Preseason: Oregon’s 6A POY Candidates (Ranked #1-10) OFFENSE
In this article:
What I like about the 6A state player of the year break down, is that it has nothing to do with recruiting. It’s referencing the best players on the field and what they mean to their individual teams. That being…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWhat I like about the 6A state player of the year break down, is that it has nothing to do with recruiting. It’s referencing the best players on the field and what they mean to their individual teams.
That being said, if you play on an average team, it’s always much harder to be nominated for all league or all-state honors. Have a look at the preseason O & D.
OFFENSE
1. Jack Wagner Jack Wagner 6'4" | 185 lbs | QB Tualatin | 2023 State OR Sr. QB Tualatin- The T-Wolves will be a conference and state title contender again with Wagner taking all the snaps this upcoming season. Look for him to show off his arm, and his numerous targets. One of the biggest X factors with Jack is his ability to run. Even at 6-4 he carried 50 times last season, averaging 11.5 yards per rush. Unreal numbers for a kid who split time.
2. Cru Newman Cru Newman 6'0" | 185 lbs | QB Central Catholic | 2024 State OR Jr. QB Central Catholic- The reigning Mt Hood Conference POY as a sophomore. Newman has some of that “IT” factor where he doesn’t possess prototypical size, speed etc… but is just better than everyone else. We will find out quickly where the state champs are at in comparison to last year, with their first two games against Washington and Cali powers, Bellevue and St John Bosco.
3. Mark Hamper Mark Hamper 6'2" | 205 lbs | ATH West Linn | 2023 State OR Sr. ATH West Linn- Depending on how the Lions finish Hamper very well could be the offensive and defensive POY in the TRL and State. Bold statement but he is probably the most versatile kid in Oregon. The numbers speak for themselves, accounting for 1,258 yards and 12 TDs, while averaging 11.4 yards per carry and 13.6 yards per reception, as a junior. He was one of the only underclassmen to earn 1st team all-conference honors on both sides of the ball at the 6A level.
4. Brock Thomas Brock Thomas 6'0" | 175 lbs | QB Sheldon | 2023 State OR Sr. QB Sheldon- The do it all kid accounted for 43 TDs last season (22 passing, 21 rushing) and 3,691 yards in 10 games. One of the most impressive stat lines in years. His handful of division 1 offers and 10.7 100-meter speed, speak to his overwhelming athleticism. The coaches might want to re-visit his 2nd team all league honors from a year ago.
5. Sam Leavitt Sam Leavitt 6'2" | 200 lbs | QB West Linn | 2023 State OR Sr. QB West Linn- The Washington St commit is one of the top recruits in the region, on the #1 ranked team in the state. He will be in the mix for TRL and 6A POY honors after throwing for 2000+ yards and 26 TDs/3 INTs, not counting the 6 INT game to the end the season against Tualatin. Leavitt will have that on his mind with something to prove as the expectations are high for the Lions.
6. Jordan Fisher Jordan Fisher 5'8" | 175 lbs | RB Westview | 2023 State OR Sr. RB Westview- This kid went off as a junior and had one of the most impressive off seasons of any player in the state. His 1,549 yards and 26 TDs, with 0 fumbles in 10 games from a year ago, speak to his POY potential. The Cats will come in on the 6A Top 10 bubble and if he can get them over the hump with a few playoff wins, he could very well be the Metro and Oregon 6A Player of the Year.
7. Wiley Donnerberg Wiley Donnerberg 6'4" | 200 lbs | ATH West Linn | 2024 State OR Jr. WR West Linn- Wiley is the only junior listed on both offense and defense, among the state POY candidates. The 2nd team all TRL returner at WR should put up some unreal numbers the next few seasons, while projecting on D in my humble opinion. Regardless look for him to blow up on the recruiting front in the next few months.
8. Luke Ash Luke Ash 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB Tualatin | 2023 State OR Sr. RB Tualatin- This is an interesting one, with Ash making the move to Tualatin. Clackamas is a good program ranked in the top 10 so there will be no love lost if they play one another. Luke is undersized but the real deal, and the exception to the rule from a size standpoint if given the opportunity. His 139 carries for 1,1168 yards, and 19 TDs from a year ago speak to his POY status.
9. Ryan Oliver Ryan Oliver 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Lakeridge | 2023 State OR Sr. QB Lakeridge- I’ve been hollering this kids name for a while. As noted numerous times he is young for the grade but will be a three-year starter, playing for former NFL QB coach and top HS mind Spencer Phillips. Oliver’s 29 TDs and 7 INTs in the last 16 games, only begin to scratch the surface of what he is capable of with a litany of the state’s top targets returning, including Oregon’s #1 recruit, 4* Joey Olsen Joey Olsen 6'6" | 220 lbs | TE Lakeridge | 2024 State OR .
10. Ty Pugliano Ty Pugliano 5'10" | 180 lbs | DB North Medford | 2023 State OR Sr. RB North Medford- Pugliano could be the mayor of Medford someday. He is one of the most well liked and talented kids to come through in some time. He returns after earning 1st team all-league honors from a year ago, and could put up Devin Bradd like #s, with him leading the state in rushing yards a few years ago for the Black Tornado.
OTHERS: Payton Roth Payton Roth 6'4" | 200 lbs | RB Jesuit | 2023 State OR Sr. RB Jesuit, Konner Grant Konner Grant 5'11" | 185 lbs | RB Tigard | 2023 State OR Sr. RB Tigard, Joey Olsen Joey Olsen 6'6" | 220 lbs | TE Lakeridge | 2024 State OR Jr. WR Lakeridge, Jayden Fortier Jayden Fortier 6'5" | 220 lbs | TE Tualatin | 2024 State OR Jr. TE Tualatin, Andrew Walker Andrew Walker 6'1" | 170 lbs | WR South Medford | 2023 State OR Sr. WR South Medford