Napa native Brock Bowers, who is entering his third year as a tight end for the Las Vegas Raiders, is listed at No. 60 among the “Top 100 Players of 2026,” it was announced at nfl.com on July 23.

“The ‘NFL Top 100’ – voted on by the players themselves – reveal is underway on X!” the report said.

Bowers, a 2021 Napa High School graduate and three-time first-team All-American at the University of Georgia, caught 64 passes for 680 yards and had seven touchdown receptions last year in his second season for the Raiders. He averaged 10.6 yards per reception in 12 games.

“After a historic rookie season, Bowers didn’t quite hit those heights in a sophomore effort curtailed from the start by knee troubles,” the report said. “But the dynamic tight end still made a second consecutive Pro Bowl team and had breakout moments during a lost campaign for him and the Raiders. His standout showing came in his return from injury in Week 9, when he was targeted on more than a third of his 36 routes, hauling in 12 receptions for 127 yards and three scores in a narrow loss to playoff-bound Jacksonville. After a coaching and offensive overhaul, Las Vegas will hope for more of that from Bowers in Year 3 – and potentially a third straight Top 100 ranking.”

Bowers, a first-round pick of the Raiders in the 2024 NFL Draft, made an immediate impact during his rookie season as he was named to:

* 2024 Associated Press’ NFL All-Pro First Team

* 2024 Pro Football Writers of America’s All-NFL and All-AFC team

* 2024 Professional Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team

* NFL Players Association’s “The Players’ All-Pro Team.

“Bowers has 176 receptions in 29 career games, the most by any tight end in NFL history over his first two career seasons,” the report said.

An ESPN survey of league executives, coaches and scouts ranks Bowers as the NFL’s No. 1 tight end, it announced at espn.com on July 15.

“The 2026 NFL training camps are on the horizon, and with that in mind, ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions,” the report said.

Bowers is at the top of the list of the league’s top 10 tight ends. It’s voted on by league scouts, executives and coaches, the report said.

“Bowers’ second season was marred by injuries and a porous Raiders offense. For that, he mostly gets a pass in the voting,” the report said. “But his second consecutive No. 1 ranking was more contested this time around, despite a respectable 64 catches for 680 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games.

“Last summer, Bowers fended off the field convincingly thanks to his setting an NFL rookie record with 112 catches. People inside the league love Bowers’ versatility as an offensive chess piece. He can line up in the slot, out wide or even as a fullback.”

The Associated Press ranks Bowers third among tight ends in its preseason survey, it announced at apnews.com on July 17.

The report said a panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at the tight end position, basing selections on current status entering the 2026 season.

“After a sensational All-Pro rookie season, Bowers was plagued by injuries last year. He caught 64 passes for 680 yards and seven TDs in 12 games and made his second Pro Bowl,” the report said. “Bowers gained 296 yards after the catch, and had three drops. A dynamic receiver, Bowers is still a work in progress as a blocker.”

At No. 1, College of San Mateo leads 14 teams from California listed in the JCGridiron.com Preseason Dirty 30 Preseason Rankings, announced on July 4 in advance of the 2026 season. Ben Brakesman, a 2026 St. Helena High graduate, has committed to play for the Bulldogs this fall.

Also, in the top 10 are No. 5 Golden West of Huntington Beach, No. 7 Diablo Valley of Pleasant Hill, and No. 9 Mt. San Antonio of Walnut.

The rankings also include No. 11 Modesto, No. 13 Saddleback of Mission Viejo, No. 15 Ventura, No. 16 Cerritos of Norwalk, No. 18 San Francisco, No. 19 Butte of Oroville, No. 21 El Camino of Torrance, No. 25 Riverside City, No. 28 Fullerton and No. 29 Fresno City.

Those teams on bubble include: De Anza of Cupertino, Los Medanos of Pittsburg, Foothill of Los Altos Hills, American River of Sacramento, Sierra of Rocklin, Reedley and Monterey Peninsula.

