Northwest’s top 50 prospects: Who I’d rank higher

Prep Redzone's Jordan Johnson recently released a fascinating set of articles that ranked the top players in the Northwest region regardless of class, combining both Oregon and Washington's 2027-2029 prospects for an ultimate list of the top players in the region.   That's incredibly difficult, as 2027s almost always have higher floors as they have more complete profiles, while the promise of potential for 2029s gives them a higher ceiling.   How do you balance all of that for an accurate, fair list?   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/the-nws-top-100-prospects-all-classes-1-25/" id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/the-nws-top-100-prospects-all-classes-1-25/">The Northwest's top 100 prospects: Nos. 1-25</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/the-nws-top-100-prospects-all-classes-26-50/?itm_source=parsely-api" id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/the-nws-top-100-prospects-all-classes-26-50/?itm_source=parsely-api">The Northwest's top 100 prospects: Nos. 26-50</a>   In general, I think Johnson's list largely hits the mark.   It's so important to remember that when you combine WA 2027, 2028 and 2029 and OR 2027, 2028 and 2029, you are essentially combining six different lists.   Therefore, a top-three player in, for example Oregon 2028, is one of 18 players who could rightly say they are a top-three prospect in their state in the their class.   That makes the top-20 fill up very quickly with high-end guys.   Still, I saw a few players I thought I'd have a little higher.   With that in mind, here's a look at 7 players who I'd have higher on my personal list with a reason/reasons why:   OT [player_tooltip player_id='1397364' first='Kamari' last='Wilson'], Mount Tahoma (2029)   Rank: 7   Why I'd have him higher: A class of 2029 offensive tackle/defensive tackle who already measures 6-foot-4, 290 pounds?   That's a good start.   But the tape is better.   Wilson didn't just hold his own as a freshman against elite competition in the state playoffs last year, there are reps where he dominated FBS talent.   It's early, so there's a lot of projection in ranking Wilson above athletes with double-digit offers.   But a freshman dominating FBS-offered seniors is eye-opening and the tape doesn't lie.   Wilson might end up being one of the most sought-after prospects in the country.   He might end up No. 1 on a list like this in a year or two.   QB [player_tooltip player_id='1188085' first='Sione' last='Kaho'], Lincoln (2027)   Rank: 11   Why I'd have him higher: Kaho has been one of the top quarterbacks in the region since his freshman season and has compiled double-digit offers — Arizona State, BYU, Cal, Duke, Oregon, Utah, Washington and others.    While the Oregon Ducks appear to be the leader for Chandler (Arizona) quarterback Will Mencl, the nation's No. 1 quarterback, it's entirely possible Dan Lanning and Co. eventually land Kaho.   That's not typically the profile of a player outside the top 10 in the Northwest.   Kaho is a 6-foot-3, 210-pound passer with good mechanics and an arm capable of making just about any throw an offense requires.    He's got a chance to be a multi-year impact quarterback in the Power 4.   That's a top-10 player in the region for me.    CB [player_tooltip player_id='1012408' first='Kaden' last='Johnson'], Bellevue (2028); Pictured on Arizona visit with "Wildcats" hand gesture   Rank: 19   Why I'd have him higher: This one is a little unfair, because Johnson points out (accurately), “To say Johnson has a rising stock would be an understatement.”    The 6-foot, 170-pound defensive back holds scholarships from Auburn, Kentucky, Oregon State, Texas A&M, Washington State and others.   When the SEC's big boys - top-20 recruiters nationally - extend an offer to a sophomore in the state of Washington that generally grabs my attention.   Johnson's tape shows a willingness to tackle, the ability to high-point passes for break-ups and the rare skill of being able to rip his hands through a would-be pass-catcher's to break up sure-fire receptions on the rare occasion that he's targeted.    Johnson already holds 12 offers and a 20-offer resume seems certain.   I'd bump him higher up in the teens.   LB/WR [player_tooltip player_id='985511' first='Kaicen' last='Carter'], Federal Way (2028)   Rank: 37   Why I'd have him higher: This one is tough, because there's still not a lot of film on Carter for us to analyze.   It's largely 7-on-7, athletic testing and word of mouth.   But the reviews are glowing.    The 6-foot-3, 195-pound athlete boasts early offers from Boise State, Cal, Minnesota, Washington, Washington State and others and more are likely on the way.   This is a conservative ranking based on less tape than most.   He could jump 20 spots with ease if (when?) the updated tape matches all the good things we're hearing.    DE [player_tooltip player_id='1246545' first='Josh' last='Christensen'], Lake Oswego (2027)   Rank: 41    Why I'd have him higher: The 6-foot-6, 250-pound defensive lineman has a rare build in the region and already some very impressive production.   He was the Three Rivers League Defensive Lineman of the Year and a first-team all-state selection.   To put that into perspective, the TRL often boasts 4 of the state's top 7 teams and every team in the league is a top-15 squad.   Christensen has faced the state's best competition and dominated.   At the Northwest Showcase last year, he was the overall MVP of the most talented session of the day, a session that boasted more than a handful of bluechip recruits.   Whether teams run a 4-3 or 3-4 front, Christensen is a fit.   And because of that, he will be a coveted player who ends up with 20-plus offers.   Currently, Christensen has scholarships from Boise State, Illinois, Northwestern, Oregon State, Purdue, Washington State, but he's recently taken visits to Washington and Oregon.   The Lake Oswego product feels like he's ever-so-close to being a guy who starts racking up offers from top-25 programs.   If that happens and he continues to develop strength while maintaining his fluidity, he could reach the teens.    TE [player_tooltip player_id='1242768' first='George' last='VanSandt'], Central Catholic (2027)   Rank: 43   Why I'd have him higher: Is there a hotter prospect in Oregon right now than VanSandt?   In a little over a month he's added offers from Cornell, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon State, Penn, Sacramento State, Tulane and Washington State.   He's a double-digit offer guy who just keeps stockpiling more and more scholarships.   That's a top-40 guy to me.   He's 6-foot-5, 235 pounds and has the reputation as a high-level blocker, but he's also proven of late that he can be a go-to pass-catcher.    At that size, a lot of programs are going to “green light” a scholarship offer.   ATH [player_tooltip player_id='986705' first='Dreson' last='Jimerson'], Bellevue (2028)   Rank: 52   Why I'd have him higher: The 5-foot-9, 160-pound athlete still needs to get bigger, I know.   But if he adds weight he's truly not too small to be an elite outside corner, especially given that he just clocked an official 4.39 laser-timed 40 at the UA Phoenix event.    You can't coach speed, and “Agent 0” has more of that than almost everyone else in the country.   Jimerson is a top-50 guy - with upside - in my book.

Prep Redzone's Jordan Johnson recently released a fascinating set of articles that ranked the top players in the Northwest region regardless of class, combining both Oregon and Washington's 2027-2029 prospects for an ultimate list of the top players in the region.