2026s Next Up For Their First Offer

The recruitment of the Class of 2026 is off and rolling across the country, and the top end talent here in Wisconsin is off to a blazing start. We are closing in on 25 athletes with FBS and/or FCS offers and I am more than confident that another wave of talent is going to be joining them in the coming weeks. The best part about it, besides the vast number, is the variety of positions being offered. Too often in the past Wisconsin was viewed as a place to get a stud OL/DL or LB. While those groups are extremely deep and talented still that isn't our only places of strength anymore. We are going to illustrate that with our article today as we look ahead and try to predict who I believe is next up for their first D1 offer and why!    We have covered Tanner a ton. I will link more in-depth breakdowns that have been recently posted for all to check out. But we couldn't write this article and not start with the extremely talented QB. It is only a matter of time until a program extends an offer when they decide they want a QB with elite size, arm strength to open up the entire field, accuracy to attack the entire field, mobility inside and outside the pocket, and the pocket presence and poise to lead a team in big moments. Can't wait to see who the first team will be that wants those traits in their QB room. More articles including Tanner are linked below!   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/top-newcomers-of-the-2026-rankings/">Top Rankings Newcomers</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/elite-qb-camp-best-of-the-2026s/">Elite QB Camp Performance</a>     The new WR1 in the Class of 2026 is an outstanding talent that has D1 traits. Lamont is an unfair, electric playmaker with the football in his hands. The '26 has speed to rip the top off the defense and easily run underneath the deep shots. Hamilton also plays with elite body control that allows him to stay balanced while making lightning quick cuts and lateral moves that create space from DBs in a hurry. Once the electric playmaker has the ball in his hands he is the hardest athlete to contain that we are going to see on WI HS football fields this fall. He is so elusive, sees the field really well, and has the innate ability to create space when there isn't any.   While Hamilton has been waiting for that first offer he is spending the winter scoring 30 PPG on the basketball team. The elite all-around athlete deserves what is coming his way.     Massive, powerful, and talented offensive linemen don't grow on trees but they do grow in Hartland, WI at Arrowhead High School. The need to know '26 OL leading the way this year is the 6'5" 295 lbs guard [player_tooltip player_id='402817' first='Mitchel' last='Bilicki']. It is a great time watching the massive lineman instantly overwhelm DLs and LBs, quickly tossing them to the ground with his powerful upper body. It seems like every snap he is putting a kid on the ground. His anchor in pass protection and size/reach make him a nightmare to try and get around. In the run game that overwhelming power is on full display as he forces flow in the trenches and drives the line of scrimmage downfield. There is so much talent to continue to tap into and develop at the next level with this kid. Big things ahead of him.     The edge position is loaded here in WI with rare length, quickness, and overall athleticism. Mason is a great example of it. The 6'5" DE/Edge played in a two and three point stance this season and put out great tape doing each. Mason is doing a great job of putting his tools to use. He plays with his hands, maintaining separation and keeping himself clean while getting around OTs quickly. He has an explosive first step off the line and closing speed when he gets into the backfield. The '26 edge defender also has shown that he can play with the bend needed to rush the edge effectively. Mason ended the season banged up, but by the summer he will be itching to dominate OTs again. It will be interesting to see if we have to wait until then for that first offer, though.     WI is known for growing some impactful defensive linemen throughout the HS landscape, but we don't see them like [player_tooltip player_id='402818' first='Neeko' last='Rodgers'] very often. The 6'1" 265 lbs DT brings a skill set that a kid has to be born with. Neeko's body control is great and it pairs perfect with his elite foot quickness giving him the ability to play so suddenly and agile. The junior explodes off the line, can change direction or slide laterally in a flash. Neeko also is great at turning that quickness into instant power when he engages with the OL. Watching the highlights you see how disruptive he is as he flies through gaps before the guard can put a hand on him. That much mass, moving that fast and playing with the power he can create is tough to find. You need to get eyes on this kid.     I have been pounding the drum for this off-ball LB Class during this rankings update and a lot of them are starting to see their first D1 offer. The next man up for his is an easy choice. Jack is a huge impact in the middle of the Mt. Horeb defense. His vast experience has developed his instincts to a point where he understands situations, keys, and processes what he is seeing at such a high rate. Partnered with the strong mental side of his game is a skillset that is proving it is next level ready. The acceleration and speed are there to trigger downhill or run sideline to sideline. He does well playing through traffic and has shown the strength to quickly disengage when a block does land on him. Wilson checks the boxes and is only going to keep proving it.     As an underclassman on varsity you could see that Mitchell was right on the verge of having it all come together. As a junior in 2024 it did. The '26 OL made a huge jump in his development this past offseason. He is an easy athlete that can get up to level two or run laterally while engaged with his man. Mitchell has also developed his balance really well, allowing him to change direction or gather himself back from an awkward position while still attacking. His strength has also hit that next level. He simply overwhelms kids at the HS level now with a strong initial strike and the leg drive to run them away from the designed hole. No question the wrestling background has helped his game too, winning with leverage and understanding angles are key to his success and improvement as well. I can't wait for him to keep making strides and watch the offers begin to come in.

The recruitment of the Class of 2026 is off and rolling across the country, and the top end talent here in Wisconsin is off to a blazing start. We are closing in on 25 athletes with FBS and/or FCS offers and I am more than confident that another wave of talent is going to be joining them in the coming weeks. The best part about it, besides the vast number, is the variety of positions being offered. Too often in the past Wisconsin was viewed as a place to get a stud OL/DL or LB. While those groups are extremely deep and talented still that isn't our only places of strength anymore. We are going to illustrate that with our article today as we look ahead and try to predict who I believe is next up for their first D1 offer and why!