2023 Rankings Update: Small School Standouts (2A & 1A)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our 2023 Rankings are not just for the big 5A and 4A schools and we wanted to highlight a few of the standouts that made the cut for the Fall update, including the new No. 1 player in the 2023 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='89337' first='Monroe' last='Freeling'], Oceanside Collegiate</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/12835534/61c0d03096767906a407e27b"><strong>HUDL Highlights from 2021</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The No. 1 player in the 2023 rankings is every bit deserving of the top spot in the state. Freeling can move people off the ball instantly from the snap and we saw multiple times where he got pancake blocks. The University of Georgia commit checks in at 6'7, 285 pounds and is not afraid to get dirty in creating pull blocks in the run game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='89344' first='Vaughn' last='Blue'], Oceanside Collegiate</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14684443/63165f183863cd04d4f6e8b7"><strong>HUDL Highlights from the first 3 games of 2022</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The thing that is impressive in watching film from Blue's first three ball games is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and to line up at receiver. He doesn't lose any speed and you'd think he is a receiver if you didn't know his listed position. When he's running the ball, he runs with purpose and power for solid north and south progress.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='89347' first='Nic' last='Brown'], Kingstree</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14800434/632202ef5b3e861498b848ac"><strong>HUDL Highlights from the first 3 games of 2022</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You will see Brown flexed out on the outside at receiver and he makes an impact. He is a home run threat to score when he catches the ball and is tough to defend in one-on-one coverage in “stacking” the defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91142' first='Omari' last='Jenkins'], Timberland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/13077984/6197d5a864e99905bc33732e"><strong>HUDL Highlights from 2021</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jenkins attacks the line of scrimmage and makes life hard for the ball carrier. He takes great angles to the ball and most of the time when a runner has the ball, it's a tackle for loss. He also reads the quarterback's eyes well to make interceptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91141' first='Andrew' last='Threatt'], Chesterfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13036784/6318bfb63dea9813982a5afa"><strong>HUDL Highlight vs. Lewisville</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Threatt is blocking, the quarterback's jersey is going to stay clean. He has good leg drive, aggressiveness and great size for the position to move opposing defensive lineman back where he wants them to go.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91139' first='Kanaan' last='Ligons'], Ridge Spring-Monetta</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13020564/63008136478d9e0a885c9220"><strong>HUDL Highlight vs. Augusta Christian</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ligons checks in at 6'2, 295 pounds and is easy to spot when you turn on the film, which is why he has numerous offers. He's got good movement for his size and excels in pass protection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91145' first='A'Chean' last='Durant'], McCormick</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2HzDzd"><strong>HUDL Highlight vs. Lincoln County</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Durant is aggressive and takes solid angles to the ball at free safety. He does a great job of wrapping up and bringing down the ball carrier with a good form tackle. He also has a good burst of speed at running back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91146' first='Roshad' last='McAllister'], Lamar</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Hn8PH"><strong>HUDL HIghlight vs. Great Falls</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McAlister comes up right in the hole and makes tackles at linebacker. And we didn't see any missed tackles or bad angles to the ball while looking at his film.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='262618' first='Woods' last='Windham'], Christ Church</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/13506109/632125183448a81284b0e061"><strong>HUDL Highlight vs. Riverside</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Windham has a solid arm at the quarterback position. He can make the intermediate to deep throw with pinpoint accuracy, allowing the receiver to run right underneath and catch it. His ability to scramble and pick up extra yards was also impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91159' first='Ian' last='Stroman'], Wagener Salley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2GL0Wm"><strong>HUDL Highlight from 2021</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stroman is a big physical back that fits his team's scheme perfectly. He is not afraid to get dirty to get the tough yards and then he displays his speed once he gets out into the open field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->