Class of 2023 Rankings: Biggest Risers

Looking back and comparing the old to the new rankings is one of my favorite things to do during rankings season! It is awesome to see the hard work pay off and see these athletes move up the rankings just like they hoped to do after the previous debut. I hope the feeling of accomplishment is strong in the athletes in this article and all the athletes who moved up the rankings. I also hope to see just as many movers in the next update this summer after a great camp season. Until then, let’s take a look at who saw their stock skyrocket after a great 2021 season! Hard work deserves to be recognized, so let’s recognize some dudes! [player_tooltip player_id="104565" first="Nate" last="White"], ATH- Rufus King (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12907661/613d11cbb019460b74c630dd">Nate’s Junior Season</a>) Rankings Movement: #116 up to #1 The biggest riser goes to the best player in the Class of 2023. The 6’ 175 lbs athlete is the most gifted player in the state of Wisconsin. He has the offers to match that talent as well. He already holds offers from Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, Vanderbilt, Minnesota, Western Michigan, Purdue, and Iowa State. Expect that list to grow for the twitchiest playmaker in WI. Nate’s lightning quick traits are what have made him a clear cut FBS talent. He can accelerated to elite speed in a matter of steps. He can cut on a dime while losing none of his speed. He reads and reacts so quickly that it seems like he is one step ahead of the competition. White does a great job of setting up his blocks also, making him even harder to corral and bring down. Nate is so fun to watch. I saw him live this past fall, and it lived up to the hype. Special talent taking over the #1 spot! [player_tooltip player_id="31404" first="Jaiden" last="Pickett"], DB- Riverside (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13059894/6169f6137bdd400b0842954c">Jaiden’s Junior Season</a>) Rankings Movement: #53 up to #10 The newly crowned Top 10 talent and #1 DB in the state is a favorite of ours here at Prep Redzone WI. The Prep Redzone Showcase alum has turned himself into one of the most versatile players in the state. With a 6’3" 190 lbs frame, the sky is the limit for Jaiden. He can play up near the line of scrimmage thanks to that size and strength, or he can drop into coverage thanks to superior play speed and range. The reason I believe that Pickett can go from playing up near the line to playing back in the defensive backfield is his very high level of awareness. Jaiden is so quick at reading plays and then putting himself in the right spot to make a play. The consistency of this has the next level excited. Just check out the early offers from Illinois State, North Dakota State, North Dakota, South Dakota State, and Northern Iowa. Don’t be surprised when the FBS level starts joining this group of FCS programs. Jaiden is must watch in the Class of 2023 here in WI! [player_tooltip player_id="31399" first="Jackson" last="Flottmeyer"], QB- Aquinas (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13003376/619aaad46899180b24d1a915">Jackson’s Junior Season Playoff Highlights</a>) Ranking Movement: #51 up to #23 One of my personal favorite QBs comes in as another big riser. The 6’5" 210 lbs QB led his team to an undefeated State Championship in 2021. Jackson obviously has all the size needed to play at a very high level, but his arm talent is where he ensures that he belongs at the D1 level. Flottmeyer’s whole package as a passer is next level ready. His touch on the ball is arguably the best in this class. His innate ability to drop the ball perfectly between defenders at different levels of the field is special. Then add in that he has the arm strength to put the velocity needed to thread the ball through any hole all while being very accurate and protecting the ball better than anyone I saw last season. The cherry on top is that Jackson has enough athleticism to also be a problem in the pocket and past the line of scrimmage on the ground. He needs to be contained or he can hurt a defense with his legs. He is looking for his first offer, but it can’t be far away. [player_tooltip player_id="104497" first="Ben" last="Vallafskey"], RB- Appleton West (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12744007/6179b925ab92a206e4478140">Ben’s Junior Season Highlights</a>) Ranking Movement: #78 up to #39 Checking in at just under 5’11" 185 lbs is our next big time riser! The Appleton West ball carrier is an electric playmaker. This kid has made a habit out of turning the smallest glimpses of daylight into huge plays. Ben is a slippery runner who uses that paired with his acceleration to fly through those slivers of daylight. The compact RB