Rankings Climbers: Class of 2021

The Prep Redzone Kansas Class of 2021 player rankings have been updated. Here is a look at five defensive players who made large jumps up the rankings between the initial class rankings and the latest update. <strong>LB, [player_tooltip player_id="49689" first="Drew" last="Schmelzle"], 6’4”, 200, Sabetha (Ranked No. 19)</strong> – Schmelzle has committed to North Dakota. He was ranked too low in the initial rankings, but after a solid 2020 season and inking with North Dakota, the Sabetha senior jumped into the Top 20. He finished his senior season with a total of 79 tackles. <strong>LB, [player_tooltip player_id="49773" first="Desmond" last="Purnell"], 6’0”, 190, Hayden (Ranked No. 20)</strong> – Purnell has committed to Kansas State. He is an explosive player. He spent most of the 2020 season scoring touchdowns. He scored in a variety of manners with rushing, receiving, defensive, and special team touchdowns. It will be interesting to see how the Wildcat coaching staff utilizes him. <strong>LB, [player_tooltip player_id="86222" first="Jace" last="Lang"], 6’2”, 180, Hays-TMP (Ranked No. 52) </strong>– Lang is an explosive back who exploded up the rankings. He finished his senior season with 70 tackles. The small school linebacker and running back has committed to play at in-state Ottawa. <strong>DL, [player_tooltip player_id="35493" first="Braden" last="Rucker"], 6’3”, 245, Eureka (Ranked No. 56)</strong> – Rucker made a big jump in the rankings. He has a knack for getting to the quarterback and should make a solid college defensive end. He has committed to play at North Dakota State. <strong>LB, [player_tooltip player_id="35499" first="Cinsere" last="Sanders"], 5’10”, 205, Clay Center (Ranked No. 60)</strong> – Sanders is a fast linebacker out of Clay Center. He has committed to play at Ripon College, a Division III school in Wisconsin. Sanders played only four games in the COVID ravaged 2020 season.