Class of ‘23 Rankings Update: Top 5 Newcomers
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Now that ranking season is officially in full swing, we’re following up on the recent Class of ’23 Player Rankings update with some bonus coverage. With each update, the goal is always to add the best talent in the state,…
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Continue ReadingNow that ranking season is officially in full swing, we’re following up on the recent Class of ’23 Player Rankings update with some bonus coverage. With each update, the goal is always to add the best talent in the state, and some overlooked players that may not get the exposure they truly deserve. This latest group of newcomers checks both boxes, as over 25 prospects made their debuts; increasing this recruiting class to 300 ranked players.
Of the 25 plus prospects that made their debuts in this update, five of them managed to crack the Top 125. This group of prospects is filled with All-League and All-State caliber talent, and they should draw serious interest with National Signing Day coming up. See where they landed in the recent Class of ’23 rankings update.
This graduating class of offensive linemen is quite possibly the strongest position group in the rankings. With this recent update, there are now 14 offensive linemen ranked inside the Top 100, and Lawrence Free State accounts for three of those spots. Spencer Doan Spencer Doan 6’8″ | 280 lbs | OL Free State | 2023 State KS joins fellow Free State teammates, Calvin Clements Calvin Clements 6’7″ | 295 lbs | OL Free State | 2023 State KS and Kaden Lonard Kaden Lonard 6’5″ | 295 lbs | OL Free State | 2023 State KS , as Doan enters the rankings at No. 78 overall. The massive right tackle took home 2nd Team All-Sunflower League honors for his strong play this past season. Since October he’s received opportunities to continue his career at the University of Kansas and Northwestern University, and the big man recently picked up an offer from Harvard as well. His combination of size and quickness should draw more D-I interest.
Following Doan in the rankings is fellow offensive lineman, Logan Cox Logan Cox 6’5″ | 310 lbs | OL Seaman | 2023 State KS . He checks in just a few spots behind Doan as the 84th ranked prospect overall, and the 13th ranked offensive lineman in the class. Cox is just another example of the talent this position group possesses. The senior put together another solid season at left tackle for the Seaman Vikings, as he earned a second straight All-League selection. His standout play and next level frame has caught the attention of multiple recruiters. Cox currently holds offers from Chardon State College, Fort Hays State, Garden City Community College, Hutchinson Community College, Missouri Western, and he’s earned a PWO from Kansas.
Each season there’s always a few prospects that come from out of nowhere and really turn some heads. A’Quan Dunbar A’Quan Dunbar 6’6″ | 220 lbs | WR Shawnee Mission South | 2023 State KS was one of those players this year. Despite being a part of a struggling Shawnee Mission South offense, Dunbar was arguably the best receiver in the Sunflower League this season. The 6-foot-6 wideout hauled in 54 receptions for 829 yards with 10 touchdowns, which earned him 1st Team All-League honors. He was also recognized as a finalist for the Otis Taylor award, and he was named to the All-Simone Team. Dunbar’s incredible season brings him into the rankings at No. 97, and he is the 9th ranked receiver in the class.
Next to the offensive line group, the second deepest position group in this recruiting class is possibly the defensive backs. There are a number of impressive safeties that headline the group, and Jase Hovey Jase Hovey 6’2″ | 210 lbs | DB Louisburg | 2023 State KS is one of the most versatile of the bunch. Hovey comes into the rankings with the fourth highest debut, as he checks in at No. 118 overall and is the 13th ranked defensive back in the class. If folks didn’t know who he was at the beginning of the season, then they do now. Hovey made his presence felt in every game, which is why he’s earned All-State honors from multiple sites. The 6-foot-2, 210 pound safety has become a hot commodity for defensive coordinators at the collegiate level. Hovey’s received interest from Kansas and Kansas State, and holds three offers from some of the top community colleges in the state of Kansas.
Jackson Turnbull Jackson Turnbull 6’5″ | 225 lbs | DL Pittsburg | 2023 State KS of Pittsburg High School rounds off this talented group of newcomers. Turnbull missed a bit of time early in the season due to injury, but it didn’t take him long to make up for that lost time. He had the fifth highest debut in this update, as the edge rusher entered the rankings at No. 121 overall, and he is the 11th ranked defensive lineman in the class. Turnbull elevated the Dragons’ defense once he came back into the lineup. Once he returned, Pittsburg allowed just over 17 points per game, and they advanced to the Sectional Round. Even though his season was limited, Turnbull has still been heavily recruited by multiple D-II programs, and holds offers from Butler Community College, Fort Hays State, and William Jewell.