One of the most exciting prospects, not only among 2026’s but in the state as a whole, Girley has one of the highest upsides out of anyone in the state. He posted eye-popping stats last season: 69 total tackles, 7 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, and a blocked kick, all within just 9 games. His tape has flashes of brilliance, and he showcases how quick he is, especially for his size, early and often. He works hard to hawk down ball carriers that get past gaps near him, and he can work through double teams with brute force. Girley’s recruitment and play should see an uptick during his senior season, something I’m eagerly awaiting.

One of the biggest mysteries of the entire 2026 class uncoincidentally is one of the highest upside. With all of the huff and hype surrounding Bloomington Kennedy’s Top 25 junior OT Jayveon Kelly Jayveon Kelly 6'6" | 270 lbs | OL Bloomington Kennedy | 2026 State MN , who is in real contention for a Minnesota Gophers offer, it seems that 6’5, 240 lb DL James Girley James Girley 6'5" | 240 lbs | DL Bloomington Kennedy | 2026 State MN has gone under the D1 radar as quietly as any prospect in the state. Scrolling through his Twitter, you see heavyweight followers like 247Sports‘ Ryan Burns, GopherIllustrated, Kansas State’s RB Coach Brian Anderson, Iowa State WR Noah Pauley and DPP Trent Slattenow, North Dakota’s Eric Schmidt and Isaac Fruechte, former UMN DL Coach Winston DeLattiboudere III, UNI DC Al Smith, and Washington State WR coach Jake Menage. That’s not to mention all of the DII coaches who follow him as well. Pulling up Kennedy’s MNFootballHub page and player stats also catch the eye, as Girley posted 69 tackles, 7 TFLs, 2 sacks, and a blocked kick in 2024, impressive stats for a defensive lineman and one that indicates that he knows how to use his impressive size to his advantage.

The film adds to the mystique, as Girley is a massive physical presence who towers over his peers and competition on tape and flashes physical dominance at times in his limited junior film. However, there isn’t a lot of tape, and he also seems a bit stiff and off-balance at times, so I don’t really know what to take away from the film overall. Girley completely envelops RBs and QBs at the contact point and can get off blocks at will thanks to his strength and hand usage, but there are also reps of him not really doing a lot and/or seeing plays fall into his lap. Seems like a kid who NEEDS to be evaluated in person, especially padded. We’ll see if we can get this kid to the upcoming PRzMN spring showcase.