15 Midwest 2025s Blowing up on the Offseason Recruiting Trail

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite the lack of padded action and real football to watch, the offseason is still a thrilling ride for a recruiting fanatic like myself. Seeing your evaluations of prospects validated, discovering new names as their stock blows up, and the general trends and themes that go along with pipelines, geographic ties and footprints, and the uniqueness of each individual recruits process never gets old and only gets more important as college football continues to evolve and shift upwards. It's especially interesting to track underclassmen, and the 2022-23 offseason has yielded some incredibly talented rising juniors out of the Midwest who are blowing up on the recruiting trail and inclining towards national notoriety. For your benefit &amp; enjoyment, <em>PrepRedzone </em>has highlighted 15 of the best 2025s seeing their hard work pay off on the offseason recruiting trail. Let's dig in!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>--</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283778"],"_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":"Blue Island, located around a half hour south of downtown Chicago, is home to u003cemu003eDwight D. Eisenhower High Schoolu003c/emu003e and their superstar sophomore u003cstrongu003eAndre Lovettu003c/strongu003e. An athletic part of the Land of Lincoln's high-profile and still-growing 2025 class of prospects, u003cstrongu003eLovettu003c/strongu003e was high on P5 big boards before this offseason and had received offers from Akron u0026amp; Tennessee in the summer going into his sophomore season, but his recruitment really took off and blew up once the new year rolled around. Mizzou, Louisville, Syracuse, Ball State, Iowa, Miami (OH), and Illinois have all joined in on offering the 6'2, 170 lber. since the middle of January, and with visits mixed in to Ohio State, Northwestern, and Notre Dame, not to mention a few of the schools that have offered, it's safe to say u003cstrongu003eLovettu003c/strongu003e is blowing up and set to become even more popular. As an athlete, Lovett is a three-phase contributor who shows off vision and suddenness with the ball in his hands who can make people miss with quick cuts in the open field, good speed on both sides of the ball, especially when coming downhill, and triggering on the ball, plus ball skills and physicality as a defensive back. I like him more as a safety right now, but that decision is up to u003cstrongu003eLovettu003c/strongu003e and the school he eventually commits to, so we'll see how he keeps growing and developing. For now, schools have made a good decision getting in u003cstrongu003eLovett'su003c/strongu003e recruiting list early, and some blue-bloods will continue to track and evaluate the standout u003cemu003eCardinalu003c/emu003e. Also holds a 3.1 GPA!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["252221"],"_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":"Coming out of the Northern Iowa town of Algona - population ~ 5,336 - 2025 quarterback u003cstrongu003eAlex Manskeu003c/strongu003e is already a decorated prep gunslinger and prospect who saw his recruitment take off right at the end of his sophomore season when the old Wisconsin Badgers staff reached out with his first college offer, and a good one at that. Football recruits from the state of Iowa are generally discovered and identified early, and u003cstrongu003eManskeu003c/strongu003e is a great example of this, as the Hawkeyes and Cyclones were the first two college programs to reach out with recruiting information and more than likely had the young buck on their boards when he was a freshman. However, the Badgers beat them to the punch, and in March we saw his P5 status solidified when the Pitt Panthers and QB coach Jonathan DiBiaso offered an ACC scholarship. u003cstrongu003eManskeu003c/strongu003e has also visited Iowa, Iowa State, and Kansas State for junior day visits this spring. Still categorized as an athlete, u003cstrongu003eManskeu003c/strongu003e is already a 2x 3A Second Team All-State pick and 2x All-District selection with a 3.8 GPA and a lot of good things going for him on the gridiron, and he finished his sophomore szn with a stat line of 103 completions on 180 attempts for 1,688 yards and 20 total TDs with 407 rushing yards mixed in as well. He also posted 59 tackles and 2 INTs as a DB. On tape, the 6'3, 205 lber. displays a huge arm that can really stretch the field vertically and fit the ball into tigh windows with zip, clean footwork and good balance to evade pressure and extend plays around the pocket, the toughness to step into throws through contact, and what looks like a smooth throwing motion and release. u003cstrongu003eManskeu003c/strongu003e also has sideline-to-sideline range in both run and pass defense, takes great angles to the football, and can lay the boom when coming downhill. I'd keep that ATH option open, this dude is dynamic.