“Up and coming” backs and tight-ends 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 is now here and in full effect, and I am excited to get right into the mix of things out in the football world. It doesn't need to be the offseason anymore, especially here at Prepredzone we're hard at work year round. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's always football players out there to discover, and these five guys really stood out to me at prepredzone camps, and especially the 2025 football season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1667978"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2110821,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-69721ee9541fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most overall talented athletes in the show me state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burns had a phenomenal 2025 season and I believe is just getting started. Going into his senior year I fully expect Burns to cement his name as one of the best backs on Missouri. What separates Burns from other backs in his class is the ability to be a huge receiving threat out of the backfield. He's a natural wide receiver in the backfield that loves to get out and space and make people miss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I first encountered Burns at the Prepredzone camp in St.Joseph, Missouri where he left an lasting impression on everyone in attendance. I can't wait to see what he has in store in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11780295/69151548cc4483b5a6c22643' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69722634e8715"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2074176"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2110823,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-69721ee95448c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bis, smooth athlete with plenty of potential to grow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I didn't know much about Lue before the Prepredzone camp in St.Joseph, but after watching him glide through routes, he has made me a fan. Lue has the size, speed combination that you look for in a tight-end. Especially as a high school athlete that is still growing into his body. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In St.Joseph Lue moves so well for his size that he almost looks like he should be out wide. I'm going to keep a very close eye on Lue this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1745617"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2110827,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-69721ee9544e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keys is only scraping the surface of his potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2084116' first='Draven' last='Keys'] is only a Freshman and has already made a pretty big name for himself in the scouting world. Keys has always been one of the most athletic kids from a youth, but now I have the pleasure of watching him put it all together, and settle in to his intended position and learn the little technical nuances of the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keys is now a tight end/ linebacker prospect where he usually was a quarterback in the past because he was just bigger and faster than everyone. Now he has picked up his new position very quickly and has the work ethic that coaches love to see from such a young athlete. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore year is going to be huge for Keys. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22272446/69384aa6f47abd8467846f34' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69722634e878f"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1845220"],"_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-69721ee954550"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ceccoli has a complete tight end prospect feel to him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aiden for starters is a pretty big kid standing at 6'3 175 and still growing. Don't let his size deter you from is receiving ability though Ceccoli is definitely a threat to catch the football. In St.Joseph Ceccoli showed off a pair of soft hands, and also very good control how he caught it away from his frame. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I see Ceccoli as a high point ball catcher that is going to be a mismatch for opposing corner with his size and his speed for opposing linebackers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1581436"],"_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-69721ee95459b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Already cemented among top 20 backs in Missouri is [player_tooltip player_id='2044807' first='Lucas' last='Davidson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davidson is the epitome of a well rounded running back. He's explosive, runs with great balance and will stick his nose in the action and pass blocks very well. I think at camp he needed to prove how well of a receiving threat he can be, and that he proved very well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 1-on-1's he was very hard to deal with with his sudden quickness in and out of cuts. That was one of the areas he needed to check off and he did it in St.Joseph. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/20157160/693b20111f31bec855cb2ce0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-697233f900268"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->