An Early Look: Top QBs, WRs, and RBs To Watch in 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Happy New Year to Prep Redzone Indiana subscribers!&nbsp; We have major things coming up for you over the next several months as we kick off 2026 together.&nbsp; Along with our new series of 2027 rankings update articles, we're kicking off the new year right with an all-too-early look ahead at next season, which will be here before you know it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a quick breakdown of elite players to watch who made a big impact in 2025 and should be even better in 2026:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1429135"],"_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-695be4646cea8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1429135' first='Branden' last='Sharpe'] is making a very strong case for deserving more offers, and I expect that to change for the better when the NCAA winter contact period starts off shortly.  He and Frye went off in the state championship game, putting together a record performance.  There may not be a player in the state who made bigger strides from his sophomore to junior season than Sharpe, who looks primed for an even-bigger senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["709552"],"_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-695be4646cf33"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's going to be tough to top Frye, the Brownsburg High School quarterback, who is now a back-to-back state champion and the Bulldogs from three-peating in 2026.  Frye has a rocket arm, quick release, smooth delivery and very good deep-ball accuracy – especially when throwing to the top wideout mentioned below.  He continues to trend upward in every facet of his game.  We'll be seeing Frye in-person this month during a workout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["631962"],"_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-695be4646cfdb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='631962' first='Monshun' last='Sales']'s growth over the past couple of years has provided him more positional flexibility: he has the juice and route running skills to play wide receiver which is likely his college fit, but he also played safety last season.  His 6-foot-5, 205-pound frame could even make him an edge-type prospect at the next level.  He will be a high-impact player no matter where the national recruit lands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1867045"],"_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-695be4646d049"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1867045' first='Keyon' last='Thomas'] is a big, strong, and tough tailback who can be hard to bring down.  With elite vision, change-of-direction and strong top-end speed and the athleticism to catch and be a threat in the passing game, Thomas is the total package for what upper-tier college football teams want in a top running back.  I could easily see his recruiting blow up this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->