2023 Rankings: Position Best
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The 2023 class may see some changes in terms of rankings by the time the fall season gets underway, but for now, these are the players who are currently ranked number one at their position. Already several of these talented…
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Continue ReadingThe 2023 class may see some changes in terms of rankings by the time the fall season gets underway, but for now, these are the players who are currently ranked number one at their position. Already several of these talented football players have had major D1 offers and are being heavily recruited.
Brenan Vernon Brenan Vernon 6'5" | 250 lbs | DL Mentor | 2023 State OH 6’5” 250 DL Mentor
Vernon, the number one player in the 2023 class, already has the tools to be a major player at the D1 level by the time he graduates. Tall, rangy, and athletic, Vernon has already been offered by the world but do not be surprised if he doesn’t end up staying at home and becoming a Buckeye. He would be a perfect fit for their defensive scheme.
Alex “Sonny” Styles 6’4” 215 DB Pickerington Central
One of the most active players on the football field, Styles’ versatility is overwhelming. Even though he is listed as a defensive back, he has the size to grow into an outside linebacker. Styles has great instincts breaking on the pass, is a physical tackler, and has a knack for blocking punts. Like Vernon, he has multiple offers, but he may end up joining his brother Lorenzo at Notre Dame.
Anthony Brown Anthony Brown 5'10" | 170 lbs | WR Springfield | 2023 State OH 5’10” 165 WR Springfield
Brown, the top receiver in the 2023 class, burns opposing secondaries with his explosive speed. It doesn’t matter if he is a slot receiver or a wideout, he gets vertical at the drop of a hat, darting by corners and safeties like their standing still. Brown is being pursued by Big Ten and SEC schools already and will be an impact player without a doubt.
Trevor Carter Trevor Carter 6'2" | 205 lbs | ATH Ironton | 2023 State OH 6’2” 205 ATH Ironton
Carter breaks in to the fifth overall position due to his skill level and aggressive play on the defensive side of the football. He closes on the football as well as any player in the state and takes pride on delivering punishing tackles, often creating turnovers. As good of a player as he is on defense, he also excels as a running back with good moves and acceleration. It’s a long way off, but Carter may be showing a slight lean to West Virginia at this point.
Josh Padilla 6’4” 265 OL Dayton Wayne
One of the top newcomers in the 2023 rankings, Padilla has a huge wingspan and excellent feet for an offensive lineman. He plays with great leverage and locks his hands into the frame of the defender and follows up with churning leg drive and finishes the block as good as any offensive lineman in the state. Padilla is currently showing a strong lean toward Ohio State University.
Jacob Winters Jacob Winters 6'2" | 215 lbs | QB Jackson | 2023 State OH 6’2” 210 QB Jackson
Winters might be from a Division III high school, but he has a D1 arm and is the guy that makes the Jackson Ironmen an excellent football team. Winters has a strong arm, displays an excellent touch on the football, and can throw with accuracy on the run. It will be exciting to see if he can hold on to the position as the number on quarterback in the 2023 when the fall rankings come out as he gets pressed form bigger school quarterbacks.
Willtrell Hartson Willtrell Hartson 5'11" | 200 lbs | RB Massillon Washington | 2023 State OH 5’11” 200 RB Massillon Washington
Coaches love a running back that is tough to bring down, and that is one of the big reasons Hartson gained his spot as the number one runner in Ohio. This stout and compact player takes the shortest route to the endzone by running over defenders or breaking arm tackles and rarely being brought down on first contact. Hartson has just enough speed and shake to make defenders miss in space.
Ryan Merrill Ryan Merrill 5'11" | 215 lbs | LB Euclid | 2023 State OH 5’11” 215 LB Euclid
Merrill is an “old school” physical middle linebacker and is currently the best at that position in the latest rankings. He isn’t the tallest linebacker in the state or probably not versatile enough to play outside, but no one attacks the ball downhill like Merrill. He loves to punish ball carriers by exploding his chest through the opponent and driving his legs on contact. Merrill is excellent at reading his keys and doesn’t hesitate breaking to the ball.