Class of ’22 Rankings Update: Movin’ on Up
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A lot has changed since the previous Class of ’22 rankings update. Many prospects put together great senior campaigns, and some are still competing for a shot at a state title. Several players throughout the class saw an increase in their ranking, but these prospects rose significantly since the June update. After the season each of these individuals have had, it was clear they needed to be moved up.
Here are the 10 prospects that climbed the highest in this latest Class of ’22 rankings update.
Eli Riegel Eli Riegel 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Chapman | 2022 State KS – Chapman, 5’9”, 175, RB (No. 113)
Riegel closes out his high school career with a stellar season. He showed flashes of his potential early in his career, but after appearing in only three games as a junior; no one could’ve predicted him having this type of season. Riegel ended his senior year with 262 attempts for 1,920 yards and 25 trips to the end zone. His rushing total shatters Chapman’s 24-year-old single-season rushing record by nearly 450 yards. He is sure to earn a spot on the 3A All-State Team and should be a candidate for the 3A Offensive Player of the Year.
Max Middleton
Max
Middleton
5'11" | 180 lbs | RB
Andover | 2022
State
KS
– Andover, 5’11”, 180, RB (No. 58)
Middleton was a tough back to bring down this season. After splitting carriers his junior year, Middleton cut loose during his last season. The senior went on to rush for 1,300 yards, making it back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and he scored 12 touchdowns along the way. He stayed consistent throughout the year, averaging 130 yards per game. Middleton is now the 8th ranked running back in the class and moves inside the Top 100 in this update.
Mercer Thatcher Mercer Thatcher 6'4" | 195 lbs | QB Derby | 2022 State KS – Derby, 6’4”, 195, QB (No. 88)
Heading into the ’21 season, many fans wondered if Thatcher could help continue Derby’s winning tradition. It’s safe to say he’s answered that question, as the Panthers are 9-0 and once again in the state sectionals. Thatcher’s snaps have been limited this year due to score differential, but he’s still been affective. His passing numbers currently sit at 34 of 59 for 643 yards with 11 touchdowns and only one interception. He’s also accumulated 624 yards rushing on 82 carries with 12 touchdowns. This moves Thatcher up to the 12th ranked quarterback in the class.
Daigan Kruger Daigan Kruger 5'10" | 185 lbs | QB Silver Lake | 2022 State KS – Silver Lake, 5’10”, 185, QB (No. 140)
Silver Lake has been one of the toughest teams out of Class 2A this year, and they’ve been led by the all-around play of Kruger. Daigan’s play this season has moved him into the Top 150 and he’s now the 18th ranked quarterback in the class. This season he’s completing 60% of his passes and has thrown for 1,750 yards and 22 touchdowns. Kruger is also the leading rusher for the Eagles with 513 yards and seven touchdowns.
Roy Moroni
Roy
Moroni
5'10" | 200 lbs | RB
Hays | 2022
State
KS
– Hays, 5’10”, 200, RB (No. 54)
The duo of Moroni and Kanak has been one of the more dangerous backfields in Class 5A this season. Teams typically try to key in on the top ranked prospect, but it’s not wise to forget about Moroni. He’s had a few 200-yard and multi-touchdown games this season. His strong year has caught the attention of multiple Division II programs, and he’ll have a huge opportunity to gain more interest with a big-time matchup against Maize in the state sectionals.
Evan Cantu
Evan
Cantu
5'9" | 200 lbs | RB
Maize South | 2022
State
KS
– Maize South, 5’9”, 200, RB (No. 39)
The Mavericks’ season ended last week during regionals, but the run Cantu had this year was remarkable. Cantu climbs all the way into the Top 50 and is now the 4th ranked running back in the class after hitting some major milestones this season. He re-wrote South’s rushing records, reaching 26 touchdowns for the year, and rushing for 402 yards in a game. However, his biggest accomplishment this season was rushing for over 2,100 yards. His recruitment is sure to start heating up.
Kody Schalk
Kody
Schalk
6'5" | 265 lbs | DL
Columbus | 2022
State
KS
– Columbus, 6’5”, 265, DL (No. 110)
This humongous 3A product followed up a summer of solid camp performances with an impressive senior year. He was already on the radar of multiple Division II schools, but that interest has intensified. Schalk outperformed his numbers from his junior year, as he racked up 63 total tackles, 13 being for losses, four sacks, two forced fumbles and one blocked field goal. He also added 26 pancake blocks on offense. These numbers should lead to another 1st Team All-League selection and should also have him in consideration for the 3A All-State Team.
Reed Adelhardt Reed Adelhardt 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH Garden Plain | 2022 State KS – Garden Plain, 6’0”, 190, ATH (No. 96)
It can be argued that Adelhardt has the highest motor in this class. The energy he brings to both sides of the ball is unmatched. The Owls made sure to get the ball in his hands early and often this season, as he went on to rush for 1,847 yards on 229 carries with 22 scores. Adelhardt has been receiving serious interest from NAIA programs, and in October he was invited to attend a Northwest Missouri State game. His recent recruiting buzz and great season moves him inside the Top 100 in this update.
Kael Farkes Kael Farkes 6'3" | 250 lbs | OL Shawnee Mission NW | 2022 State KS – Shawnee Mission Northwest, 6’3”, 250, DL (No. 38)
Not only has Farkes’ ranking changed since the last update, but his recruitment has as well. Farkes recently announced at the end of October that he has committed to the University of Kansas. The Jayhawks land a talented lineman that can contribute on either side of the ball. Defensively, Farkes has piled up 52 total tackles, 10 being for losses, and two sacks this season. Offensively, he’s been a beast at center. He’ll be key for the Cougars when they take on Blue Valley West in the state quarterfinals.
Caquoy Patterson Caquoy Patterson 5'7" | 155 lbs | WR Wichita East | 2022 State KS – Wichita East, 5’7”, 155, WR (No. 67)
After being just outside the Top 100 in the last update, Patterson moves up to No. 67 and is now the 9th ranked receiver in the class. He took over the role as the top wideout in East’s passing game this year, and he was electric. Patterson finished the year with over 1,100 yards receiving and found the end zone 20 times. What he lacks in size, he makes up for with his playmaking, and recruiters need to take note of that.
