100 high school athletes we are watching in 2026-27

Predicting which high school athletes will capture the nation’s attention is rarely as simple as identifying the top-ranked recruits.

Our list of 100 athletes we will be watching in 2026-27 includes national champions, record-breakers, physical outliers, multi-sport standouts and the sons and daughters of legendary athletes. Some are already competing against professionals while others have yet to begin their freshman year.

From world champion runner Cooper Lutkenhaus and U.S. Women’s Amateur winner Asterisk Talley to record-setting eighth-grade quarterback Kole Moody and highly anticipated freshman Marshall Manning, these are the athletes with the talent, backstory and potential to make headlines during the coming school year. Kie'Aundria Acree, Monroe (Albany, Ga.)
Basketball | Senior
After filling every column with 30.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 4.0 steals and 2.6 blocks per game, the 6-foot-1 point guard enters her senior year with a deeper postseason run in sight.

Kingston Allen, Notre Dame Academy (Green Bay, Wis.)
Football | Senior
After setting Wisconsin single-season records with 3,436 rushing yards and 57 touchdowns as a junior, the Wisconsin commit opened his senior year with 911 yards and 12 scores in his first two games, putting even bigger marks within reach.

Haylen Ayers, University School of Jackson (Jackson, Tenn.)
Basketball, softball | Senior
The two-sport standout plays basketball for her mother but her looming choice between Vanderbilt softball and UConn basketball makes her senior year especially compelling.

Dylan Betts, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Basketball | Junior
At approximately 7-foot-3, the IMG Academy center will command attention as he works to turn immense potential into consistent production against premier competition. Younger brother of UCLA national champions Lauren and Sienna Betts.

Baylor Bockhaus, Calvary Baptist Academy (Shreveport, La.)
Softball | Junior
With 61 home runs in two seasons, Bockhaus begins her junior campaign on a realistic run at the recognized national career record of 97.

Jaclyn Bouzakis, Wyoming Seminary College Prep (Kingston, Pa.)
Wrestling | Senior
Already accomplished on the national scholastic scene, Bouzakis can add major senior-year hardware before pursuing her international ambitions.

NaVorro Bowman Jr., Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)
Basketball | Senior
The five-star point guard chose a different sport from his All-Pro linebacker father and now gets one final high school season to strengthen his own identity.

Caroline Bradley, Oak Grove (La.)
Basketball | Senior
The LSU commit averaged 27.1 points, 17.6 rebounds and 3.5 blocked shots at a rural Louisiana school and will close her prep career chasing a championship.

Ryanne Brubaker, Grundy Center (Iowa)
Volleyball | Senior
Standing 6-foot-8 with a 10-4 touch, the Marquette commit is a must-see attraction whose expanding all-around game could make her even more dominant.

Macie Bryant, Barbers Hill (Mt. Belvieu, Texas)
Softball | Senior
One year after a state-final loss, Bryant threw a perfect game against an unbeaten opponent for the Texas championship and now returns to defend the crown.

Mateen Cleaves Jr., Dream City Christian National (Glendale, Ariz.)
Basketball | Junior
The son of the former Michigan State star plays the same position as his father but his junior year offers a chance to build a reputation independent of the family name.

Parker Coes, Morton Ranch (Katy, Texas)
Track and field | Junior
Coes tied for the nation's top indoor long jump at 21-3¼ and now seeks an outright No. 1 mark on the championship stage.

Ally Compton, Munster (Ind.)
Softball | Senior
Few players can match a season with 19 home runs and 160 strikeouts. Compton has one more year to raise both totals.

Joey Cullen, Moorhead (Minn.)
Ice hockey | Junior
The son of longtime NHL standout Matt Cullen helped Moorhead win a state title and heads to the National Team Development Program with his 2028 NHL Draft stock on the rise.

Camryn Dailey, Franklinton (N.C.)
Track and field | Freshman
After clocking 11.31, 22.73 and 51.58 in the three major sprints as an eighth grader, Dailey arrives in high school ready to contend nationally from the start.

Erick Dampier Jr., Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison, Miss.)
Basketball | Junior
The son of a 16-year NBA center already started for USA Basketball's U16 team,and his continued development at the same position will be closely tracked.

Cayden Daughtry, Calvary Christian Academy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Basketball | Senior
The 6-foot guard has become an elite prospect in an era of oversized playmakers, making his senior season a showcase for skill, speed and decision-making.

