Dive into the Rankings: Class of ‘24

Now that we’ve taken a look at the Top 5 upcoming juniors, the newest additions, and the stock risers from this recent <i>Class of ’24 Player Rankings</i> update; it’s time to take a deeper dive into the rankings. This is an opportunity to highlight some under the radar prospects who have yet to be mentioned over the last few updates. This first article will be focusing on six offensive skill position players that should take on larger roles during the ’22 campaign. [player_tooltip player_id="77177" first="Jay" last="Gould"] – Syracuse, 5’10”, 160, QB Gould may not project as a quarterback at the next level, but for now; he is an exciting athlete to watch under center. He provided a much needed spark for a struggling Syracuse squad in 2021. In this recent update he checked in as the 8th ranked signal caller, and is arguably one of the top mobile quarterbacks in the class. Gould knows how to frustrate defenses. He has the ability to keep plays alive when the pocket collapses, and he’s very elusive in the open field. Gould should be much more comfortable and confident as he heads into year three as the starter. [player_tooltip player_id="259744" first="Aiden" last="Amrein"] – Hill City, 6’2”, 180, QB If Amrein can replicate his performance from his sophomore year, then he could potentially start catching the eyes of recruiters. The 8-Man product helped lead Hill City to a 10-2 record in 2021, and was responsible for 3,247 yards of total offense with 56 scores. While the yardage and touchdown numbers are impressive, Amrein also managed to complete 63% of his passes as a first-year starter. As a sophomore he proved he could make throws under pressure and on the run. He’s also a physical runner that can pile up yards after contact. Look for Amrein to move up in the rankings during the ’22 season. [player_tooltip player_id="263381" first="Gianni" last="Rizzi"] – St. Thomas Aquinas, 5’9”, 165, RB Rizzi was the lightning to [player_tooltip player_id="131237" first="Sean" last="Carroll"]’s thunder this past season. While Carroll made his money between the tackles, Rizzi was the go-to back on runs out on the perimeter. He finished the ’21 campaign as the second leading rusher on the team with 735 yards on 86 carries and found the end zone five times. One of his top performances of the season came against the 6A State Champions, where he rushed for 88 yards and three scores. Expect for Rizzi to see an uptick in carriers this season, and look for him to be an All-League candidate. [player_tooltip player_id="262758" first="Jalen" last="Massey"] – Lyndon, 5’9”, 165, RB Massey was the feature back for the Lyndon Tigers in 2021. He led the team in rushing as a sophomore with nearly 800 yards on 150 carries with seven scores, and hauled in eight receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown. The first-year starter’s standout year would earn him a <i>1A All-State Honorable Mention </i>nod. Massey is a back with great balance, and has the footwork and shiftiness to make multiple defenders miss. He’ll be a running back to watch this season, as he has the potential to eclipse 1,000 yards on the ground. [player_tooltip player_id="263126" first="Jake" last="Johnson"] – Shawnee Mission South, 5’8”, 150, WR Johnson is an underrated slot receiver coming out of the talented <i>Sunflower League</i>. He ended his sophomore campaign as one of the leading receivers for the Raiders, hauling in 23 receptions for 306 yards and two scores. While it was a tough season for Shawnee Mission South, Johnson still managed to take home an <i>All-Sunflower League Honorable Mention</i> selection. He was primarily a possession receiver during his first varsity season, but he displayed some flashes of being a wideout that can rack up yards after the catch. If he can add some speed to his game, then he could be a threat underneath and over the middle of the field. [player_tooltip player_id="81142" first="Cale" last="Milleson"] – Wichita Heights, 5’11”, 175, ATH Wichita Heights is known for producing dynamic athletes, and Milleson was one that had a variety of roles during the ’21 campaign. The 57th ranked prospect did the dirty work on offense, as he was a key contributor at fullback and tight end. While he didn’t receive many touches last season, he was still effective when the ball was in his hands. Milleson nearly averaged a first down every time he touched the ball as a sophomore. It’s a small sample size, but he can be a playmaker when his number is called. He is sure to be an impact player for Heights this season.