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["376454"],"_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":"u003cemu003eSimeon High Schoolu003c/emu003e has long been a Chicago Public School power with a long and illustrious line of football u0026amp; basketball prospects to come out of their Southside halls. As one superstar graduates, the u003cemu003eWolverinesu003c/emu003e simply reload, and as WR Malik Elzy (Illinois) and Andre Crews (post-grad) sign off and graduate, two beasts on the DL step up to take their place in 2024 Mikeshun Beeler and stud 2025 EDGE u003cstrongu003eChristopher Burgess Jru003c/strongu003e, whose recruitment we'll discuss right here. Akron and Illinois couldn't wait for his sophomore season to begin to offer up, but things really blew up after the fall concluded, as Western Michigan, Purdue, Marshall, Louisville, Old Dominion, Notre Dame, and Iowa have entered the fold with official offers since December, with the last three all coming since the middle of March. With great size at 6'5, 240 and still growing, u003cstrongu003eBurgess Jr.u003c/strongu003e is strong, physically put together, and easily passes the eye test when he gets in front of college coaches in person. He primarily beats blocks with power and has a rep where he backs an OL down into the backfield and into the RB for a TFl through contact, and u003cstrongu003eBurgess Jr.u003c/strongu003e also uses his hands well after the initial contact to shed blockers u0026amp; shows a bit of twitch when needed to boot. I also like his motor and pursuit speed for a kid of his size, as he's willing and able to run down loose QBs and RBs once they escape the pocket. These aren't small offensive linemen he's beating either, and with the combination of size, strength, and age, it's no wonder he has the amount of offers he's sitting on right now. More are coming!","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["383704"],"_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":"Waukesha's own u003cemu003eCatholic Memorial High Schoolu003c/emu003e has one of the most talent-ridden offensive rosters in Wisconsin going into the 2023 season, as well as the entire Midwest, and along with their star-studded 2024 class, the u003cemu003eCrusadersu003c/emu003e already have a national 2025 recruit who is the most popular prospect on this list. Tipping the scales at 6'8, 290 lbs., rising junior offensive tackle u003cstrongu003eOwen Strebigu003c/strongu003e saw his recruitment explode as soon as his sophomore campaign ended, as Indiana, Minnesota, and Illinois all offered in December, which invited Purdue, Iowa, Penn State, Wisconsin, Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame, Florida State, and UCF to also offer heavyweight scholarships. u003cstrongu003eStrebigu003c/strongu003e has also visited ND, Wisconsin, Penn State, Illinois, and Iowa in this time frame, so he's already well into the thick of things and is poised for a monster summer to follow his productive sophomore offseason. The bend, body control, and general mobility are all eye-popping and noteworthy on film, as u003cstrongu003eStrebigu003c/strongu003e explodes out of his stance and flies across the LOS like he's 100 pounds lighter, can break down in space smoothy to take out quicker defenders, is a confident and competent zone blocker, and is a strong, physical finisher once he gets hands on. His 290 pounds looks lean and long on tape, and u003cstrongu003eStrebigu003c/strongu003e plays with a low pad level, especially for 6'8, while showing off good footwork when working laterally or in pass pro. Man, he looks like a 5-star on film, and I have only seen a couple lineman that move as well as u003cstrongu003eStrebigu003c/strongu003e does, not to mention the fact he's doing it at 6'8.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["475640"],"_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":"One of a few Great Lakes State 2025ers to make this distinguished list of prep football prospects, u003cemu003eWest Bloomfield'su003c/emu003e 6', 170 lb. wideout u003cstrongu003eKamren Flowersu003c/strongu003e is a track u0026amp; field All-American who has posted a scorching 10.6 100M and transfers that speed to the gridiron, where he's reported a 4.3 40-yard dash. College football programs have taken notice, and although he earned in-season offers from Eastern Kentucky and Michigan State, things really picked up this offseason, when u003cstrongu003eFlowersu003c/strongu003e added Miami (FL), Penn State, Toledo, Western Michigan, and Central Michigan offers for a diverse array of suitors. Playing withu003cemu003e Ann Arbor Huron High Schoolu003c/emu003e last fall, u003cstrongu003eFlowersu003c/strongu003e showed off that aforementioned speed, which showed up in droves on tape. With a gait that doesn't even look like it's working hard, u003cstrongu003eFlowersu003c/strongu003e cruises by opponents