Jaxx DeJean, Odebolt Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove (Ida Grove, Iowa)
Multi-sport | Senior
Cooper DeJean's younger brother competes in four sports at the same small Iowa school, setting up a senior year unlike almost any other in the country.

Hannah DeMarcus, Pace (Fla.)
Softball | Senior
DeMarcus struck out 33 in a 12-inning no-hitter and finished a championship season with 315 punchouts. Back to lead Pace's title defense.

Addison DeRoche, Cheverus (Portland, Maine)
Softball | Senior
Despite Maine's short season, the Florida State commit owns a 0.31 career ERA and .605 batting average, making every senior appearance significant.

Athiei Dhal, Freeport (Fla.)
Basketball | Sophomore
At 6-foot-9, Dhal averaged roughly 28 points and 15 rebounds in her debut season and possesses a ceiling few athletes can match.

Melanie Doggett, Landmark Christian (Fairburn, Ga.)
Track and field | Sophomore
Her freshman times of 11.18 and 22.48 ranked third nationally among all high school girls.

Sydney Douglas, Centennial (Corona, Calif.)
Basketball | Junior
The 6-foot-5 junior has already played several age levels up with the United States U19 team and returns to Centennial with valuable international experience.

Natasza Dudek, Pioneer (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Cross country | Junior
Dudek reached the summit with a national cross country title as a sophomore, leaving the response to heightened expectations as her next test.

Lincoln Fa'alafi, JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)
Football | Junior
The 6-foot-8, 350-pound New Zealand native brings basketball-bred movement to the offensive line and will test his rare agility against Southern California's best.

Taina Fernandez, Archbishop Spalding (Severn, Md.)
Wrestling | Senior
Fernandez has established herself among the nation's leading scholastic wrestlers and can use her final prep season as a springboard to international competition.

Mateo Fuerbringer, Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
Boys volleyball | Senior
The reigning national player of the year leads a defending national champion, giving him an opportunity to repeat both team and individual honors.

David Gabriel Georges, Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
Football | Senior
The first Canadian-born MaxPreps National Player of the Year rushed for 1,756 yards and 27 touchdowns during Baylor's 12-0 title season and returns for a highly-anticipated encore.

Nate Griese, Saint Francis (Mountain View, Calif.)
Football | Senior
Bob Griese's grandson and Brian Griese's son carries the celebrated football lineage into his senior season from a different position at tight end.

Rikaiya Griffin, Caldera (Bend, Ore.)
Track | Sophomore
A wind-aided leap of 20-9½ announced Griffin as a national-caliber freshman. A confirming legal mark could vault her among the country's best.

Jeremiah Hall, Maple Mountain (Spanish Fork, Utah)
Baseball | Junior
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound shortstop-pitcher combines size and two-way skill rarely seen in Utah with the potential to become a landmark prospect for the state.

Jett Harrison, St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Football | Junior
Marvin Harrison's son and Marvin Harrison Jr.'s younger brother scored 20 touchdowns as a sophomore and is beginning to create his own chapter in the family legacy.

Abdinasir Hassa, Rangeview (Aurora, Colo.)
Track and field, cross country | Junior
A 13:52.31 performance for 5,000 meters as a sophomore sends Hassa into his junior year with national titles and even faster marks in play.

Elijah Haven, Dunham (Baton Rouge, La.)
Football | Senior
The former MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year became the first high school athlete to sign an NIL deal with EA Sports and enters his senior season committed to Alabama.

Myles Hayes, Woodward Academy (College Park, Ga.)
Basketball | Junior
The son of a former NBA player and younger brother of another national recruit gets his junior season to emerge as a name of his own.

Lyla Hensen, St. Mary (Rutherford, N.J.)
Wrestling | Freshman
Ranked No. 1 nationally at 207 pounds before her first high school match, Hensen could make an immediate championship impact as a freshman.

Bailey Hensgens, Incarnate Word Academy (St. Louis, Mo.)
Track and field, volleyball | Senior
Hensgens pairs high-level volleyball with excellence in the technically different high and triple jumps, making her three-event senior year worth following.

Kaylee Hodges, Matoaca (Chesterfield, Va.)
Softball | Senior
A 0.07 ERA, 244 strikeouts and .500 batting average established Hodges as a dominant two-way force with one season left to pursue a title.

