New Names and Breakouts to Watch for in 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our coverage continues to find new and upcoming talent in Arkansas. Here are five prospects to watch this offseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2098575"],"_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-69593a1d638cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2098575' first='Z'Kyian' last='Brown'] flashes the ability to evade early penetration by outrunning the defender or utilizing his change of direction to make them miss. Brown also plays on the defensive side of the football. Keep an eye on him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ZkyianBrown2030/status/1986086642793496804?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ZkyianBrown2030/status/1986086642793496804?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1926034"],"_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-69593a1d6396e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1926034' first='Jonathan' last='Barefield'] is a prospect to watch this offseason. He's an athletic player who is a solid zone runner. Barefield displays solid burst and foot quickness when attacking downhill and hitting running lanes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JonathanB2030/status/1982979215416013249?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JonathanB2030/status/1982979215416013249?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1906604"],"_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-69593a1d639e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1906604' first='Westen' last='Blevins'] could see a heavier workload in 2026. He's a physical, north-south running back. He's patient and has solid contact balance at the point of attack, enabling him to break through tackles. I expect him to garner more attention. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Westen_blevins/status/1984783946505142642?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Westen_blevins/status/1984783946505142642?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1596876"],"_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-69593a1d63a57"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1596876' first='Alexander' last='Pitts'] is one of Drew Central's top prospects. Pitts showcases a sideline-to-sideline motor when pursuing the football, often chasing down ball carriers. He can utilize his athletic ability in coverage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/alexpitts2028/status/2000696493225759076?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/alexpitts2028/status/2000696493225759076?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1683287"],"_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-69593a1d63aca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1683287' first='Trey' last='Allen'] is a quarterback prospect who could take a significant leap in 2026. Allen's mobility is consistently on display, in and outside the pocket. He can evade post-snap pressure due to his good pocket mobility and awareness. Allen shows solid touch, allowing him to layer the ball over second-level defenders effectively. Keep an eye on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TreyAllen2027/status/2000356169211396143?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TreyAllen2027/status/2000356169211396143?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->