like their legs are stuck in the mud and has different gears he shifts into really exasperate pursuers. This is especially visible when he's returning kicks, but it also shows up when he's lined up as a WR. u003cstrongu003eFlowersu003c/strongu003e can turn simple slants into massive splash plays thanks to his effortless speed, and can turn upfield and outpace DBs in only a step or two. If you give him even an inch of space he's going to make you pay, and can take the top off the defense and create explosive plays as well as any sophomore in America. You can't teach speed, nor defend it in u003cstrongu003eFlowersu003c/strongu003e' case, and P5 suitors should be knocking down the Michigan products door as he continues to develop and improve his speed and overall game.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["570288"],"_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":"u003cemu003eDerby High Schoolu003c/emu003e, located in South Central Kansas, has manufactured some outstanding high school football players the past few cycles and is set to keep the momentum going in their 2025 class. The 7x Class 6A state champs have a heckuva TE on their hands in 6'6, 230 lb. rising junior u003cstrongu003eDaSaahn Brameu003c/strongu003e, and college football heavyweights have taken notice and bumped his stock into the stratosphere this offseason, beginning with his first offer back in the middle of January from Oklahoma State. After that, the floodgates opened, and u003cstrongu003eBrameu003c/strongu003e also earned offers from UAB, Kansas State, Kansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Penn State, Houston, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona State, Iowa State, and Nebraska, all during his sophomore year off-season. That's a prestigious and still-growing list of CFB suitors, and u003cstrongu003eBrameu003c/strongu003e has the game to back it up, displaying length, strength, and technique as an effective and physical blocker, both at the LOS and in space. He's also been showing off his mobility and pass-catching prowess in the offseason camp grind, but as a TE, college coaches love a willing and able blocker with u003cstrongu003eBrame'su003c/strongu003e frame, potential, and upside. u003cstrongu003eBrameu003c/strongu003e is set to, and already has, made 2023 his year.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["444465"],"_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":"Coming out of the uber-fertile high school recruiting ground that is Ohio, u003cemu003eCanton McKinley High School'su003c/emu003e 6'2, 200 lb. OLB/S hybrid has seen his hard work pay off this offseason in the form of six Division 1 offers from the likes of Kentucky, Akron, Rutgers, Central Michigan, Virginia Tech, and Pitt. u003cstrongu003eDante McClellanu003c/strongu003e has also visited Ohio State and Rutgers in his bustling sophomore offseason, and will remain busy on the recruiting trail for the rest of his process. As a WR, u003cstrongu003eMcClellanu003c/strongu003e possesses soft hands, some solid shake and a consistency in hitting his marks and creating separation as a route-runner, and juice after the catch who can make people miss in a variety of ways. Defensively, he can do it all, able to drop into passing lanes, particularly in the flats and around the hook/curl, blitz, where he flies off the LOS and explodes into blocking attempts, and can tackle in space/defend the edge. I'm a particularly huge fan of his coverage skills, as u003cstrongu003eMcClellanu003c/strongu003e is instinctive, sneaky at undercutting routes before the QB sees him, soft-handed, and dangerous after the pick. Dynamic, physical, and athletic, u003cstrongu003eMcClellanu003c/strongu003e is going to be a beast of an upperclassman whose popularity is only going to grow. Only studs come out of the Buckeye State!","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["366867"],"_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":"u003cemu003eLeo High Schoolu003c/emu003e, located in Leo-Cedarville, plopped 30 minutes NE of Fort Wayne and near the Ohio border, had a star-studded 2022 class, and continue their P5 momentum with 2025 6'3, 215 lb. TE/DE/ATH u003cstrongu003eBrock Schottu003c/strongu003e. After his fruitful sophomore season that saw him post 52.5 tackles, 20.5 TFLs, 12 sacks (!), a FF, and two defensive TDs, as well as 34 receptions for 468 yards and 7 TDs, Schott blew up on the recruiting trail this offseason and earned offers from Western Michigan, Ball State, Wisconsin, Indiana, Purdue, Cincinnati, Michigan State, and Louisville, and also recorded a 450 lb. squat, 12 reps at 225 for the bench press, and a 300 lb. power clean for some impressive weight room numbers. There are a lot more impressive qualities of u003cstrongu003eSchottu003c/strongu003e than just his strength, as the sophomore film shows off a young buck with a ton of positives going for him. Offensively, he can high point the