Class of ‘25: Strength of the Class Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the coverage of the recent Class of '25 rankings update, we've highlighted the top prospects, the newcomers, and the stock risers. But in this bonus coverage, we'll be switching things up a bit. This class as a whole is filled with promising talent from top to bottom. However, there were certain position groups that stood out over the others during the evaluation process. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this <em>‘Strength of the Class' </em>series, we're going to be taking a look at the top three position groups in the sophomore class. The first group that kicks off this series will be the defensive line. With two prospects ranked in the Top 3, and nine inside the Top 50, it's hard to deny that this group isn't the best in the Class of '25 rankings. Here are five prospects we've yet to highlight in this update that make up this loaded position group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["442716"],"_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: 400u0022u003eThis piece begins with one of the newest additions to the Top 10 from the recent update. Next to [player_tooltip player_id='519316' first='Jayden' last='Woods'] and [player_tooltip player_id='352457' first='Julian' last='Marks'], there might not have been a more impactful first-year defender than [player_tooltip player_id='442716' first='Charlie' last='Woleben']. He stepped in at defensive end and was arguably the Wildcats' top pass-rusher this past season. Woleben climbed 26 spots in this January update after piling up 42 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, six sacks, and two forced fumbles. His tremendous year would earn him a u003cemu003e1u003csupu003estu003c/supu003e Team All-UKCu003c/emu003e selection, and he was a u003cemu003e5A All-State Honorable Mentionu003c/emu003e pick as well. Given Woleben's early success and rangy frame, he could start to draw next-level interest this year.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["268059"],"_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: 400u0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='268059' first='Koby' last='Le'] of Emporia is one of the original members from the very first Class of '25 rankings update. While there were a few defensive linemen that moved in front of him this time around, he is still very much so one of the best at the position. Le made significant strides in his development last off-season, and it was evident his game had improved during his sophomore campaign. His play has already drawn interest from a few u003cemu003eNAIAu003c/emu003e programs, and he was even invited to the u003ciu003eNational Combineu003c/iu003e in San Antoniou003cemu003e u003c/emu003eearlier this month, where he'd be recognized as an u003ciu003eHonorable Mentionu003c/iu003e performer by u003cemu003e247Sportsu003c/emu003e.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["570157"],"_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: 400u0022u003eThis position group boasts multiple edge rushers that are 6-foot-4 or taller, and one that hasn't been talked about enough is [player_tooltip player_id='570157' first='Kyle' last='Keya'] of Kapaun Mt. Carmel. Keya enters the rankings as the lengthiest player of this group; standing at 6-foot-5, and he made his debut at No. 32 overall. What Keya lacks in strength, he makes up for with his range and athleticism. He flew under the radar as a first-year starter, but with the Crusaders' graduating prospects like [player_tooltip player_id='259757' first='Nathan' last='Fury'] and [player_tooltip player_id='317360' first='Louis' last='Traglia'], Keya will have the opportunity to become one of Kapaun's top defenders next season. He's a prospect with tons upside and lots of room to grow.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["442666"],"_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: 400u0022u003eThe Council Grove Braves went on an unbelievable run in 2022; posting their highest win total since 2016, and their defense improved tremendously. The Braves' defense allowed 473 points in nine games during the '21 campaign, and this past season they only surrendered 146 points through 10 games. One of the reasons for their impressive turnaround was the breakout play of [player_tooltip player_id='442666' first='Holden' last='Ziegler']. He made a splash in 2022; leading the team in tackles for loss with 14, and he also finished first on the team with six sacks. The u003cemu003eClass 2A Honorable Mention u003c/emu003epick moved up to No. 43 overall in this recent update.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["570193"],"_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='570193' first='Chase' last='Campbell'] was one of the recent additions to this deep position group during the January update. Campbell made his debut closely behind Ziegler as the 46u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked prospect overall, and the 9u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked defensive lineman in the class. In his first varsity season, Campbell managed to contribute 18 total tackles and came up with multiple pressures as well. He stepped in and displayed a high motor, and matched the physicality of his older counterparts. Campbell has the intangibles to be an impact defender for the Owls as a junior, and he has the potential to be an u003ciu003eAll-Leagueu003c/iu003e performer this fall.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63c1e0c11a639"} /-->