15 of Oregon’s Biggest Sleepers Heading Into next Season
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There isn’t necessarily a specific criteria picked out for the individuals referenced below. Some already rank as top 50 athletes within their class. A few of the others haven’t played much varsity football yet. What they do have in common…
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There isn’t necessarily a specific criteria picked out for the individuals referenced below. Some already rank as top 50 athletes within their class. A few of the others haven’t played much varsity football yet. What they do have in common is a belief that they will be listed as top players within their league and maybe even the state next season. Have a look..
*No Particular Order
Eli Johnson Eli Johnson 6'4" | 200 lbs | WR South Salem | 2024 State OR South Salem 6-4 200 WR 24′ South Salem
Eli has elite size and genes but has been overshadowed by a bunch of talented kids at South the last two seasons. In 2022 he finished with 14 catches for 187 yards and 2 TDs. Over the off season thus far he has been one of Oregon’s breakout players on the 7v7 circuit, looking like the best player on the field at times. Look for him to have a monster senior campaign opposite talented athlete Parker Williams Parker Williams 5'10" | 175 lbs | DB South Salem | 2024 State OR .
Baird Gilroy Baird Gilroy 6'5" | 215 lbs | QB West Linn | 2025 State OR 6-4 200 QB 25′ West Linn
Whoever ends up taking the snaps for the Lions is going to do well. Nick Sakys Nick Sakys 6'2" | 205 lbs | QB West Linn | 2024 State OR is ranked one of the top QBs in the state for 2024, but Gilroy is a player and has a chance to step in and do well. If given the opportunity expect big things from the underclassmen.
Hudson Whipple Hudson Whipple 6'5" | 225 lbs | TE West Salem | 2025 State OR 6-5 215 TE 25′ West Salem
Whipple projects as one of the top players in the state for his class, but most aren’t aware yet, as the Titans underperformed as a team last season. The last name speaks for itself as he could blow up in 2023.
Grant Valley Grant Valley 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR Jesuit | 2025 State OR 6-0 180 WR 25′ Jesuit
Valley has looked outstanding as part of the EForce 7v7 group. He is one of the fastest athletes in the state and could thrive with all of the attention that will go to 1st team all-Metro two-way athlete Jace Burton Jace Burton 5'11" | 165 lbs | DB Jesuit | 2024 State OR . If the Crusaders air it out a little more he could put up some big numbers.
Cameron Nix Cameron Nix 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB North Medford | 2025 State OR 6-0 190 WLB 25′ North Medford
I will be the first to admit I was not aware of how talented Nix is. As a sophomore he flew around with a presence and demeanor rarely seen with young athletes. His 77 total tackles and 18 tackles for loss speaks for itself. Look for him to be one of the top players in the SWC next season.
Michael Urias Michael Urias 5'9" | 200 lbs | OL Sheldon | 2023 OR 5-10 240 DT/G 24′ Sheldon
Urias is deserving of recognition but doesn’t necessarily get it as a 5-10 lineman. He had one of the most impressive seasons of any OL in Oregon, earning 1st team all-league honors in a brutally tough conference, which combined the SWC and Valley.
Kaden Hale Kaden Hale 6'3" | 200 lbs | ATH Forest Grove | 2024 State OR 6-3 205 QB/ATH 24′ Forest Grove
As most know Forest Grove is not a traditional football power. That said as Hale has legit size and put up some incredibly impressive numbers in multiple weeks during 2022. He can play a handful of spots on the field and impresses with his overall versatility.
Jerrik Wangler Jerrik Wangler 6'0" | 205 lbs | ATH North Salem | 2024 State OR 5-11 185 RB/LB 24′ North Salem
It’s hard to even call Wangler a sleeper as he was one of the best players in his conference this past season. With the graduation of Josiah Davis Josiah Davis 5'11" | 205 lbs | RB North Salem | 2023 State OR , he could have a field day offensively. Look for him to be one of the top two-way players in the state.
Niko May Niko May 6'0" | 180 lbs | ATH Central Catholic | 2024 State OR 6-0 180 WR/DB 24′ Central Catholic
May quietly had an outstanding season for the Rams catching 24 passes for 282 yards and 3 TDs in 2022. He has excelled on the 7v7 circuit as part of Team Lillard and has the potential of being a dude in the secondary as well.
Houstyn Lee-Perry Houstyn Lee-Perry 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Liberty | 2024 State OR 6-1 210 DE/OLB 24′ Liberty
The 3-sport athlete was one of Oregon’s breakout performers this past season, earning Pacific Conference Player of the Year honors from his D end spot as a junior.
Jonathan Berrien Jr 6-1 210 OLB 24′ Mountainside
Berrien was one of the more impressive underclassmen in the Metro League. He earned 2nd team all-Metro honors and was a big reason for the Mavericks defensive success and 9-2 record.
Rocco McClave Rocco McClave 6'2" | 180 lbs | QB Crescent Valley | 2024 State OR 6-3 180 QB 24′ Cresecnt Valley
McClave had a phenomenal season even with the Raiders going (1-8). Universities like what he brings to the table. Statistically he led 5A Oregon with 28 Passing TDs/4 INTs, averaging 323 yards per game.
Conor Croteau Conor Croteau 6'4" | 210 lbs | TE Lake Oswego | 2024 State OR 6-4 195 TE 24′ Lake Oswego
Another kid who has been making a name for himself both on the 7v7 circuit and during the 2022 season. Croteau could be one of Oregon’s featured athletes next year, returning as an all TRL TE, with the Lakers projecting as a top 5 team.
Xavier Orozco 5-11 220 DL 24′ Silverton
The defensive lineman of the year within the conference. Orozco will be a 5A POY candidate next season after earning 1st team all state honors in 2022. He’s undersized for the position but continuously disrupts on the interior.