2026s Ready to Make a Varsity Impact
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After going through the athlete in the 2026 rankings update there were a few that stood out who played primarily on the JV teams and absolutely dominated. That led me to dive more into the roster makeup for their teams…
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Continue ReadingAfter going through the athlete in the 2026 rankings update there were a few that stood out who played primarily on the JV teams and absolutely dominated. That led me to dive more into the roster makeup for their teams heading into 2024. In the end, these four athletes in today’s article look like they could be in position to not just make the move to varsity but also be difference makers for their teams. Let’s dive into the tape and see what has me excited!
West De Pere is on an absolute heater at the QB position. Patrick Greisen Patrick Greisen 6’2″ | 190 lbs | QB West De Pere | 2026 State WI moves into our QB1 spot and is now set to take over the varsity job this coming season. He was backup to the spectacular career of Duke Shovald Duke Shovald 6’1″ | 190 lbs | QB West De Pere | 2024 State WI who is the school’s career passing yards leader and now moves on to the college ranks.
Patrick is an impressive prospect. The 6’2″ 190 lbs sophomore shredded JV defenses with his talented right arm. An arm that is able to push the ball downfield with velocity. An arm with excellent pinpoint accuracy to all three levels and touch when needed. The mechanics from his quick feet to his smooth over the top throwing motion are consistent and finely tuned. He has shown that he can get outside the pocket and deliver that same arm talent on the move. Coaches should be very excited to see him take the field this fall on Friday nights.
An athlete who we could see on the receiving end of a lot of those Greisen passes is Judeah Kniskern Judeah Kniskern 6’1″ | 180 lbs | WR West De Pere | 2026 State WI . The 6’1″ 180 lbs sophomore was one of our top new additions and debuted Top 5 at his position. The sophomore proved to be a playmaker out wide, making difficult plays look routine. He repeatedly got behind the defense with his speed. He has shown the leaping abilities to go up and get it and will fight through hands to get the ball. Judeah tracks the ball very well and times when to flash his hands at the catch point well. The WR is a physical runner after the catch too. The West De Pere offense could be in store for several breakout performers.
Highlights
Another wideout who I can see pushing for varsity playing time this fall is sophomore Emmitt Stegmann Emmitt Stegmann 6’0″ | 175 lbs | WR DeForest | 2026 State WI . The 6′ 175 lbs athlete has the void to step into after the top four leading receivers from 2023 all graduate this June. In 2023 Emmitt stood out on the JV field. His athleticism was a tough mismatch for DBs. He was able to win with straight line speed, could run sharp routes with his ability to start/stop in an instant, and Emmitt had no issues adjusting to the ball in flight. Stegmann proved to be just as dangerous after the catch as he is before it. Playing with explosive acceleration, a solid stiff arm, and the vision to set up blocks. Check out his tape.
Highlights
Looking back through the Arrowhead roster from 2023, there were four TEs on the roster. Three of them graduate this summer which leaves the 6’3″ 230 lbs Tanner Shumlas Tanner Shumlas 6’3″ | 230 lbs | TE Arrowhead | 2026 State WI in line to step up and take over the starting job. That massive frame is going to be new on the field in 2024 after he played at 6’2″ 205 lbs in 2023. In 2023 Tanner was used primarily in the short passing game where he could box out LBs over the middle or open up separation with a quick out cut and then run tough for yards after the catch. Tanner’s biggest impact was as a blocker where he could consistently get himself in position to wall off DEs or LBs at the second level. With his added size he could be even more physical in that area this fall. Shumlas is definitely in position to make a big leap this year.