Prospects to Remember From the Class of ‘24: Part I

With the new year approaching and the 2022 campaign well in the rear-view, now is a perfect time to take a peak at a few prospects from the next senior class. There's a lot of time between now and kickoff for the 2023 season, so this is a bit of a refresher from this past year. Heading into next season, most folks will remember the top players from this class. However, there are plenty of other quality prospects throughout the rankings that shouldn't be forgotten.   In the first of this two-part series, we'll be highlighting juniors deep within the rankings that enjoyed success on offense this past season. This group of five consists of three newcomers from the recent update, and two current members that were All-League performers in 2022. They're a promising bunch due for a big year in 2023.   [player_tooltip player_id='446299' first='Willie' last='Dorsey'] – Wellsville, 6'2”, 170 QB   Starting us off first is the now 13th ranked quarterback in the class, [player_tooltip player_id='446299' first='Willie' last='Dorsey'] of Wellsville. While there's already an abundance of talent under center in this class, folks shouldn't forget about Dorsey. He enters the rankings just outside the Top 100 after putting together a great year in his first season starting. Dorsey helped lead Wellsville to a 9-1 record, and was recognized as a 1st Team All-State and 1st Team All-League selection. He went on to complete 61% of his passes and threw for over 1,800 yards with 25 touchdowns. Those are impressive numbers for a first-year starter, but his senior year could be even better. With [player_tooltip player_id='122461' first='Nash' last='Money'] graduating this spring, it's looking like Wellsville's offense will run through Dorsey in 2023.   [player_tooltip player_id='545648' first='Allen' last='Baughman'] – Shawnee Heights, 5'8”, 185, RB   Running backs in this junior class took a huge leap in their development during the '22 campaign. A few backs at the top of the class have been in the spotlight since 2021, but there were a number of others that shined as first-year starters this season. [player_tooltip player_id='545648' first='Allen' last='Baughman'] of Shawnee Heights falls into that category. Baughman surprised everyone with his hot start to the season, as he'd rush for over 200 yards in two of the Thunderbirds' first four games. He continued to have success throughout the season and went on to earn a 5A All-State Honorable Mention nod, along with a 1st Team All-UKC selection. Baughman would end the year nearly eclipsing 1,500 yards and punched in 20 scores, which earned him a spot inside the Top 150 in the recent update.    [player_tooltip player_id='544746' first='Stetson' last='Schafer'] – Cherryvale, 6'3”, 185, ATH   The Cherryvale Chargers were a nice turnaround story this past season. After winning just five games total the past two years, the Chargers put together their first five-win season since 2019. [player_tooltip player_id='544746' first='Stetson' last='Schafer']'s all-around play was instrumental in Cherryvale's improvement. The junior made his debut in this December update; coming in as the 15th ranked athlete in the class and the 97th ranked prospect overall. Schafer cracked the Top 100 after a phenomenal season on both sides of the ball. He'd be recognized as a 1st Team 2A All-State pick at defensive back, and a 2A All-State Honorable Mention pick at receiver. Schafer managed to haul in 46 catches for 942 yards and 15 touchdowns, and on defense he came away with 11 interceptions; three of which were returned for scores.   [player_tooltip player_id='358820' first='Braden' last='Hales'] – Olathe North, 6'5”, 285, OL   [player_tooltip player_id='358820' first='Braden' last='Hales'] of Olathe North was one of many offensive linemen that raised their stock this past season. Hales moved up nine spots to become the 88th ranked prospect overall and the 12th ranked offensive lineman in the class. The big man took over the starting left tackle job this past season, and he made an immediate impact for the Eagles. Hales was a 6A All-State Honorable Mention pick and a 2nd Team All-Sunflower League selection in his first season starting at the position. He's a prospect that will only continue to improve throughout this off-season, and he should be viewed as one of the top tackles in the state next year.   [player_tooltip player_id='146144' first='Thomas' last='Cromer'] – Eudora, 6'2”, 255, OL   Eudora has quietly produced some of the better run-blocking linemen in Class 4A over the past two seasons, and [player_tooltip player_id='146144' first='Thomas' last='Cromer'] is looking to maintain that reputation next year. Cromer has been a prospect in our rankings for some time now, and he's shown improvement through each update. The Cardinals moved Cromer to right guard in 2022, which led to him having an All-Frontier League Honorable Mention season. This switch also helped Cromer reach the Top 100 and he is now the 13th ranked offensive lineman in the class. Expect for him to climb the rankings yet again during his senior year.

With the new year approaching and the 2022 campaign well in the rear-view, now is a perfect time to take a peak at a few prospects from the next senior class. There's a lot of time between now and kickoff for the 2023 season, so this is a bit of a refresher from this past year. Heading into next season, most folks will remember the top players from this class. However, there are plenty of other quality prospects throughout the rankings that shouldn't be forgotten.