Northern Section: Sleeper Stars Ready for the Spotlight

<p><strong><em>With the Northern Section entering scrimmage week tonight and Week 1 right around the corner, the 2026 season is set to introduce a new wave of players ready to make their mark. From under-the-radar names who flashed potential last Fall to emerging stars poised for breakout seasons, there are plenty of players that will be new and emerging names. Below, we highlight a handful of key prospects to know from across the always-talented and under-recruited Northern Section. </em></strong></p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Brooks is one of the top tacklers in the northern section and is coming off a breakout second season campaign for Enterprise. He is a true downhill thumper that gets downhill quickly, can shock and shed off second level blockers and packs a punch at the point of attack while always around the ball and looking to force turnovers. Brooks is a very smart second level defender that also can make plays outside the tackles, takes good angles in the open field and can quickly knife into the backfield and has a natural nose for the ball. Look for him to be near the 100 tackle marker in his Junior season and be a common name up in the Northern Section this Fall. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/karterbrooks44/status/2078686652025745709?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Shaw is one of the top passers in the northern section and is a tall and poised pocket passer that plays on schedule and gets the ball out quick. He shows he can quickly move through his progressions, throws with accuracy and anticipation downfield while not afraid to rope it into tight windows. In the pocket, he displays strong awareness and can evade pressure while keeping his eyes downfield and has good touch and velocity on the deep ball throwing his receivers open and fitting it over the top. Look for Shaw to be near the top of the passing leaders for this loaded Lions offense again in 2026 and is a key name to note across the section as we head into the season. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/WyattShaw1415/status/2018800281874808972?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Wynkoop is one of the top passers in the northern section and is a terrific dual-sport athlete that should have a big senior year for one of the most consistent teams in northern California year in and year out. On tape he shows he is a dual-threat passer that can buy time with his legs and throw on the run from various arm angles with zip on the ball and accuracy. He is a on schedule thrower that moves through his progressions quickly front and backside and is tough to take down in the pocket while not afraid to take a shot to deliver downfield. In the run game, he has a nice burst through the first level and a open field gear as well with twitch to make tacklers miss and forces poor angles. Look for a monster senior season for Wynkoop and he should be a household name across the section by the end of the year. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Braydenwynkoopp/status/2012984087548510470?s=20 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Skinner is one of the better defensive backs across the northern section and had a breakout junior season last fall. He is a twitchy athlete with man cover abilities downfield, plays tough in the run game and is not afraid to come up and make tackles in space on the perimeter. Skinner also shows he breaks quickly to ball carriers, had natural ball catching abilities and recovery speed if beat across the middle. He should fit nicely in as a corner at the next level and should start drawing D3 interest/roster spot opportunities after his Senior season comes to a close. Expect Redding Christian to be one of the better small school teams across Norcal and be playing into late November or early December once again. </p>    <p></p>

With the Northern Section entering scrimmage week tonight and Week 1 right around the corner, the 2026 season is set to introduce a new wave of players ready to make their mark. From under-the-radar names who flashed potential last Fall to emerging stars poised for breakout seasons, there are plenty of players that will be new and emerging names. Below, we highlight a handful of key prospects to know from across the always-talented and under-recruited Northern Section.