Six 2025 Players to Watch this Fall
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For those new to the Prep Redzone Colorado scene and interested in a subscription, use code WESLEY30 for 30% off your first subscription! Many sophomores started for the varsity squads last season, showing a depth of talent throughout the class…
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Many sophomores started for the varsity squads last season, showing a depth of talent throughout the class on Friday nights. The junior varsity level also saw significant talent from many sophomores, reinforcing the strength of the 2025 class.
Now, let us briefly examine six players from the 2025 class with rapidly rising stock value as recruits.
Knapke is arguably the best overall free safety in the state. He checks off all the boxes a program typically looks for in a recruit. He has solid size, impressive speed, excellent coverage techniques, tone-setting physicality, and an advanced understanding of the game. Being a coach’s son and younger brother to a D1 safety gives him a leg up on other players as a knowledgeable player and standout prospect. Knapke is a phenomenal player and two-time state champion, making him a player that Colorado schools should fight to keep in the state.
Highlights
Lawrence is an outstanding player with a very high ceiling. He is an explosive running back with excellent vision, dynamic cuts, and breakaway speed. His versatile set of skills makes him one of the top offensive weapons in his class. He can line up as a receiver and quickly burn through secondaries. Lawrence is a talented player with film that speaks for itself, earning him a spot among the top names in the state.
Highlights
Carter is a do-all athlete who can play at every level in the secondary, including lining up as a nickel corner and locking down the slot receiver in man coverage. He is a downhill player who delivers the boom with each hit. In addition to his defensive talents, Carter is a dangerous offensive weapon who uses his athleticism and physicality in various situations to help his team, adding to his value as a top-tier prospect.
Hoffman is a wide receiver phenom on the verge of becoming a highly sought-after prospect. He is blazing fast with a sub-4.5 40-yard dash time and has impeccable catching abilities. His crisp and explosive routes allow him to create space from defenders at his release and with his breaks. Hoffman is an ideal target for quarterbacks, making him the perfect fit for offensive schemes that put an emphasis on passing the ball and spreading out the defense.
Highlights
Ward is a lesser-known player with exciting talents and significant potential. He plays with a competitive mentality and has an unstoppable motor, making him an ideal teammate to have on the field. He is a shifty player with breakaway speed and dynamic athletic abilities, making him a nightmare for defenses whenever he gets into open spaces. Ward is an under-the-radar player poised to have a breakout junior season.
Smiley is an extremely talented athlete with a high IQ and outstanding speed. He is a free safety with the ability to cover sideline to sideline. His understanding of the game allows him to flow in coverage while using his instincts to anticipate where the offense wants to go with the ball. He is a two-way player who uses his phenomenal athleticism to be a dangerous ball carrier. Smiley is a radar low-flyer with the potential to have a breakout junior season, making him a player to watch.