Happy Tuesday and happy post-Labor Day Weekend.<\/p>\n
Week 1 was a great way to kick us off on the college front with Florida State upsetting Alabama, Miami getting (what will presumably be) a signature win over Notre Dame and Brian Kelly finally winning a season opener with LSU.<\/p>\n
But it wasn\u2019t just the college stars who showed out.<\/p>\n
Several of the nation\u2019s top recruits in the Class of 2026 put on quite the show over the weekend, too. With that in mind, welcome to a new series we\u2019re diving into at The Athletic this season: The 10 best things we saw in high school football. Every week, we\u2019ll share the top highlights, plays and moments from prospects across the country.<\/p>\n
This past week was all about the blue-chippers, but there will be plenty of room to check out some of the under-the-radar prospects, as well, as this series continues throughout the high school season.<\/p>\n
See a play you\u2019d like to submit for consideration? Shoot me a message at graynor@theathletic.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n OK, let\u2019s get to it.<\/p>\n Note: All rankings are from the 247Sports Composite.<\/p>\n 10.<\/strong> Five-star Tennessee commit Faizon Brandon, who plays at Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley, is arguably the top quarterback in the country and is certainly one of the most prominent faces of the 2026 class. But after leading his team to a one-point overtime victory in Week 1, Brandon was out for Week 2 and is currently dealing with a thumb injury on his throwing hand<\/a>.<\/p>\n That prompted the Whirlies to turn to freshman Brody Lowe on Friday night, and boy, did he put on a show. The lefty \u2014 who camped at North Carolina and Liberty this summer \u2014 finished the night 18-of-29 passing for 344 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in a 31-17 win over Clemmons (N.C.) West Forsyth. Lowe hit multiple deep balls and wasn\u2019t afraid of the moment, and he could be in charge for the next few weeks as Brandon continues to heal. Not too shabby for a guy who was in the eighth grade last year.<\/p>\n Brody Lowe was ready for the moment.<\/p>\n The Grimsley FRESHMAN threw for over 300 yards in the No. 1 Whirlies’ 31-17 win over No. 11 West Forsyth.<\/p>\n Highlights and more: https:\/\/t.co\/o7KhUYGg0c<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/XeLFaCTnNU<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 HighSchoolOT (@HighSchoolOT) August 30, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 9.<\/strong> Sticking with quarterbacks, how about this run from five-star Keisean Henderson? Ranked No. 24 overall and the No. 4 QB in the 2026 class, Henderson\u00a0kicked off his senior season with Legacy the School of Sport Sciences in Spring, Texas, with an easy 45-27 win over Second Baptist out of Houston. Watching the Houston commit escape this pressure only gets more mesmerizing with each view. Get excited, Cougars fans.<\/p>\n Five-Star Houston commit QB Keisean Henderson escapes the pocket in the back of the endzone and then goes 100 yards for the Touchdown!! #txhsfb<\/a> #keiseanhenderson<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/MlG6Ognkwp<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) August 30, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 8.<\/strong> Big man on the move alert! This is five-star Texas edge commit Richard Wesley, who is listed at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds. Wesley, who plays for Sierra Canyon in Southern California, outran and outpowered everyone else on the field on this play.<\/p>\n No, your eyes aren\u2019t playing tricks on you. That\u2019s 6-foot-5 defensive end Richard Wesley scoring a 23-yard rushing touchdown for Sierra Canyon pic.twitter.com\/nL47wy2eH2<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Dan Lovi (@LoviSports) August 30, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 7.<\/strong> Five-star Georgia quarterback commit Jared Curtis played in one of the most exciting games of the weekend, leading Nashville Christian Academy to a thrilling 42-41 overtime win over in-town foe Ensworth, thanks to a two-point conversion he punched in himself.<\/p>\n Ballgame. Jared Curtis sneaks it in on the 2-pt try and Nashville Christian beats Ensworth 42-41 in OT. @NCSFB<\/a> @Jaredcurtis37<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/bUTXVQNAMa<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jacob Shames (@Jacob_Shames) August 30, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Nashville Christian trailed 14-0 at the end of the first quarter, but then Curtis took over and finished the night 20-of-31 passing for 189 yards and three touchdowns in addition to rushing for 134 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. Curtis was tough on the ground all night <\/a>and wasn\u2019t afraid to talk a little trash<\/a> when all was said and done. It was a huge win for Nashville Christian and Curtis, who, two weeks into his senior season, is 34-of-47 for 436 yards and six touchdowns against one interception.<\/p>\n 6.<\/strong> Speaking of epic comebacks, five-star Texas quarterback commit Dia Bell had one of his own on Aug. 22 when he led Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage to a 31-28 win over Philadelphia St. Joseph\u2019s Prep in a clash of two of the nation\u2019s best high school programs. American Heritage trailed 28-0 in the third quarter before Bell and the Patriots scored 31 unanswered points (!) to claim a three-point victory. Bell completed 18 of 33 attempts for 215 yards and one touchdown, and he rushed nine times for 42 yards. His top receiver, three-star Troy commit Jamar Denson, caught 12 passes for 147 yards and one score.