Northwest’s new offers, camp standouts: Tight ends, linebackers

The past few months has shed new light on top prospects, and some have seized the opportunity to pick up new scholarship offers and raise their stock. No position in the Northwest is hotter than tight end, as Oregon and Washington combine for a blend of national recruits, legit Power 4 talent and emerging stars.   At the linebacker position, Willamette star [player_tooltip player_id='791149' first='Kawai' last='Chamberlin'] distanced himself from the pack in the class of 2027, and and college coaches have indicated it's a “down cycle” at the position.   But a few players have bucked that trend and emerged as potential stars.   [player_tooltip player_id='1003593' first='Tytan' last='McNeal'], Eastside Catholic (2028) — Let's be honest: A five-star recruit can't do much to raise his stock any further.   For Prep Redzone, this is simply a chance to highlight McNeal's newest offers - Auburn, Alabama, Florida State, Stanford and others.   The 6-foot-5, 220-pound two-sport star will be one of the best tight end prospects to ever come out of the region, and he has a solid chance to go the distance hanging on to the title of “No. 1 tight end in the class of 2028.”   [player_tooltip player_id='1613644' first='Presley' last='DeLance'], Lake Oswego (2028) — The rise of DeLance can't be overstated.   Since early May, he has added offers from Auburn, Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Utah, Washington and others.   The 6-foot-4, 230-pound pass-catcher started generating early buzz as an eighth grader and has been on Prep Redzone's radar for a long time.   Solidly in the discuss to be Oregon's top prospect in the class of 2028 for nearly a year, DeLance certainly added an exclamation point or two to his argument.    [player_tooltip player_id='1242768' first='George' last='VanSandt'], Central Catholic (2027) — At the start of last season, VanSandt was a back-up behind Sam Milholen, himself a Power 4 conference prospect with upside.   By the fourth game of the year, VanSandt had earned his fourth start.   This offseason, Milholen has transferred to Bishop Gorman (Nev.) and VanSandt picked up offers from the Big Ten, SEC, Pac-12 and others.   Surprisingly fast for his 6-foot-4, 235-pound frame, VanSandt committed to the Oregon Ducks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1609596' first='Brady' last='Knips'], Tualatin (2028) — Several prospects are vying for the title of “Oregon's No. 1 prospect in 2028,” and Knips is a darkhorse candidate in that discussion.   Despite waiting on his first offer, Knips has emerged as a dominant force and was undeniably spectacular when he earned the TE MVP at The Northwest Showcase.    Buy stock now, because he's got a good chance to be a 20-offer guy.   Prep Redzone is sky-high on Knips.   He's about to blow up!    [player_tooltip player_id='1609788' first='Knox' last='Smith'], Willamette (2028) — Smith had just 16 catches and two touchdowns last year, but he's made huge strides this offseason and should be a star this fall.   The 6-foot-4, 200-pound WR/TE has recently picked up offers from Boise State and UNLV.   Willamette's roster is absolutely loaded, but make no mistake: Smith is one of their stars.    [player_tooltip player_id='1684534' first='Jettson' last='Gillam'], Mountain View (2027) — Credit where it's due: Jordan Johnson has been a big believer in Jattson Gilliam for more than year, believing he was a Division I prospect before he was getting any attention.   That prediction came true recently with the 6-foot-4, 235-pound pass-catcher's commitment to Washington State.    [player_tooltip player_id='1743631' first='Jack' last='Christiansen'], Ferris (2027) — The 6-foot-4, 230-pound multi-sport athlete has picked up offers from Whitworth and Pacific Lutheran and was a positional MVP at The Northwest Showcase.    I don't expect him to jump to the FBS level in the coming months, but it has been a great show of progress from the small school prospect.    [player_tooltip player_id='2213880' first='Mason' last='Emil'], Mount Rainier (2027) — Emil has had a highly product past few months, earning an Avery Showcase MVP and picking up a scholarship offer from Portland State.   [player_tooltip player_id='1339339' first='Gavin' last='Danielson'], Auburn-Riverside (2028) — FSP has a collection of quality tight ends.   Count Danielson among them.   The still-developing 6-foot-1, 195-pound pass-catcher has added an offer from UNLV in the past few weeks.   His stock is beginning to rise.    [player_tooltip player_id='2054681' first='Oliver' last='Holverson'], Jesuit (2027) — After a strong showing at the Prep Redzone Exposure Series event, Holverson put together a solid performance at The Northwest Showcase.    He has since picked up offers from Pacific, Lewis and Clark, Whitworth, Linfield and San Diego.    Linebackers    [player_tooltip player_id='985511' first='Kaicen' last='Carter'], Federal Way (2028) — There's a tremendous among of hype around Carter and I can't wait to see his high school film.   It should be something special.   Since June 1, Carter has picked up offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, Colorado State, Minnesota, Oregon State, Washington and others.   He is fast-approaching 20-offer status.    [player_tooltip player_id='1878396' first='Aidan' last='Galusha'], Dallas (2027) — Galusha has been one of Oregon's biggest risers this offseason.   From intriguing small school high school talent to bonafide Division I offer guy, Galusha was a standout at two Prep Redzone events and The Northwest Showcase, picking up a trio of offers, including San Diego, in the past two weeks.    [player_tooltip player_id='1691685' first='Jayland' last='Coleman'], Woodinville (2027) — Coleman was the MVP at Central Washington, and has added several offers in recent weeks, including Western Oregon, Whitworth and Puget Sound.   He won't take a massive leap in the rankings, but getting multiple offers on the board is an impressive feat that speaks to his status as a sure-fire college prospect.    [player_tooltip player_id='1609795' first='Mikey' last='Covey'], Cascade Christian (2028) — The 6-foot-2, 200-pound small school high schooler is already on the board as a Division I athlete with an offer from Idaho.   He's a player to watch as the breakout has begun.    [player_tooltip player_id='2182065' first='Lawrence' last='Phillips Jr']., FSP Academy (2031) — There's a ton of hype surrounding the 2031 prospect and he got on the board with offers from Idaho and Tulsa.    He's likely to emerge as a national recruit.    Nate Obasanjo, Mount Rainier (2027) — Prep Redzone has really liked Obasanjo for some time.   The 6-foot-1, 210-pound ‘backer recently committed to Washington State, and he could emerge as a star for the Cougs.    [player_tooltip player_id='1727692' first='Jacob' last='Simons'], Eatonville (2027) — The 6-foot-2, 215-pound athlete recently added an offer from Eastern Washington.   That's a big one that could signal an FBS offer (or more) could be coming his way with a big senior campaign.    [player_tooltip player_id='936846' first='Leonardo' last='Correani'], Lincoln (2027) — The state's leading tackler is stacking small school offers this offseason, and may leap into Division I territory desite being “a little undersized” for some programs.   Make no mistake Correani is an absolute baller in pads who is so knowledgable about the game he has been given license to change defensive plays based on what he sees pre-snap.

The past few months has shed new light on top prospects, and some have seized the opportunity to pick up new scholarship offers and raise their stock.
No position in the Northwest is hotter than tight end, as Oregon and Washington combine for a blend of national recruits, legit Power 4 talent and emerging stars.