SSI Football: 2026 Juniors Who Will Breakout This Fall! Part 1

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Each football season there are players who surface who received playing time last fall that have matured over the off-season. There are also names that come out of left field. Here are some talented players that I feel are ready to announce themselves or have a chance to carve out a nice role for their respective teams!

Woodbury Central a perennial power in NW Iowa saw sophomore RB Abe McGill bust out last fall by posting (1,300) yards rushing and (17) touchdowns. Sophomore Slot/WR Grayson Lloyd posted (31) receptions for (586) yards and (8) scores. I look for both of these players to play an even bigger role this coming fall. The Wildcats return Senior QB Jackson Verschoor (2,178) yards passing and (13) touchdown passes. Sophomore Brody Thomas returns after collecting (40.5) tackles and will be a factor on defense for the Cats.

The Sioux City North Stars of head coach Mitch Mohr will return junior QB Trey Henry who was lost for the season in the season opener last fall. Henry's athleticism was sorely missed on the offensive side of the football. Henry will provide a different dimension on offense for opponents to defend. The Stars offense will better with a healthy Henry commanding the huddle.

The Black Raiders will replace the schools all time passing leader Cal Jepsen with junior signal caller Callan Koch 6-3 (200). Koch passed for (286) yards and (4) scores in backup duty. Koch will be a name that folks will learn very early on in 2026. The stable of receivers that Koch has to work with is incredible.

Junior D-1 prospect Isaiah Grant racked up (47) receptions for (734) yards and (8) scores. Senior D-1 prospect Kason Clayborne (27) receptions for (302) yards and (6) scores. Senior D-1 prospect Chris Ford (39) catches for (661) yards and (4) touchdowns can torch defenses over the top. Emerging sophomore Tanner Boonstra had (36) catches for (472) yards and (5) touchdowns. The Black Raiders will need to make sure all the bulbs are in working order on the scoreboard. This group is going to light it up.

The Dakota Valley Panthers of newly minted head coach Shane LaDage returns a very productive sophomore duo in WR/Slot Tyler Kloucek 5-10 (165) and returning QB Tye DeGeorgia 6-2 (170). Kloucek grabbed (43) receptions for (470) yards. DeGeorgia passed for (1,300) yards and (13) scores. The off-season work by these two will show up on Friday nights! Excited to see these kids perform in their junior seasons.