Class of ’25 Watch List

A majority of the preseason buzz heading into the '22 campaign has been centered around the upperclassmen in the state. While they are the prospects drawing the most attention currently, there are plenty of underclassmen that recruiters should keep in mind as well.   Sophomore year can be an opportunity for prospects to get their first taste of varsity action; whether that be on special teams, or in a limited capacity on offense and defense. One thing's for sure, there will be several sophomores throughout the state that'll make a strong case to be added in the next Class of '25 Player Rankings update. Starting off this first Class of '25 Watch List are five offensive skill position players looking to be a part of the next group of newcomers.    <a href="https://twitter.com/jjrhoades14?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/jjrhoades14?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">Jeremiah Rhoades</a> – Olathe North, 6'1”, 190, RB   Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/jjrhoades14?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/jjrhoades14?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">@jjrhoades14</a>   Many folks are starting to hear more about [player_tooltip player_id='350825' first='Caden' last='Butler'] ahead of the '22 campaign, but there's another sophomore on the Eagles' roster that could also be an impact player. <a href="https://twitter.com/jjrhoades14?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/jjrhoades14?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">Jeremiah Rhoades</a> is a back that shined at the <a href="https://twitter.com/jjrhoades14/status/1543450499956875269?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/jjrhoades14/status/1543450499956875269?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">freshman level</a> in 2021, and should have the opportunity to compete for carriers at the varsity level this year. He already has a solid frame at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, and also displays good vision for his age. Rhoades' physical and patient running style makes him a nice option for the Eagles' ground game.    <a href="https://twitter.com/thomas__osborne?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/thomas__osborne?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">Thomas Osborne</a> – Seaman, 5'10”, 180, ATH   Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/thomas__osborne?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/thomas__osborne?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">@Thomas__Osborne</a>   The Vikings' offense is set to have a few new faces after graduating key players like Camden Barta, Casen Stallbaumer, and PJ Vargas. It's possible they'll look to their younger talent to fill some of their holes, and <a href="https://twitter.com/thomas__osborne?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/thomas__osborne?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">Thomas Osborne</a> is a versatile prospect that could help with this. Osborne primarily worked out of the slot at the <a href="https://twitter.com/thomas__osborne/status/1458972910387929095?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/thomas__osborne/status/1458972910387929095?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">freshman level</a> in 2021, but there were occasions when he received handoffs at running back. He displays reliable hands, and has the strength to rack up yards after contact.    <a href="https://twitter.com/bryson_hayes_?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/bryson_hayes_?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">Bryson Hayes</a> – Maize, 6'0”, 170, ATH   Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/bryson_hayes_?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/bryson_hayes_?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">@bryson_hayes_</a>   The Maize coaching staff has a good problem on their hands this season. The amount of offensive firepower on their roster is astounding. It means prospects like <a href="https://twitter.com/bryson_hayes_?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/bryson_hayes_?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">Bryson Hayes</a> will have to wait their turn, but this will only benefit him in the long run. He'll be able to develop and learn behind the Eagles' strong senior class this season. When the time does come for him to be a starter, he has the potential to be an explosive player. Just last month he reportedly ran an unofficial <a href="https://twitter.com/kansaspregame/status/1549052226580058114?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/kansaspregame/status/1549052226580058114?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">4.37 </a>40-yard dash time. While that time was clocked via stopwatch, it is still impressive.   <a href="https://twitter.com/jesmar_molina?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/jesmar_molina?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">Jesmar Molina</a> – Syracuse, 5'7”, 140, ATH   Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/jesmar_molina?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/jesmar_molina?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">@jesmar_molina</a>   Out of the five prospects in this Watch List, <a href="https://twitter.com/jesmar_molina?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/jesmar_molina?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">Jesmar Molina</a> heads into the '22 campaign with the most varsity experience. He was able to earn his stripes on varsity during his <a href="https://twitter.com/jesmar_molina/status/1455325866163113984?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/jesmar_molina/status/1455325866163113984?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">freshman year</a>; filling in at quarterback and as a return man. In his limited snaps he managed to accumulate over 300 yards of total offense and one touchdown. Molina showed flashes of being a playmaker, which could lead to more touches for him this season. With [player_tooltip player_id='77177' first='Jay' last='Gould'] returning as the starting quarterback for Syracuse, the Bulldogs could choose to use Molina in a variety of ways.    <a href="https://twitter.com/jayden_norman2?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/jayden_norman2?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">Jayden Norman</a> – Topeka, 6'0”, 170, WR   Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/jayden_norman2?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/jayden_norman2?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">@Jayden_Norman2</a>   The Trojans may alter their offensive scheme a bit with [player_tooltip player_id='36659' first='Peyton' last='Wheat'] heading into year two as the starting quarterback. Another reason it could change is because of <a href="https://twitter.com/jayden_norman2?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/jayden_norman2?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">Jayden Norman's</a> emergence on the perimeter. He's a young wideout that's impressed this summer during <a href="https://twitter.com/jayden_norman2/status/1534241748146438144?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw" data-type="URL" data-id="https://twitter.com/jayden_norman2/status/1534241748146438144?s=21&t=A7ZDkuYapGQtr2xqyBfjtw">7-on-7</a> competitions. Norman excels at high pointing the football, has strong hands, and does a great job of adjusting his body to the ball in the air. It's also very encouraging that he doesn't shy away from any competition. He has the potential to be Wheat's favorite target this season.

A majority of the preseason buzz heading into the '22 campaign has been centered around the upperclassmen in the state. While they are the prospects drawing the most attention currently, there are plenty of underclassmen that recruiters should keep in mind as well.