Ahmad Hudson, Ruston (La.)
Football, basketball | Senior
The 6-foot-6, 245-pound LSU commit plans to play football and basketball in the SEC but first he gets one more year to dominate both sports at Ruston.

Kadyn Hysong, Shadow Mountain (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Track and field | Junior
An 18-foot pole vault as a sophomore places Hysong close enough to historic high school heights that every clearance will matter.

Talon Immel, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (Burnt Hills, N.Y.)
Lacrosse, football | Junior
The United States U17 lacrosse selection also plays running back and linebacker, bringing uncommon football toughness to his junior season on the attack.

Khelvy Jefferson, West Orange-Stark (Orange, Texas)
Football | Senior
The 5-foot-3 all-state back owns school records with 4,330 yards and 56 touchdowns. A reported 550-pound squat explains why larger defenders rarely slow him.

Caizel "Fatboy" Jesus-Kapesi, 'Aiea (Hawaii)
Football | Sophomore
His nickname has garnered him national attention in recent weeks but the 268-pound quarterback threw for 3,264 yards and 33 touchdowns as a freshman. His unusual blend of size and production makes the encore fascinating.

Chloe Johnson, Proctor (Minn.)
Basketball | Junior
Johnson averaged 31.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game on nearly 62 percent shooting and now takes those staggering numbers into a larger spotlight.

Julius Jones Jr, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Football | Senior
The son of Julius Jones and nephew of Thomas Jones plays receiver rather than running back, beginning a new family chapter before heading to Notre Dame.

Obrendan Jones, Luverne (Ala.)
Football | Senior
The approximately 400-pound defensive lineman went viral for his surprising movement and now has a senior season to convert internet fame into recruiting momentum.

Vivian Knott, Darien (Conn.)
Softball | Senior
The Stanford commit blends a 0.21 ERA and 245 strikeouts with a 3.92 GPA and extensive service, giving her a rare résumé to complete as a senior.

Kari Knotts, Lovett (Atlanta, Ga.)
Kager Knueppel, Wisconsin Lutheran (Milwaukee, Wis.)
Basketball | Senior
Kon Knueppel's younger brother is headed to Duke but first he can complete a remarkable four-year state championship sweep at Wisconsin Lutheran.

Kaahliyah Lacy, San Jacinto Valley Academy (Calif.)
Track | Junior
Lacy combines elite short-hurdle speed with national-leading long-hurdle strength, creating the possibility of a rare championship double.

Clairey Lin, Palos Verdes (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.)
Golf | Junior
The U.S. Girls' Junior champion spends her junior year preparing to test her game on the much larger stage of the 2027 U.S. Women's Open.

Ellery Lincoln, Lincoln (Portland, Ore.)
Track | Senior
Lincoln's elite range stretches from 800 through 5,000 meters, leaving her best event—and senior-year ceiling—as intriguing questions.

Cooper Lutkenhaus, Northwest (Justin, Texas)
Track | Senior
The youngest world indoor 800-meter champion turned professional after running 1:42.27, yet will spend his senior year chasing historic marks while still attending Northwest.

Vidal Macchia, William Floyd (Mastic Beach, N.Y.)
Track and field, tennis | Junior
The national-class steeplechaser also plays varsity tennis, continuing an unusual two-sport balancing act during his junior year.

Parker Malone, Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial (Texas)
Softball | Senior
A 23-home run, 87-RBI sophomore campaign put Malone within sight of national career records that she can approach with a powerful finish.

Marshall Manning, Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
Football | Freshman
Peyton Manning's son begins his high school quarterback career at Baylor with one of the most recognizable surnames—and brightest spotlights—in football.

Marcelo Mantecon, Belen Jesuit (Miami)
Cross country, track and field | Senior
The Nike Cross Nationals fourth-place finisher overcame Miami's heat and flat terrain to become a senior-year contender for the national crown.

Dexter McCleon Jr., Buford (Ga.)
Baseball | Junior
The NFL legacy prospect has reportedly run a 6.4-second 60 and touched 98 miles per hour, an elite speed-velocity pairing that could propel him up draft boards.

Kameron McGee, Brother Rice (Chicago)
Football | Junior
The elite edge prospect anchors the defense of an Illinois power and enters his junior campaign with a title defense and national recruiting rise ahead.

Donovan McNabb Jr, Brophy College Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Football | Senior
The UNLV-bound receiver chose a route different from his famous father's path to Syracuse.

