Get to know just a few of the many names expected to hear their names called this weekend
Each year, dozens of Pop Warner alumni take the next step in their football journey, hearing their names called on draft weekend and proving that the path to the pros often starts on local fields across the country. This year is no different.
From coast to coast, Pop Warner continues to shape not just athletes, but leaders – players who carry the lessons of teamwork, discipline, and resilience with them to the highest level of the game. Here are just a few of the standout prospects to watch in this year’s draft:
Arvell Reese – OHIO Elite Pop Warner
Reese began his career with OHIO Elite Pop Warner before developing into one of the nation’s most disruptive defenders at Ohio State. A consensus All-American, he earned first-team honors from the AP, AFCA, and Walter Camp while finishing his career with 112 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and 7 quarterback hurries. He also helped lead the Buckeyes to a 2024 national championship.
Now entering the 2026 NFL Draft, Reese is firmly in the first-round conversation, with some projections placing him in the top ten due to his rare combination of size, speed, and production.
Makai Lemon – Garden Grove Pop Warner
A product of Garden Grove Pop Warner, Lemon emerged as one of college football’s most explosive playmakers at USC. After leading the Trojans in receiving in 2024 with 52 catches for 764 yards, he capped his career by winning the 2025 Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver.
Lemon is widely projected as a first-round pick, with his elite route-running and big-play ability making him one of the most dynamic receivers in the class.
Caleb Lomu – Gilbert/Chandler Pop Warner
From Arizona to Utah, Lomu quickly established himself as one of the top offensive tackles in the country. He secured the starting left tackle role in 2024, allowing just 17 pressures and two sacks while earning freshman All-American honors from The Athletic.
Lomu enters the draft as a highly regarded prospect, with expectations of being selected late in the first round or early on Day 2 as teams look to invest in his size, pass protection, and long-term upside.
Kyle Louis – East Orange Jr. Jaguars Pop Warner
A native of East Orange, New Jersey, Kyle Louis began his football journey with the East Orange Jr. Jaguars before developing into one of Pitt’s most disruptive defensive playmakers. A linebacker with strong instincts and sideline-to-sideline range, he quickly became a standout for the Panthers and is now projected to go in the second- to third-round range of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Pop Warner Pipeline
These players are just a snapshot of Pop Warner’s lasting impact on the future of the NFL. Different positions, different paths, one shared foundation built on Pop Warner football.