2023 Rankings: Next Best

In most case there is not a lot of separation between the number one ranked player at a particular position and the number two. These are the guys who are just behind the current position best players. By the time the fall season gets underway, we will see if they are ready to dethrone the man in front or if they fall to those on their heels. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34499" first="Luke" last="Montgomery"]     6’5” 264     DL     Findlay</strong> Even though he is currently the second best at his position, Montgomery still falls into the number four overall spot and hot on the heels of the number one player, [player_tooltip player_id="34500" first="Brenan" last="Vernon"]. Like Vernon, Montgomery has great length and foot quickness. He can power rush or work the edges of pass blockers with equal effectiveness. Luke also is a talented tight end. Montgomery already has nearly thirty D1 offers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141069" first="Breeon" last="Ishmail"]     6’5” 205     WR     Hamilton</strong> Ishmail comes in as the number two receiver in the 2023 class. He has sure and soft hands showing the ability to snatch the football out of the air even when covered tightly by defensive backs. Ishmail likes running the slant and crossing routes over the middle and doesn’t shy away from defenders closing in on him. He is an unselfish player which is demonstrated by his downfield blocking prowess. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="92617" first="Cam" last="Smith"]     6’0” 190     ATH     Austintown Fitch</strong> Smith, like he number one in the athlete category, [player_tooltip player_id="34492" first="Trevor" last="Carter"], is a physical football player that can play both sides of the football. He displays tremendous range in the secondary at the safety position who breaks on the football to make an interception or breakup the pass. He is a devastating tackler who likes to punish the ball carrier. Smith is just as talented on offense as a big-play wide receiver as well as a special teams returner. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="92619" first="Caleb" last="Arthur"]     6’3” 200     TE     Wheelersburg</strong> One of the top players in southern Ohio, and the second best tight end in the state, Arthur is a versatile football player who also plays outside linebacker. Offensively, Arthur can play out wide, flexed out, on the line of scrimmage, or be used as an H-back. He has the hands of a receiver and the toughness of a lineman. He is an instinctive tight end that finds windows in defensive coverages as well as possessing deceptive speed which he uses to run by defensive backs. Arthur is an exceptional blocker and gets real movement at the point of attack. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="92611" first="Kayden" last="Davis"]     6’2” 175     RB     Alliance</strong> Davis is similar to the number one running back [player_tooltip player_id="92610" first="Willtrell" last="Hartson"] in the way he gets north-south in a hurry, hard to bring down due to powerful legs and thighs, and breaks tackles in the openfield. On the other hand, Davis is also a versatile player who can be an inside receiver in twins or trips sets. He has good hands and can run vertical routes with precision. Davis can use his running back talents in spread formations on the jet sweep. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141070" first="Ryan" last="Caretta"]     6’5” 310     OL     Columbus St. Charles</strong> One of the newcomers to the rankings, Caretta has all the potential to be a D1 offensive linemen. He plays with excellent leverage for a big man and blows defensive linemen off the line of scrimmage. He also uses his hands well both in the run game and in pass protection. The special thing about Caretta is his ability to pick up defenders in space even though he tips the scales at over 300 pounds. Caretta has outstanding body control for his size. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="126480" first="Blake" last="Lichtenberg"]     6’1” 180     QB     Toledo St. John’s</strong> Look for Blake to grow into one of the Midwest’s’ best quarterbacks by the time he is a senior. He shows real maturity for a sophomore who has excellent poise and pocket presence. Lichtenberg possesses both good arm strength along with an excellent touch on the football. He really is impressive connecting with his receivers on deeper routes. Lichtenberg can throw well on the run and he has the talent to fit into many style offenses. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="92623" first="Colton" last="Powers"]     5’10” 180     LB     Marysville</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="34375" first="Gabe" last="Powers"] is on his way to Ohio State next year, but the Marysville Monarchs still will have another Powers, Gabe’s brother Colton. Colton isn’t as big as Gabe, but is athletic with good quickness and plays physical. From the inside linebacker position, he attacks the run downhill and gives his body up making the tackle. He is a savvy defender against the pass as well, playing the hook to curl zones instinctively and breaking quickly on the pass. If Powers can gain some weight in the next year, he will be a real force on the defensive side of the football. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="93338" first="Trevaughn" last="Jackson"]     5’11” 180     DB     Washington Courthouse</strong> Jackson is another one of those players that could be put into the athlete category due to his many skills as a receiver, running back, return specialist as well as defensive back. As a safety, he can play cover 2, cover 3, or man with equal ability. He possesses both range and closing speed along with attacking the football with proper leverage. Few defensive backs can cover as much field as quickly as Jackson.