Melvin Miller, Bishop McCort (Johnstown, Pa.)
Wrestling | Senior
The nation's top 2027 recruit and adopted brother of Bo and Keegan Bassett can cap an extraordinary wrestling family story with major senior-year titles.

Cherif Millogo, St. Francis (La Canada, Calif.)
Basketball | Senior
The 7-foot-3 center is progressing from size curiosity to polished high-major prospect, making each step in his expanding offensive game noteworthy.

Dillon Mitchell, King (Houston)
Track | Junior
A legal 10.10 and wind-aided 9.88 in the 100 as a sophomore place Mitchell on the edge of historic sprint territory.

Kole Moody, Selma (Ala.)
Football | Freshman
Moody led the nation with an Alabama-record 5,350 passing yards and 60 touchdowns as an eighth grader while at Southside (Selma), raising the question of how much higher he can push both totals.

Brooklyn Murray, Central Catholic (Lawrence, Mass.)
Wrestling | Freshman
Murray arrives in high school ranked No. 1 nationally at 95 pounds and capable of contending for championships immediately.

Maya Ogbogu, Allen (Texas)
Volleyball | Junior
The Texas A&M commit earned MVP and Best Spiker honors while leading the United States to the 2025 NORCECA U17 championship, then gained international experience at the 2026 U17 World Championship before returning to lead a nationally-ranked Allen squad.

Rosie Oladokun, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
Basketball | Junior
The 6-foot-4 frontcourt player buried 41 three-pointers as a sophomore, giving her an inside-out profile that could create matchup problems all season.

Malik Olajuwon, Fort Bend Clements (Sugar Land, Texas)
Basketball | Senior
Hakeem Olajuwon's son is forging a different basketball identity as a 6-foot-4 guard, making his perimeter development the focus of his senior year.

Striker Pence, Santiago (Corona, Calif.)
Baseball | Senior
Hunter Pence's 6-foot-6 nephew reportedly reaches 101 miles per hour and supplies legitimate left-handed power, a rare two-way package with first-round potential.

Hunter Quentel, Kingwood (Texas)
Softball | Senior
Quentel struck out 177 and batted .458 with 16 home runs for a Texas champion. Returns to carry another major two-way load in the title defense.

Kinley Rasmus, Central (Phenix City, Ala.)
Baseball, softball, flag football | Seventh Grade
Tied Mo'ne Davis' Little League World Series strikeout record and set the event's girls hits record as a seventh grader. Will play flag football for one of the best programs in the nation.

Ivee Rastatter, Kenton Ridge (Springfield, Ohio)
Softball | Junior
Rastatter pitched every victory for a 32-0 state champion and added 15 home runs, leaving the challenge of sustaining perfection in her hands.

Brianna Reilly, Harrisburg (S.D.)
Cross country | Freshman
A ninth-place finish at Nike Cross Nationals as an eighth grader sends Reilly into high school already capable of challenging the country's best.

Nyajuacni Riak, Madison La Follette (Madison, Wis.)
Basketball | Junior
Riak's rapidly expanding inside-out game has made her a fast-rising 2028 prospect whose eventual position and ceiling remain difficult to define.

Jude Ritzenhein, Niwot (Colo.)
Cross country | Sophomore
Dathan Ritzenhein's son reached Nike Cross Nationals as a freshman for the championship team and now looks ready to emerge as an individual force.

Gunner Rivers, St. Michael Catholic (Fairhope, Ala.)
Football | Senior
Philip Rivers' son surpassed 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns as a freshman while playing for his father. Their final season together closes a distinctive family partnership.

C.J. Rosser, Southeastern Prep Academy National (Orlando, Fla.)
Basketball | Senior
The nation's No. 1 prospect received a memorable fishing-centered pitch from Kentucky coach Mark Pope, ensuring his recruitment draws as much interest as his senior season.

Miles Russell, Providence School (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Golf | Senior
Russell made a Korn Ferry Tour cut at 15 and has repeatedly faced professionals, setting the stage for another step toward golf's highest level.

Malie Satete, West Las Vegas (Las Vegas, N.M.)
Softball | Junior
A .638 average, 304 strikeouts and 62 career home runs give Satete an extraordinary two-way résumé with major records within reach.

Sophia Schlader, Northwest (Waukee, Iowa)
Softball | Junior
Schlader went 20-0 with a 0.66 ERA while batting .515 with 15 homers, numbers that could lift her into the national conversation as a junior.

