Offseason Predictions: 5 Breakout Players in 2026 (Pt. 16)

<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>ROBERT C. BYRD EAGLES</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700"><br>2029 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1743469' first='Elijah' last='Holmes'] stepped onto the varsity field at Robert C. Byrd as a freshman and looked comfortable contributing right away, which is usually the first sign of a young playmaker worth tracking. The 2029 receiver brings a multi-sport background that includes standout basketball ability, and that shows up in the way he moves in space and competes for the football. He projects naturally as a slot target with the kind of quickness and vision that can create yards after the catch, and he has the type of skill set that offensive staffs enjoy building packages around. For a player this early in his career, the focus now becomes physical development and continuing to refine the details of the position while gaining experience against varsity competition. If Holmes keeps stacking progress the way he did in his first season, he has the potential to grow into one of the more dynamic offensive weapons in the 2029 class over the next few years.</p>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SCOTT SKYHAWKS</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2146474' first='Cooper' last='Grant'] made his presence felt quickly after transferring in from Van, finishing his junior year at Scott as the team's Defensive Player of the Year and establishing himself as a tone setter on both sides of the ball. At 6'0 210, he brings the kind of sturdy build and physical mentality that fits naturally at linebacker and fullback, positions that demand toughness and consistency. Even without film to break down, the recognition from his staff speaks to the impact he had throughout the season. If he carries that same production and edge into his final season, Grant has the makeup to be one of the steady defensive presences for the Skyhawks and earn state recognition. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SHADY SPRING TIGERS</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1695997' first='Blake' last='Snodgrass'] closed his junior season at Shady Spring with real momentum and now sits inside the Top 100 of the 2027 rankings after showing clear development over the past year. The 6'2 athlete flashed his potential earlier in his career, but this season, he began to turn that promise into production, particularly at running back, where his available highlights show a player who runs with confidence and physicality. Long term, his projection still leans toward linebacker, where his length, frame, and athletic traits fit naturally at the position. The next step will be continuing to add strength and rounding out the defensive side of his profile so his film matches the physical tools. If that development continues, Snodgrass has the build and movement ability to climb higher in the 2027 linebacker conversation as he moves through his senior year.</p>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SHERMAN TIDE</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1624375' first='Chase' last='Southern'] quietly set the foundation for a much larger role at Sherman after turning in a solid sophomore season with 500 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. With the Tide looking to replace the production left behind by [player_tooltip player_id='894972' first='Trey' last='Lester'], the opportunity is there for Southern to step into that featured spot in the passing game. He has the length and athletic traits you want on the outside, and his growth over the past year suggests there is still another level to tap into as he continues to develop physically. The next step will be turning flashes into consistent week-to-week production and showing he can handle the attention that comes with being a primary target. If that progression continues, Southern has the tools to make a significant jump as a junior and position himself as one of the more intriguing Class A prospects heading toward his senior year.</p>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SISSONVILLE INDIANS</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1616398' first='Maddox' last='Balog'] heads into his senior offseason at Sissonville with the kind of momentum that usually precedes a big final year. The 6'2 180 quarterback played a major role in the Indians' turnaround in 2025 and backed it up with a strong junior campaign that produced 2,300 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, earning Honorable Mention All-State recognition. Balog has the size and poise you want under center and has shown he can manage the offense while still pushing the ball down the field when opportunities arise. With another year in the system and the confidence that comes from a breakout season, the next step is proving he can elevate both his own production and the program's trajectory once again. If he builds on what he showed last fall, Balog has a real chance to move beyond the quiet recognition he received as a junior and solidify himself as one of the more respected quarterbacks in the 2027 class.</p>

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