30 Wisconsin Unranked 2023s You Need to Know + 40 Kid Watchlist

We have officially wrapped up the initial Fall season of Wisconsin’s never-before-seen 2020/21 season, and despite the fact that the entire state was not playing Friday Night Lights in the Fall there were still a lot of exciting and noteworthy performances from the players and teams who did participate. Something that has drawn a lot of attention amongst our PrepRedzone network are features on underclassman who have had standout 2020 seasons and are currently under the radar, so why not introduce it to the Badger State in this PrepRedzoneWI focus on current Wisconsin sophomores we have unranked at this current time. Despite us missing these prospects when we initially launched, these kids have made us regret our mistake and have balled out and made it so we can’t NOT have them ranked when we update our rankings later this month. Check out which 30 Wisco prospects you need to know going forward below, and thanks for reading.

Top-12

Zander Rockow Zander Rockow 6'1" | 240 lbs | ATH Eau Claire Regis | 2023 State WI (Regis) RB. 6’1, 220 lbs. @RockowZander – One of my favorite prospects on this entire class of 2023, we somehow missed the giant RB when we launched the site with our 2023 rankings, and he’s making us look stupid as he posted 41 rushed for 452 yards in 5 games in his first season playing for Eau Claire Regis. He’s built like a brick and has elite lower body strength and contact balance as only a sophomore. I love his speed for his size too, as he can take it the distance if given daylight. His sophomore highlights are awesome and show multiple runs with 3 or 4+ broken tackles, and he’s a special athlete at his size and position who is incredibly hard for only one tackler to bring down. He also played some DE in 2020 and tracked down ball-carriers like a bloodhound on a scent. He just moves so well for his size that it’s really hard to take your eyes off him. I’m a huge fan of his game and he’s going to be very highly ranked soon.

Luke German Luke German 6'1" | 260 lbs | DL Slinger | 2023 State WI (Slinger) 6’1, 260 lbs. @LukeGerman4 – Impressively violent usage of his hands that helps him defeat double-teams and also toss 1 v 1 blockers aside like rag dolls. He’s got a great build for his age and shows power and strength in his upper and lower body. He also flies around and sacrifices his body when making tackles, which leads to some big hits, and I like his burst off of the LOS as well. He’s also a relentless blocker as an offensive lineman and is overall a physical football player with a lot of good reps in front of him. He going to be a kid that’ll find himself high up on rankings come update time.

Ben Buxa (Lakeside Lutheran) OL/DL. 6’3, 255 lbs. GPA 4.0 @BenjaminBuxa – Started on both sides of the ball in 2020 after an All-Conference freshman season in 2019. He’s got a powerful initial punch that can send smaller defenders flying, and fires out of his stance low and with great drive that seems to surprise his opponents. Either way, he moves DL backwards with ease and is an incredibly efficient run-blocker.

Nolan Wulf Nolan Wulf 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR West Bend West | 2023 State WI (West Bend West) WR. 6’2, 180 lbs. GPA 3.77 @NolanWulf – One of my favorite prospects on this list, the sophomore started at WR for West Bend West in 2020 and made some game-changing catches in 2020 as well as a really impressive onside recovery on kickoff coverage where he needed to haul himself downfield at full speed to hop on a live football. He also showed a knack for blocking, making him a really versatile player going forward for his coaching staff. I like his feet on his release at the LOS and it looks like he knows how to stack DBs a little and get separation when running downfield. With a great frame and good hands I think he’s a really promising sophomore wide receiver recruit.

Maliq Crawford Maliq Crawford 5'11" | 165 lbs | WR Brookfield Academy | 2023 State WI (Brookfield Academy) DB. 5’10, 160 lbs. @maliqcrawford – Was named All-Conference in his sophomore campaign of 2020, and for good reason as he posted 22 receptions for 227 yards and a TD on offense while showcasing great moves and cuts in the open field, long strides that cover ground well, and the versatility to play RB or WR on offense. He’s lightning in a bottle in the open field and is really tough for the one initial tackler to bring down. On defense he put up 17 tackles, 5 PBUs, and 2 INTs, and made some great plays on the ball while it was in the air and laid some pad-shaking hits as a DB. He’s an all around natural football player who is going to see himself highly ranked in our upcoming PrepRedzoneWI rankings update.

