Class of ‘25: Welcome to the Rankings Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the growing popularity of 7-On-7 showcases and powerlifting events this time of year, March has become a prime month for discovering new talent. Prep Redzone Kansas has identified a number of potential candidates for the rankings, especially for the Class of 2025. This March update was flooded with newcomers, as 36 prospects made their debut; increasing the class to 150 ranked players. With an incoming group that large, we'll be splitting this warm welcome into three parts. Part I features 10 of the highest debuts from this update, with prospects ranging from the Top 25 to No. 66 overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["716598"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eOne prospect folks absolutely need to remember this fall is [player_tooltip player_id='716598' first='Andrew' last='Babalola'] of Blue Valley Northwest. Babalola received the highest debut in this update at No. 19 overall and is the 3u003csupu003erdu003c/supu003e ranked athlete in the class. He's a lineman with tremendous upside, and could be an impact player on either side of the trenches this fall. The 6-foot-7, 265-pound junior-to-be is looking to become the Huskies' next D-I prospect.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["676467"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe upcoming junior class has a few quarterbacks that established themselves in 2022. But a majority of the position group heads into the '23 campaign with something to prove. [player_tooltip player_id='676467' first='Derek' last='Morgan'] of Eisenhower will be one signal caller to look out for this season. He was one of Eisenhower's standout junior-varsity players this past season, and he's performed well competing with Kansas Elite during the 7-On-7 circuit. The 47u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked prospect is likely to be a strong candidate for the Tigers' starting job this fall.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["716730"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eReplacing defensive standouts like [player_tooltip player_id='317360' first='Louis' last='Traglia'] and [player_tooltip player_id='259757' first='Nathan' last='Fury'] will be a tall task for Kapaun Mt. Carmel this season. Luckily for the Crusaders, they'll have [player_tooltip player_id='716730' first='Austin' last='Howard'] ready to become a leader for their defensive unit. Howard collected 65 total tackles during his sophomore year, which then lead to an u003cemu003eAll-GWAL Honorable Mentionu003c/emu003e nod. He enters the rankings at No. 55 overall, and is the 7u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked backer in the class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["716095"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eChecking in one spot behind [player_tooltip player_id='716730' first='Austin' last='Howard'] is [player_tooltip player_id='716095' first='Terrell' last='King'] of Hutchinson. King proved to be one of the top corners in this class during the '23 campaign. He impressed during his freshman year in 2021, but things really began to click in his second varsity season. The sophomore displayed excellent open field tackling, and forced multiple turnovers for the Salthawks' defense in 2022. His u003cemu003e1u003csupu003estu003c/supu003e Team All-Leagueu003c/emu003e year brings him in as the 3u003csupu003erdu003c/supu003e ranked defensive back in the class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["716836"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eEarlier this off-season we added [player_tooltip player_id='676186' first='Bernard' last='Birch'] to our player database, and now we've added yet another Wichita Northwest defensive lineman to the mix. [player_tooltip player_id='716836' first='Brady' last='Johnson'] comes in with the fifth highest debut, as he takes over No. 57 overall and is the 11u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked defensive lineman in the class. Johnson tied for sixth on the team with 7.5 tackles for loss, and contributed 18 total tackles for the season. He appeared in eight games as a sophomore, but should become a key contributor for the Grizzlies' defense this season.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["733507"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eA fellow defensive lineman follows closely behind [player_tooltip player_id='716836' first='Brady' last='Johnson'], as [player_tooltip player_id='733507' first='Hyrum' last='Vaeono'] of Lawrence Free State makes his debut at No. 58 overall. One of the things that sets Vaeono apart from the rest of the defensive lineman in this class is, having the opportunity to compete against next-level talent everyday in practice. Going up against Free State's stout offensive line did wonders for his development. He was anu003ciu003e All-Leagueu003c/iu003e performer this past season, and should be once again as a junior.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["716116"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThere are only a few receivers from this class that earned u003cemu003eAll-Stateu003c/emu003e honors in 2022. [player_tooltip player_id='716116' first='Jensen' last='Schrickel'] of Hayden was one of them, but his 2022 campaign hasn't been talked about enough. Despite being a part of a run-heavy offense, Schrickle was arguably one of the most exciting wideouts from Class 3A last season. The speedster stretched the field for the Wildcats' offense, and was a very dynamic runner after the catch. His big play ability earns him a debut inside the Top 100 at No. 61 overall.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["716597"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eDerby continues to churn out prospects from their football factory, as [player_tooltip player_id='716597' first='Easton' last='Splane'] becomes the latest Panther to join our player database. Splane enters in at No. 63 overall, and is now the second Derby Panther to crack the Class of '25 rankings. Derby's upperclassmen may have stole the headlines on defense last season, but Splane proved to be a key contributor in their secondary. The sophomore finished his first varsity season with 34 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and one interception.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["716663"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWhile [player_tooltip player_id='570288' first='DaSaahn' last='Brame'] headlines the tight end group for this class, that doesn't mean folks should sleep on [player_tooltip player_id='716663' first='Brody' last='Brigham'] of Mill Valley. Brigham had a limited role on the Jaguars' 2022 state title squad, but he did impress in his few varsity appearances. He was a capable blocker in the run game, and showed flashes of being the Jags' future starting tight end. With Mill Valley graduating their top pass-catcher from 2022, look for the 65u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked prospect to see more targets during his junior year.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["733466"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThis next prospect is known more for his play on the diamond. However, he deserves some recognition for his performance this past fall. [player_tooltip player_id='733466' first='Grady' last='Westphal'] of Blue Valley is a great addition to an already loaded position group, as he makes his debut as the 11u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked wideout in the class, and the 66u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked prospect overall. Westphal finished his sophomore season as the Tigers' second leading receiver with 482 yards on 25 catches. He may be a u003ciu003eTexas Au0026amp;Mu003c/iu003e baseball commit, but he could have a future on the gridiron as well.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-642792a17283a"} /-->