Offseason Predictions: 5 Breakout Players in 2026 (Pt. 1)

<p id="block-32896c7d-e14b-42fd-9249-e04a7ae8bf4f"><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p>   <p>We're still 6 months away from the 2026 season, but there's no better time to predict breakout stars during the offseason who have flashed in the past but haven't fully broken out yet. The transfer landscape has yet to be finalized, which may impact some of these predictions in the future. However, here is one player from each school, listed in alphabetical order, that we believe will have a breakout season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>BERKELEY SPRINGS INDIANS</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">After a productive first season as Berkeley Springs' starting quarterback, 2027 signal-caller [player_tooltip player_id='1616318' first='Jalen' last='Miller'] enters the offseason trending toward a potential breakout year. Miller closed the season with 1,900 passing yards and 11 touchdowns, flashing efficiency, toughness, and growing command of the offense. At 6'0”, 205 pounds, he has the physical makeup and arm strength to consistently push the ball downfield, particularly outside the pocket, where Berkeley Springs asks him to operate frequently. His ability to throw accurately on the move, especially on deeper corner and sideline routes, stands out as a translatable trait. If Miller continues to sharpen his mechanics, timing, and decision-making this offseason, he's positioned to take a noticeable step forward next fall and could begin working his way onto recruiting radars as a senior.</p>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>BLUEFIELD BEAVERS</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">After rebounding from an early-season injury, Bluefield linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1677416' first='Chadney' last='Stanback'] closed his junior campaign playing his best football and helping push the Beavers to a state championship appearance. Stanback showed the developmental jump many expected after flashing upside as a sophomore, pairing physicality with a true downhill mentality at the second level. Entering the offseason, he has the frame, motor, and play style that project well at the next level and should keep him firmly on college radars as a Top 5 linebacker prospect in the 2027 class. After posting 80 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and three sacks in a shortened season, Stanback is positioned to build on that momentum and take on an even larger leadership and impact role as a senior.</p>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>BRAXTON COUNTY EAGLES</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Braxton County 2028 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1624432' first='Logan' last='Payne'] enters the offseason as a name trending up after building on the early flashes that first put him on our radar. Payne initially caught our attention at a past summer camp and has since followed that up with tangible production, finishing his sophomore season with 820 rushing yards and seven touchdowns while also contributing heavily on the defensive side with 63 tackles and six tackles for loss. Despite playing at an under-the-radar program, his speed, quickness, and ability to make defenders miss consistently continue to show up on Friday nights. While updated sophomore highlights have yet to surface, the combination of increased production and two-way impact points to a player whose role and influence are still growing. As Braxton County looks to build momentum, Payne projects as a foundational piece and a strong breakout candidate heading into his junior season.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Logan677529514/status/1945222183132725620 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>BRIDGEPORT INDIANS</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">2027 Bridgeport TE/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1642354' first='Brody' last='Jeran'] produced game film for the first time and flashed high potential in his junior season with the Indians. He's a long and athletic prospect who could project as a tight end or EDGE/OLB at the next level, depending on how colleges see him fitting their program and how his body continues to evolve in the future. Playing in a single-wing offense, his offensive production was limited, but Jeran has the frame and athletic upside to play TE at the next level, and also did a great job at OLB with 57 tackles and 7.5 TFLs. Jeran moves fluidly both laterally and vertically, which allows him to be versatile in his OLB role in coverage, pass rushing, and crashing to defend the run. He plays well in space with his length and athleticism, which aids in his ranginess and quickness to the ball, making him a definite breakout candidate to watch closely next season. </p>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>BROOKE BRUINS </strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Brooke 2028 TE [player_tooltip player_id='1221855' first='Crosby' last='Morris'] enters the offseason as one of the more intriguing long-term developmental prospects in his class, with his trajectory pointing clearly upward. Morris has shown steady year-over-year growth, and at 6'5”, 170 pounds, his frame offers significant upside as he continues to add strength and physicality. Lining up primarily as a big-bodied wideout this past season, he consistently created matchup issues in one-on-one situations and served as a reliable target thanks to his natural ball skills and expansive catch radius. Looking ahead, the next step in Morris' development will be refining his route work, adding functional mass, and expanding his role within the offense. If those pieces come together, his ceiling projects well beyond his current ranking and positions him as a strong breakout candidate moving forward.</p>

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