Best Chance to Move Up: Projecting Future Stock Risers

Even though we just released our rankings for the spring update, it’s not too early to begin looking forward. We’ll release another rankings update in early August after we’ve had the chance to see players in summer camps. We’ll add some new players, but we’ll also shake up the existing rankings. In this feature, I’ve identified six players -- one on each side of the ball in the classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025 -- that I think could make a run up our rankings boards in a few months. <strong>Class of 2023</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118607" first="Ta’Darrin" last="Griffin"], 6’2 190, LB- Shelby (No. 11 LB, No. 76 overall)</strong> Griffin has already moved up the rankings in my head since we released our 2023 list a month ago. Since then, he’s put on some weight, picked up his first offer and put in some great work in the weight room. Griffin is all over the field and one of the issues I think schools have had with him is where to put him. I’m starting to see him more and more as a linebacker, though he has the athleticism to play safety as well. Wherever he plays, he’s a difference maker and a strong summer should boost his recruitment. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144704" first="Sean" last="Boyle"], 6’1 175, QB- Charlotte Catholic (No. 14 QB, No. 91 overall)</strong> I’ve known about Boyle for a long time, dating back to his middle school days. Initially, I was higher on him than most people. Then the industry caught up and a few offers propelled him up prospect boards, past where I had him. He’s really improved over the last year, becoming more accurate while increasing his velocity and sharpening his footwork. He’s being monitored by several Power Five programs and if he camps well this summer, at least one or two will pull the trigger. If so, there’s no way we can keep him as low as we currently have him. <strong>Class of 2024</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="265089" first="Aidan" last="Pounds"], 5’10 205, LB- Rolesville (No. 11 LB, No. 89 overall)</strong> Pounds has the size and speed to wreak havoc as a linebacker and in the past he’s been just a tad inconsistent. This summer will give him the opportunity to perform in front of college coaches and that’s an opportunity he’ll likely take full advantage of. He’s going to break out, whether it’s this summer or fall. Either way, we think he’ll be a hot commodity come Signing Day. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="279885" first="Keenan" last="Jackson"], 6’3 185, WR- Cuthbertson (No. 7 WR, No. 41 overall)</strong> To be honest, I thought we were ahead of the curve ranking Jackson so highly in early May. Then legendary wide receiver coach Gunter Brewer offered him at Maryland and his recruitment took off. Jackson has an elite combination of size and speed and while he hasn’t put up the crazy numbers in high school that he’s certainly capable of, he’s simply too good to leave in the 40s. He’s going to explode this summer on the camp circuit and should enter his junior season with double-digit offers. <strong>Class of 2025</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="286965" first="Jamari" last="McKnight"], 6’1 175, DB- Riverside (WL)</strong> I recently detailed my love for McKnight’s game in my under-the-radar piece for the class of 2025 (Read it <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/06/class-of-2025-under-the-radar-players-to-watch/">here</a>). He’s so versatile and has a ton of potential at multiple positions, though I love his polish at the nickel position. Teams are going to see him this summer and instantly want him in their defensive backfield. It’s hard to find senior defensive backs with smooth hips and good ball skills and McKnight already has those as a rising sophomore. All he has to do is run a decent enough 40 and he’s going to be on the radar of everywhere he camps this summer. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="271204" first="Gus" last="Ritchey"], 6’3 230, Ath.- Northwood (No. 1 Athlete, No. 10 overall)</strong> Ritchey is already in our top 10, but I’ll likely make an argument at the end of the summer for him to jump to the top of our list. He’d be our top-ranked edge rusher and our top-ranked tight end if we listed him at either position. It’s too early for most of the schools recruiting him to decide where they want him (Though NC State wants him at tight end and South Carolina likes him at edge), they simply love him athleticism and versatility. His get-off on defense is impressive and his ball skills and athleticism make him borderline uncoverable on offense. Ed has written plenty about him, so I had to get him into something I wrote. Expect him to have a couple dozen offers by the end of the summer.