Most freshmen need time adjusting to the speed of varsity football and struggle to get snaps, but some players show promise and make an impact right away.
Here are 10 rising sophomores to watch in 2026, listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Case Campbell, Saline
Campbell transferred to Saline from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s this summer, looking to win the starting quarterback job and continue the program’s run of stellar signal callers.
As a freshman, he made his first start due to injury and dominated, racking up 200 passing yards and six total touchdowns in the first half of a 49-0 win.
Standing at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, Campbell is athletic with a strong arm. He holds offers from Michigan, Kentucky and others entering his sophomore season.
“He’s a student of the game,” Saline coach Kyle Short said. “He asks a ton of questions, which is really, really good … Really excited to get him going and see how he can compete.”
JJ Chevalier, Detroit Catholic Central
Chevalier wasted no time making his presence felt for last season’s Division 1 state champion, recording 20 tackles, 75 rushing yards and a touchdown while taking snaps across all three phases.
“His lateral quickness and agility is definitely something that makes you raise your eyebrows and say, ‘This kid is going to be special,’” C.C. coach Justin Cessante said.
With an already solid 6-foot-2 and 205 pound frame as a freshman, he added another 10 pounds in the offseason as he pushes to earn a full-time linebacker spot this season.
Chevalier is one of the highest-rated recruits in Michigan for the class of 2029 with several offers, including Michigan, Texas Tech and Auburn.
Amir Forris, Detroit King
Forris is another young quarterback looking to win a starting spot for a prestigious program this summer after backing up Andrew Knight, who is now a freshman at Illinois State.
He showed flashes in limited action, throwing for nine touchdowns and rushing for another score despite playing in just 11 quarters throughout the season.
“He has to be the smartest player on the field,” King coach Terel Patrick said. “He has to be, so he’s shown that he’s able to pick up the offense.”
Forris is 5-foot-10 and 152 pounds, and holds offers from Kentucky, Louisville, Bowling Green State and others. In the offseason, he earned player of the week honors in the Sound Mind Sound Body Academy 7-on-7 league.
Kameron Lowe, Birmingham Brother Rice
Lowe started from week one as a freshman, quickly establishing himself as one of the best defensive backs in his class. He recorded 33 tackles and eight pass breakups while not allowing a touchdown in 11 games last season.
At 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds, Lowe already knows how to use his size to his advantage in the redzone with four of his breakups coming inside the 20-yard line.
“Six-foot-three corners are very rare, you don’t come by those a lot,” Brother Rice coach Aaron Marshall said. “He’s long, he can run … Kam Lowe is very special.”
Lowe was named a positional MVP at the Polynesian Bowl Midwest Showcase this offseason and has 13 offers. including Penn State and Illinois.
Christian Marshall, Birmingham Brother Rice
Christian Marshall was another freshman that made waves for Brother Rice in 2025, showing off strong hands and precise route running while racking up 18 offers from programs like Arizona State, Vanderbilt and more.
Against St. Mary’s, he caught five passes for 100 yards and two scores, including the winner, taking a pass 53 yards on 4th-and-12 to put the team up 37-31 with 1:07 to go in the game.
Christian Marshall is up to 6-foot and 187 pounds, putting on 12 pounds this offseason.
“We always compare him to Deebo Samuel,” coach Aaron Marshall said. “Christian can play slot wide receiver, the number one receiver, running back. He can return punts, return kicks, he’s a very strong football player.”
Ameir Parker, Detroit King
Parker had the opportunity to learn from an experienced King defensive back unit while competing against talented receivers in practice, gaining valuable experience as a freshman.
“Coaches can see it, because we’re seeing the development Monday through Thursday,” coach Terel Patrick said. “You may not get the results you want until the following season but matching up every week with kids that are going to college, it helps.”
With the graduation of Jaidon Windom (Cincinnati), reps in the defensive backfield are up for grabs. Parker, now 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, looks to carve out a bigger role at corner this season.
He joined Forris, working with the Sound Mind Sound Body Academy in the offseason.
Peyton Robinson, Detroit Cass Tech
Robinson got snaps on both sides of the ball for a loaded Cass Tech team that boasted 2025’s Mr. Football Corey Sadler Jr. (North Carolina) among several dynamic playmakers.
He made plays in big games, with a touchdown-saving pass breakup just before halftime in the PSL Championship and a deep touchdown catch on a double-move route in the state final against Catholic Central.
“He’s going to expect excellence from everybody,” Cass Tech coach Marvin Rushing said. “He’s going to challenge everyone physically and mentally. To be honest he’s one of our leaders, and that’s remarkable for a guy who’s just now ascending to his sophomore year.”
Robinson has grown to 5-foot-10 and 155 pounds in the offseason, with offers from Kentucky, Pittsburgh and Purdue and more.
Kamari Shepherd, Harper Woods
Shepherd showed that he isn’t a typical freshman, earning a spot on the offensive line for Harper Woods with his 6-foot-4 and 250-pound frame.
“Through his hard work and his tenacity, he was able to secure that starting job and never really gave it back,” Harper Woods coach Rod Oden said. “So, I’m looking forward to having him be our left tackle for the next three years.”
He is strong in both run blocking and pass blocking, which allows him to be moved across all five offensive line spots if needed. Shepherd added 25 pounds to his frame this offseason and his continued development will be something to watch.
He currently has an offer from Nicholls State.
Ike Sulfridge, Freeland
Sulfridge spent most of last season on JV but got called up to varsity for the final week and recorded a sack in the playoffs against Escanaba.
Despite a broken foot, Sulfridge has a perfect attendance in Freeland’s offseason lifting program as he prepares for a bigger role as a sophomore.
“He’s going to play some defensive end, kind of outside linebacker for us in our defense,” Freeland coach Kevin Townsend said. “So, he’s been hooked to Coach (Jesse) Chacon’s hip, our defensive coordinator, listening, being a sponge on every single thing that we did.”
His dedication in the weight room has paid off, now up to 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds. He has received interest from Notre Dame, Michigan and Auburn.
Tailor Thomas, Detroit Cass Tech
Thomas has a unique skill set, possessing agility, explosiveness and ball skills at 6-foot-1 and 250 pounds.
He lined up at tight end, fullback and on the defensive line, recording 25 solo tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles on defense with a receiving touchdown on offense last season.
“The kid’s just a menace,” Rushing said. “He does a lot of things great and one of the things with him, his feet are really superb … When he has that ball in his hands, no one wants to tackle him.”
He’s taken visits to Michigan and Ohio State, and currently has offers from Miami (Ohio), Bowling Green and Grambling State.
Nathan Korp is a freelance writer.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Watch list: Top 10 rising sophomores for 2026 high school football season
Reporting by Nathan Korp, Special to The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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By Nathan Korp, Special to The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
