New Additions to the 2024 ATH Rankings
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The 2024 athlete class is deeper than ever after the recent rankings update, with many guys around the state having the potential to play multiple positions at the next level. Today, we will be highlighting several new additions to the…
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Continue ReadingThe 2024 athlete class is deeper than ever after the recent rankings update, with many guys around the state having the potential to play multiple positions at the next level. Today, we will be highlighting several new additions to the rankings who are bound to see a jump in their recruitment soon.
A 5’11” 160 pound running back and defensive back from Mendenhall, Jay Ulmer Jay Ulmer 5’10” | 160 lbs | ATH Mendenhall | 2024 State MS is an explosive playmaker who put up a great year of tape last season. Offensively, Ulmer is a quick twitched back who has great vision and can put his foot in the ground and go. Ulmer shows the ability to change direction without a lot of hesitation and the speed to blaze by defenders to the end zone. On the defensive side of the ball, Ulmer does a great job playing corner back. He has a smooth transition and can easily break on the ball when it is in the air. The rising senior is best in zone based coverages, but he has the ability to play off man as well. As athletic as he is, Ulmer most likely projects as an offensive player at the next level due to his size. Currently holding no offers, Ulmer is bound to begin adding interest as the offseason progresses.
A well rounded defensive back, Kenyar Hurt Kenyar Hurt 6’1″ | 165 lbs | ATH Leflore County | 2024 State MS has the size and physicality to play all over a secondary at the next level. At 6’1″ 165, Hurt has great size and has plenty of room to continue filling out. Last season, Hurt was primarily used at cornerback. The rising senior is smooth at the line of scrimmage and does a great job at jamming and redirecting wide outs. As a tackler, Hurt takes good angles and has great pursuit for the ball carrier. Hurt uses good form and can bring the boom when needed. In coverage, Hurt can play both man and zone and can run with his wide out downfield. He has solid ball skills and plays it well in the air. Currently, he holds offers from Southwest and Mississippi Delta Community College.
A quarterback who converted to wide out this season, Cayden Burger Cayden Burger 6’0″ | 175 lbs | ATH Petal | 2024 State MS put up a huge season, catching 62 balls for 930 yards and 9 touchdowns. As Petal graduated their senior quarterback last season, we will have to wait and see if Burger goes back to his original position or continues his dominance at wide out. As a route runner, Burger has a good release at the line of scrimmage and can beat man coverage effectively. He does a great job at stacking on top of his defender and can create easy separation for his quarterback. Burger gets in and out of his breaks well and sells his double moves extremely well. He has natural hands and tracks the ball downfield on deeper passes. For a first year wide out, Burger’s ceiling is incredibly high. He currently holds no offers, but expect him to garner some attention this offseason.
Highlights
An explosive running back and defensive back out of Saltillo, Coby Owens Coby Owens 6’1″ | 205 lbs | ATH Saltillo | 2024 State MS stands at 6’2″ 210 and has great speed for his size. Offensively, Owens is a back that can truly do it all. As a runner, he shows great patience in the backfield and sets his blocks up well for big time gains. Owens can hit the hole and explode through the second level, letting his speed do the rest of the work for him. As a bigger back, he can also run through contact and stay on his feet when defenders are engaged. Defensively, Owens plays a strong safety type role and will roll down into the box on certain run heavy downs. He is a physical defender who can blow up ball carriers in the backfield. Owens also has impressive coverage skills and does a good job at breaking on the ball and using his length to jar it loose from receivers. As big as he is currently, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get some looks as a college linebacker. He currently holds an offer from Coahoma but should begin to add more as the offseason progresses.
A 6’3″ 210 pound wide receiver and defensive back, Brian Barnes Jr Brian Barnes Jr 6’3″ | 210 lbs | ATH Pascagoula | 2024 State MS is an intriguing prospect who is bound to continue to rise up the rankings. Offensively, Barnes is a dominant X receiver that has the vertical ability to catch any football. Barnes can go up over top defenders and tracks the ball extremely well when it is in the air. He has good speed in the open field and can blaze by his cornerback covering him in order to get open. As a route runner, Barnes does a solid job of getting in and out of breaks, but his real talent is as a deep threat. In the open field, Barnes has some serious YAC ability and is always conscious of where the first down marker is. Currently, he holds an offer from Southwest Community College but is bound to add more offers soon.
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Other New Adds
Damari Jefferson Damari Jefferson 5'10" | 160 lbs | ATH Oak Grove | 2024 State MS | Oak Grove
Torrance Skidmore Torrance Skidmore 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH West Harrison | 2024 State MS | West Harrison
Reed Jesiolowski Reed Jesiolowski 6'4" | 215 lbs | ATH Hartfield Academy | 2024 State MS | Hartfield Academy
Coledan Carter Coledan Carter 5'10" | 180 lbs | ATH West Point | 2024 State MS | West Point
Kimari Brown Kimari Brown 5'11" | 185 lbs | ATH Newton County | 2024 State MS | Newton County