Nick Leberg (Assumption) 6’, 200 lbs. The sophomore tape of the Assumption runningback is super fun to watch, as he’s a load to bring down and is well filled out at 200 lbs. for his age. He’s powerful enough to play the RB1 spot primarily but is also physical and strong enough to play FB in Assumption’s triple-option offense, where he laid the wood as a lead blocker. He can run through weaker tackle attempts with his strong lower-body, has a mean stiff-arm, and can catch the ball out of the backfield. I love how he can slip through tackle attempts with ease, and he’s also a force as an OLB who is an instinctual player and is always around the football. Trust me, he’s fun to watch run the football and is going to be an absolute tank as an upperclassman.

Jackson Flottmeyer Jackson Flottmeyer 6'5" | 220 lbs | QB Aquinas | 2023 State WI (Aquinas) QB. 6’5, 210 lbs. @JacksonFlottme4 – 2020 stats of 81-145 for 1,051 yards and 15 TDs to only 4 interceptions. The best quarterback prospect on this list is a massive pocket-passer who is a great athlete for his size and has a really strong arm with some promising and intriguing deep ball ability. He can get out and run if he needs to, but has the arm talent to make tough touch passes downfield. He can move well inside the pocket as well and is dangerous with his legs if he takes off.

Franko Williams Franko Williams 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR Waukesha North | 2023 State WI (Waukesha North) WR/SS. 6’, 155 lbs. GPA 3.3 @Frank0_will23 – A long and athletic wideout who is quick off the LOS and possesses some quality top-end speed to pull away from DBs, he put up 14 catches for 209 yards in 6 games this Fall and shows some really nice nuances in his route-running such as head fakes and footwork. He’s a deep threat who can run a double move correctly and will dive and go all out to catch the rock. He’ll also go over the middle and is dangerous after the catch, and has a lot of promise as an upperclassman going forward.

Ian Parker Ian Parker 6'5" | 275 lbs | OL University of Milwaukee | 2023 State WI (University School Milwaukee) OL/DL. 6’5, 250 lbs. GPA 3.10 @IanParker77 – Parker is going to find himself high up on our rankings come update time, as he’s a massive varsity starting offensive lineman who destroys defenders and has a ton of power packed into his 6’5, 250 lb. frame. The second play of his Hudl is uniquely impressive though, as he showed off some really intriguing effort and movement in the open field as he tracked down an opponent after an INT and ran them down near the opposing sideline. It was a DB he caught too! He’s a mauling run-blocker who gets inside defenders pads and doesn’t stop until they’re on the ground. He served a lot of pancakes this past season.

Steven Piontek Steven Piontek 6'0" | 165 lbs | WR Oak Creek | 2023 State WI (Oak Creek) WR. 5’11, 150 lbs. @StevenPiontek_ – Worked himself into the varsity lineup as only a sophomore on the physically large and talented Oak Creek Knights roster, and showed he belonged as his sophomore tape shows off a quick and shifty slot receiver who can block, make the easy dump and screen catches as well as tougher receptions, and has some ability after the catch. If he adds some weight he’s going to have a much larger workload next season in the Oak Creek offense.

Thomas Bates Thomas Bates 5'11" | 180 lbs | RB Newman Catholic | 2023 State WI (Newman Catholic) RB. 5’10, 180 lbs. @_tbates2 – Missed out on a Fall season but caught my eye in July when I tweeted a shoutout about him after he ran for over 1700 yards as freshman in 2019. Well-built and explosive, he’s going to be a force in 2021 during the Spring season.

Mason Desrude Mason Desrude 6'2" | 230 lbs | DL Nicolet | 2023 State WI (Nicolet) DE/OLB. 6’2, 210 lbs. @MasonDesrude – Earned an All-Conference HM nod this past season as a DE for Nicolet and was a slippery and speedy DE for opposing OTs to try and block. He hand fights well and plays opposing lineman’s punches efficiently, and he’s got some good bend around the edge as well. He also is incredibly quick and twitchy off the LOS, and has a really nice variety of pass-rush moves and counters for a kid his age. There’s a lot to like from him as a DE and if he can add weight and keep that quickness he’ll be a great one.

