Who are the top football players headlining into the 2026 football season?
Its never an easy question but these are the players who will be the difference makers on the field and who can motivate their teammates, bringing out the best from everyone when the ball is kicked off.
So, here are the top 52 football players in Tuscarawas County and surrounding areas as we near the start of the football season.
New names will emerge on the list as some of the county’s top players have graduated and moved on to the next step of their athletic and academic careers.
Here are our selections for the top 52 football players in the Times-Reporter coverage area. The top 11 will be ranked in order, followed by an alphabetical listing of 41 other players to keep an eye on Friday nights.
Practice for teams in Ohio will kick off on Saturday, Aug. 1 – the first games scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 20 for some teams with the majority of the schools kicking off Friday, Aug. 21.
11. Jaxon Jones (Sr.), Malvern QB
The 6-foot-4 senior quarterback will look to improve on his numbers from a season ago, as Malvern looks to capture its fifth IVC North crown in the past seven seasons. Jones ended last season with 1,330 passing yards and tossed 12 touchdowns.
10. Dieter Weber (Jr.), Dover QB
It a new conference for Weber and company this season, but after a season when Weber tossed for 1,986 yards and 19 touchdowns and set the school record for passing completions in a single season with 76%. Looks to etch his name in Dover’s history books a little more has junior season is about to kickoff.
9. Martin Hernandez (Sr.), Newcomerstown DL/OL
After a 5-0 record in the conference last season for Newcomerstown, Hernandez was one of six to be named to IVC’s North Division first team. He filled the stat sheet a season ago, totaling 58 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown. It’s safe to say if you need a stop you better hope Hernandez is not on the field.
8. Mason Shalosky (Sr.), Newcomerstown LB/RB
Coming in at number eight is another Trojan, senior linebacker and running back Mason Shalosky. He also joined Hernandez, earning first team in the conference. Shalosky was able to put his finger print all over the games, doing it from both sides of the ball. During his junior season he totaled 84 tackles, six tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. On the offensive side he had 97 rushing attempts, 674 rushing yards and four touchdowns
7. Titan Peterman (Sr.), Indian Valley OL/DE
Peterman comes into the season after helping lead the 2025 team to 4,061 rushing yards and 60 touchdowns on the way to a state semifinal loss. Over the last two seasons there has been one blemish on the win/loss record with a state championship ring two years ago. His success doesn’t stop on the line as he is able to cause havoc for counterparts racking up 46 tackles and eight sacks during his junior season.
6. Carson McGarry (Sr.), Dover LB
McGarry will look to continue anchoring the Dover defense as it makes its debut in the Ohio Cardinal Conference this season. Last season, he racked up 100 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery.
5. Caleb Crowthers (Sr.), New Philadelphia LB
As a junior Crowthers provided a big impact to the New Phila defense as he totaled 120 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception. He was one of five Quakers to earn second team in the OCC. Throughout his career he has brought the quarterback down 15 times, so when he his on the field it might be best to operate a little more quickly.
4. Ryker Williams (QB), Indian Valley QB
Success is an understatement for the dynasty Indian Valley has created coming into this season, and at the helm of it is Ryker Williams. The Indian Valley offense will have some big shoes to fill with Ohio Mr. Football Grady Kinsey graduating. However, Williams was a member of the IVC’s First Team a season ago and his stats prove that he can lead this team to another tournament run.
2025 stats: 1,283 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, 615 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 62 total tackles, seven sacks and one fumble recovery.
3. Ryan Becker (Sr.), Strasburg WR/LB
It’s one thing to dominate one side of the ball, but to do it on both sides is what makes this player every coach would want on their team. On defense a season ago, Becker recorded 50 total tackles, five interceptions, five passes broken up and one fumble recovery. On offense he grabbed 50 receptions, 660 yards receiving and nine touchdowns.
2. Keizer Thomas (Sr.), Strasburg RB/LB
After being named first team in the IVC’s North Division, Thomas will look to duplicate the success he saw a season ago. On defense he totaled 102 total tackles, six tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and three passes broken up. Then when the Tigers had the ball he had 119 rushing attempts, 803 yards and seven touchdowns.
1. Kaden Leggett (Sr.), Conotton Valley QB
He comes in at number one, but the number that stands out is seven. That is the amount of quarterbacks that threw for more yards in 2025 than Leggett, according to MaxPreps. He tossed 46 touchdowns — second most in the Buckeye state — as the Rockets advanced to the second round of the playoffs a season ago. The senior recorded 3,084 passing yards, 46 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and on defense he was second on his team with five interceptions. So not only does he cause havoc for opposing defenses he can make life uncomfortable when his opponents put the ball in the air.
2026 Tuscarawas County and area high school players to watch
Grady Barkley, WR/DB, Malvern, sr.
Bo Bernower, WR, Sandy Valley, sr.
Marcus Brooks, TE/DL, Carrollton, sr.
Dante Clark, WR/DB, Dover, jr.
Chace Debellis, C/LB, Sandy Valley, jr.
Caleb Duebner, WR/CB, Sandy Valley, sr.
Nate Ezell, RB/WR/LB, Malvern, jr.
Liam Fetty, QB, Sandy Valley, soph.
Kolston Fox, RB, New Philadelphia, sr.
Brody Gonda, QB, Carrollton, sr.
Paycen Hayvens, K, Carrollton, jr.
RJ Higgenbotham, WR/LB, Conotton Valley, soph.
Beckam Hines, QB, Tusky Valley, sr.
Carsen Hostetler, CB/WR, Indian Valley, sr.
Brody Hurst, QB/RB/LB, Strasburg, sr.
Lukas Justice, DB/RB, Newcomerstown, sr.
JJ Justice, OLB/QB, Newcomerstown, jr.
Levi Kiko, RB/DB, Carrollton, sr.
Tyler Krawulski, RB/DE, Conotton Valley, jr.
Alijah Levengood, WR, Tusky Valley, soph.
Micah McVay, RB/LB, Strasburg, sr.
Grady Miller, QB, Garaway, jr.
Trey Miller, WR, Garaway jr.
Lincoln Murphy, WR, New Philadelphia, sr.
Cohen Murray, RB/LB, Dover, sr.
Brett O’Connor, RB/LB, Indian Valley, jr.
Jack Owens, WR/S, Conotton Valley, jr.
Brody Baughman, QB/FS, Strasburg, jr.
Natch Overly, RB/S, Sandy Valley, sr.
Gerrett Reiter, WE/DB, Conotton Valley, sr.
Kyle Reveal, RB/DL, Dover, sr.
Jaxson Rice, S, New Philadelphia, sr.
Pryce Rodgers, OL/DL, Carrollton, jr.
Isaac Smith, MLB, Conotton Valley, jr.
Wyatt Reifenschneider, Safety, Garaway, sr.
Reese St. Clair, WR/OLB, Indian Valley, sr.
Andrew Swigert, DL/OL, Newcomerstown, soph.
Zane Thomas, OG/DE, Strasburg, sr.
Luke Thomas, RB, Malvern, sr.
Brogen Wilson, OL/DL, Indian Valley, sr.
Hunter Witts, RB, Tusky Valley, sr.
Jshondel@usatodayco.com; X: @JacoBShondeL
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Meet the Times-Reporter top 52 football players to watch in 2026
Reporting by Jacob Shondel, The Times-Reporter / The Times-Reporter
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jacob Shondel, The Times-Reporter | USA TODAY Network
