2022 Rankings Update: Biggest Stock Risers

Our rankings update for the Class of 2022 just went live! While working through the rankings update for the Class of 2022 I noticed that several players must have had exceptional offseasons that translated into really strong fall seasons. Thanks to the hard work and impressive game day performances these players experienced some big time jumps in the rankings as they grabbed the spotlight. Even with the addition of 220+ players, these players were able to put out the tape that earned them higher positions in the rankings than where they were listed last summer. In this article, I want to take the time to highlight those players that clearly put in the work and balled out on Friday nights. Let’s dive into 10 of our biggest risers and how they did it! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31210" first="Nate" last="Genzel"], DL- Kettle Moraine</strong> Nate is one of those players that looks like he had a great offseason. In our previous rankings, Genzel was listed at 6’4" 225 lbs. We now have him at 6’4" 245 lbs and it is a clean looking 245 lbs. That size and length is accompanied by the strength needed to set a very strong edge against the run and the burst to beat offensive linemen off the ball against the pass. I became a huge fan of Nate’s heavy hands while watching his film as well. He uses them to get initial separation with a powerful punch. From there Genzel has shown off some really impressive hand fighting skills that allow him to defeat blocks and then make plays in the backfield. Add in that he is a very good athlete and you get a player that has skyrocketed into our top 20 players and is someone I believe can be a D1 level player. <strong>Quinton Henry Jr., WR- Kenosha Bradford</strong> Quinton shot up our rankings almost as fast as he bursts off the line of scrimmage. The 6’0" 175 lbs WR has elite level athleticism. He has the burst off the line, and his acceleration to top speed happens in the snap of a finger. His top end speed in the open field is game-breaking too. Quinton knows how to go and get the ball too. His catch radius is very big compared to his frame. He can elevate for it or contort his body in midair to bring the ball in. The suddenness that he shows in and out of his breaks has proven to be very difficult to keep up with for DBs. Henry also flashes quick, yet soft, hands that easily pluck the ball out of the air. Once he gets the ball in his hands you better have the whole defense there to corral him or he is going to shake the defenders until he finds a crease to use. When you watch the film, it will be no surprise that Quinton already has one D1 offer from Western Kentucky. That’s just the beginning. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31273" first="Evan" last="Tyler"], DL- Hudson</strong> I have been a big fan of Evan since last fall. He was someone I was able to write about and review his film on a couple times as well as watch one of his games live. During this offseason I was even able to catch him at an OL/DL Showcase and see him go off there. The 6’4" 225 lbs defensive lineman has consistently shown me that he knows how to use the tools he has at his disposal. He flies off the line at the snap and from there is able to use his length perfectly to create separation and then defeat the block of offensive lineman. His flexiblity and bend around the edge makes him an even harder target to get hands on. The D1 schools are taking notice of his talents too as he just recently received an FCS offer from Morehead State. Evan is going to continue to be a hot name on the recruiting trail. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31280" first="Jack" last="Baretz"], LB- Franklin</strong> Jack is one of the freakiest athletes that the state of Wisconsin has to offer. He checks in around 6’4" 220 lbs and he plays off-ball LB and out in space effectively with that size. It is wild to watch as he flies around making plays while also being bigger than a lot of defensive ends in this class. Baretz is a true three down backer too. He attacks downhill and easily picks through the trash against the run, and against the pass he can create pressure up the middle just as well as he can drop into coverage. His range for the LB position is elite and paired with his versatility is going to make him a hot name on the market and has earned him a Top 25 spot in our updated 2022 rankings! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31239" first="Evan" last="Redding"], WR- Menomonee Falls</strong> If I had to pick the fastest athlete in the class this is it. Redding absolutely flies with and without the ball in his hands. I was lucky enough to catch Evan during Week One of the 2020 season and he stole the show. He made huge plays on offense, defense, and special teams in that game and his traits were on full display. The speed is unmatched, and he already has good control over it as he has proven that he is an effective route runner. He isn’t just a deep threat either. He is a complete receiver. With the ball in his hands, Evan is one of the most dangerous players in Wisconsin. Give him any glimpse of daylight and he is gone. He erases pursuit angles. The tools are off the charts and has placed him firmly in the Top 30 of our rankings. Those tools are going to make him a big target for the next level as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31296" first="Nick" last="Blatnik"], OL/DL- Arrowhead</strong> Blatnik is another player that I have been lucky enough to watch multiple times since our initial rankings came out. I was able to catch one of his games in person during the 2020 Fall season and he was in attendance at one of the showcases events I have attended during this offseason. The 6’3" 255 lbs lineman has proven that he could play on either side of the trenches at the next level. On offense, Nick has the strength and body control to drive defenders out of gaps and into the second level as well as be able to stuff pass rushers right from the initial contact. On defense, Nick uses that same strength to collapse the pocket and he has the moves to get pressure against the pass. Nick’s versatility to play both ways should open him up several opportunities from the next level. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31333" first="Stefon" last="Mitchell"], DB- Indian Trail</strong> Stefon broke onto the scene for me throughout last season. Since week one, he proved that he has the tools to be an excellent defensive back at this level and the next. The 5’11" 185 lbs defender is fun to watch in coverage. His ability to quickly react to receivers and stay right in their hip pocket and run stride for stride with them looks so easy and smooth. He also has the tools to play the safety position as well as corner. Stefon has the range to make plays from sideline to sideline and he does a really good job of reading the QB, which allows him to always be in the right place at the right time. Stefon does a really good job of making plays at the catch point as well. He knows how to get his hands in the right place to create pass breakups if he can’t get a turnover. I think Stefon is going to breakout even more in his senior season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31373" first="Drew" last="Trudell"], DB- Mukwonago</strong> Trudell was a defender that really caught my eye during his film analysis for the rankings. He has solid size for the position at 5’11" 180 lbs and the athleticism to run with most receivers. Over and over again while watching his film the receiver would cut and Drew would be right there stride for stride through the break and out of it. It didn’t matter if it was a subtle cut or if the receiver was completely turning and coming back to the QB. Drew has an innate ability to always be right where he needed to be in his film. I am predicting a big senior season for Drew after his junior season launched him into our Top 100 overall players in one of the deepest classes that Wisconsin has provided. Big things ahead for Trudell. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31301" first="Brian" last="Beidatsch"], OL- Milwaukee Marquette</strong> Brian paved his way up the rankings the same way he paved the way on the field. The 6’4" 260 lbs offensive tackle dominates defensive lineman. Brian has a really nice blend of athleticism and strength in his play. He plays with a wide, strong base that allows him to drive defenders into the second level and far from the ball carrier. He can also get to the second level and hit his target with ease thanks to that athleticism. Then on the next play you will see him smoothly slide in pass protection. That athleticism/strength combo really shows up in his pass pro where he easily reacts to defenders pass rush moves and then sets his anchor as soon as they make contact preventing any sort of bull rush attempt. There is a great chance that Brian continues his climb up the rankings from his current Top 60 position. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="31342" first="Robby" last="Michael"], ATH- Sheboygan Lutheran</strong> I never got to watch Robby this past fall, but I felt like I did because every week he made our top performers article with what he was doing on a consistent basis. He has an impressive amount of versatility to offer the next level too. He is the starting QB for Sheboygan Lutheran as well as their safety. I think he could play either at the next level, but because of his impressive versatility and strong ability to see the whole field, read what is happening, and then react makes him a very intriguing safety prospect and a player that will have the eye of several top programs in the surrounding states. He has the athleticism to play the position as well. It isn’t just about the mental side and his ability to diagnose plays. Robby can make plays with his athletic traits too. Keep an eye on this kid.