Unranked Prospects

Jackson Hill (Arrowhead) DB/RB. 5’10, 175 lbs. @JacksonVHill – Playing JV in 2020 Hill played both ways and displayed some nice ball skills as a DB and an exciting ability to run the alley with authority as a DB. He’s got great size and played RB, S, CB, and gunner on punt in 2020 and made plays at every position. I love how he plays the ball when it’s in the air, and he’s a naturally powerful and shifty runningback who made it look like some JV defenders were not pumped to try and tackle him. In-terms of JV film he’s got about as good as a tape as you’d want, and I’d look for him to be a contributor next season for powerhouse Arrowhead.

Connor Doyle Connor Doyle 5'11" | 190 lbs | WR Oconomowoc | 2023 State WI (Oconomowoc) WR. 5’10, 165 lbs. @ConnorD71948628 – Started varsity as a sophomore this season and showed off some strong hands and an ability to drop his hips and run a nice post-corner. He’ll make tough catches too with defenders right on top of him.

Brody Brinkman (Hartford) DE/TE. 6’2, 175 lbs. @brodybrinkman1 – Has a good game tape against Kettle Moraine and has the frame and motor to get tick on varsity next season if he adds some weight. I like his JV tape though.

John Donoghue (Brookfield Central) OLB. 6’, 165 lbs. @JDonoghue21 – Split time between JV and varsity and was a monster of a pass-rusher off the edge on JV. He’s not scared to stick his head into contact and fires off the edge like he’s shot out of a cannon. He should get significant minutes next season if he can add some pounds in the weight room.

Alex Boettcher Alex Boettcher 5'10" | 200 lbs | DL Hartford Union | 2023 State WI (Hartford) DL/OL. 5’10, 205 lbs. @AlexBoettcher7 – Despite playing underweight on the offensive line Boettcher is a really hard-nosed and physical lineman who is quick out of his stance when pulling and plays with some great technique and tenacity. His greatest attribute at this point is his ability to move and operate in space, and if he adds some weight he’s got a lot of potential as an upperclassman.

Collin Selk (Columbus) OL/DL. 6’4, 250 lbs. @SelkCollin Didn’t have a fall season this year but benched 225 lbs. 10 times as a 15 year old in November! Kid is built.

Avari Briggs Avari Briggs 5'8" | 155 lbs | RB La Follette | 2023 WI (Lafollette) RB. GPA 3.71 @BriggsAvari – Another kid who didn’t have a fall season, but he put up 315 lbs. with great form on the squat this summer.

Kolton Walters Kolton Walters 5'7" | 150 lbs | RB Sun Prairie | 2023 WI (Sun Prairie) RB. @KoltonWalters – Another weight room junkie whose season has been moved to the Spring, he squatted 410 lbs. twice at the end of September with great form. Also put up 250 lbs. on the bench press. Played some varsity last season in 2019 as well.

Myles Anderson Myles Anderson 5'11" | 160 lbs | ATH Milwaukee Lutheran | 2023 State WI (Nicolet) DB. 5’9, 150 lbs. @MylesAnderson8_ – Nicolet had some serious underclassman talent this past season and Anderson definitely falls into that category as he had a productive season on JV as he recorded 16 tackles, 2 INTs, 2 FF, and an 80-yard KOR in 2020. He’s a nice athlete with an impressive vertical who made some big-time plays this past Fall.

Reid Mayer Reid Mayer 5'10" | 200 lbs | DL Sussex Hamilton | 2023 State WI (Hamilton) RB. 5’10, 180 lbs. @MayerReid – Excellent season on JV where he made some crazy plays on both sides of the ball, including high-flying sacks and truck-sticks in the endzone for a TD run. He plays with a ton of power and energy and I’m excited to see him play some varsity ball in the future.

Mason McNeill (Westosha Central) OL. 6’2, 250 lbs. @mmcneill50 – Another promising sophomore OL prospect, McNeill looks strong in pass-pro with a good motor and nice technique. He’s versatile and played OG and OC this past fall, and made some nice pancakes in his sophomore campaign.

Tanner Hora Tanner Hora 6'0" | 180 lbs | QB Slinger | 2023 State WI (Slinger) QB. 5’11, 155 lbs. @TannerHora – As Slinger’s JV gun-slinger he showed off some nice accuracy and an ability to make a variety of throws down the field. With good touch and the arm strength to hit outside breaking routes by his receivers, he’s got some promising traits as a thrower. He’s also really dangerous with his legs and made some shifty and explosive TD runs last season. That proficiency with his legs help him to run and make throws outside of the pocket as well. I’m excited to see what he’s got as an upperclassman.

