Biggest Risers: 2023 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2023 Rankings are finalized and on the site. We saw a lot of movement due to several different factors. Part of the movement was due to a lot of new names, we will cover that in another article. We also saw movement due to some impressive spring and summer camp performances. The final reason was that we saw some athletes really improve their body size and composition that will continue to push them upwards if they prove that they can handle the additional size. Let's take a look at how 10 athletes moved up the rankings!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62facd548fb2a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["104378"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cemu003eRise: 14 up to 5u003c/emu003ernrnThe growth displayed by Brandt over the past year has been insane. He played at 255 lbs in 2021, and will hit the gridiron in the 285-290 lbs range. That size packed on to a 6'5u0022 frame looks clean, and like there is room for more. The best part of that massive size jump is that his 2022 scrimmage highlights proves that he hasn't lost a step in his athleticism. He springs out of his stance and uses his heavy hands and overall power to throw the DL around. Coming into the update,I was already a huge Brandt fan because of his elite skill set, and raw potential. As he continues to develop his nuanced skills for the position there is no limit to where he can climb to on the rankings.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["31412"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cemu003eRise: 24 up to 15u003c/emu003ernrnKeith is an athlete who I like the more I watch him. He is such a smooth mover at the LB position that you almost don't realize how quickly he covers ground. The 6'1u0022 220 lbs LB definitely can cover ground with his 4.65 40 speed. He is a sound tackler who doesn't get shook in the open field thanks to his exceptional body control. His acceleration and burst  re equally as special as his overall speed, and on top of it he has the strength to set the edge against the run when it comes his way. The LB has a couple D1 offers. I expect more to come his way after another great fall. He has also become the top uncommitted LB in the state with his move up the rankings. he is the man to know at the position.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["104410"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cemu003eRise: 125 up to 17u003c/emu003ernrnOne of the biggest movers of the update was Evan. I was definitely sleeping on the Menasha athlete prior this update when he was ranked as an ATH. This update I looked at him as an OLB, and realized I had been missing out. Evan is 6'3u0022 210 lbs, so he will have to keep filling out to play at the D1 level. there is no doubt, though, that he has the traits to play at the D1 level. He flies off the edge as a pass rusher, and easily closes on the QB, and he has the bend to get underneath OTs. The OLB has had a great camp season also as he earned a PWO from the Badgers. Big year coming for the two way starter out of Menasha.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["300762"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cemu003eRise: 146 up to 18u003c/emu003ernrnZack is another massive riser in the update. We previously had him ranked as a DL, but it is clear that he is being recruited on the offensive side of the ball. The 6'5u0022 280 lbs OT has all the size and length needed to play at a very high level of collegiate football. Zaack has the build of a special OT prospect with his massive, powerful upper  body, and athletic lower body. That build allows him to get to the second level and land key blocks or dig DL out of the trenches. The big man holds offers from nearly every D2 in the NSIC along with a PWO from the Badgers. Big year coming for the small school prospect. Don't be surprised to see other D1s come calling this fall.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["304403"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cemu003eRise: 75 up to 22u003c/emu003ernrnI have been a big fan of Hewston since the 2021 playoffs when I first attended a Mayville game. That earned him an initial debut at 75, but after further diving into his film during this update it was clear that he needed to be higher. The 6'6u0022 285 lbs OT checks a ll the boxes of having the potential to being a D1 prospect already. He has the size, the length, and the body control to be a force in the trenches. He is a key to the Mayville offense's success as they look to establish the run game. Steger will set the tone this fall once again as Mayville looks to make another run at state.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["104436"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cemu003eRise: 48 up to 30u003c/emu003ernrnAnother athlete that I am a personal fan of is the powerful, hard hitting LB from Hudson, WI. Reese checks in at 6' 225 lbs. That is 15 lbs up from his weight during the 2021 season. It is safe to assume that a lot of that size addition is muscle based off massive lifts like his 340 lbs bench press. It also needs to be pointed out that Reese just turned 17 years old this past week despite it being his senior season. So the playmaker is just staring to tap into his potential, and will most likely see a huge jump in his game at the next level. That has him shaping himself into being a huge steal. The defensive force has an offer from Dayton. More need to take a look at this kid, and keep his age in mind.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["104429"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cemu003eRise: 67 up to 31u003c/emu003ernrnThe most impressive offseason belongs to Landon. He did so much to make himself more impressive to the next level, and it paid off big time. He lost a good chunk of weight to clean up his frame, and it also improved his already solid body control. On top of recomping his body, Landon also dominated every camp he went to. He dominated the winter Prep Redzone WI Showcase. Was a top performer at The Line Showcase a few weeks alter. Then he wen tint o the summer camp cycle where we saw more of the same. It culminated with a D1 offer from Western Illinois to which he eventually committed. I've only met Landon a couple times at camps, but I am very proud of the work he put in, and I couldn't think of a more deserving player to see his hard work pay off. Big things ahead for him.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["259465"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cemu003eRise: 96 up to 33u003c/emu003ernrnPound for pound, you will be hard pressed to find a strong athlete in WI. Noah has an outrageous 415 lbs bench press, and a 455 lbs squat. Put that strength into a 6'2u0022 240 lbs frame, and you get an athlete who can do what he wants at will in the trenches at the HS level. His offseason weightlifting performances have really opened my eyes to what I was sleeping on and led to his rise in the rankings. The next level has not missed on the stud athlete though. He holds multiple D2 offers and an offer from Army. I'm excited to watch Moris own the trenches on a weekly basis this fall.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["300277"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"u003cemu003eRise: 73 up to 60u003c/emu003ernrnGus is going to be playing his natural spot of LB this fall, and it is going to lead to an even bigger jump than this in December if I have to guess. Despite playing out of position at DL in 2021, Gus ended the season winning DL of the Year for his conference. The 6'1u0022 225 lbs athlete was able to rely on his quickness to shoot gaps and had the strength to hold his own in the trenches. Now he gets to use that quickness to play downhill from the LB position where he will be able to read and react and show off his play speed and recognition skills. I predict that he is going to be a popular recruit as he starts putting out LB tape. He impressed a ton at the Prep Redzone WI showcase. Monster year in the making.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["304448"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"u003cemu003eRise: 136 up to 65u003c/emu003ernrnOur second Mayville product of the article is another athlete who's tape is a bit deceiving. The 6'1u0022 190 lbs athlete is such a smooth mover, especially in the open field, that you don't realize the type of speed he is playing with. Blake has been repeatedly timed int the 4.5s and it show sup on the field as his highlights are filled with him pulling away in the open field and beating pursuit angles. Blake is one of those special cases where special talent meets elite production numbers. There isn't an athlete returning to HS fields in WI who had more rushing yards than Blake did in 2021. He has recently started picking up steam in the recruiting world, but he needs more attention. Size. Speed. Strength. Production. It is all there. Be ready for big plays, and even bigger numbers.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /-->