15 Colorado 2026 Prospects to Know Before They Enter High School

The Box State doesn't always get the love it deserves when it comes to football talent, but there are certainly some elite talents there. While it is early in their football careers, take a look at some of the top 2026 prospects in the state of Colorado. These are athletes that haven't entered high school yet, but should make a splash on the varsity level next year as freshmen. [caption id="attachment_212521" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-212521 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/KamariMay-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: [player_tooltip player_id="212250" first="Kamari" last="May"][/caption][player_tooltip player_id="212250" first="Kamari" last="May"] | Running Back There are really good football players and then there is [player_tooltip player_id="212250" first="Kamari" last="May"]. In my humble opinion, out of the players that I've seen, May is the best 2026 player in Colorado. Also a standout basketball player, he looks like a grown man playing against kids in every clip I've seen. He's the complete package at the running back position and is an absolute load to bring down. If asked to run between the tackles, he will run over defensive linemen with ease; if asked to run it outside, not many middle school-aged corners want to take him on; if asked to catch passes out of the backfield, he's a linebacker's worst nightmare. Remember the name, [player_tooltip player_id="212250" first="Kamari" last="May"]. [player_tooltip player_id="908934" first="DJ" last="Bordeaux"] | Quarterback <img class="wp-image-212522 size-thumbnail alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/DJBordeaux2026-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> To this point Bordeaux looks to be the top dual-threat 8th grade quarterback in the state. The big righty can do it all with the ball in his hands, and while he has no problem running the ball, he looks to pass first. At 6-foot-1 and 150 pounds, Bordeaux just looks different on film than the rest of his counterparts on the field. Was a standout at the USA Football Colorado Regional last spring and has continued his domination thus far in his 8th grade season. [caption id="attachment_212523" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-212523 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/KobeDooley2026-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: [player_tooltip player_id="212251" first="Kobe" last="Dooley"][/caption][player_tooltip player_id="212251" first="Kobe" last="Dooley"] | Athlete Pound for pound he's the most athletic kid I've seen in the state thus far for the class of 2026. Dooley can be lined up as a running back, wide receiver or defensive back and the young man is going to straight up make plays. The son of a high school coach, he is fundamentally solid, and his ball skills are second to none. His most dangerous asset on the field is certainly his speed, as he is a nationally ranked USA Track & Field sprinter. <img class="alignright wp-image-212524 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/SterlingDufour2026--150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="205487" first="Sterling" last="Dufour"] | Linebacker I've dubbed Dufor the “work out warrior” for good reason, as the young man is constantly in the gym training to get bigger and better. While he does play running back as well, to me his home will be on the defensive side of the ball. He has added on obvious muscle mass over the last year and does a great job of playing behind his pads when making contact. [caption id="attachment_212525" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-212525 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/JadynIrving-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: [player_tooltip player_id="212246" first="Jadyn" last="Irving"][/caption][player_tooltip player_id="212246" first="Jadyn" last="Irving"] | Wide Receiver Irving is an explosive two-way player who is one of Colorado's brightest stars. Early on I think he translates more naturally to a game-breaking receiver. He is a sound route runner who rarely shoes alligator arms and isn't afraid to make a catch in traffic. He can also take the simplest slant route to the house if the gets a step on the defense. Speaking of defense, Irving is also a nice looking defensive back prospect who uses all of his 5-foot-11, 160 pound body to make pays against the pass and crash the box in run support.<img class="alignright wp-image-212834 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/JapreeJennings2-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> [player_tooltip player_id="212245" first="Ja'pree" last="Jennings"] | Wide Receiver Jennings is one of the most explosive receivers in the Centennial State. While he doesn't have the height and size of some of the other players on this list, he's arguably the athlete I'd want more than others to have the ball in space. Also a track kid, Jennings is very sure-handed and is good for a handful of chain-moving, explosive plays every game. [caption id="attachment_212528" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-212528 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/BradyVodicka-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: [player_tooltip player_id="212239" first="Brady" last="Vodicka"][/caption][player_tooltip player_id="212239" first="Brady" last="Vodicka"] | Quarterback If the