Just like that, we are a third of the way through the 2026 regular season, and man, has it been a fun three(ish) weeks. As we gear up for another rankings update, I wanted to share some of the players who have stood out through the opening weeks of the season.
Here are five senior prospects who are moving the needle on our recruiting big board after three weeks of action:
Trent Mlnarik, 2027 – RB/LB – Archbishop Bergan – 6’3″ 200 lbs – (@TrentMln)
Senior Trent Mlnarik continues to shine as one of the top uncommitted two-way players in the senior class with upside at RB and LB. Trent has jumped out to a great start with 38 carries, 293 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns, while also tallying 27 tackles, three TFLs, and a fumble recovery on defense. Trent is a stud at RB, but might project best at linebacker at the next level, with great size at 6’3″, 200 pounds, and room to continue filling out his frame. Mlnarik is a punishing downhill defender who does an excellent job reading his keys and filling his gaps, with the power to blow up RBs when he meets them in the hole. He uses a good combination of twitchiness and strong/violent hands to disengage from linemen at the line of scrimmage while doing a good job keeping his eyes in the backfield tracking the ball. Mlnarik has also shown he isn’t just a north-south defender, flashing great lateral quickness that can drive him sideline to sideline, along with fluid hips and a sharp break on the ball when asked to drop back into coverage. On offense, Trent is a versatile runner who can be the hammer between the tackles, but also has the vision to find lanes and bounce runs to the outside with a quick cut. He moves surprisingly well for being a bigger back, with sharp, agile cuts in tight quarters and a great burst of speed when he explodes through his lanes. Trent is a handful to bring down on initial contact and has excellent contact balance to keep him fighting through multiple tackle attempts. Great prospect from a great program ready to dominate at the next level.
Harrison Henke, 2027 – DL – Bennington – 6’3″ 235 lbs – (@harrisonhenke6)
Bennington’s Harrison Henke is a player I evaluated in person at the beginning of the season and has shown great growth alongside a Badger defense that has emerged as one of the top units in Class A. So far, Harrison has racked up 15 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble as the Badger’s nose tackle. He does an excellent job in this role, with the power to shut down inside run lanes and collapse the pocket with constant pressure. Henke fires off the ball well, showing explosiveness in his hips and first step while shooting his heavy hands that can stun opponents at the point of contact. He plays with a non-stop motor and mean streak that bring out the violent hands when disengaging from blockers and physical finishes at the point of contact when he gets to the ball carriers. Good footwork and leg drive to keep him moving throughout the rep. Harrison also shows consistent pad level and leverage when engaged with linemen. Tons of upside— looking forward to seeing more from Harrison’s tape at the end of the year!
MJ Maryott, 2027 – DB – Gretna East – 5’11” 185 lbs – (@MJMaryott2027)
The Griffins are a good place to look if you’re looking for some great uncommitted 2027 prospects, with players like safety MJ Maryott still looking for a home. MJ has had a strong start to the year with 18 tackles, a TFL, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. MJ is the type of safety that you can feel comfortable sending on any kind of assignment. He has a great read for the offense and plays with a quick first step downhill when he sniffs out a run. MJ is a super physical corner who has no problem stepping up to take on a back 1v1 and can usually end up on the winning side with his consistent, secure tackling. He can get downhill in a flash, or he can easily flip his hips and speed over to his intended receiver/zone. In coverage, MJ plays with great instincts that can tip him off on where the ball is going while also flashing great ball skills when he arrives to the ball, showing he can play through the receiver’s hands or deliver a big hit to jar the ball loose. Schools have started coming to the table to acquire MJ’s services, with many more likely to join.
Thomas Ord, 2027 – DB/ATH – Lawrence-Nelson – 5’10” 160lbs – (@ThomasOrd2027)
The Lawrence-Nelson Raiders are looking like a true contender in Class D3, with great players across the board, including versatile playmaker Thomas Ord. Thomas is listed by us as a defensive back, but seems to play anywhere and everywhere on the Raiders’ defense, with reps at DB, LB, and even with his hand in the dirt on the DL, resulting in 19 tackles, three TFLs, and two sacks. The biggest thing that stands out on film is Thomas’ motor that runs red-hot from snap to whistle and is constantly in pursuit of the ball. He plays with great instincts that instantly trigger him downhill when he reads the run and can absolutely explode through his gap and into the backfield. Thomas has great agility that allows him to quickly change direction and track down backs or scrambling QBs. Ord’s physicality also stood out on tape; he was aggressive at the point of attack, with some mean licks posted across his tape, and he’s a secure tackler who can bring down opponents in the open field. I’ve had some opportunities to watch him at camps throughout the past few years and was impressed with his ability to follow receivers in coverage and challenge them at the catch point. I could see Thomas playing a nickel/S role where he can be used in coverage, blitzes, and as an extra box defender against the run. Shifty, twitchy athlete who can make an impact from anywhere on the field.
Matthew Ott, 2027 – WR – Elkhorn – 6’1″ 180 lbs – (@MatthewOtt73427)
Elkhorn’s Matthew Ott is off to a hot start as he currently leads the state in receiving yards with 341 and is fresh off his best game of the season. Despite the loss, Matthew’s seven receptions for 204 yards and three touchdowns gave the Norris defense all they could handle. The biggest takeaway from Matthew’s game is that he’s emerged as a legit deep-threat receiver, averaging 26.2 yards per reception and flashing underrated game speed and a long stride that helps him get downfield and stretch defenses vertically, while also doing an excellent job tracking the ball in the air and adjusting to it. Ott is a solid route runner who can also sense where the dead spots of the coverage will be and sit there for his QB to find him. At 6’1″ and 180 pounds, Matthew has solid size for the next level, and his lengthy frame gives him some extra range to his catch radius. Strong hands with great concentration through the catch. Although he’s shown off his deep-threat abilities, Matthew also knows how to work the short and intermediate areas of the field, with a diverse route tree and the versatility to play inside or outside. Experienced player with tons of potential at the next level!