Joe Staff Joe Staff 6'2" | 235 lbs | LS Brookfield Central | 2023 State WI (Brookfield Central) OG/LS. 6’1, 213 lbs. GPA 3.6 @joestaff64 – Showed off some nice aggressiveness in pass-pro for an underclassman and uses leverage to his advantage as he’s always trying to finish defenders into the turf. He can get out and pull efficiently and plays through the whistle every snap. I like how plays in both run-blocking and pass-pro and in-terms of high school offensive lineman I think he’s got some great technique and promise to become a complete offensive lineman.

Jordan Thomas Jordan Thomas 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Sussex Hamilton | 2023 State WI (Sussex Hamilton) RB. 5’10, 170 lbs. @jordan91023796 – Split time between varsity and JV and made some nice runs at both levels that showcase his physicality as a runner as well as his vision. He can take the edge if it’s given or run North and South between the tackles. I like his size as well, so I think he’s in-line to take over the RB1 duties next season at Sussex Hamilton.

JJ Joiner JJ Joiner 6'0" | 215 lbs | LB West De Pere | 2023 State WI (West De Pere) DE. 6’, 205 lbs. @j_joiner32 – In 3 games and a scrimmage in 2020 Joiner got to show that can pursue ball-carriers, and made some nice tackles on defense as well as special teams on kickoff coverage. He’s not afraid to stick his head into ball-carriers and keeps powering through contact. He’s fun to watch tackle as he goes all out, and he also blocked a punt to really cement himself as a special teams standout. Look for his role to increase in the coming seasons and many more plays made.

Quinn Grovesteen Matchey Quinn Grovesteen Matchey 6'6" | 275 lbs | OL Evansville | 2023 State WI (Stoughton) OT/DE. 6’6, 240 lbs. @QGrovesteen – Stoughton has some really impressive lineman coming into the recruiting world, and Grovesteen is a big-time 2023 sleeper that colleges will be hearing about soon. With excellent size already, he’s also a weight room junkie and put up 275 on bench 3 times earlier in November. He’s going to a beast when he gets his sophomore season underway.

Andy Karampetsos Andy Karampetsos 5'10" | 220 lbs | OL Brookfield Central | 2023 State WI (Brookfield Central) DL. 5’10, 190 lbs. @AndyKarampetso1 – In 5 games in 2020 on JV the Brookfield Central sophomore wrecked some QBs and was in the backfield so often from his DL position you would think he played offense. He was powerful and efficient at using leverage to his advantage, and plays with a ton of speed while keeping his hands active to defeat blocks. He’s a hard-hitter and plays the game of football with violence.

Riley Anderson Riley Anderson 5'11" | 190 lbs | WR Hudson | 2023 State WI (Hudson) 5’10, 165 lbs. @RileyAn90762999 – The sophomore Hudson athlete opens his sophomore tape with a crazy punt return for a TD that not a lot of players are athletic enough to make. He was a complete playmaker on the JV level who did nothing but create game changing plays with his outstanding speed, hands, moves after the catch, and overall athletic ability. He’s a total deep threat as a WR and has some really good football in front of him.

Watchlist for Spring/Next Season

Tate Milton Tate Milton 6'2" | 235 lbs | DL Notre Dame Academy | 2023 State WI (Notre Dame Academy) 6’1, 220 lbs. @TateMilton5

Kaleb Shaker Kaleb Shaker 5'11" | 255 lbs | OL Hartford Union | 2023 WI (Hartford Union) 5’10, 255 lbs. @kaleb_shaker

Mason Rose (Stevens Point Area) WR. 6’2, 165 lbs. @Masonro51334711

Cole Schouten (Bay Port) 5’11, 160 lbs. @coleschouten_

Jack Opperman Jack Opperman 6'5" | 240 lbs | DL Fort Atkinson | 2023 State WI (Fort Atkinson) 6’5. @jack_opperman

Michael Padgett (Kimberly) DL. 5’11, 245 lbs. @mpadgett_76

Diego Hernandez Diego Hernandez 5'7" | 130 lbs | DB South Milwaukee | 2023 State WI (South Milwaukee) DB/WR. 5’6, 135 lbs. @Dshxvi

Kelin Wisialowski (Oak Creek) @KelinWis

Cooper Lefebvre Cooper Lefebvre 6'5" | 300 lbs | OL Menomonee Falls | 2023 WI (Menomonee Falls) OL. 6’5, 300 lbs. @LefebvreCooper

Jahquan Redding Jahquan Redding 5'11" | 180 lbs | WR Greenfield | 2023 State WI (Greenfield) QB/ATH. 5’10, 166 lbs. @ReddingQuan

Caleb David (Waukesha South) OL/DL. 6’1, 320 lbs.