<\/p>\n Thanks to all the Longhorn who fans that tuned in tonight ! I struggled early against a tough well coached @SJPrep_Football<\/a> team. Fortunately, I found my rhythm in the 2nd half helping @ahspatfootball<\/a> to a big game 1 W! \ud83e\udd18\ud83c\udffd #HookEm<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/bIcq1RPTmj<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Dia Bell 2026 QB (@DiaBell3QB1) August 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n This week should be a fun one for us recruiting nerds. American Heritage plays Chaminade-Madonna (the former home of Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith and too many other recruits to mention) on Friday night in a game that will showcase some of South Florida\u2019s top talent.<\/p>\n 5.<\/strong> Staying in the Sunshine State, four-star Florida commit Will Griffin surpassed 10,000 yards passing for his career on Aug. 22 when he threw for 301 yards and three touchdowns in a win against Fort Myers (Fla.) Bishop Verot. He kept things rolling on Friday when his Tampa Jesuit team beat Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) Benjamin 37-3. The potential successor to DJ Lagway at Florida, Griffin, ranked No. 202 nationally, is 29-of-49 passing for 443 yards, five touchdowns and one interception in his first two games of the season.<\/p>\n \u271d\ufe0f 10K passing yards locked in \ud83d\ude4c\ud83c\udffc Grateful to my teammates, coaches & family-you made this possible. Big love to Jesuit & Northside Christian! Best still ahead \ud83d\udc0a #GoGators<\/a> #StateChamps<\/a> \ud83d\udc8d@JesuitTigers_FB<\/a>@NCSMustangs_FB<\/a> @CoachMesick<\/a> @JackGriffin_11<\/a> @JeffCarlson15<\/a> @TheUCReport<\/a>\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/zgik8IVpQo<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Will Griffin 4\u2b50\ufe0f 2026 QB (@WillGriffin__11) August 27, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 4. <\/strong>We were all wowed by CJ Daniels\u2019 one-handed grab<\/a> in Miami\u2019s win over Notre Dame on Sunday. Well, how about this one from Oregon five-star tight end commit Kendre Harrison on Friday night?<\/p>\n Come on now \ud83d\udcaf https:\/\/t.co\/icwYN7XAcT<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 k\u0337e\u0337n\u0337d\u0337r\u0337e\u0337\u2019\u0337 \u0337h\u0337a\u0337r\u0337r\u0337i\u0337s\u0337o\u0337n\u0337 (@SupremeDre8) August 30, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The 6-7, 243-pound Harrison, who plays at Reidsville (N.C.) High School, is also a basketball standout and has expressed interest in playing both sports at Oregon.<\/p>\n 3.<\/strong> You\u2019ve probably noticed that BYU has gotten serious about competing at the highest level of football in this new era of college athletics. And you probably saw when five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons committed to the Cougars<\/a> in June out of California, marking one of the biggest moments in BYU football recruiting history. Lyons won\u2019t play for BYU until 2027, after he serves a mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but it\u2019s not too early to get excited about what he might bring to the program.<\/p>\n Exhibit A:<\/p>\n This is exactly what BYU football fans can look forward to with Ryder Lyons \ud83d\udd25@ryderly0ns<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/By2Zk57PMc<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) August 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Exhibit B:<\/p>\n Ryder Lyons connects with Rob Larson for a 67 yard TD \ud83d\ude2e\u200d\ud83d\udca8@ryderly0ns<\/a> @roblarson_1<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/xUXk5OP1dF<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) August 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In his season debut against Sacramento (Calif.) Grant Union, Lyons completed 32 of 38 attempts for 408 yards and four touchdowns on national television. Then on Friday, against San Mateo (Calif.) Junipero Serra, Lyons accounted for seven touchdowns \u2014 four through the air and three on the ground. BYU\u2019s future should be in good hands.<\/p>\n 2.<\/strong> Just going to leave this run from five-star Michigan commit Savion Hiter<\/a>, the nation\u2019s top running back, here. No one on the opposing defense could figure out how to bring him down.<\/p>\n For #Michigan<\/a> fans, who haven\u2019t seen 5\u2b50\ufe0f RB Savion Hiter (@5starsavi<\/a>) play\u2026 watch this pic.twitter.com\/ZnNRoQz2Pv<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Brice Marich (@BriceMarich) August 19, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n 1.<\/strong> And lastly, this catch from five-star Ohio State wide receiver commit Chris Henry Jr. shows why he has been among the most coveted pass catchers in the 2026 cycle. The Buckeyes have a history of landing and developing elite wide receivers under offensive coordinator\/receivers coach Brian Hartline, and Henry is next up. Good luck to the rest of the Big Ten.<\/p>\n How in the world did Chris Henry Jr. make this catch?!<\/p>\n Ohio State has another elite WR on the wayhttps:\/\/t.co\/aHBsWpjqrK<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/X5MqFu8C5F<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) August 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n (Top photo of Jared Curtis: George Robinson \/ USA Network via Imagn Images)<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n