Stock Risers from MidAmerican 7v7 Back 2 Ballin High ’26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/day-1-rundown-from-back-2-ballin-high-2026/">Day 1 Rundown from Back 2 Ballin High 2026</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/photo-gallery-i-midamerican-7v7-back-2-ballin-high-2026/">Photo Gallery I: MidAmerican 7v7 Back 2 Ballin High 2026</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/photo-gallery-ii-midamerican-7v7-back-2-ballin-high-2026/">Photo Gallery II: MidAmerican 7v7 Back 2 Ballin High 2026</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/photo-gallery-iii-midamerican-7v7-back-2-ballin-high-2026/">Photo Gallery III: MidAmerican 7v7 Back 2 Ballin High 2026</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The annual MidAmerican 7v7 Back 2 Ballin High Tournament went down this past weekend at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Programs from at least a half dozen states competed in four divisions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I spent the weekend at the event. Here's a look a look at players raising their stock right now:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1656935"],"_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-69ea560b750fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bickford caught my attention during the Back 2 Ballin 7v7 tournament last April in Cedar Falls. It put him on my radar to track during the 2025 prep season at West Liberty. He built on my initial impressions with a solid sophomore campaign for the Comets, leading them in catches (29), receiving yards (455) and touchdown grabs (4). Thirteen of his 15.0 tackles were of the solo variety. He had two interceptions and a pass defended. Bickford averaged 30.2 yards on 13 kick returns. He'll now test his talents in Class 5A as an 11th-grader after transferring to Iowa City High, which has added on lot to its offense during the offseason. After my latest in-person scouting opportunity at Back 2 Ballin High 2026 during April at the UNI-Dome, I'm confident Bickford can be successful with a jump up in competition. He's a playmaker with long arms and athleticism. Bickford has a projectable frame capable of adding plenty of good weight without the loss of speed or agility. He's also an interesting defender with his skill set, and that side of the ball kept in play as a path to the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2116398"],"_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-69ea560b75160"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Longmeyer set the stage for what can be a breakout 2026 season at Glenwood with a solid junior campaign last fall. The long-limbed wideout ranked third behind two seniors with 21 receptions for 276 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He threw in a pancake block and also flashed potential as a returner. I saw Longmeyer running with the Nebraska Select 7even 18U at the Back 2 Ballin High 2026 7v7 Tournament during the middle of April in Cedar Falls. He was standing out both ways thanks to athleticism, speed and good instincts. It all came together in fluidity, whether he was catching passes or defending them. Longmeyer uses his body well as a receiver, playing angles for an advantage on the opponent. He closes well with smooth actions as a member of the secondary. Longmeyer is a kid flying a bit under the recruiting radar right now relative to talent, but a strong summer at college camps and a step forward in the fall should change that. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1198825"],"_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-69ea5e1486e5c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I don't remember watching Fairley compete last season for Iowa Insanity but won't soon forget his performance at the Back 2 Ballin High 2026 7v7 Tournament during the middle of April at the UNI-Dome. The quarterback led Insanity to the 18U Silver Bracket title. He impressed me with his ability to call plays off of a sheet and get his squad organized to carry them out. Usually, there's a coach running the show from the offensive backfield. The setup highlighted Fairley's high football IQ and leadership skills. On top of those strengths, he possesses the physical traits necessary for success at the position. Fairley spins a tight spiral and puts easy velocity on the ball, giving him an ability to get it through tight windows. He surveys the field quickly and efficiently, getting through his progressions, identifying advantageous opportunities and firing away. Fairley has a keen feel for the touch needed on a given throw. A backup at Linn-Mar last season, he's made the move to Cedar Rapids Kennedy. A breakout campaign is likely loading.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1596629"],"_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-69ea5e1486eb5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gary is a guy who's been on my radar for awhile. It's why he's listed in the Top 100 in our Prep Redzone Iowa Class of 2028 rankings. We have him as the No. 14 receiver. That position very well could be his path to the next level. He caught 31 balls for 518 yards and three touchdowns as a Waterloo East sophomore last fall. Defensive back also is a possible college position. Gary collected 41.5 tackles, 25 of which were solo stops. I liked what I saw from him on defense when watching him compete at the Back 2 Ballin High 2026 7v7 Tournament during the middle of April at the UNI-Dome. In a game where defenders mostly are left on an island, Gary held up really well. He flashed strength and technique in coming up for press coverage. Gary changed directions fluidly and closed windows quickly. Speed and athleticism also play well at receiver, but his ceiling might be higher in the secondary. The good news is that there's time to find out and for Gary to reach his sizable ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1657023"],"_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-69ea60a957258"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rettig delivered important contributions for a Liberty team that reached its first-ever state championship game last fall. The sophomore chipped in 13 receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown. Four of his 5.0 tackles were solo stops, he recovered a fumble and returned a kick 18 yards. It's that well-rounded skill set I saw last year when watching him compete with the Avalanche at the Back to Ballin 7v7 tournament and again at the event during the middle of April at the UNI-Dome. Rettig is a good athlete with easy speed and an ability to quickly change directions. These assets help him when he's looking to pick up yards with the ball in his hands or when he's working to lock down an opposing receiver. Rettig looks like he zeroed in on assignments before lining up and does a good job analyzing plays after the snap. He's a guy that's made steady progress during the last year and appears primed for a breakout season in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->