Seniors That Climbed the Ranks During the ‘22 Campaign
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Now that the 2022 season is complete, we can finally switch gears and highlight the recent Class of ’23 Player Rankings update. We’ve already taken a peak at the top players in the class, but now it’s time to see…
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Continue ReadingNow that the 2022 season is complete, we can finally switch gears and highlight the recent Class of ’23 Player Rankings update. We’ve already taken a peak at the top players in the class, but now it’s time to see which prospects raised their stock this season.
With only a few opportunities left to make a case to be moved up in the rankings, several prospects in this year’s senior class were determined not to squander the moment and displayed a high-level of play throughout the ’22 campaign. This update features one of our largest groups of stock risers, as over 50 prospects saw an increase in rank this time around.
While this massive group shook up the rankings, these seven players were at the top of the bunch. They headline this group of stock risers after climbing to new heights in this recent update
The highest stock riser in this update was offensive lineman, Spencer Davis Spencer Davis 6’4″ | 265 lbs | OL Shawnee Mission North | 2023 State KS , of Shawnee Mission North. Davis catapults himself all the way into the Top 100, as he moves up 110 spots to become the 74th ranked prospect overall and the 10th ranked offensive lineman in the class. He was a breakout player as a junior, but he really flourished in the trenches this season. The senior earned 1st Team All-Sunflower League honors after being a 2nd Team selection last season, and he’s received next level interest from a few programs. Davis is still uncommitted, but he does hold D-I offers from Eastern Washington and New Mexico State, and has D-II offers from Central Missouri and Missouri Southern State.
When Kapaun Mt. Carmel was featured during the Program Profiles series, Louis Traglia Louis Traglia 6’4″ | 215 lbs | LB Kapaun Mt. Carmel | 2023 State KS was highlighted as a defender due for a big season. Traglia lived up to that hype and ended up being one of the top edge rushers in the Wichita area. His 2nd Team All-League season elevates his rank 107 spots, and he is now the 12th ranked linebacker in the class and the 79th ranked prospect overall. In addition to being a Top 100 prospect now, Traglia has one FBS program showing serious interest. The United States Air Force Academy offered the rangy edge rusher in October, and have continued to express their interest since then. With National Signing Day approaching, Traglia could see more FBS recruiters come calling.
What a difference a year makes. Cayden Scheuerman Cayden Scheuerman 6’0″ | 180 lbs | ATH Great Bend | 2023 State KS and the Great Bend Panthers had an unbelievable turnaround this season. After finishing 0-9 in 2021, the Panthers reeled off seven wins and nearly upset Salina Central during Regionals. Scheuerman’s improved play under center was a big reason for the turnaround. His numbers skyrocketed during his final high school season. He went from posting just over 1,100 yards of total offense as a junior, to exploding for over 2,300 yards of total offense as a senior. His outstanding season earned him a unanimous 1st Team All-WAC selection. Scheuerman ties Traglia with the second highest increase, and he is now the 124th ranked prospect overall.
With the graduation of standout running back, Brayden Beerbower, the Eudora Cardinals had to decided who would take over as the feature back for their offense. They had a few options to choose from, but ultimately rode with Octavius Lyles Octavius Lyles 5’8″ | 160 lbs | RB Eudora | 2023 State KS . This decision would prove to be very beneficial for Lyles and the Cardinals’ offense. Lyles now sits inside the Top 150, as he moves up 78 spots to No. 116 in the class. This comes after Lyles turned 177 carries into 1,623 yards and 23 touchdowns. He’d be recognized as a 1st Team All-Frontier League selection, and was a finalist for the Frank Fontana award for best small school player in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. Recruiters may have questions about his size, but once you turn the film on, it’s clear Lyles has next level potential.
If folks thought last year’s group of senior wideouts were impressive, then they’ll really love the receivers in the Class of ’23. There were a number of wideouts that impressed this season, and Tate Blasi Tate Blasi 6’1″ | 170 lbs | WR Bishop Carroll | 2023 State KS was one of the most productive ones in Class 5A. The senior took over the role as the No. 1 wideout for Bishop Carroll, which led to him hauling in 50 receptions for 964 yards and 10 touchdowns. Blasi’s 1st Team-All League year earns him the fourth highest increase in rank, as he is now the 13th ranked wideout in the class and the 125th ranked prospect overall. While he is committed to Dodge City Community College for baseball, Blasi would make an exceptional receiver at the collegiate level.
Keenan Schartz Keenan Schartz 5’11” | 170 lbs | QB Manhattan | 2023 State KS had a storybook ending to his incredible senior campaign. In his second year as the starting quarterback for Manhattan, Schartz helped the Indians cap off their perfect season with a thrilling victory over Gardner-Edgerton in the Class 6A State Championship game. He took on a larger role this season, which led to him leading the team in rushing with over 1,200 yards and 20 touchdowns, and Schartz also threw for over 1,500 yards with 11 scores while completing 67% of his passes. His success this season earned him the Centennial League Offensive Player of the Year, and he’s gained the attention of some college coaches as well. Since winning the state title he’s received D-II offers from Emporia State and Washburn.
Kyreese Groen Kyreese Groen 6’1″ | 165 lbs | ATH Hays | 2023 State KS stepped up in a big way for the Hays Indians this season. Groen switched positions to take over quarterback duties, and helped lead Hays to one of the best seasons in their program’s history. The Indians finished with their highest win total at 10-2 and reached the Sub-State round. While Malik Bah Malik Bah 5’9″ | 180 lbs | RB Hays | 2024 State KS was the focal point of Hays’ offense, Groen managed to standout as well. He nearly cracks the Top 150 in this update after accounting for over 1,800 yards of total offense and 27 total touchdowns. Groen’s new rank is now No. 151 overall and he is the 32nd ranked athlete in a loaded position group.