Best Michigan high school football players in Greater Lansing for 2026: See who to watch

The 2026 high school football season in Greater Lansing promises to showcase exceptional talent. Several players are making waves as they prepare to continue their careers at various division levels.

Willie Brown, a senior wide receiver from Lansing Sexton, led the CAAC in receiving yards during the past season. Brown has already caught the attention of college scouts, including an offer from the Division I program Mercyhurst.

Offensive and defensive lineman Lucas Cadwell from Grand Ledge is committed to Ferris State. He was honored as a CAAC Dream Team member last year for his pivotal role on an offensive line that averaged 32.7 points per game.

Senior quarterback Joel Cranmore from Leslie put up impressive numbers last season, completing 2,201 passes for 19 touchdowns and rushing for seven scores. His performance over the past two seasons shows a total of 4,883 passing yards and 54 touchdowns, with just 12 interceptions.

Sam Czekalski, an offensive and defensive lineman from Haslett, is headed to Grand Valley State. He was a strongside tackle who helped the Vikings average 203 rushing yards and 109 passing yards per game last season.

Braydin Johnson from Leslie had a standout season with 63 catches for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns on offense. Defensively, he added five interceptions, with three returned for scores. Johnson has received an offer from Northern Michigan.

Atticus Joy, a senior tight end and defensive end from Okemos, has committed to Northern Michigan. He contributed 31 catches for 302 yards and a touchdown on offense.

Asher Newman, a senior defensive end from Haslett, is headed to Central Michigan. He logged 52 tackles, eight sacks, and ten tackles for loss. Newman helped the Vikings secure the CAAC Red runner-up spot and a district final appearance last season.

Braden Reed, a senior from Owosso, was one of the area's top receivers last season. He finished with 42 catches for 823 yards and 11 touchdowns, setting single-season school records for both categories. Reed will now return to playing quarterback for a veteran Trojan squad.

Junior running back Channing Ridley from DeWitt has earned an offer from Miami (Ohio). He rushed for 1,184 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, along with three receiving touchdowns in a Division 3 state title run by the Panthers.

Senior running back and defensive back Baylor Schanski from East Lansing has an offer from UMass. He rushed for 1,015 yards and 12 touchdowns during the 2025 regular season and added 50 tackles on defense.

Senior offensive and defensive lineman Trace Winter from Pewamo-Westphalia played a crucial role in the Pirates' success. They captured CMAC, Division 7 district, and regional titles in 2025. Winter helped rush for 2,834 yards on 357 carries and didn't allow a sack in 156 pass attempts. Defensively, he recorded 36 tackles and five sacks.

Ruger Zeeman, a senior running back and linebacker from Corunna, is committed to Michigan Tech. He led Corunna with 96 tackles in 2025 and added two tackles for loss and two interceptions. Zeeman was also the leading rusher with 740 yards and eight touchdowns.

This article, originally published by the Lansing State Journal, highlights some of the best high school football players in Greater Lansing for the 2026 season.