Al Pops Trail Mix: 2026’s Around The Country on My Radar 3/29

As middle school athletes, new studs are hopping on the radar almost daily at Prep Redzone Next. With so many different age groups, weight limits, division, etc. there’s no exact science to finding middle school athletes, but they’re certainly out there.  Let’s take a look at a few 2026’s that have opened my eyes, as their film has come across my desk. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-312693 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/DeshawnWare-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Deshawn Ware | Texas | Athlete</strong> A good looking 2026 prospect that has shown the ability to play a number of different positions, during his middle school career at Ousley Middle School in Arlington. Dynamic and explosive at whatever position he plays. Defensively, doesn't let his 5-foot-8, 140-pound frame stop him from coming up in run support. On offense, can line him up at running back or in the slot. Also long jump's in track. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-312696 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/QuentonNelson-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Quenton Nelson | Texas | Linebacker</strong> Nelson is the type of kid who looks like he was born to play the linebacker position. While he does play running back on offense, his future is on the defensive side of the ball. He is a tenacious ball-hunting linebacker, that makes running down plays to the opposite side, look routine. Equally as scary blitzing, playing the run or dropping back in coverage. As he adds more size, he should continue to shine. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-312700 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/LeMarDavis-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Lemar Davis | Oklahoma | Running Back</strong> Versatile athlete who was Mr. Do-It-All for Deer Creek Middle School in Edmonton. During this past eighth grade season, he took snaps at running back, wide receiver and some wildcat quarterback. Whatever position he lined up at, good things happened when the ball was in his hands. Elite acceleration ability for just being in middle school. Has homerun ability, on every touch. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-312701 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/ChannonJohnson-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Channon Johnson | New Jersey | Defensive Line</strong> A converted running back from his earlier playing days, the 300-pound Johnson is a promising interior defensive line prospect. Though his height isn't verified, he looks like a shorter, stockier tackle who uses those former running back feet to get off the ball quickly. Has found success largely in part to his size and quick first step. Once he learns the position and adds in some moves, he'll only get better. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-312702 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/BrendanMoore-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Brendan Moore | Texas | Tight End</strong> The Argyle native stands just about 6-foot and weights 171 pounds. He's a tireless worker in the weight room and throughout the off-season, already boasting a 215-pound benchpress and a 300-pound squat. To me, he looks like he'll slide inside from receiver to tight end, in high school. He needs to become a little less robotic in his movement, but there's something about this kid to be excited about. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-312703 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Jamierbryant-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Jamier Bryant | Ohio | Linebacker</strong> The 6-foot-1, 175-pound prospect should be a lot for the Winton Woods High School fan base to be excited about. Hailing from the greater Cincinnati area, Bryant looks the part of a future P5 backer with his ability to stop opposing offenses in their tracks. Moves well for a prospect with a long of length right now, and will only continue to move better as he grows into his body. Also plays basketball. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-312713 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/MattSeig-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Matt Sieg | Pennsylvania | Quarterback</strong> Western Pennsylvania has turned out a number of great quarterbacks and Fort Cherry's Sieg is working to be the next one. At 6-foot and 165 pounds, Sieg has promising size for an 8th grade quarterback. Can make the opposing defense look silly as they try to tackle him with his foot work. He's very fleet of foot, but also has a cannon if given the time to throw. Hasn't lost a game in over two years. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-312717 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/EvanHampton-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Evan Hampton | Kentucky | Athlete</strong> There's being strong in middle school...and then there's being Evan Hampton strong in middle school. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound prospect is one of the strongest middle school athletes I've seen in a long a time, as he middle school records at Owensboro in both the benchpress (250 pounds) and squat (400 pounds). That translated on the field this past season to 1,925 total yards and 23 touchdowns. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-312720 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/BlaiseBaughman-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Blaise Baughman | Nebraska | Linebacker</strong> I love football players who also wrestle at a high level--and that's what Baughman does. A well-put together kid, he was a one-man wrecking ball on both sides of the ball this past season. As a running back, he gained 1,009 yards and 14 touchdowns on 93 carries with a downhill running style. Defensively, he racked up 44 tackles and forced three fumbles. Finished 2nd in the state in wrestling. &nbsp; <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-312734 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/DesmondParker-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Desmond Parker | Alabama | Defensive Line</strong> Already deadlifting over 400 pounds on a hexagon bar, Parker is a strong prospect who explodes off the ball very quickly. Does a good job of keeping his pad level low and unleashing when he hits the ball carrier. I get a lot of Warren Sapp vibes when watching him play. Once he gets a hold of a running back, his strength allows him to wrestle them down with ease. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;