The 2026 OSAA football season is already generating excitement in the Salem‑Keizer area, where ten wide receivers and tight ends have been highlighted as players to watch. Their performances last year set the stage for what coaches expect to be breakout campaigns.
Emerging Stars Across the District
Benjamin Greer of South Salem topped Class 6A with 1,309 receiving yards and even set a state record of 24 catches in a single game, positioning him as a focal point for his team's offense. Josiah Hawkins, who previously scored the opening touchdown in the state championship for Cascade, returns with a reputation for clutch play, while Xavior Keller at North Salem is stepping into a leading receiver role after sharing the spotlight with two all‑state teammates last season.
Other standouts include Joe Mendazona from Central, who caught seven touchdowns and earned second‑team all‑conference honors in Class 5A, and Carter Nguyen of Sprague, who received honorable‑mention recognition in Class 6A’s Special District 1 and will look to build on a 5‑5 season. Ryan Perkins from Central, now competing in a new conference, joins a group of players whose statistical achievements have drawn early praise.
Lincoln Teeney of Silverton, named Class 5A defensive player of the year, also contributed offensively, while Hayden Tibbs from Scio earned first‑team all‑conference honors in Class 3A and returns to a team with deep offensive talent. Jamison Walsh of Cascade, a two‑way all‑state player who led the state in tackles for loss and sacks before focusing on offense, and Marcus Zambrano from West Salem, whose role is expected to expand in a refreshed Titans offense, round out the list of players poised to influence the upcoming season.
The breadth of talent extends beyond the highlighted names, with additional players such as Josh Vanlue, Caleb Singleton, AJ Robinson, Dan Lever and Shawn Stanley also listed among those to watch. As the district prepares for the new campaign, the blend of record‑setting performances, versatile skill sets and fresh conference alignments suggests a competitive and dynamic season ahead.