has the necessary contact balance to run through arm tackles on the way to the endzone. At the next level, Vallafskey has the potential to fill several roles. He has experience returning kicks, carrying the rock between and outside the tackles, and he has the top end speed to be a great change of pace back. The mroe ways you can get this kid the ball the better. He is a big play waiting to happen. [player_tooltip player_id="31391" first="Brandon" last="Wraalstad"], DL- Oconomowoc (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11577519/616edeb4da5c1d08a47368e8">Brandon’s Junior Season Highlights</a> Ranking Movement: #74 up to #26 You won’t find many better put together DL prospects than this dude at the HS level here in WI! The 6’4" 240 lbs lineman is blessed with the size and length to play at a very high level. To go with it he also has 4.70 speed and the lateral agility to make himself a nightmare to mirror in the trenches. What I love most about his game is that he doesn’t just rely on his natural athletic gifts. Brandon does a consistently strong job of using his hands to create separation and disengage with linemen. Wraalstad has been putting in the work too. I saw him this winter at The Line Showcase down in IL where he took well to the drills showing off that technique, and earning Top Performer honors. He has been making the rounds at FCS Junior Days. I expect offers to start flowing in soon for the new Top 30 overall talent in the state from that level of competition! [player_tooltip player_id="104574" first="Reagan" last="Hub"], WR- Eau Claire Memorial (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13014642/61719f692351dd09f8237103">Reagan’s Junior Season Highlights</a>) Ranking Movement: Watch List up to #120 Not only is the 6’4" 170 lbs WR a big riser from the Watch List to 120, he is also a big surprise for me during these rankings updates. I wasn’t aware of his skill set, but now I am a huge fan! The long, lean athlete can do it all on the outside. He has the long speed, and strides, to take the top off the defense and pick up big gains after the catch. In short yardage, and goal line situations Reagan shows off impressive body control as he is able to use quick, shifty releases or run sharp routes that create separation in those tight quarters. Hub also possesses very soft hands that he pairs with a high level of hand eye coordination allowing him to reel in highlight level catches. This kid is going to continue to rise from his newest ranking. I have no doubt about it. This is a name to remember! [player_tooltip player_id="104563" first="Ethan" last="Doucette"], LB- Kimberly (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/12928351/61906ea85ef6250ab8c3d0cd">Ethan’s Junior Season Highlights</a>) Ranking Movement: #113 up to #18 The 6’1" 220 lbs LB spent the 2021 season dominating between the tackles and in the backfield. In return, it led to a huge jump in the rankings for the Kimberly defender. There is a lot to get excited about when it comes to the son to be senior. He is at his best attacking downhill as a pass rusher and run stuffer. Doucette’s football IQ is on full display every snap as he quickly diagnoses plays and uses his exceptional athletic gifts to get to the ball and through traffic before linemen can get solid blocks on him. Ethan does a very good job as a tackler. He is as reliable as they come in that area, and he can really drop the hammer when he gets the chance to. Where he separates himself from the majority of the crowd is with the development of his three down versatility. Doucette can be counted on in coverage, and as he continues to develop that part of his game you can expect to see him continue to climb towards LB1. Big year coming for the productive, strong, versatile LB. [player_tooltip player_id="299921" first="Aiden" last="Burrell-Warfield"], DB- Indian Trail (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13063431/616e5d195b3cdc05b87adc03">Aiden’s Junior Season Highlights</a>) Ranking Movement: Watch List up to #59 Aiden made a big time jump in the rankings after putting together an impressive junior campaign! The 5’11" 190 lbs DB is a very well rounded safety prospect. The film does a great job of showing that versatility. Aiden can play at all three levels of the field. He can play a deep half where his range and 4.6 speed gets to shine as he closes on the ball and breaks up passes or creates turnovers thanks to his aggressiveness at the catch point. Then on the next play you might find him flying downhill to deliver huge hits on ball carriers as he meets them square in the hole. Aiden is a very sound tackler, so you can count on him to be that last line of defense. I have big expectations for the Indian Trail product this season. Big things coming!