2025 Rankings Update: Stock Risers

Corey Bailey February 8, 2022 @ 03:36 PM

We’ve dissected each class and highlighted the stock risers and new additions to keep an eye on this offseason. We’ve uncovered some hidden gems and watched some stars propel to the top of the rankings. Below we will be uncovering some 2025 stars of tomorrow, very talented freshmen who are game changers on the varsity level.

Denzel Gardner Denzel Gardner 6'0" | 190 lbs | QB DeMatha | 2025 State MD

Gardeners recruiting stock has raised tremendously since showcasing his ability over the 2021 season. Gardener stepped in and helped lead the Stags Varsity team to a few wins and really close games against some of the best overall teams in the State. With his impressive display of above average arm talent, elusiveness, speed, and even some run power he’s propelled himself to the #1 2025 QB prospect going into the off-season. Expect Gardner to have a busy off-season, you will hear his name begin to buzz. Already he was named Co-MVP at All-State Preps QB Challenge earlier this month. I expect colleges to come calling in the near future if they haven’t already.

Pey is a young back with tons of varsity experience. He runs north and south like a vet and takes the creases the defense gives him. Alot of young backs dance, trying to break off the big play but Pey makes the best of the openings he has and covers a lot of ground with his north and south running style. Nelson played a big part in the pass game, not only displaying soft hands and elusiveness in open field but as a pass blocker. He steps up to take on blitzing backers and free rushers which is a huge plus for a back at any level. He’s taken a liking to pass blocking as a freshman, showing the care and effort he’s willing to put in for his teammates. You can expect that the skill will turn into a weapon as he develops physically. Off the field he’s humble and more on the quiet side, he just puts his hard hat on and goes to work. This past weekend Nelson performed at Battle 7v7 Tournament in Miami, Florida where he played with MD national team, Team Flex. During the tournament he displayed his hands and open field ability with a handful of receptions and touchdowns helping lead the team to second place out of 42 teams from across the nation. Check out some highlights from Battle 7v7 - Miami event below.

Nelson’s HUDL

Combs was a key playmaker for the Stags JV team. Already at 5’10 170lbs, he’ll develop into a good-sized running back ready for the next level. What stands out abouts Combs game is his running strength, balance, and catching out of the backfield. He runs through arm tackles and sheds poor tackling fairly easy. Bud demonstrates good lower body strength and balance by bouncing off of tackles while keeping his momentum going in his desired direction. He does a great job in the screen game by getting to the right spot and allowing the blocks to develop properly. His ball carrying vision makes him dangerous in open field, he does a great job of reading and setting up blocks to spring him free.

Offers: WVU, Marshall

Lewis’s HUDL Highlights

Lewis has propelled himself to be the current #1 receiver in the class of 2025. He shows that he already possesses the skill set to compete with some of the State’s top Varsity talent. He played a normal part in the Eagles offensive success, showcasing strong hands and exceptional speed. He does a great job of finding and settling in the holes in zone defense and takes pride in blocking, which is rare in most young skill players. Already at 6’1 185lbs he should develop physically into the perfect protype receiver. If Lewis continues to develop and grow into a leader on this young and talented Rock Creek team, you can expect to see him amongst the top of the receiver rankings in the future.

Crawford’s HUDL Highlights

Very talented freshmen who has everything you could ask for in a freshman offensive lineman. At 6’4 280lbs and still growing, size is an asset to his game. He pulls like a raging bull; nothing is scarier than a huge guy that can move. He has strong hands that help him stand defenders straight up on contact. If you want to hand fight with him, I can bet that he’d win that battle 9/10 times. Gavin is a player who has been hot on the radar since his 14U days with the talent hotbed program Maryland Heat. Keep an eye out for Crawford this off season, I expect him to come in as a starter for the Falcons in 2022.

Emelie Dore

Dore has an explosive first step that sometimes propels him right through the gap and into the backfield. He sets the LOS with a very solid base or is moving forward. He’s not the prototypical size for an interior defensive lineman yet at 6’ 215lbs, but he definitely demonstrates the strength. During his freshmen season he accumulated 5 sacks while playing on the championship Calvert Hall defense. Dore has some room for growth but has a bright future as an interior defender.