Stats: 12 Tackles

When playing a team like Mukwonago you have to be ready for a physical battle, and Josh was ready for that challenge. He was aggressively flying downhill against the run and providing sound tackles after doing a great job of knifing through the front seven to get to the ball. Having a tackler like Josh gives your defense that security knowing your last line of defense can make those key stops. The range that the senior showed off was great to see too. Going from his safety position to the box to make tackles, or moving well in coverage including making a hit that led to a tipped pass and INT. Size, range, and a willingness to play physical and tackle make Josh an intriguing senior athlete.

Stats: 10 Tackles, 1 FF

We have been excited to see Josh back on the field after missing a lot of 2024. The senior DB delivered with a 10 tackle night in a big time Week 1 win. Joshua is a safety that is going to run through you when he tackles you. He closes quickly and is always the one who delivers the hit. No doubt he is the hammer in every tackle. Missing time hasn’t affected his instincts and ability to diagnose plays. He sits back deep, reads, and then flashes the range to get to the ball and punish the offensive player before they can pick up any significant yardage. It was a great start to a senior season that should turn heads as the weeks go by.

Another postponed breakout due to injury was Joshua Ziebell Joshua Ziebell 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Waukesha West | 2026 State WI of Waukesha West. Josh is the epitome of the ATH position. He plays WR, DB, and also is a returner. If the injury bug didn’t bite, Josh was poised to be the go to guy in the passing offense while also handling the return duties. Basically a bunch of chances for him to show his playmaking abilities and the mismatch athleticism he has within his impressive 6’2″ 190 lbs frame. As far as recruitment goes, we may only have to wait until summer camps for him to prove he is ready to play and earn offers. Then we will get to the fall and the real fun will begin. I’m excited to watch Ziebell in his senior season.

Rankings Movement: #50 to #30

One of the most versatile skill players in the 2026 Class made a 20 spot jump during this rankings update. The former QB now impacts the game at WR and DB for Waukesha West and he also adds returner reps too. On offense, Josh dominates at outside receiver in every facet. He has plenty of speed to get behind the CB and stretch the field. The rising junior has great ball skills both at the catch point to make difficult catches in traffic and also adjust to passes that may not be right on target. The 6’2″ WR also shines in the redzone where he can go up and high point the ball over a CB or box them out near the sideline.

On defense, Ziebell brings the physicality to the DB position. He delivers well-timed, devastating hits to break up passes. As a return man, Josh shows special level vision. He has the athletic tools, but more importantly he sees the field and paths to success where he can let those physical traits win. I can’t wait to see him continue to pump out tape this fall from varsity action.

This was my first time seeing the 2026 WR in person. We have followed his career since he debuted as a freshman QB. Now a 6’1″ 193 lbs Joshua is looking more and more the part of a college WR. He jumped 8’7″ and 31.2″ plus ran a 4.78 40 and 4.41 pro agility. All solid numbers, but once we got into the one on one action Joshua flipped a switch. The incoming junior was a sudden route runner. One that opened up huge windows of separation as he showed off the body control, balance, and burst to leave CBs trying to catch back up with him. I’m very excited to see him in varsity games to see how he replicates what we saw in River Falls. This is a name to watch going in the Class of 2026.