New No. 1 Ranked Player in the Class of ‘25
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Typically sophomore year is the first time players get to experience the bright lights on Fridays. Some of their first snaps come from special teams, and they are filled with anxiousness and nerves. However, that was not the case for…
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Continue ReadingTypically sophomore year is the first time players get to experience the bright lights on Fridays. Some of their first snaps come from special teams, and they are filled with anxiousness and nerves. However, that was not the case for the Class of 2025. Several players in this recruiting class earned significant playing time, and didn’t flinch when their number was called. The same is true when it comes to these five prospects, as they exceeded any and every expectation laid out for them this season.
This group of five each put together a special season in 2022, which made ranking one over the other very difficult. But, there is now a new No. 1 ranked player in the class, and spots 2-5 saw change as well. They’ll be an exciting bunch to watch as juniors, and expect for them to battle for the No. 1 ranking throughout this year.
Looking back on the ’22 campaign, there were a number of breakthrough players that became key contributors as first-year starters. Jayden Woods Jayden Woods 6’3″ | 235 lbs | DL Mill Valley | 2025 State KS of Mill Valley, being one of the most notable ones. Woods not only makes his debut in this January update, but he is also now the new top-ranked player in the Class of 2025. Woods didn’t have the average sophomore season. He made an immediate impact to an already dominant defense, and was one of Mill Valley’s top defenders during their state title run. In his first varsity season, Woods earned 1st Team 5A All-State honors and was a 1st Team All-Sunflower League selection as well. Woods’ impressive year also gained the interest of Power 5 programs such as Baylor, Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, and Wisconsin.
Another young defensive lineman that’s landed on the radar of Power 5 programs is Julian Marks Julian Marks 6’7″ | 275 lbs | DL St. Thomas Aquinas | 2025 State KS of St. Thomas Aquinas. Marks became a member of this prestigious group in the previous update, but this time, he jumps three spots to become the No. 2 overall prospect and the 2nd ranked defensive lineman in the class. The Saints had a void on their defensive line after graduating Jalen Marshall last spring, and they looked to Marks to fill that hole this past season. It’s safe to say he picked up where his predecessor left off. He’d earn All-EKL honors in his first varsity season, and although he was not an All-State selection, his play would earn him offers from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska.
Highlights
With the emergence of Woods and Marks, Caden Butler Caden Butler 6’0″ | 180 lbs | WR Lincoln | 2025 State CA of Olathe North slides a few spots to No. 3 in the class. Even though his ranking changed, that doesn’t discredit the success he had in his first season starting for the Eagles. Despite not seeing many targets due to North’s rushing attack, Butler showed flashes of why he is the top-ranked wideout in this sophomore class. He finished second on the team in receiving yards, as he turned 21 receptions into 358 yards and one score. It was clear Butler was improving and gaining confidence with each game, which will surely carry over into his junior year. Look for him to be a candidate for an All-League selection this fall.
Highlights
The Class of 2025 has now been through four updates, and Tate McNew Tate McNew 6’1″ | 185 lbs | QB Maize South | 2025 State KS of Maize South has managed to hold down the top quarterback ranking through each one. Maize South relied more on McNew’s arm during the ’22 campaign, and the sophomore stepped up in a big way for the Mavericks. McNew went on to throw for over 2,400 yards with 19 touchdowns, and broke a few school records along the way. His impressive sophmore season earned him a 5A All-State Honorable Mention nod, and he was an All-AVCTL D-I Honorable Mention pick as well. Now with a full season under center and a majority of his supporting cast returning, McNew could be due for another strong year.
Jayden Norman Jayden Norman 6’1″ | 170 lbs | WR Topeka | 2025 State KS of Topeka High is another addition to the Top 5 in this January update. Norman was a newcomer in the September update, and it didn’t take long for the sophomore to assert himself as one of the top prospects in this class during the ’22 campaign. In just his first year as a starter, Norman immediately became the Trojans’ No. 1 receiver, and made several highlight worthy plays. He hauled in 61 catches for 876 yards and six touchdowns, which earned him a 2nd Team All-League selection and a 6A All-State Honorable Mention nod. This off-season could be huge for Norman’s development, as he’ll have the opportunity to draw next-level interest this year.
Highlights
More of the top prospects from this class include No. 6: Bryson Hayes Bryson Hayes 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Maize | 2025 State KS – Maize (WR), No. 7: Brandon Schmelzle Brandon Schmelzle 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH Axtell | 2025 State KS – Axtell (ATH), No. 8: Teryn Jackson Teryn Jackson 5'9" | 150 lbs | WR Bishop Miege | 2025 State KS – Bishop Miege (WR), No. 9: Caden Estrada Caden Estrada 6'1" | 270 lbs | OL Washburn Rural | 2025 State KS – Washburn Rural (OL), and No. 10: Charlie Woleben Charlie Woleben 6'5" | 215 lbs | DL De Soto | 2025 State KS – De Soto (DL).