A Look Ahead: Player of the Year Candidates (Pt. 3)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next season will be in Indiana before we know it, and with so many top prospects at all class years who are seeing their recruiting explode, the 2026 football season may be the best one yet in the Hoosier State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In our first of a three-part series, we decided to take an all-too-early look at 12 prospects who could wind up being Player of the Year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["546688"],"_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-69a9bd10d0446"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='546688' first='Cole' last='Stephens'] has a very good and accurate quarterback with good rhythm and timing between the hashes. Flashing great touch on the deep ball, a quick release and good mobility to elude rushers, Stephens finished last season with a remarkable stat line: a state-leading 3,747 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns, and 70 percent completion percentage. Stephens has a chance to break out this summer on the camp circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1551356"],"_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-69a9bd10d04a8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1551356' first='Jayce' last='Brewer'] has turned out to be one of the most dynamic pass rushers in country. Brewer is tall, strong, and very muscular with great first-step quickness, a high motor and a nose for the ball. Brewer is also a tight end for the Flashes with excellent versatility and athleticism. He recorded 38 total tackles, three sacks, two pass breakups and one interception last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["632393"],"_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-69a9bd10d04f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='632393' first='Izayveon' last='Moore'] doesn't have the offers to show for his efforts on the field. Moore is a quick, explosive, and fast tailback with great change-of-direction and top end burst. Moore is a legitimate home-run threat any time he touches the ball. He recently picked up an offer from Ohio, and the back-to-back all-state selection will be a playmaker to account for the Wildcats in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1867045"],"_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-69a9bd10d0532"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Warren Central has so many key pieces in place ahead of 2026 that they could well be the only team that can beat Brownsburg. On offense, [player_tooltip player_id='1867045' first='Keyon' last='Thomas'] is their primary weapon who can bounce off tackles like a pinball, runs with great contact balance and has enough juice to be a home-run threat. Thomas is a very tough runner who is hard to bring down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->