Alex Neang Alex Neang 6'0" | 265 lbs | DL Green Bay West | 2023 State WI (Green Bay West) OL/DL. 5’10, 250 lbs. @BigAl_Neang77

Ben Vallafskey Ben Vallafskey 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Appleton West | 2023 State WI (Appleton West) RB/CB. 5’10, 170 lbs. @BenVallafskey

Larry Pender Larry Pender 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB Madison West | 2023 State WI (Madison West) LB. 5’11, 190 lbs. @larryd1_

Wes Hafer (Edgewood) WR/DB. 6’, 165 lbs. @HaferWeston

Kanyon Blix (Sun Prairie) 5’10, 170 lbs. @KanyonBlix

Tommie King Tommie King 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Greenfield | 2023 State WI (Greenfield) WR. 6’1, 160 lbs. @tommieking_

Brett Peterson (Slinger) @Brett_Peterson1

Carson Nye Carson Nye 6'1" | 195 lbs | ATH Tremper | 2023 State WI (Tremper) QB/LB. @carsonnye20

Omar Surveyor Omar Surveyor 6'1" | 170 lbs | WR Greenfield | 2023 State WI (Greenfield) WR/CB. 6’1, 175 lbs. @SurveyorOmar

Blake Barry Blake Barry 6'0" | 210 lbs | RB Kimberly | 2023 State WI (Kimberly) RB. 5’10, 190 lbs. @blakebarry0

Ethan Doucette Ethan Doucette 6'1" | 225 lbs | LB Kimberly | 2023 State WI (Kimberly) LB. 6’1, 190 lbs. @EthanDoucette8

Aidan O’Leary (Franklin) OL

Stephen Schreiter Stephen Schreiter 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Fond du Lac | 2023 State WI (Fond du Lac) QB. @StephenSchreits

Antonio Rivera Antonio Rivera 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Milwaukee Marshall | 2023 State WI (Milwaukee Marshall) RB/DB. 5’11, 185 lbs.

Cameron Archibald-Smith (Eau Claire North) @CameronArchib16

Aidan Klueger (Homestead) QB. 6’2, 170 lbs. @AidanKlueger

Brody Hartig Brody Hartig 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR DeForest | 2023 State WI (DeForest) 6’1, 190 lbs. @HartigBrody – Also a standout basketball player.

Aiden Cipolletti Aiden Cipolletti 6'3" | 200 lbs | WR Indian Trail | 2023 State WI (Indian Trail) WR. 6’1, 160 lbs. @Aidencipollett1

Kendon Krogman Kendon Krogman 6'4" | 180 lbs | QB Eau Claire Regis | 2023 State WI (Eau Claire Regis) @KendonKrogman – Also a standout hooper.

Derrek Hojnacki (Muskego) @derrek1hojnacki

Josiah Darden Josiah Darden 5'10" | 180 lbs | ATH La Follette | 2023 WI (LaFollette) QB. 5’10, 175 lbs. GPA 3.7 @Jdarden_1

Jax Hertel Jax Hertel 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Big Foot | 2023 State WI (Walworth) RB. 6’, 190 lbs. @jax_hertel

Colin O’Neil Colin O’Neil 5'10" | 175 lbs | RB Cashton | 2023 State WI (Cashton) 5’10, 160 lbs. DB/RB. @Colin_ONeil7

Nate White Nate White 6'0" | 175 lbs | RB Rufus King | 2023 State WI (Rufus King) RB. 6’, 160 lbs. @hollywoodN34

Jaxon Sadowski Jaxon Sadowski 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Sun Prairie East | 2023 State WI (Sun Prairie) LB. 6’, 175 lbs. @JaxonSadowski – Benches 275 pounds and squats 370 pounds according to his Twitter. Sun Prairie has an impressive strength and conditioning program.