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Whistle Sports and DAZN have introduced a new program, UP NEXT: No Days Off, that spotlights rising athletes across a dozen sports with documentary shorts and an annual award. The initiative aims to boost visibility for young competitors while underscoring character and the unseen work that fuels elite performance.
The rollout highlights how media exposure is reshaping the recruiting landscape: early profiles can accelerate college attention, attract sponsor interest and shape public narratives about youth sports. Each selected athlete will receive a high-quality, documentary-style episode and be honored with the Golden Whistle Plaque—a trophy meant to celebrate consistent effort as much as results.
Whistle’s content chief described the class as more than a highlight reel: organizers said they chose athletes who lead off the field, prioritize family and set examples in their communities. Several honorees echoed that the recognition validates the long hours that rarely show up in box scores.
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The Class of 2026 — notable honorees
- Football
- Kaleb Herndon — Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (Santa Margarita Catholic HS): A 6’5″, 225-pound edge rusher from the Class of 2028 already drawing Power Five attention.
- Kobe Towns — Washington, D.C. (St. John’s College HS): A 6’3″ quarterback fast becoming a nationally watched prospect with multiple major program inquiries.
- Jaxon Carper — Ventura, CA (St. Bonaventure HS): A developing 4-star dual-threat QB viewed as a high-upside recruit.
- Ethan “Boobie” Feaster — DeSoto, TX (DeSoto HS): A reclassified five-star wide receiver who enrolled early at USC after breaking school receiving records.
- Basketball
- Beckham Black — Dallas/Orlando (Southeastern Prep): The top point guard in the Class of 2027 with more than 20 Division I offers.
- Morghan Reckley — Fayetteville, GA (Sandy Creek HS): USA U17 honoree who averaged roughly 25 points per game and led her school deep into state play.
- Jezelle “GG” Banks — Delaware (The St. James Academy): A Team USA gold medalist and one of the most complete young point guards in the class.
- Baseball
- Gavin Chakar — Norwalk, CT (Norwalk HS): A high-level sophomore pitcher already ranked among his peers nationally.
- Karson Cooper — Florida (Palmer Trinity HS): A 14-year-old middle infielder praised for baseball IQ, defense and maturity at the plate.
- Flag football
- Ashlea Klam — Florida (Vandegrift HS): A resilient player who became one of the youngest members of the U.S. Women’s National Flag Football Team and later competed in college’s inaugural Division I season.
- Skateboarding
- Lilly Erickson — California: A 16-year-old Team USA skateboarder and Exposure Pro Bowl champion known for pushing the limits of women’s transition skating.
- Track & Field
- Jaslene Massey — Aliso Viejo, CA (Aliso Niguel HS): Holder of national high school discus and one of the country’s premier throwers; signed with the University of Oregon and headed to U20 world championships.
- Tennis
- Anna Frey — Farmington, UT (Farmington HS/UNC): A former top blue-chip recruit now rising quickly in college tennis with a growing WTA presence.
- Volleyball
- Maya Ogbogu — Allen, TX (Allen HS): The No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2028, selected to represent Team USA at the U17 World Championship.
These profiles mix household names already on college radars and younger talents still largely operating beneath mainstream attention. By pairing film-style storytelling with an annual award, the series positions itself as both a recruiting-era showcase and a cultural record of how champions are made.
What the series delivers
The episodes dig into athletes’ daily routines, supporting networks and turning points long before pro contracts or Olympic hardware. Organizers say the goal is to highlight the process behind performance—early mornings, family sacrifices and consistent habits that create elite outcomes.
Why this matters now: media platforms are accelerating exposure for teenagers, which can alter recruiting timelines and sponsorship opportunities. For families and youth coaches, the program underscores how character and off-field leadership now carry weight alongside raw stats.
Several honorees reflected on that theme. One recent selectee described the recognition as proof that the “work when no one is watching” counts, crediting family support and daily discipline for progress. Another called the spotlight a starting point rather than a finish line, emphasizing continued growth and responsibility.
Whistle and DAZN say the full roster and episode releases will be shared across their social channels; Whistle’s Instagram currently lists the complete group and will host rollout updates. For recruiters, fans and parents, the series offers an early look at athletes who may shape the next decade of college and professional sport.