football, displays great size and COD/start-stop skills for his size, and great speed for his size, as he's easily able to play WR at 6'3, 215 and gave DBs fits at the LOS and top of the route with his footwork. I also like his soft hands and ability to break tackle attempts with his powerful lower body. Defensively, it gets even better. u003cstrongu003eSchott'su003c/strongu003e get-off is impressive, he's got bend at the top of the arch, strength at the point of attack when taking on blocks and tackling, and is always around the football and in the backfield of opponents, leading to some momentum-shifting defensive TDs and big plays. Effective hands, great closing speed, and is comfortable in space, it's no surprise he's already a 4-star prospect and I wouldn't be shocked to see that rating continue to rise. Excellent tape and skillset in the Hoosier State two-way baller. I could watch his film all day.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"Thomas Meyer","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2025 ","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Clear Lake ","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"A standout 6'5, 210 lb. two-sport athlete for the u003cemu003eClear Lake Lionsu003c/emu003e, DE/TEu003cstrongu003e Thomas Meyeru003c/strongu003e earned All-District and 2A Second Team All-State honors on the gridiron before transitioning to basketball, where he recently was named All-Conference on the hardwood. It was also during basketball season that u003cstrongu003eMeyeru003c/strongu003e saw his football recruitment blast off into the P5 ether, as he earned his first CFB offer from Iowa State in mid-January, which preceded Kansas State, Kansas, and Iowa offers from the B1G and Big12 heavyweight competitors. Another classic example of an athletic, well-built, multi-sport underclassman out of Iowa to be identified and recruited early and often, u003cstrongu003eMeyer u003c/strongu003eis long, lean, and coordinated, displaying an impressive vertical skillset where he can beautifully high point the football and snag it out of the air while seemingly floating through the Iowa sky, occasionally even with one hand. He also shows off solid speed, some shake at the top of the route, the toughness to reel in catches through contact, and some tackle breaking ability with the ball in hand. His basketball skillset really lends itself well to the gridiron, and defensively, u003cstrongu003eMeyer u003c/strongu003ehas a good get-off, visible pursuit speed, and the ability to start/stop, change direction, and tackle in space. He can also beat blockers with quickness and work under blocking attempts to tackle ball carriers behind the LOS. I could see u003cstrongu003eMeyeru003c/strongu003e playing on either side of the ball in college. Great call by his first four suitors so far.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"Dominik Hulak","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"I.C. Catholic Prep","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_9_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"u003cemu003eI.C. Catholic Prepu003c/emu003e, located in Elmhurst, IL, around a half hour west of Chicago, has a glamourous and all-star roster going into the 2023 season that I believe ranks among the best in the Land of Lincoln. Besides their top-tier 2024s, I am smitten with 2025 linebacker u003cstrongu003eDominik Hulaku003c/strongu003e, who I've written about a few times already for u003cemu003ePRzILu003c/emu003e. With excellent size at 6'3, 230 lbs., u003cstrongu003eHulaku003c/strongu003e led the u003cemu003eKnightsu003c/emu003e defense to a 3A state title in 2022, earning in-season offers from Illinois and Wisconsin along the way. His stock continued to rise after the conclusion of the season, as Iowa State, Purdue, and Notre Dame all threw their hats in the mix, and that Notre Dame offer, which came during the Irish #PotofGold2025 offer streak, is particularly validating when talking u003cstrongu003eHulak'su003c/strongu003e talent and ability to succeed at the next level, and potentially beyond. Patient when reading his keys and flowing to the ball, u003cstrongu003eHulak u003c/strongu003edoes a great job of mirroring and match-stepping RBs in space and can come downhill, eat up space, and lay dominant tackles in space or around the LOS. He can flip his hips to change direction, pursue out to the edge of the defense, and enforce his will with dominant tackles that shut down plays and prevent extra yardage in the run game. Great size and moves well at 6'3, 230, u003cstrongu003eHulaku003c/strongu003e has all the makings of another starter and All-Conference linebacker at the next level, just like the treasure trove of Illinois-bred linebackers before him.