Five Prospects Primed for Early-Season Breakouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>With the 2026 season officially underway in the Southland, several unknown prospects are already making a strong case to become some of the biggest early-season risers. Below are rising Prospects who are positioned to make an immediate impact and turn heads quickly in the pre-season and who are worth keeping a close eye on through out the 2026 season around the state. </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2345840,"_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-6a8f4bf85ca34"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Loftin is expected to be named the starter for the Spartans against Serra this Friday night in one of the most anticipated matchups across the north coast section to open up the season. He is a tremendous dual-threat athlete that can operate this veer system well and is a high IQ signal caller that does tons of damage with his legs but can throw on the run and zip the ball into tight windows with ease. Loftin should have full command of the offense and is a perfect fit in the run and pass game and will have no shortage of talent around him on the outside and in the backfield. Look for Loftin to breakout this season and in the right system, be very successful at the next level and draw plenty of attention. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2344512,"_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-6a8cc03ed8c27"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hopper is one of the more well balanced tight ends across Southern California and is a big time prospect in the 2029 class that should see his recruiting start soaring after his sophomore season campaign for LCC. He can really stretch the field and has strong hands across the middle while showing highpoint abilities and boxes out smaller defenders well. He is a more then willing blocker as well that can finish blocks downfield, dent the front and get to the second level and is physical at the POA. After the catch he is hard to take down, looks for contact and always falls forward to gain positive yards and move the sticks with some short area wiggle in the open field as well and checks many boxes for the tight end position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1621280"],"_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-6a8f4bf85c9c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Block is a under the radar defensive end that passes the eye test and is one of the better true 4 down defensive lineman across the southland. He plays with a heavy strike, inside placement and resets the LOS quickly while able to get off blocks without losing blocks and can play flat and make plays behind the line backside. Block is a high motor kid that can bend around the corner, counter back inside and presses the picket consistently from various angles up front. Overall for a 2028 prospect, he is a very impressive and technically sound player that checks into our rankings as a top 8 player at his position and a key name to note amongst Southern California's top edge rushers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2345844,"_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-6a8f4bf85c9f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Muse is one of the top returning linebackers in the entire CCS and is going to find himself right near or over the 100 tackler marker once again in 2026. He is a downhill thumper that is a tackling machine inside, can run through blockers and knife into the backfield, sniffs out plays quickly and has closing speed and takes the proper angles behind the line while seemingly always around the ball trying to create havoc. He shows some cover abilities downfield as well and moves well for his size and should fit nicely as a true mike backer at the next level and should start drawing plenty of D3+ interest through his final prep season for one of the better teams in the entire central coast section. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2345841,"_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-6a8f4bf85ca15"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Boyce is one of the top under the radar prospects across the central valley and is a mauler at tackle with heavy hands, finish abilities and moves extremely well for his size. He is a natural bender in and out of his stance, can overpower defenders with his massive size and lower body strength and shows excellent feet and body control in pass protection while able to win against both speed and power rushers. Boyce also shows he can block in space, cutoff flowing linebackers and finishes blocks with nasty intentions. Depending on the level, he can play tackle or kick inside as a plus athlete guard in college but either way he is going to be a steal at the next level and should be drawing some late interest here soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->