The 2026 high school football season in the Greater Lansing area is shaping up to be one of the most talent‑laden campaigns in recent memory. With a crop of seniors who have already attracted Division I interest, coaches and recruiters are watching each snap closely.
A deep roster of playmakers
Wide receiver Willie Brown from Lansing Sexton led the CAAC with 571 receiving yards last year and is now seeing offers from programs such as Mercyhurst, while quarterback Joel Cranmore of Leslie has thrown for over 2,200 yards and 19 touchdowns in a single season, adding to a career total that tops 4,800 yards.
On the line, Lucas Cadwell of Grand Ledge has committed to Ferris State after earning LSJ Dream Team honors, and Sam Czekalski from Haslett will continue his career at Grand Valley, both anchoring offensive and defensive fronts that averaged more than 30 points per game.
Running backs Channing Ridley of DeWitt burst for 1,184 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior, earning a Miami (Ohio) offer, while Baylor Schanski from East Lansing combined 1,015 rushing yards with 12 scores and 50 tackles on defense.
Defensive standouts such as Braydin Johnson of Leslie, who recorded nine interceptions with three returned for touchdowns, and Ruger Zeeman from Corunna, a Michigan Tech commit who topped 96 tackles and eight sacks, highlight the region’s defensive firepower.
Veterans like Atticus Joy of Okemos, a tight end and defensive end headed to Northern Michigan, and Asher Newman of Haslett, a Central Michigan recruit with eight sacks and 52 tackles, round out a balanced attack that blends offensive explosiveness with hard‑hitting defense.
The concentration of talent not only fuels local rivalries but also positions several of these athletes as early‑round prospects for the next recruiting cycle, promising a busy spring of visits and commitments.