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["603743"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"The other Great Lakes State standout to make the list of 2025s blowing up on the recruiting trail, u003cemu003eUniversity of Detroitu003c/emu003e u003cemu003eJesuitu003c/emu003e 6'2, 175 lb. athlete u003cstrongu003eElijah Dotsonu003c/strongu003e is also a decorated track u0026amp; field competitor with a growing list of accolades on the gridiron as well. A 4x Tu0026amp;F AAU junior Olympian in the 400M and 100M hurdles, u003cstrongu003eDotsonu003c/strongu003e is already an All-State hurdler in high school and has been named All-Catholic, All-Detroit, and All-Region for his football exploits to boot. College suitors are taking notice, and once the new year rolled around, u003cstrongu003eDotsonu003c/strongu003e earned offers from Pitt, Central Michigan, Bowling Green State, Penn State, Louisville, Miami (OH), and Western Michigan. He also has visited WMU, Pitt, Miami (OH), Michigan, Alabama, Auburn, Troy, LSU, Memphis, Mississippi State, and Michigan State to stay busy this offseason, and the 6'2, 175 lber. is in a great spot to improve upon his sophomore campaign of 40 receptions for 650 yards and six TDs, with a KOR TD and two INTs to sweeten the pot. The track speed shows up big time in his sophomore film and helps him turn routine catches and returns into splash plays, and he's also outstanding at playing the ball in the air and high-pointing tough catches through contact and tight coverage. u003cstrongu003eDotsonu003c/strongu003e also shows off some shake at the LOS in his releases, the skills to cut off his routes cleanly, and acceleration from a dead stop. He's a fast, controlled, and playmaking wideout who is lethal after the catch. More offers are coming!","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["234833"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"It was only a matter of time for u003cstrongu003eMr. Swinneyu003c/strongu003e. u003cstrongu003eMeyer'su003c/strongu003e older brother Bastian is a redshirt sophomore offensive lineman at Cal-Berkely, and as the long-time lead scout at PRzMN, I'd be a fool to not know Bastian has a younger brother. I've been eagerly watching and tracking the 2025 WR/TE since he was a 7th grader, and the fruits of his labor and standout genes are beginning to pay off this offseason for the u003cemu003eEdina Hornetsu003c/emu003e pass catcher. The 6'4, 210 lber. earned his first P5 offer in March when the Iowa State Cyclones reached out, and after visits to Dinkytown, Ames, and Madison, Cal-Berkely offered a PAC12 scholarship, to no one's surprise. Tight end is more than likely his future position, but for now, as a prep wideout, u003cstrongu003eSwinneyu003c/strongu003e was a matchup nightmare in 2022. Good footwork and shake in his releases and at the top of the route, u003cstrongu003eSwinneyu003c/strongu003e does a good job of cutting off his routes and working back to the football for a big-bodied wideout, can break tackle attempts with his powerful lower body, and has visible speed as well. u003cstrongu003eSwinneyu003c/strongu003e can also high point the football, complete catches through contact and in traffic, and is a devastating blocker who is especially competent when blocking out in space and at the edges of the defense, where he opened some massive holes for his teammates last fall. As mentioned, it was only a matter of time. There's too much good going for him for P5s to not get involved.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_12_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_12_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_12_player_details_player_name":"Kage Payne ","_player_evaluations_12_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_12_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_12_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_12_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_12_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_12_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_12_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_12_player_details_school":"Kings","_player_evaluations_12_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_12_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_12_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_12_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_12_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"Another Buckeye State product, interior offensive lineman u003cstrongu003eKage Payneu003c/strongu003e is a newer addition to the D1 recruiting scene in comparison to his peers on this list, but that doesn't mean his blow up isn't as noteworthy. Since March 1st, Toledo, Miami (OH), Bowling Green State, Ohio, Coastal Carolina, Memphis, and Florida Atlantic have offered up, and as a young buck nearing double-digit FBS offers, it's a good bet that a P5 suitor is going to stick their head in the mix soon. As an offensive guard and occasional OT, u003cstrongu003ePayneu003c/strongu003e is a vicious and quick puller who laid some massive hits on unfortunate opponents and he can