Class of ’23 Rankings Update: Movement in the Top 5
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The 2021 campaign was a huge season for the junior class, but these five prospects were without a doubt the top dogs in the class. The top three players have maintained their high ranking through yet another update, but there…
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Continue ReadingThe 2021 campaign was a huge season for the junior class, but these five prospects were without a doubt the top dogs in the class. The top three players have maintained their high ranking through yet another update, but there was a change at No. 2. The last two spots in the Top 5 also saw a little shake up, with one prospect making his debut in this elite group.
Here are the latest Top 5 prospects from the Class of 2023. Be sure to check out the rest of the rankings and be on the lookout for more coverage about the update.
No. 1 Dylan Edwards Dylan Edwards 5'9" | 165 lbs | RB Derby | 2023 State KS – Derby, 5’9”, 165, RB
Heading into the ’21 season, some might have wondered how could Edwards top or replicate his incredible sophomore season. Well, the accolades continue to pile up for him, as the Derby product put together an insane junior year. He finished the ’21 season with two more carriers than he had as a sophomore and turned that into over 2,600 yards rushing with 38 touchdowns. This not only earned him another 1st Team 6A All-State selection, but it also earned him the 2021 Kansas High School Gatorade Player of the Year.
Edwards currently holds 12 Division I offers from programs such as Michigan State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Iowa State, Kansas State, and Kansas. With one year left in his high school career, he is sure to earn more and could possibly break some records in 2022.
No. 2 Avery Johnson Avery Johnson 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Maize | 2023 State KS – Maize, 6’3”, 175, QB
The No. 2 spot in the Class of ’23 rankings now belongs to the gunslinger from Maize. Johnson tops Randle II in this update after leading Maize to their best season in program history. The Eagles finished 10-3 and made their first ever 5A State Championship Game appearance. Johnson would go on to earn 5A Offensive Player of the Year after accounting for 3,630 yards of total offense with 42 total touchdowns.
Johnson is arguably the top quarterback prospect in the state regardless of class. His list of Division I offers continues to grow, as he now holds 18. A few programs that are recruiting him include Florida State, Auburn, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Notre Dame, and Virginia Tech.
No.3 John Randle II John Randle II 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Wichita Heights | 2023 State KS – Wichita Heights, 6’0”, 180, RB
Randle II didn’t drop too far in this update, as he checks in at No. 3 and is still the 2nd ranked running back prospect in the class. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark once again and now has over 2,800 yards rushing in his career. The junior finished the ’21 season with 1,095 yards on only 116 carriers with 16 total touchdowns and hauled in 17 receptions for 267 yards and two scores.
The dynamic back earned his second straight 5A All-State Honorable Mention selection and still holds 24 Division I offers. The schools eyeing Randle II include Oregon, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, Louisville, and Iowa.
No. 4 Joe Otting Joe Otting 6'4" | 270 lbs | OL Hayden | 2023 State KS – Hayden, 6’4”, 270, OL
Making his debut in this prestigious group is the top ranked offensive lineman in the class. After being a 3A All-State Honorable Mention selection as a sophomore, Otting came out and dominated the trenches as a junior and picked up a 1st Team All-State selection.
Otting helped pave the way for a run-heavy Hayden offense that averaged over 38 points per game. The junior showed he’s capable of playing both guard positions during the ’21 season. He displays his athleticism on pulling plays and he is very physical at the point of attack.
He currently has six Division I offers from programs such as Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, and Nebraska. Otting’s recruitment is still growing, as he’s also received interest from Notre Dame and Iowa.
No. 5 Wesley Fair Wesley Fair 6'2" | 185 lbs | ATH Wichita Collegiate | 2023 State KS – Wichita Collegiate, 6’2”, 185, ATH
Fair creeps his way back into the Top 5 after moving down to the No. 6 spot in the previous update. Wesley followed up his breakout year as a sophomore with a very impressive junior campaign. He earned another 3A All-State Honorable Mention nod for his play at quarterback and he earned 1st Team All-State honors as a defensive back.
There were times this season that you could argue he was the best player on the field. At quarterback, he’s capable of extending plays and making nice throws down the field. But he’s most dangerous on designed runs and when plays breakdown. At safety, he can matchup with any receiver in coverage and does a great job of running the alley.
His recruitment is slowly but surely heating up, as he’s received some interest from a few Division I programs. During October, Fair was invited to game days at Kanas State and Minnesota. He should definitely earn some offers during his senior year.
The rest of the Top 10 includes No. 6 Jaden Hamm Jaden Hamm 6'6" | 225 lbs | TE Eudora | 2023 State KS – Eudora (TE), No. 7 Parker Leise Parker Leise 6'2" | 215 lbs | QB Shawnee Mission East | 2023 KS – Shawnee Mission East (QB), No. 8 Will Anciaux Will Anciaux 6'6" | 225 lbs | TE Kapaun Mt. Carmel | 2023 State KS – Kapaun Mt. Carmel (TE), No. 9 Andre Davis Andre Davis 6'4" | 205 lbs | WR Blue Valley | 2023 State KS – Blue Valley (WR), and No. 10 Wade Spencer Wade Spencer 6'2" | 220 lbs | DL St. James Academy | 2023 State KS – St. James Academy (DL).