3A PREVIEW: 2026 Breakout Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High school football is just weeks away in Kansas. In this report, we examine several prospects throughout 3A in Kansas who are looking to either break out on the field or in recruitment. Many of these prospects possess the talent and traits necessary to play at the next level. Here are five athletes to watch this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1356215"],"_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-6a7c8bbada10e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1356215' first='Clay' last='Tolbert'] is a track star for Holcomb and could flash his athletic ability out wide this fall for the Longhorns. This spring, he placed first in the 4x100 relay and fourth in the 4x400 relay as the second and first leg at state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tolbert isn't afraid of contact and can stretch the field vertically, expanding the offense for Holcomb. He displays solid ball tracking over-the-shoulder and overall hand-eye coordination. Keep an eye on him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/ClayTolbert11/status/2079645147193643196?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ClayTolbert11/status/2079645147193643196?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2087738"],"_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-6a7c8bbada1a0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2087738' first='Jrayton' last='Dansel'] is an All-State linebacker so he isn't expected to breakout on the field. It's off-field recruitment that you can expect to take off this fall. He was also the defensive player of the year in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dansel has offers from Benedictine, Butler, Ottawa, Missouri Baptist, Lincoln, and Friends. Expect those offers to get into the double digits during the 2026 season. He's a sideline-to-sideline, high motor linebacker who can chase down ball carriers. Overall, he possesses solid size and good athletic ability. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/VanillaDanzilla/status/2083202392191885574?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/VanillaDanzilla/status/2083202392191885574?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2326795,"_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-6a7c8bbada201"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2326795' first='Carstyn' last='Flores'] is rated a three-star kicker by Kohl's, making him a prospect to watch throughout 2026. Kickers don't receive much publicity until they mess up, and it's time to change that here in Kansas. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flores had a solid 2025 season. He was an All-State honorable mention, had a 25-yard game winner, and was on the second team CPL league. He's consistent, reliable, and will put you in positions to win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Carstyn_Flores/status/2063721824203182314?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Carstyn_Flores/status/2063721824203182314?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2063118"],"_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-6a7c8bbada259"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2063118' first='Zy'Dronn' last='Mays'] is another track star who dominates on the football field. He ran an 11.17 100M and competed at state in track. Mays is a prospect to add to the recruiting board as he's flying under the radar. He competes in football, track, and basketball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His athletic ability is noticeable on film, becoming dangerous post-catch due to good foot speed, change of direction ability, and burst. Mays is versatile as he's utilized to stretch the field, attack underneath, and in motions. He displays solid mental processing as he can find voids against zone and re-route himself when his quarterback is under pressure. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Zydronn4Mays/status/2051279067941343554?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Zydronn4Mays/status/2051279067941343554?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2087768"],"_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-6a7c8bbada2ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2087768' first='Kendal' last='Bergman'] already possesses the frame to play at the next level with plenty of room to add mass and muscle. Bergman was versatile last season, lining up at wide receiver, quarterback, defensive back, and punt returner. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expect the young prospect to see reps this fall wherever he's needed, whether that's on offense, defense, or special teams. He plays with a high motor at all three phases, flying to the football and attacking the full field effectively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Kendalbergman10/status/2020569080491876756?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Kendalbergman10/status/2020569080491876756?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->