Lester has shown excellent progress and is on a steady trajectory as a prospect. He flashed upside as a role player on last year’s Liberty team that reached the program’s first-ever state championship game. The junior is using those lessons to contribute more in 2026, as I’ve witnessed through two in-person scouting opportunities this season after watching him at the Back2Ballin 7v7 tournament during spring in Cedar Falls. Lester stands out most for his versatility, athleticism and the tempo at which he plays the game. It gives him the potential to develop as a next-level player on either side of the ball. His frame also has room to fill out while holding onto the agility and explosiveness that already leads to success. Lester is a prospect more colleges should be in on already.

I was able to evaluate Lester in person multiple times last season. The sophomore did well in filling a role and doing what was asked of him on offense during Liberty’s first-ever trip to the state championship game. He rushed eight times for 42 yards (5.3 YPC) and a touchdown, caught seven balls for 35 yards, and completed both of his throws for 14 yards. Lester really flashed promise defensively, collecting 24.0 tackles with 15 of them being solo stops. He posted 2.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He averaged 14.0 yards on a pair of kick returns. I received an updated look at Lester when he helped Rip City win the 18U Gold Bracket at the Back 2 Ballin High 7v7 tournament during the middle of April at the UNI-Dome. He showed potential on both sides of the ball, once again. Fluid actions, quickness and burst feed into the success running with receivers in coverage. He utilizes his hands well and understands angles. Lester does well with the ball in his hands, combining explosion and speed. It’s a skill that plays well on special teams, too. Lester has the look of a 2026 breakout prospect.

Lester is getting run as a sophomore skill position player in a program that’s very good at developing them. He stood out to me when watching Liberty in the 2025 season-opener against Cedar Falls and again in seeing the Lighting face Waukee in the first round of the postseason. Lester brings a little more size to the table compared to some current and former standouts at the school. It’s also a frame capable of filling out more and adding strength without the loss of speed and athleticism. His recruiting stock should be increased by his versatility, which has allowed him to contribute running the ball, catching it, defending the pass and in supporting the run. Lester also has flashed potential in the return game. It feels like he’s just scratching the surface of what he can be, which should be exciting for prospective college programs.