2026 Film Room: Rising Must Know Breakout Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Want 30% off of your subscription? Use promo code <strong>PaulG30 </strong>at checkout!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1662412"],"_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-689ec474c094b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Boltz is a big time mismatch nightmare on the outside for Meridian and has elite length and long strides to chunk yards downfield. He is a very physical pass catcher that is tough to take down in the open field and can break arm/ankle tackles. He shows he can stretch the field vertically, has a big catch radius when making contested catches and natural hands when tracking over the top. A true outside receiver with plus length and a big frame, he offers some good upside at the next level and has been really flying under the radar so far in his career and will be a key late steal for a college program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401591"],"_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-689ec474c0806"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despain is a little undersized for the position, but one of the more technically sound players at the position across Idaho. He wins with leverage, initial power and is a true puncher that establishes inside hands, leg drive and line reset abilities from anywhere along the front. He has a variety of power/speed rush moves at his disposal and is a high motor kid that pursues backside, can take on double teams/pullers and is always around the ball. As we enter into the 2025 season and update our '26 rankings, the Mountain View product could very well see himself slotted in there as he should have a breakout senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1679305"],"_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-689ec474c0866"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bott can play either inside or outside linebacker, and is a smooth defender with twitch, COD abilities when pursuing backside and is a strong tackler in the box. He plays with a low hat, moves quickly through or around traffic and can quickly get off blocks when coming up and setting the edge. He is a excellent against the run and can be used as a pass rusher off the edge with an explosive first step, bend around the corner and is a polished pass rusher and a very high motor guy. heading into his senior year he should have a breakout season and draw plenty of D3+ interest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1742975"],"_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-689ec474c0901"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A definite breakout candidate in 2025, the Bishop Kelly product is one of the better linebackers in this class and has a balanced play-style while excelling against the run. He plays with a low hat, can navigate through traffic quickly and knife into the backfield while showing closing speed and strong open field tackling abilities. Seemingly comfortable in space, he triggers quickly into the flats and shows downfield cover abilities with recovery speed and can make consistent plays on the ball underneath. Boyd should draw plenty of D3+ level interest through his senior year and is a next level caliber prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1738852"],"_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-689ec474c08b5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Muhina is a candidate to enter into our next rankings update and is a very well built prospect that offers position versatility and good athleticism at the next level. From his outside linebacker spot he can come up and set the edge and take on blockers, shed blocks without giving up ground and is a very good open field tackler with closing speed and takes the proper angles behind the line. In coverage he shows he can run with bigger backs and receivers and man coverage and is a high IQ prospect when roaming in zone coverage. He should draw plenty of college interest/potential offers through his senior season for Boise and can play either inside or outside in college depending on scheme/fit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->