Rivals Preseason California High School Top 25 Rankings

Mater Dei of Santa Ana is No. 1 in the Preseason 2026 California High School Football Top 25 Rankings, announced by Rivals High School at x.com/rivalshs, @RivalsHS and on3.com/high-school on July 10.

The Top 10 also has No. 2 St. John Bosco of Bellflower, No. 3 Santa Margarita Catholic of Rancho Santa Margarita, No. 4 Centennial of Corona, No. 5 Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth, No. 6 Mission Viejo, No. 7 Orange Lutheran, No. 8 De La Salle of Concord, No. 9 Servite of Anaheim, and No. 10 Folsom.

Also in the rankings are No. 11 San Clemente, No. 12 Cathedral Catholic of San Diego, No. 13 JSerra Catholic of San Juan Capistrano, No. 14 Los Alamitos, No. 15 Murrieta Valley, No. 16 Lincoln of San Diego, No. 17 Mission Hills of San Marcos, No. 18 Junipero Serra of San Mateo, No. 19 Carlsbad, No. 20-Oak Ridge of El Dorado Hills, No. 21 Chaparral of Temecula, No. 22 Archbishop Riordan of San Francisco, No. 23 Rancho Cucamonga, No. 24 Pittsburg, and No. 25 La Costa Canyon of Carlsbad.

5 California teams in Preseason MaxPreps Top 25

St. John Bosco of Bellflower begins the season at No. 1 in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings, announced at maxpreps.com on July 13.

St. John Bosco is one of five California teams listed in the rankings. The others are No. 6 Santa Margarita, No. 8 Centennial, No. 9 Mater Dei and No. 17 Sierra Canyon.

MaxPreps Preseason Top 100

Thirteen teams from California, led by No. 1 St. John Bosco, are in the MaxPreps Preseason Top 100 high school football rankings, it was announced at maxpreps.com on July 15.

It’s a “look at the top 100 high school football teams in the country heading into the 2026 season,” the report said.

Also from California are No. 6 Santa Margarita, No. 8 Centennial, No. 9 Mater Dei, No. 17 Sierra Canyon, No. 41 Folsom, No. 49 Mission Viejo, No. 52 De La Salle, No. 61 Orange Lutheran, No. 71 Servite, No. 81 Cathedral Catholic, No. 89 Central East of Fresno, and No. 95 Pacifica of Oxnard.

USA Today Sports’ Super 15 preseason West region football rankings

St. John Bosco is No. 1 in the USA Today Sports West for the regional rankings, it was announced at usatoday.com on July 16.

“Traditionally a strong region, the West is once again loaded this year with its usual powers eying national glory: St. John Bosco, Centennial and Mater Dei headline California schools,” the report said.

Also, in the rankings are No. 3 Centennial, No. 4 Mater Dei, No. 8 Sierra Canyon, No. 9 Santa Margarita, No. 12 De La Salle and No. 14 Orange Lutheran.

The “Watch List” includes Long Beach Poly, Cathedral Catholic, Folsom and Mission Viejo.

St. John Bosco best team in state

MaxPreps has named St. John Bosco the best team in California heading into the 2026 season, it announced at maxpreps.com on July 17.

St. John Bosco, the report said, “headlines our look at the best high school football team in each state heading into the 2026 season. The Braves begin the year at No. 1 MaxPreps Top 25 for the third time over the last nine years. The Southern California power has finished in the rankings every year since 2013, the nation’s longest active streak.”

California teams in USA Today Sports preseason Super 25 national rankings

St. John Bosco is No. 2, Centennial is No. 5 and Mater Dei is No. 6 in the USA Today Sports preseason Super 25 national high school rankings, announced at usatoday.com on July 21.

“Summer break is nearing its end, the school bells are set to ring and players are lining up on the gridiron, prepping for the ever-approaching first high school football games of the season,” the report said. “As such, USA Today Sports’ preseason Super 25 national high school football rankings are here – a continuation of a storied tradition.”

The Super 25 Watchlist includes Sierra Canyon.