Rankings review: Indiana ‘24 top 10-1 player breakdowns

The sophomore class in Indiana has new been ranked, with <a href="https://prepredzone.com/indiana/rankings/2024-rankings/">30 players making the list</a> and others we are keeping tabs on in the watch list. Many of these players made their mark on varsity during their freshman year and with the season already under way, are looking to show improvement before becoming upperclassmen. Here is a breakdown of the top 10-1 players in the updated Indiana state rankings. See the breakdown of the 30th-21st ranked players <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/rankings-review-indiana-24-top-30-21-player-breakdowns/">here</a> and the 20th-11th players <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/08/rankings-review-indiana-24-top-20-11-player-breakdowns/">here</a>. 10 – Andrean ATH LB/S [player_tooltip player_id="109626" first="Trey" last="Stephens"] (6' and 185lbs) @Trey_Stephens2 At his point Stephens will end up playing defense at the next level, it's just a question of where. If he continues to grow a few inches, he'll end up as a linebacker, if he doesn't safety is his destination. Regardless of where Stephens plays, the skill set is extremely impressive. He's able to get through traffic well to make tackles and when he gets locked up, he uses his strength to disengage and make the play. Play recognition is at a high level and he's got plenty of speed to track down plays from the backside. Stephens will be a highly sought after prospect very soon. 9 – Plainfield LB [player_tooltip player_id="189085" first="Landon" last="Drennan"] (6'2” and 185lbs) @DrennanLandon The best pure linebacker in the class, Drennan is an absolute missile off the edge. He's got really good bend when attacking the outside shoulder of a offensive tackle, he's simply too quick for them to really disrupt his path to the quarterback. Drennan has a great frame, one that will allow him to continue to add very good weight without losing any speed. He's got strong hands already and is a very solid tackler. Expect big things from this sophomore this fall. 8 – Cathedral QB [player_tooltip player_id="109625" first="Danny" last="O'Neil"] (6'1” and 180lbs) @danny_oneil18 Already holding a D1 offer in Toledo, O'Neil is a very good looking quarterback prospect. He's got sneaky athleticism, when he takes off from the pocket it doesn't look like he's really gaining ground, but that's not the case. Great footwork from O'Neil when he leaves the pocket and makes throws, his shoulders square up nicely to make accurate passes. WHen he gets time in the pocket, O'Neil uses his above average arm strength to put the ball into positions for his receivers to gain yards after the catch. A solid frame and good intangibles make O'Neil the best quarterback prospect in his class. 7 – East Central RB [player_tooltip player_id="189083" first="Josh" last="Ringer"] (6'1” and 185lbs) @JoshRinger5 Size, speed and elusiveness, Ringer has a lot to offer from the running back position. He's a long strider, but with plenty of explosiveness. Ringer has great vision, he sees holes well and has the speed to hit them hard and gain big chunks of yardage. He does well changing hands when necessary, sometimes using his solid spin move to avoid defenders. Ringer scored 9 times last year with over 700 yards and I fully expect those numbers to double this fall. 6 – Boonville DB [player_tooltip player_id="109616" first="Marques" last="Ballard"] (5'10” and 170lbs) @marques_ballard The best cover corner in the 2024 class, Ballard has good size for the position. He possess above average speed, almost elite, so running with faster receivers is not a problem at all. Ballard has great instincts, flips his hips well and his hands are good enough to make quarterbacks pay for testing him. He's a very good tackler as well, Ballards game is very well rounded. Not only is he an impressive corner, as a kick returner his speed and instincts play again and he's very explosive. Ballard has a high ceiling and has all the tools teams look for in their cornerbacks. 5 – Brownsburg DL [player_tooltip player_id="141099" first="Jayden" last="Jackson"] (6'2” and 300lbs) @JaydenJackson65 A monster in the middle of the defensive line, Jackson isn't just a tackle that holds up lineman, allowing linebackers to clean up plays, he's making the plays or disrupting them. He a great penetrator, using his quick feet and strong hands to get into a backfield and blow up plays. Jackson is a very good tackler and is athletic enough to stunt to confuse an offensive line. One of the best interior lineman in the state, regardless of class, Jackson has ton of potential. 4 – Avon OL [player_tooltip player_id="109620" first="Zach" last="Bandy"] (6'5” and 275lbs) @zachbandy1 It seems like Avon always has a D1 offensive line prospect and Bandy is the next in line. His long arms should keep him at tackle, although he may end up on the right side. Either way, for him age, Bandy is extremely advanced in pass protection sets, his footwork and hand placement is very impressive. Not only does he do well in pass pro, Bandy is equally as good at opening holes in the run game. He's athletic enough to be a lead blocker in pulls and screens, adding yet another dimension to his already impressive game. Bandy should end up playing for a high level Power 5 school. 3 – Plainfield ATH OLB/DB [player_tooltip player_id="189080" first="Caden" last="Vanderbush"] (6'4” and 180lbs) @CadenVanderbush The bloodlines are impressive, as his brother Cael will head north and play for Western Michigan next fall. A similar frame but the younger Vanderbush will end up playing on the other side of the ball. Right now he's a massive safety, but with that frame a move to outside linebacker would not surprise me at all. Vanderbush has what many teams look for in that position, a player who is able to read plays very well and take the proper angle. Not only that, he is a great tackler who knows the nuisances of playing in the secondary. The potential for a three down linebacker is there, Vanderbush should end up being a do it all defender at the Power 5 level. 2 – Bloomington North TE [player_tooltip player_id="109613" first="Aidan" last="Steinfeldt"] (6'5” and 220lbs) @AidanSteinfeldt Tight end prospects aren't typically ranked high by any service, but Steinfeldt is different. For the position, he can do it all. A very adept blocker, he uses his hands very well and drives defenders away from the play. As a pass catcher, Steinfeldt uses his massive frame to shield off his opponent and high point the ball. A huge mismatch in the redzone or short yardage, he's the whole package as a tight end. With his blocking, Steinfeldt has the versatility to line up as a H-back as well. Hands down, a big time prospect. 1 – North Side WR [player_tooltip player_id="109618" first="Braunte" last="Johnson"] (6'3” and 170lbs) @taejohnson1012 Although Johnson is a bit raw, the tools are there for him to become one of the most coveted receivers in the country. He's a big play waiting to happen, the ability to take a short pass and make it a big gainer is extremely impressive. Johnson shows his great vision as a big time kick returner, again his explosive speed stands out. He does need to clean up his ball carrying, but that is an extremely easy fix. Johnson oozes with talent and potential and will suit up for a Power 5 school when he signs in a few years.