also work to the second level and crush smaller defenders in space. Also comfortable and effective when working and blocking laterally at the LOS, u003cstrongu003ePayneu003c/strongu003e has heavy hands, is an asset in pass pro from the interior of the OL, and is a nasty finisher with good strength that overwhelms smaller opponents. u003cstrongu003ePayneu003c/strongu003e is controlled and balanced for his size and I am especially impressed when watching him block on the move and at the second/third level of the defense. He can move like he's 50-100 pounds lighter and can pull off just about any block asked of him as a prep lineman. Get at him now, before it's too late!","_player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_13_player":["716598"],"_player_evaluations_13_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_13_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_13_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"Another Sunflower State standout sophomore, 6'6, 270 lb. u003cstrongu003eAndrew Babalolau003c/strongu003e comes out of talent-rich Overland Park and u003cemu003eBlue Valley NW High Schoolu003c/emu003e, where he excels as an offensive u0026amp; defensive lineman, as well as hooper on the basketball squad. u003cstrongu003eBabalolau003c/strongu003e is still at the genesis of his expanding recruitment, and is fresh off his first college offer from Iowa State on April 8th. Oklahoma and Kansas got unofficial visits prior to the Cyclones reaching out, and you can bet your bottom dollar that the massive lineman is far from done on the recruiting trail. Long, good leg drive, and overwhelming size helps him easily overpower defenders, and as a defensive lineman, u003cstrongu003eBabalolau003c/strongu003e is strong enough to eat up double teams and hold a gap while making tackles through contact. He also possesses a clean and patient pass set, gets off the ball well and can pursue QBs outside of the pocket, and can beat blocks with quickness as well. He's only scratching the surface of his potential, and from the sophomore tape, which mostly includes reps from summer scrimmages, it's safe to say that u003cstrongu003eBabalolau003c/strongu003e is poised for a massive, productive, and breakout junior campaign this fall. Great call by the Cyclones getting in their early.","_player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_14_player":["685836"],"_player_evaluations_14_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_14_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_14_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_14_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_14_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_14_evaluation":"There are some imposing and renowned young bucks in the 2025 Wisconsin recruiting scene, many of whom emerged onto the P5 recruiting scene early and in force. Coming out of what has been a talent-rich Green Bay area the past few cycles, u003cemu003eNotre Dame Academyu003c/emu003e 6'6, 225 lb. TE/LB u003cstrongu003eJames Flaniganu003c/strongu003e has been a familiar name since he was a freshman and has been consistently and impressively raising his stock into the upper echelons of the 2025 TE ranks. The son of former Notre Dame DL Jim Flanigan, young u003cstrongu003eJamesu003c/strongu003e has some heavy duty options early into the process, as the home state Badgers became his first official offer at the end of January, which led to Notre Dame offering the legacy recruit, which both preceded Penn State, Mizzou, and Michigan also offering B1G or SEC scholarships. As a sophomore, u003cstrongu003eFlaniganu003c/strongu003e was named First Team All-Conference, Conference WR of the Year, and All-Region as a TE, and also earned a Second Team All-Conference nod as a linebacker. He posted 22 receptions for 520 yards and 9 TDs with 66 tackles, 7 TFLs, and 3 sacks to boot, and he opens his tape in eye-popping fashion, as the 6'6, 225 lber. runs down a loose u003cemu003ePulaskiu003c/emu003e RB over 70 yards downfield in an impressive display of speed, and he adds an exclamation point on top by punching the ball loose in an fantastic display of speed, hustle, and instincts. The rest of the tape is great too, as u003cstrongu003eFlaniganu003c/strongu003e used that speed to create big runs after the catch, where he can run through and stay upright past tackle attempts at his lower body, and he also has good reps of him laying strong tackles and blocks around the box, snagging the ball out of the air and through contact, and generally causing havoc on both sides of the ball. The size/speed/strength combo is outstanding, especially at this age, and he's a sure bet to be one of the best TEs in the class and in the nation going forward. Wisconsin is a must-stop for the 2025 cycle!","_player_evaluations_14_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":15,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6440a49fd53c9"} /-->