Rankings Heat Check: Underrated ’26 Players Trending Up

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we continue wrapping up our class of 2026 coverage, I selected some underrated offensive players who can help contribute at the next level. Let's take a look at who </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1696326"],"_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-695ee0f713438"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barthlow measures in at 6'1 195-pounds. His senior season he went 115/207 for 2068 yards, 55.6% completion rate, 25 TDs, 5 INT, and 1 rushing touchdown. Barthlow has good athletic ability due to very good change of direction, good acceleration, speed, and balance. He is pocket passer. Very good throw power with a good release and very good touch. Barthlow excels in throwing a beautiful deep ball. Very good ball placement to meet his receiver in stride, or put it over the DB's head so his receiver can make a play. Barthlow has very good pocket presence. He'll step up in the pocket to make a throw, or use his very good pocket mobility to by himself some extra time. Good progression speed as well. He doesn't put the ball in harm's way.  An underrated 2026 QB.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1311222"],"_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-695ee0f7134d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kincaid measures in at 6'2 160-pounds, and this past season he accounted for 18 receptions for 323 yards with 4 touchdowns. He has good athletic ability due to very good jumping, speed, good acceleration, and change of direction. Good release at the line of scrimmage. Fluid route running skills paired with very good separation quickness. He consistently beats contact during the route, and gets the catch. Very good ball tracking and catching. Kincaid will pluck the ball out of the air with his strong suction hands. Great at contested catches. Very good body control and good adjustment. Kincaid is a fantastic. He gets nasty with his very good strength, and hand strength. Creates lanes for his running backs or fellow receivers. A player whose playstyle will adapt to the next level of college play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1621623"],"_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-695ee0f71354d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mellot measures in at 6'4 290-pounds playing guard and defensive line for Limon. This past season on defense, he had 51 total tackles (18 solo, 33 assisted), 17 TFL, 3 sacks, and 1 FF. He has a very good initial quickness out of his stance, engaging his opponent first on both sides of the ball. Maintains a low pad level. Good hand speed. Very good strength with good hand placement and hand strength to control and steer his opponent out of the way easily. Very good pull blocker and good anchor. Defensively, he does a great job at beating the offensive line, and getting into the backfield. Very good swim move, bullrush, and good spin move. Good block shedding. Very good tackling. He's a beast on both sides of the ball and I can see him contributing at the D2 level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2088042"],"_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-695ee0f7135bb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Posey is an electric running back for Cherokee Trail this past season. Measuring in at 5'8 160-pounds, he had 195 carries for 1183 yards with 7 touchdowns, 19 receptions for 121 yards through the air. He has very good athletic ability due to very good speed, change of direction, acceleration, and good balance. Posey has good vision and weaves through the defense with ease. Very good outside running. He turns the corner and hits the jets with his home run speed. He's shifty and elusive. He uses his jump cuts paired with very good juke moves to make defenders miss. His scatback like playstyle can impact the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1986497"],"_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-695ee0f713629"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fresh off a championship, the Rodriguez is a well-rounded receiver. He measures in at 5'10 165-pounds. He accounted for 68 receptions for 1170 yards and 12 touchdowns; 7 punt returns for 237 yards and 1 touchdown. Very good athletic ability due to very good speed, balance, jumping, good acceleration, and change of direction. Rodriguez has a good release at the line of scrimmage, and consistently beats the press jam. Crisp route running skills paired with very good separation quickness. Nathan has very good ball tracking and catching skills. He excels at going across the middle with his catch and traffic. Good body adjustment and very good body control. He has home run speed and is a threat with the ball in his hands. He has the athletic ability and game smarts to progress at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->