5 Ascending 2025 Recruits Who Made An Impact This Past Fall

<p>We're beginning the process of updating the 2025 Rankings, which come out in a few weeks, so we're taking a look at 5 recruits in the 2025 class who really broke out this fall. I expect that they will have big roles moving forward for their respective programs and that this past season was just the tip of the iceberg.</p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='712336' first='Jack' last='Lockhart'] - Cathedral - ATH - 6'0" 200lbs</h2>   <p>Lockhart is going to be one of Cathedral's best defensive pieces they've had in a long long time when he leaves there. He's incredibly versatile and was full-time varsity defense this past season. He's lined up at Corner, LB, and as a standing edge. He's a decent athlete with a great range. Physical and willing to come play the run. He's a thicker build as it stands and works as hard as anyone you'll come across. He's always on a field or in the weight room and working on very specific things. On the year, he put up 40 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and picked off a ball. In terms of numbers, not the biggest stat-line, but Lockhart was arguably the most consistent player when he got his opportunity. He got a little work Week 1, but Week 2 versus Brownsburg on, he played and that's when the consistency in his play came. 5-4-4-4-4-3-8 were his next 7 games tackles. When your defense is forcing 3 and outs, you're not missing the tackles when they come, and you fly around the field, those are what your numbers should look like. Lockhart isn't going to be hidden for much longer, and it's better to get on this hype-train now because it's not slowing down anytime soon.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@JackLockhart09</strong></p>    <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='547259' first='Drew' last='Fleek'] - Woodlan - ATH - 6'0" 190lbs</h2>   <p>Fleek came out of seemingly nowhere and not only had a breakout season, but became the focal point of the running game while playing some defense and special teams. Last year was his first season on varsity and proved to be a home-run hitting threat. Big play after big play. Touchdown after touchdown the confidence grew. Towards the end of the season, he had a 200-yard game against South Adams where he couldn't be stopped. Quick feet, speed to get to the edge, and able to shake a defender off in small spaces is how he's able to be such a threat. While he can do those things, he's more of a downhill runner with good side-to-side agility. All the tools he has compliments his game very well which is why he was able to rush for over 1000-yards and 11 TDs on the season. I don't see any reason for his momentum to slow down, or any reason for his role not to continue to grow over the next few years. He's able to handle a big workload, is physical, and has big play ability. Fleek is someone who could come out and be one of the hotter RB prospects by his Senior year, and the only ones who would be caught off guard are the ones who overlook the small schools.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@DrewFleek06</strong></p>    <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='712337' first='Sean' last='Casteal'] - Lawrence Central - OL - 6'3" 280lbs</h2>   <p>Casteal had a good season all things considered. He's young, big bodied, and was thrown into the fire to learn. Some guys sink and some guys struggle at first, but then learn to swim. I'd say with Casteal, that's where he fits in. He began to pick things up quickly and rarely made the same mistake twice. As the season progressed, he played more confidently and freely. He had his moments of phenomenal dominance and his moments where you can see he's a bit raw and needing an offseason in the weight room. As of just a few days ago, he's squatting over 500lbs so I think it's safe to say that's where he's been since the season ended. He's a good athlete who can be fairly light and nimble on his feet. He's actually fairly quick and can get downfield in a hurry to lead the way on a high-effort play or screen play. Casteal is someone that could end up being a high-end recruit up front for Lawrence Central. He checks quite a few boxes, and putting it all on tape is going to be pretty hard for schools to say no to.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@CastealSean</strong></p>    <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='712338' first='Ben' last='Godar'] - Bloomington South - ATH - 6'3" 210lbs</h2>   <p>Godar is just one of those versatile, hardworking, and humble players that every team needs and every team has. Whether it's line up at TE, at Outside Linebacker, or On Special Teams to either Block a Kick or return it, he's going to show up and do his job. With his length, he's got incredible range and has long arms which allows him to make some plays other guys couldn't. He's never in a rush and has the ability to sense out disguises. He's shown the ability to rush the passer, play the run, and drop back into coverage. While all phases are still in development, it's very promising to see the ability to do all 3 with ease and have no issue being physical on top of all of it. His first year starting varsity last year he put up 67 tackles, 43 solos, 7 TFLs, 8 PBUs, and added an interception, forced fumble, and sack each. If you add the blocked punt to his tally, Godar has hit a stat-line bingo impacting the game in every way possible that a defensive player can, all in his first year starting. Big things could be in store for him if he continues to play at this level, or above, in the coming years. </p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@Godar_Ben0</strong></p>    <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='706224' first='Derek' last='Sherwood'] - Northridge - RB - 5'10" 190lbs</h2>   <p>Sherwood has developed nicely over the past few years on the JV squad and last year when he got some burn on Varsity, didn't disappoint. He's a shifty back who is good at finding and getting through the small holes. Good top-end speed and the ability to break the long run at any given moment. His tape throughout the season progressed so much that it's hard to imagine he won't have a bigger role next year. His games on Varsity later in the season were better than his games in JV earlier in the year. He was running with a ton of confidence and trusting his eyes as the season went along. He only started 2 varsity games last year, and in those starts he put up 131-yards and a TD on 21 carries and followed that up with 125-yards and 2 TDs on 20 carries the next week. Sherwood is a worker and was ready for his opportunity when it came. I feel fully confident that not only will he do the same thing this upcoming season, but he'll likely take on a permanent role in the offense.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@DerekSherwood32</strong></p>

We're beginning the process of updating the 2025 Rankings, which come out in a few weeks, so we're taking a look at 5 recruits in the 2025 class who really broke out this fall. I expect that they will have big roles moving forward for their respective programs and that this past season was just the tip of the iceberg.