Oregon roundup: Small school standouts; NW’s top 100 prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a busy month at Prep Redzone covering the Northwest's top football players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordan Johnson took a look at the top 100 players in the region, combining Oregon and Washington 2027-2029 classes for an ultimate "big board" of the region's most sought-after players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Balancing production and potential, Johnson gave his thoughts on the top players in the Northwest - with three Oregon players breaking through a Washington-dominated top-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson also took a look at the best small-school players in the state, led by Banks two-way standout [player_tooltip player_id='2161078' first='Cade' last='Wilson'], who is generating an ever-growing list of Division I offers..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the top stories in the state of Oregon this month: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/oregons-top-small-school-lineup-4a-1a-offense/?itm_source=parsely-api" id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/oregons-top-small-school-lineup-4a-1a-offense/?itm_source=parsely-api">Oregon's top small school lineup: Offense</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/oregons-top-small-school-lineup-4a-1a-defense/" id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/oregons-top-small-school-lineup-4a-1a-defense/">Oregon's top small school lineup: Defense</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The big-school athletes get a lot of love, and that is becoming even more true in an era that seems to celebrate transfers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But that's all the more reason to highlight those small school standouts who stay put and put on a show.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordan Johnson took a look at the top small school players in the state, building a starting lineup entirely of guys from the 1A-4A level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Unsurprisingly, Banks offensive/defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='2161078' first='Cade' last='Wilson'] was selected for both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a legit D1-caliber prospect on both sides of the ball, but may truly flourish as an interior offensive lineman. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading the offense, on this hypothetical team, are Scappoose quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='2161075' first='Will' last='Kessi'] and Stayton's [player_tooltip player_id='1161283' first='Madden' last='Hughes'], two of the state's most productive signal-callers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's impossible to ignore Valley Catholic wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1609764' first='Sam' last='Robbins'], a 6-foot-5 pass-catcher who hauled in 33 receptions for 588 yards and 9 touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cascade defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='935357' first='Josiah' last='Hawkins'] may be the top player on the defensive side of the ball, as he is a top-10 prospect in the state in the 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a compete list of the best small school players in the state and is worth the deep dive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <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 1-25</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/the-nws-top-100-prospects-all-classes-26-50/" id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/the-nws-top-100-prospects-all-classes-26-50/">The Northwest's top 100 prospects 26-50</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/the-nws-top-100-prospects-all-classes-51-75/" id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/the-nws-top-100-prospects-all-classes-51-75/">The Northwest's top 100 prospects 51-75</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/the-nws-top-100-prospects-all-classes-76-100/" id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/the-nws-top-100-prospects-all-classes-76-100/">The Northwest's top 100 prospects 76-100</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson compared the top prospects in Oregon and Washington regardless of class, combining players from 2026, 2027 and 2028 for an all-encompassing list that balances production and potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Linn cornerback [player_tooltip player_id='632957' first='Josiah' last='Molden'] comes in at No. 2, breaking through a loaded collection of Washington prospects that makes up the rest of the top-15.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Willamette linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='791149' first='Kawai' last='Chamberlin'] lands at No. 16, as he's one of the West region's most productive, coveted linebackers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='937176' first='Malachi' last='Garlington'] (2027) and West Linn two-way lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1705963' first='Ronan' last='Crawford'] (2029) crack the top-25, but Lake Oswego edge-rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1246545' first='Josh' last='Christensen'] (2027) could eventually crack that group with a strong showing over the next 9 months. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/northwests-top-50-prospects-who-id-rank-higher/" id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/northwests-top-50-prospects-who-id-rank-higher/">Northwest's top 50 prospects: Who I'd rank higher</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andrew Nemec took a look at a handful of players in Johnson's top 50 who would've been rated higher.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Turns out, Nemec is much higher on Christensen and also believes Central Catholic tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1242768' first='George' last='VanSandt'] belongs a few ticks higher on the NW big board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/the-nws-top-100-prospects-who-id-have-higher-51-100/" id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/03/the-nws-top-100-prospects-who-id-have-higher-51-100/">Northwest's top 100 prospects: Who I'd rank higher (51-100)</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class of 2028 Tualatin tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1609596' first='Brady' last='Knips'] and Central Catholic wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1369697' first='Talon' last='Sosky'] make the list as more proven players who could be up a few spots in Nemec's book.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Then, it's about projection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tualatin running back [player_tooltip player_id='2079648' first='Easton' last='Grubb'] (2029) and West Linn athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1558034' first='Zane' last='Zellick'] (2029) are two future impact playmakers who are already generating big-time buzz at a pair of the state's best football programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their futures are bright. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->