5 Impressive 2025 Recruits With Phenomenal Upside

The 2025 class is young but coming up quickly. Today, we’re taking a look at 5 impressive recruits with phenomenal upside. These guys are just getting started in their high school careers and have already shown a ton of potential. Chandler Weston - Hamilton Southeastern - QB - 5’11" 160lbs Weston may be one of my favorite recruits in the class. The way he works, the way he carries himself, and his ability to get loud on the field all stand out. He was at the IndyWeOutHere camp a few weeks ago and looked absolutely fantastic. This dude is always in the lab working and throwing. It’s beginning to pay off rather quickly. He’s a smooth thrower and throws with anticipation. He doesn’t have the biggest arm, but he can still can long with it. Mechanically, he’s developing and for a 2025 recruit is way ahead of schedule. He’s currently at the FBU camp down in Florida and standing his own. Right now, he’s a bit raw, especially physically, but with the way he works, he could easily be much more developed by the time he graduates. He’s also a great athlete you have to account for in the running game. If not, you’ll see the back of his jersey and then they’ll be kicking the XP. He’s got an elite top-end speed and if he hits green gas, he’s not going to be caught. He’s shown solid vision when he takes off and is able to find the right crease. Whether he’s running or throwing, he’s efficient and effective. His JV tape from last year shows all the same exciting traits, live in a game. There’s so much to like with Weston and where he’s come from, where he is now, and where he could be with his on-field abilities. If he’s able to translate all the work and potential to Varsity, he’s going to be a name you hear all the time. Joshua Eberly - Crown Point - RB/LB - 5’10" 175lbs Eberly is a versatile 2-way player for Crown Point who is just getting a feel for his game and how good he can be. The confidence is really starting to show and he looked great at the IndyWeOutHere Camp a few weeks back. He’s decently well built for his age and you can tell he spends quite a bit of time in the weight room. He’s a fluid athlete. He’s not stiff and can bend very well. He’s great out of the backfield and has soft hands. He’s able to go over the middle and be a reliable check-down option as well as be split out wide. While his feet are quick, they are getting better and he looked good during Indy. At LB, he’s got a decent closing speed and almost always, takes the right angle. He’s strong and can wrap up in space. His ability to run allows him to cover and run with just about anyone he needs to. What you saw in drills translated to the camp and his game film, a dynamic athlete getting a good feel for the game at full speed. The physical development, especially over the past 6 months or so has been great to see. He looks comfortable and ready to go for a big year. I’m excited to see what he can do because it feels like this fall he could be unleashed and go crazy. [player_tooltip player_id="127218" first="Jermaine" last="Smith"] Jr - Westfield - DT - 6’0" 305lbs Smith is a fun upcoming prospect because of his potential to be a force on the inside. He’s off the ball really quick, especially for his size. He’s incredibly nimble and great on his feet. He’s able to bend with ease and can get around his guy with creativity. He’s got a good center of gravity and understands leverage and how to use it. He’s consistently able to drive guys back while making it look fairly easy. If he doesn’t win on his first attempt he gets creative and finds a way to get home. While he doesn’t have much tape due to an injury, what he did have was exciting enough to get an FBU offer where he’s been this past week. Spoiler alert, he looks good. Matter of fact, every Indiana recruit seems to be lighting it up. Smith’s no different and is having a good camp. Showing the development and that he’s healthy while getting reps with some of the best recruits in the nation is a double win in my book. There’s a lot to like with Smith and where he can be when he graduates. Last year, he played for another school and is making the move to Westfield this year. Smith should come out this year and have a great year and put himself on the map in a big way and I’m excited to see if he does. [player_tooltip player_id="272857" first="Noah" last="Knigga"] - Lawrenceburg - LB/TE - 6’2" 190lbs Knigga is someone we’ve covered in the past and think highly of as a recruit, but I got to see him live at a few camps this summer and he more than impresses. His listed size is definitely not an exaggeration. He’s incredibly long, has even longer arms than I thought, and his range is getting better. A 6’2" LB who can cover sideline to sideline, can hit, and has no issue covering and tackling in space. At both camps, he appeared to be in better control of his body and frame while being stronger. He’s able to drive through defenders and drive them back with ease when he’s pursuing the ball. Even when he’s being held, he finds a way to break free and make the tackle. His footwork is cleaner and it’s really helped him with his change of direction. Every trait you saw on tape is what you get in person. He’s only getting better and this summer has shown his progress at camps. Camps can only do so much until you go out and perform on Friday nights, but Knigga was out there as a Freshman learning on the fly. This year, he’s coming in with a year under his belt and knowing what to expect while being counted on more. There is a ton of optimism around Knigga and what he can do this fall, and I’m personally ready to see if he can live up to the challenge. Tristan Baxter - Center Grove - WR - 5’6" 120lbs Baxter is lightning in a bottle with his ability to make plays and create something out of nothing. When he touches the ball, he’s incredibly hard to tackle. He’s slippery, has an elite change of direction, and can make just about anyone miss. He’s able to stick his foot in the ground and change direction immediately without losing any speed. He’s got fantastic speed and can hit the open field and put up 6 in a flash. His hands are decent and he’s able to bring down some impressive grabs. Contested grabs downfield are still a work in progress, but I imagine his ability in the screen game more than makes up for it. He’s a willing blocker in the running game as well. He’s also someone who could easily develop into an elite KR at any level. With his speed, ability to see the field, and change of direction, I can see him causing coaches heartaches the night before games for years to come. When he’s on the field, defenses need to hold their breath. He’s got a unique skillset and when utilized, he’ll gash defenses. This fall should be a great opportunity for him to step into a bigger role and prove that he belongs with the best of the best.