above-mentioned Bordeaux is the best dual-threat quarterback in the state at this point, then Vodicka has to be the most high school-ready pocket passer. At a hair under 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, Vodicka is a big, strong kid who stands tall in the pocket and can make some very deep throws. He has a number of talented players around him (some on the list) on his current team, but he unquestionable the straw that stirs the drink offensively. Vodicka obviously puts a lot of time into his craft and has participated in camps and showcases across the country. <img class="alignright wp-image-212529 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/JaydenFox-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212249" first="Jayden" last="Fox"] | Athlete In Fox you have a standout on both sides of the ball and at multiple positions. One of the most dangerous weapons on the nationally recognized Full Gorilla 7v7 team, Fox is a speedy athlete who can make plays with the ball in his hands. Defensively he is not afraid to lay the wood and support against the run or lock down an opposing wide receiver. [caption id="attachment_212530" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-212530 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/GageTurnbull--150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: [player_tooltip player_id="212244" first="Gage" last="Turnbull"][/caption][player_tooltip player_id="212244" first="Gage" last="Turnbull"] | Offensive/Defensive Line The name of the game with Turnbull is potential. At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds and long arms, Turnbull can be dominant on the defensive line when he wants to be. He needs to improve on his strength and explosion out of his stance, but he has all the physical tools right now. He creates good separation from would-be blockers and plays to the whistle every play. If he can continue to progress, he should be a pretty good one. <img class="alignright wp-image-212531 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/TufanuaUmu-Cais2026--150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212255" first="Tufanua" last="Umu-Cais"] | Offensive/Defensive Line I've heard two different coaches call Umu-Cais the best offensive lineman in the state for the class of 2026 and after watching him—I couldn't agree more. He's a big, mean, physical kid who makes the life of opposing defensive linemen miserable. At 6-foot-1 and 286 pounds he is an ideal guard right now and is easily one of the top run blockers in the country. [player_tooltip player_id="212248" first="Jake" last="Adamic"] | Running Back At 5-foot-11 and 152 pounds, Adamic is just physically ahead of 99% of the kids that he plays against. He passes the eye test right away with a very strong build and an exceptional mix of power and speed. If he's caught at all, it usually takes multiple defensive players to bring him down in open field. It's been reported that he has run a sub 4.7 forty-yard dash, which, even if it's close to that actual number, is flying for middle school. [player_tooltip player_id="212253" first="Ryken" last="Banks"] | Athlete I labeled Banks as an athlete because I truly don't know which position I like him better at: running back or linebacker. As a running back, he's a long strider who looks to bounce runs outside and trust his very good speed. Defensively, he's an ideal 2026 outside linebacker at 6-foot and 165 pounds who can cover a ton of ground. He's a sure-tackler and can really bring it when he's one-on-one with an offensive player. I think time will tell where Banks will end up but he's certainly on track to be one of the best in the state. [player_tooltip player_id="212256" first="Zeke" last="Arrieta"] | Wide Receiver While certainly not the biggest player on the list by any stretch of the imagination, Arrieta makes up for it by what he does after the ball is in his hands. In searching for words of comparison, the best way to describe his game is gnat-like. The way he bounces and darts around to find wiggle room and then explode up field is a rarity on the middle school level. He's most-dangerous on quick plays, such as wide receiver screens, where he catches the ball and lets his vision, feet and the blocking of his teammates do the rest. [player_tooltip player_id="212254" first="Strasi" last="Sparaco"] | Linebacker The younger brother of former IMG Academy and Colorado Buffalo athlete Dante, [player_tooltip player_id="212254" first="Strasi" last="Sparaco"] is poised to make a splash. The latest in a long list of athletes in his family including the aforementioned Dante, his father Dino (football at Montana State) and his grandfather Mike (college wrestling hall of fame)—Strasi is on the same trajectory. At middle linebacker he is a defensive stalwart who sticks his nose in every play possible and makes opposing offenses pay if they come across him. [player_tooltip player_id="212242" first="Conner" last="Abell"] | Edge Abell is a straight up athlete who is extremely quick off the snap. Whether he's down in a three-point stance or standing up, his first step is an advantage nearly every time. If he does get tied up with an offensive tackle his long arms and 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame easily sheds the would-be blocker. Abell also shows a lot instincts and hustle from his defensive end spot, he shows a football IQ beyond just his 8th grade years and understands how plays develop at the line of scrimmage.