB - Omaha Central - Iowa State Commit), #11 <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1617346' first='Leighton' last='Burbach']</em></strong> (OL - Norfolk Catholic - Northwestern Commit), #12 <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1114432' first='Tyrell' last='Chatman']</em></strong> (DB/ATH - Lincoln North Star - Iowa State Commit), #13 <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='795472' first='Keian' last='Kaiser']</em></strong> (LB - Sidney - Iowa State Commit), #14 <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='488108' first='Jaydon' last='Sutko'] </em></strong>(LB/RB - Elkhorn South - Fresno State Commit), and #15 <strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1395767' first='Solomon' last='Baker'] </em></strong>(DL - Millard South - Fresno State Commit).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Full List <a href="https://prepredzone.com/nebraska/rankings/2026-rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What if I'm not ranked/ranked where I think I should be? There are a few reasons for either of these. The first being that you don't have enough tape available (or any at all) to make a fair evaluation of you as a prospect. We will add prospects with high production but no tape to our watchlist in hopes of getting film before the next update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Make sure to follow&nbsp;<em>@PRZ_OscarG</em>&nbsp;for more news on Nebraska and Iowa HS recruiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->