Teams to Watch in 2026: Brooklyn Center Centaurs

Brooklyn Center has been in the midst of a rebuild of sorts, and now more than ever, they look to have the talent to break through to that next level of high school football. Touting one of the most loaded rosters in recent memory, the Centaurs might've been 4-5 last year, but 4 of those losses were one-score games. With a bunch of high-level returning starters, this could be the year for Brooklyn Center to leave its mark.    Carter was a starting varsity offensive lineman last season for the Centaurs and returns expecting to continue that role. He was also a rotational defensive lineman as a sophomore, where he amassed a pair of tackles and half a sack in 2025. He put out some great 2025 tape, too. On offense, Carter does an excellent job of working to the second level and showcases a real ferocity when engaging defenders. He keeps his pad level low and works well to get underneath a defender's pads. He's constantly finding work downfield, and he's done a nice job of getting hip-to-hip on double teams. Carter should be an impact player up front for Brooklyn Center next season.     Very few defensive linemen were as productive as Benson was last season, and the 2027 prospect is now listed at 6' 285 lbs. In 2025, he tallied 40 total tackles, 20 TFLs, a jaw-dropping 7 sacks, and a fumble recovery in just 8 games. The state-entrant wrestler also put up some fantastic tape. This kid is a defensive mauler on film. He bulldozes through offensive linemen like a hot knife through butter and finds his way to the backfield more often than not. He can beat offensive linemen with both speed and strength. Benson is quicker to the gap than most linemen he's matched up against, but can also bull-rush one right into the ball carrier or QB. Benson also has some solid tape as an interior OL. If you want to talk about some of the most underrated trench prospects in the state, look no further than Benson.     A rotational receiver who saw time as a kick returner as well, Crawford caught 8 balls for 106 yards and a TD during his junior outing. Crawford is a standout route runner who excels at getting open and making tough catches; his best asset, however, might be his talent on special teams. Crawford is a solid returner who does a great job of finding open running lanes once the rock hits his hands. On offense, he'll take a big hit and still come down with the ball, and although he's only 5'7", he does a good job of maximizing his catch radius by jumping up and getting tough balls. The Centaurs did a great job of spreading the ball around last season, but with a couple of key receivers graduating, he could see a larger role in 2026.     Meaway has been one of the most electric prospects in the class of 2028, and it's easy to see why. As a sophomore, he led his team in rushing yards with over 1,100 and 6 TDs, and he finished second in receiving yards with 321 and 5 TDs. He was also a force on the defensive side of the ball, where he tallied 17 total tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF, 3 INTs, 1 PBU, and 1 blocked kick. He is also widely recognized as one of the best kick/punt returners in the state. His tape validates this hype. Meaway is both incredibly quick and elusive. He's a problem in open space, routinely proving that he's incredibly difficult to tackle. He's also a patient runner who waits for the play to develop. Often, he's met with defenders at the mesh point, and he doesn't panic, but instead bounces outside to the nearest open run lane and finds green downfield. Even when Meaway is wrapped up, he can make plays and break tackles. If a team doesn't provide standout coverage on kicks/punts, he's liable to break off returns for a massive gain every time. I'm a firm believer that the biggest leap an athlete takes is from their sophomore to their junior year, and I hope that proves true for Meaway.     A starting varsity interior offensive lineman who also saw some time on defense, where he brought down 7 total tackles and a TFL, Milon is expected to continue his success in 2026. On both sides of the ball, he showcases a lot of determination and a high motor. He does a great job of playing low, regardless of position, and frequently wins the leverage battle in the trenches. I especially liked his offensive tape, however. Milon is very physical and does a great job of moving his feet. His short and quick footsteps, combined with leverage, allow him to drive bigger defenders off the ball one-on-one. He's also plenty physical when pulling, often log blocking defenders out of the play, or full on laying them out. I expect the Centaurs returning this many offensive linemen will pay dividends next season.     A certified rankings riser and one of the more underrated QBs in the state, Smith threw for 1,600 yards with 21 TDs while holding a 110.1 passer rating last season. He also ran for 524 yards and tacked up 6 more TDs on the ground. On defense, Smith tallied 34 total tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 INT, and 3 PBUs. The 2x All-District Team member put forth a plethora of tape in 2025, further highlighting his potential. The first thing that jumped out to me in his film was how nice a ball he can throw. Smith puts great touch on his deep balls - especially for a sophomore. He can perfectly loft them over defenders' heads, and he can rip balls into windows that would be difficult for other QBs to hit. His mobility and ability to adapt to the expanding needs of the play are also very impressive. Smith can bounce around the pocket, avoiding a sack as it collapses, and find a wideout deep downfield, hitting him perfectly as he throws off platform. If at any point during the play he needs to scramble, Smith is plenty capable of making a big play with his legs. I'm a big fan of what he did in 2025, and I'm super excited to see what kind of tape/numbers he produces in 2026.     A freshman who made a splash on varsity last season, Thomas made an impact on both sides of the ball, rushing for 478 yards and 4 TDs while averaging a stunning 9.6 YPC, and amassing 45 total tackles, 7 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT, 2 PBUs, and 1 defensive TD. In his film, Thomas is a workhorse. He's a powerful runner who possesses surprising speed and never gives up on a play. Multiple times in his film, Thomas is wrapped up, but he keeps churning his legs and manages to break through for a big gain. On defense, he showcases surprising instincts from such a young prospect. He's quick to disrupt play and flows well to the ball carrier. Thomas also shows off some solid ball skills on both sides of the ball, but his pass coverage for an LB impressed me in particular. Touting a 3.7 GPA and some impressive tape, Thomas could be up next for Brooklyn Center.     Miller is a sophomore defensive lineman who brought down 16 total tackles, 5 TFLS, and 1.5 sacks during his 2025 campaign. Miller lines up at both DE and DT on his tape, highlighting his positional versatility. Although he can be a little stiff at times, I like his bend when pass rushing from a 5 tech. He doesn't hesitate to run through offensive linemen and punishes the ones who don't have fast feet or who overset. He's got a nasty rip move in his arsenal that serves him well, especially when he's lined up inside as a DT. He's also capable as a run stopper. Miller is a tough athlete to displace, often commanding a double team and still staying stout. His returning presence should be a welcome one in 2026.     Pierce-Tyler is a DB/WR that I'm pretty excited about, and his promising frame is only part of that reason. He led the Centaurs in receiving yards last season with 334 and 6 TDs, but also made a solid impact on defense, tallying 19 total tackles, 2 FF, 1 INT, and 3 PBUs. Touting solid speed, elusive route running, and the ability to make big catches while getting hit, Pierce-Tyler does a lot of things right, especially for an underclassman prospect. He can get deep and stretch the field, or turn a short pass underneath to a massive gain. As a DB, he's constantly looking to create turnovers, whether that be jumping routes to pick off the ball, ripping balls out of the receiver's hands, or swatting them out of the air. I can't wait to see what kind of film he produces during his junior year.

Brooklyn Center has been in the midst of a rebuild of sorts, and now more than ever, they look to have the talent to break through to that next level of high school football. Touting one of the most loaded rosters in recent memory, the Centaurs might've been 4-5 last year, but 4 of those losses were one-score games. With a bunch of high-level returning starters, this could be the year for Brooklyn Center to leave its mark.