Cullen Scott, Melissa (Texas)
Baseball | Senior
Scott struck out two in a scoreless inning and launched a grand slam in the same Perfect Game All-Star contest, offering a two-way preview scouts will want to see repeated.

A'mir Sears, Columbus (Miami, Fla.)
Football | Senior
The five-star Miami commit opened his final season by catching two touchdown passes and intercepting three passes in a 33-28 upset of national No. 1 Bishop Gorman, showcasing the two-way brilliance that makes him one of the nation’s best players.

Dylan Seward, Norco (Calif.)
Baseball | Senior
The switch-hitting shortstop has reportedly clocked a 6.22-second 60. A productive senior spring could turn elite speed into premium draft status.

Kaleena Smith, Ontario Christian (Ontario, Calif.)
Basketball | Senior
The 5-foot-6 MaxPreps National Player of the Year begins her senior campaign three points shy of 3,000 with additional milestones and championships seemingly inevitable.

Moe Sobel, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
Lacrosse | Senior
The 6-foot-5 Syracuse commit became the first goalie ranked No. 1 overall by the NLF after a 307-save, 68-percent sophomore season. Now anchors IMG in his final prep campaign.

Addyson Stiverson, Montrose (Mich.)
Track and field | Senior
The small-town Michigan thrower led every high school girl in the United States at 55-7½ and returns to chase national titles and even greater distances.

Luke Surface, North Raleigh Christian Academy (Raleigh, N.C.)
Cross country, track and field | Freshman
Surface produced middle-school distance marks comparable to elite high school runners, making his freshman debut an immediate test of the considerable hype.

Theo Swafford, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
Baseball | Junior
Perfect Game's top-ranked 2028 player remains a legitimate shortstop-pitcher prospect with his junior season testing whether two-way excellence can continue under greater scrutiny.

Asterisk Talley, Chowchilla (Calif.)
Golf | Senior
The U.S. Women's Amateur champion has already succeeded against professionals,and her final high school year offers more chances to prove she is ready to join them.

Bamba Touray, Prolific Prep (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Basketball | Junior
The mobile 7-footer from Senegal brings an international dimension to Prolific Prep, where his junior development will unfold against elite American competition.

Brayden Tyson, Brookwood (Snellville, Ga.)
Football | Senior
At roughly 235 pounds with a reported 11.69 in the 100, Tyson owns a rare size-speed combination that leaves his eventual college position open to debate.

Lewis Uvwo, Prolific Prep (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Basketball | Senior
A reported 7-foot-6 wingspan makes Uvwo a fearsome rim protector. Progress on offense will determine how high his senior-year ceiling climbs.

Christopher Vargas, St. John's Prep (Danvers, Mass.)
Football | Junior
The Ohio State commit has amassed 3,100 yards and 41 touchdowns, keeping the Massachusetts quarterback firmly in the national conversation.

Nelson Villafane, West Scranton (Scranton, Pa.)
Wrestling | Freshman
Already ranked among the nation's top high school wrestlers at 106 pounds as an eighth grader, Villafane begins his freshman year far ahead of schedule.

A.J. Williams, Eagle's Landing Christian Academy (McDonough, Ga.)
Basketball | Senior
The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 31.8 points and 12.7 rebounds per game last season and has already won two gold medals with USA Basketball. Reclassified over the summer, accelerating both his recruitment and college timeline.

Coral Williams, Norco (Calif.)
Softball | Senior
The UCLA commit threw a no-hitter in the Southern Section Division 1 final and returns with an opportunity to defend one of softball's toughest championships.

Finlee Williams, Melissa (Texas)
Consecutive power-packed seasons and an active 25-game hitting streak make every senior at-bat for Williams appointment viewing.

Landen Williams-Callis, Randle (Richmond, Texas)
Football | Senior
With 7,551 rushing yards and 125 touchdowns, Williams-Callis enters his final season with Texas career rushing and scoring records in range.

Cooper Witten, Liberty Christian (Argyle, Texas)
Football | Senior
Son of Oklahoma Sooners assistant coach and former NFL tight end Jason Witten is one of the top senior linebackers in the country.

Charlie Woods, Benjamin (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.)
Golf | Senior
Tiger Woods' son is already a two-time state champion, ensuring his senior results receive attention well beyond the high school golf world.