Class of ‘24 Rankings Update: New Look Top 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of '24 has developed at such a high-rate since the previous update in August. Especially at the top of the class. These top prospects burst onto the scene as sophomores, and a few even saw the varsity stage as freshmen. But they took their game to a whole new level as juniors, and they'll look to continue that progression as they prepare for their senior year this off-season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This new look Top 5 saw some shuffling around from spots two through five, as two newcomers joined this elite group, and one current member earned a new rank. Each of these prospects have become leaders for their respective teams, and they're each beginning to draw D-I interest. They'll be an exciting group of players to watch in 2023.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also, while you're checking out the new look Top 5, don't forget to take a look at the rest of the changes made in this December update.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["146114"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe top prospect in this recruiting class continues to reside from Wichita East High School. After claiming the No. 1 ranking back in May, [player_tooltip player_id='146114' first='DaeOnte' last='Mitchell'] has made sure not to let up. He's performed at a high-level since making his varsity debut in 2020, so Mitchell's third year under center came with some high expectations. It's safe to say he lived up to the preseason hype. Mitchell helped lead East to another 6-4 record, but orchestrated an offense that averaged 40 points per game. The junior had a monster season, as he completed 76% of his passes while throwing for over 2,200 yards with 24 touchdowns and only two interceptions. He also added 862 yards on the ground with seven scores. Mitchell's progression and numbers should have D-I recruiters calling this off-season.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["259756"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eComing in at the No. 2 spot in this latest Class of '24 rankings update, is Junction City product, [player_tooltip player_id='259756' first='Michael' last='Boganowski']. He's one of the prospects making his debut inside the Top 5 after climbing all the way from No. 71 overall in the previous update. This huge increase comes after Boganowski became a D-I prospect during the '22 campaign. Boganowski not only was one of the top breakout players in the state this season, but in the whole country as well. He's been touted as a 3-Star recruit by u003cemu003e247Sports, u003c/emu003eand has received offers from u003cemu003eIowa Stateu003c/emu003e, u003cemu003eKansasu003c/emu003e, u003cemu003eKansas Stateu003c/emu003e, u003cemu003eMissouriu003c/emu003e, u003cemu003eNebraskau003c/emu003e, u003cemu003eOklahoma State, u003c/emu003eand u003cemu003eWashingtonu003c/emu003e. He stuffed the stat sheet on defense this season, as he posted 123 total tackles, three tackles for loss, four interceptions and one forced fumble.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["259786"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe 3u003csupu003erdu003c/supu003e overall spot in the Class of '24 rankings now belongs to standout running back, [player_tooltip player_id='259786' first='Omari' last='Elias']. He's been a Top 5 prospect since making his debut this past January, but the season he put together earned him an increase in rank to become a Top 3 prospect. Elias came from out of nowhere as a sophomore with over 2,100 yards rushing, and heading into this season, many wondered if he could come close to that mark as a junior. He not only reached that mark again, but he surpassed that total by a significant margin. Elias finished his junior year with 2,534 yards rushing on 293 carries. Those are absolutely unreal numbers. Eclipsing 2,500 yards again will be a tall task, but Elias will look to make it three straight 2,000-yard seasons in 2023.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["146115"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eFollowing Elias in the rankings is the second prospect in this update to join the Top 5. [player_tooltip player_id='146115' first='Cencere' last='Thompson'] moves up to No. 4 overall after holding down the 8u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked spot in the previous update. Next to Elias, Thompson was one of the best running backs out of the Wichita area this past season. Even while splitting carries with [player_tooltip player_id='166973' first='LJ' last='Phillips'], Thompson still managed to pick up u003cemu003e1u003csupu003estu003c/supu003e Team All-Leagueu003c/emu003e and u003cemu003e6A All-Stateu003c/emu003e honors. Thompson carried the ball 159 time this year and he turned those carries into 1,262 yards and 17 touchdowns. He added 11 receptions for 212 yards receiving as well. His impressive junior season also earned him his first D-I offer from u003cemu003eNorthern Iowau003c/emu003e. It'll be interesting to see what Thompson can do as the feature back during the 2023 season.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["335768"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='335768' first='BJ' last='Canady'] of Topeka High rounds off the Top 5 in this December update. An injury prevented Canady from completing his junior season, but his play through four games was enough to maintain his status as a top-ranked prospect. Despite the limited action, Canady still wreaked havoc on opposing offenses. Similar to his sophomore season, offensive tackles had trouble blocking the 6-foot-5, 245 pound edge rusher. Canady's play has now earned him nine Power 5 offers, with the u003ciu003eUniversity of Californiau003c/iu003e and u003ciu003eTennesseeu003c/iu003e being the most recent programs to recruit the 4-Star prospect. With plenty of time to heal before the '23 campaign, expect to see Canady bounce back in a big way next year.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-639cbcf93adf2"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rest of the top prospects in this update consists of, No. 6: [player_tooltip player_id='145515' first='Hudson' last='Ferralez'] – Hesston (QB), No. 7: [player_tooltip player_id='81144' first='Kaiden' last='Seamster'] – Chanute (ATH), No. 8: [player_tooltip player_id='334739' first='Trey' last='Ridley'] – Blue Valley NW (DB), No. 9: [player_tooltip player_id='262717' first='Jeremy' last='Schleicher'] – Bishop Miege (OL), and No. 10: [player_tooltip player_id='145607' first='Kian' last='Payne'] – St. Thomas Aquinas (DL).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->