2023 Rankings Top 20 Breakdown: Top 4 Players

JT Wistrcill

December 26, 2022 @ 01:47 PM

To be the best, you have to make plays on the biggest stages in the biggest moments. That's what these four players excel at, and they find themselves atop our 2023 rankings for that reason.    [player_tooltip player_id='406853' first='Tausili' last='Akana'] || LB || 6'4 || 225 || Skyridge High School || 2023   Akana is a force to be reckoned with off the edge. He's one of the state's best athletes regardless of position and can play anywhere in the front seven. As a pass rusher, he devastates offensive linemen with a lighting quick get-off and fantastic bend. He uses his hands like a seasoned college vet and has a bag full of pass-rush moves. His spin move is elite, and his rips are well-timed. Akana does an excellent job setting up his moves and has a great awareness that allows him to take advantage of oversetting offensive linemen. In addition, he does a good job stopping the run and excels at making tackles for loss. His speed and technique make him our top-ranked player in the class of 2023.      [player_tooltip player_id='406854' first='Siale' last='Esera'] || DL || 6'3 || 240 || Timpview High School || 2023    Esera, much like Akana, can play any position in the front seven. He will more than likely be a defensive tackle at the next level, but he dominated the 5A classification as an inside linebacker. Esera is a great athlete with a phenomenal Football IQ. He decimated offensive linemen with his impressive speed and strength. His power made him a devastating blitzer where; he ran over offensive linemen on his way to blowing up quarterbacks. Esera filled holes phenomenally, and no back in the state could power through his tackle. His quickness off the snap will serve him well at the next level, as will his versatility. Esera earns our second-highest-ranked spot for his elite athleticism and power.      [player_tooltip player_id='406855' first='Spencer' last='Fano'] || OL || 6'5 || 270 || Timpview High School || 2023    Every team doesn't want to worry about edge pressure, and with Fano on the outside, the Thunderbirds always had the time needed to make plays. Fano is lights out in both his run and pass blocking. His power and flawless technique allow him to dominate his one-on-one matchups. Fano has great footwork that puts him in position to be successful, whether it's cutting off pass rushers or firing off in the run game. Our top-ranked tackle is an exceptional athlete who tosses defenders out of the way in space. Fano is also versatile and could play on the defensive line if his team needed him to. He's an elite blocker who went above and beyond his job to help Timpview reach the state championship game.      [player_tooltip player_id='406857' first='Smith' last='Snowden'] || DB || 5'9 || 170 || Skyridge High School || 2023   Smith is the definition of a lockdown corner. He's a force on the outside that can shut down a team's top receiver. Smith plays like he's double his size. He has elite instincts that he utilizes to make great plays on the ball. Smith could have just have easily been an elite receiver with the way he tracks the ball and makes contested interceptions. Smith is one of the state's best athletes and has no problem running or changing direction with the state's top receivers. His instincts and quick reactions enable him to poke balls away at just the right time. Smith will be counting his career at Utah, where he will keep the clamps on receivers.