Dive into the Rankings: Class of ‘24 Part II

Since we highlighted some under the radar offensive players in the first article, it’s only right that we also take a deeper look at some overlooked defensive prospects throughout the Class of ’24 rankings. These five prospects are coming off strong performances during the 2021 season, and they should all be key defenders for their respective teams as juniors. [player_tooltip player_id="262220" first="Mark" last="Debiak"] – Spring Hill, 6’3”, 220, DL Debiak didn’t look like the average first-year starter this past season. Not only did the young man look the part, but his high-level of play also stood out. Through nine games, Debiak piled up 28 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four sacks, one forced fumble, and multiple blocked kicks on special teams. Debiak’s play off the edge would earn him a <i>5A All-State Honorable Mention</i> nod and a <i>1st Team All-Frontier League</i> selection. He is already ahead of the the curve in terms of skill set for his age, and he should only continue to get stronger as he develops. [player_tooltip player_id="259824" first="Harlem" last="Miller"] – Medicine Lodge, 5’10”, 275, DL Miller is arguably one of the most talented defensive lineman in the 8-Man Division. He’s on the shorter side for an interior defensive lineman, but he has a nice blend of quickness, athleticism, and strength. Miller was one of our<i> Game Ball</i> recipients during Week 4 this past season, and he continued to play well the rest of the way. He ended his sophomore year with 74 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and one forced fumble. The 12th ranked defensive lineman shouldn’t be taken lightly this season, as he could have an All-State caliber year. [player_tooltip player_id="262209" first="Omari" last="Wishom"] – Wichita East, 5’9”, 155, DB Wichita East’s upcoming junior class is shaping up to be a very impressive group. The offensive players have received quite a bit of buzz over the last few updates, but Wishom is a defensive prospect that deserves some acknowledgement for his solid 2021 season. He was an absolute ballhawk in the backend of the Blue Ace’s defense, and he was rewarded with an <i>All-City League Honorable Mention</i> nod. Wishom has the ball skills and speed to limit receivers in coverage, and he’s a physical tackler for his size. Quarterbacks should be cautious when throwing his way this season. [player_tooltip player_id="259841" first="Cameron" last="Cleveland"] – Concordia, 5’10”, 160, ATH It’s not very often you see a player of Cleveland’s stature lead a team in tackles as a sophomore. But he did just that during his first season starting at the varsity level. He ended his sophomore year with 120 total tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. Cleveland isn’t necessarily a linebacker that will come up with highlight worth hits, but he does fly to the football and makes textbook tackles. He also displays good discipline and can quickly identify ball carriers. Look for him to be a tackling machine once again as a junior. [player_tooltip player_id="259775" first="Charlie" last="Tadlock"] – De Soto, 5’10”, 180, DB Tadlock appeared in the <i>KC Varsity Combines</i> recap at the beginning of the month, and he’s been killing it in the weight room since then. Toward the end of the school year he put up 11 reps of 185 pounds on bench press, and he hit multiple reps of 405 pounds on squat. He’s continued to develop his game this off-season, and should be in line for a breakout year. Tadlock primarily lines up at safety, but he could be a prospect the Wildcats use in a variety of ways this fall.