Top 100 New Additions: 2023 Rankings
In this article:
After three seasons of covering the Class of 2023 I am proud of our identification of the state’s top talent. Through hours of grinding tape, attending dozens of games in person, and maintaining a strong presence on Twitter there hasn’t…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAfter three seasons of covering the Class of 2023 I am proud of our identification of the state’s top talent. Through hours of grinding tape, attending dozens of games in person, and maintaining a strong presence on Twitter there hasn’t been many kids that have next level talent that have slipped through the cracks. With the debut of our newest Class of 2023 Rankings Update there are a few additions to the Top 100 in the Class of 2023. To welcome these six athletes to the spotlight I want to take time to dive into their film, and give a look into their current recruitment and availability. We start with a new member of the Top 5 in the Class of 2023.
The biggest breakout player of the entire 2022 season was Evan. It was no surprise to see the 6’6″ 210 lbs edge defender instantly garner D1 interest and offers as his tape became available. Evan checks off so many boxes that you look for in a special edge rusher. He has elite length, and uses it to keep separation from offensive linemen. His first step off the line is lightning quick and he accelerates to top speed in a matter of 2-3 strides. The top end speed and closing speed are just as special. If you don’t get hands on him instantly then the play is already over because of his athleticism. The biggest surprise in his game is the lateral agility. Multiple times in his highlights you see him cover ground and give himself the leverage advantage with a quick lateral slide. It is effortless for him. I am so excited to watch him receive SEC level coaching. As he hones the technical side of the game and pairs it with his physical gifts… watch out.
The biggest breakout player during these rankings updates was when I came across the St. Catherine’s DL. KingGolden checks in at an elite 6’5″ 290 lbs; perfect for the interior of the DL. The mammoth of a senior packs a lot of strength onto that massive frame. Strength that allows him to press interior offensive linemen away from his chest with ease. His heavy hands help get that strong initial contact as well. It is strength that allows him to hold the line of scrimmage or reset it in the backfield. Brooks also has quick hands and an effective swim move. The St. Catherine’s senior is a versatile defender who will be able to play against the run and pass. He currently holds one offer from Iowa Central. Coaches, make sure you are aware of the Top 10 DL prospect.
The defensive line position gave us a lot of new talent this rankings update. Our third new DL in the Top 100 is the DE/OLB out of Madison East. Elliott has an intriguing 6’5″ 240 lbs frame. Tuinstra is raw, but the tools are there to be developed. He is a long strider off the edge, and able to cover ground when he gets into the backfield. Elliott has the strength to set the edge against the run. You can see many examples of him taking on pulling linemen, stuffing the block, shedding the block, and making the tackle. Tuinstra also seems to be a high motor player based on the multiple chase down tackles in his highlights. Give the raw, high upside prospect a look.
Our final member of the new addition defensive linemen in the Class of 2023 rankings is the Bay Port senior. The 6’5″ 290 lbs defender won Defensive Lineman of the Year for his conference, and the highlight tape is filled with examples of how he earned that honor. The big man has heavy, active hands in the trenches. They are constantly working to create separation and get Kaeden to the heels of the OL. Lewis has excellent overall power that gives him the ability to walk his opponent off the line and into the backfield. His penetration is able to create havoc, even without him making the tackle. The senior has experience, and success, lining up everywhere from NG out to over the OT. Kaeden is a versatile, big DL prospect. I don’t see any offers for him. Could be one of the biggest steals at this point of the recruiting process.
The newest addition to the rankings among DBs is the Eau Claire Memorial cornerback. The 6’1″ 170 lbs athlete is smooth athlete who has the fluid hips to turn and run with receivers without losing speed. In man coverage, Gerber does a very good job of playing the ball after turning and running with him man. He looks and leans when finding the ball, and has the ball skills and timing to be very disruptive at the catch point. Gavin excels in zone coverage as well. There he is able to use his quick processing skills and his long speed to cover a lot of ground while the ball is in the air. His timing is another key strength as he is able to bait QBs into bad decisions. He holds offers from Whitewater, Sioux Falls, Minnesota State- Moorhead, and Eau Claire.
Our final newcomer in the Top 100 for the Class of 2023 comes in at exactly #100. The 100 spot belongs to two way playmaker L’Shawn Taylor L’Shawn Taylor 5’10” | 175 lbs | ATH Martin Luther | 2023 State WI out of Martin Luther. The 5’10’ 175 lbs WR/DB has the talent to play either side at the next level. I am excited to see how Bemidji State uses him. Taylor has an excellent athletic profile that he relies on to make his plays. On defense, L’Shawn plays with range to make plays from midfield to the sideline. He uses his quick twitch traits to run sharp routes leading to a lot of separation for his QB. Taylor has the ball skills to be create turnovers or reel in passes at receiver.