Class of ‘25: Welcome to the Rankings Part III
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Before the focus shifts away from the rankings, we must first close out the bonus coverage for the recent Class of ’25 rankings update. Part III of Welcome to the Rankings highlights the third and final group of prospects that contributed to…
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Continue ReadingBefore the focus shifts away from the rankings, we must first close out the bonus coverage for the recent Class of ’25 rankings update. Part III of Welcome to the Rankings highlights the third and final group of prospects that contributed to the massive incoming bunch of newcomers from the March update. The debuts of these newcomers ranged from No. 101 to No. 130 in the class. They may not have cracked the Top 100, but they’re a group of players ready to contribute during the 2023 season.
We begin the final group with Keiton Jones Keiton Jones 6’5″ | 300 lbs | ATH Field Kindley | 2025 State KS of Field Kindley. Jones came up one spot shy of making his debut in the Top 100, as he entered the rankings at No. 101, and is the 19th ranked athlete in the class. He’s categorized as an athlete for his potential as a two-way lineman, but he looks like a very promising defensive tackle. Jones is one of the stronger prospects in this class, and his 6-foot-5, 300-pound frame easily passes the D-I ‘eye test’.
Checking in two spots behind Keiton Jones Keiton Jones 6’5″ | 300 lbs | ATH Field Kindley | 2025 State KS is a quarterback prospect looking to build off his solid 2022 season. After seeing a few varsity snaps as a freshman in 2021, Eli Jones Eli Jones 6’1″ | 185 lbs | QB Norton | 2025 State KS of Norton became the starter for the Bluejays, and helped lead them to a 6-4 record in 2022. Jones’ play made a significant impact on the Bluejays’ offense, as their numbers improved across the board. The 15th ranked signal caller finished his sophomore year with over 1,500 yards of total offense and 15 total scores.
The competition for the No. 1 spot in the defensive backs group shapes up to be an intriguing storyline this season. Jalen Morgan Jalen Morgan 5’10” | 175 lbs | DB Junction City | 2025 State KS of Junction City is a prospect with the potential to make that climb to the top. The 5-foot-11 corner showed some encouraging signs in his first varsity season. Morgan played well in zone coverage, and proved to be a good defender against the run. He joined the rankings at No. 104 overall, and is the 6th ranked defensive back in the class.
Following behind Morgan at No. 105 is Davis Weber Davis Weber 6’2″ | 240 lbs | OL Blue Valley North | 2025 State KS of Blue Valley North. Right tackle may not be Weber’s natural position, but it is where he had success in 2022. The sophomore was an effective run blocker for the Mustangs, and he proved he could hold his own in one-on-one situations. Weber’s solid play led to an All-EKL Honorable Mention nod in his first varsity season, and he’s now the 12th ranked offensive lineman in the class.
The defensive line continues to be the top position group in this class through yet another update. There’s obviously a number of notable prospects at the top of the group, but the back half boasts some quality talent as well. Jorge Cereceres Jorge Cereceres 6’3″ | 210 lbs | DL Lyons | 2025 State KS of Lyons is a prime example that. Cereceres was arguably the Lions’ top defender in 2022, as he ended his sophomore year with a team-high 82 total tackles, and was named a 2A All-State Honorable Mention pick. He made his debut at No. 107 overall, and is the 18th ranked defensive lineman in the class.
Logan Warkentine Logan Warkentine 5’9″ | 175 lbs | LB Andover | 2025 State KS of Andover comes in with the sixth highest debut from this group, as he checked in at No. 108 overall and is the 13th ranked linebacker in the class. The ’22 campaign may have been his first season starting at the varsity level, but it didn’t take long for the sophomore to emerge as one of Andover’s top defenders. Warkentine made a statement by taking home a 2nd Team All-League selection. Look for Warkentine to be a defensive anchor for the Trojans this season.
There’s still some unknown with this next prospect, but he could surprise folks during his junior year. The Blue Valley Tigers are likely to hold an open competition at quarterback this off-season, and Christopher Aiello Christopher Aiello 6’2″ | 195 lbs | QB Blue Valley | 2025 State KS is a prospect capable of winning the job. Aiello may not have seen many varsity snaps in 2022, but he’s looked sharp during the 7-On-7 circuit. The 6-foot-2 signal caller cracks the rankings at No. 111 overall, and he’s the 17th ranked quarterback in the class.
Highlights
There are already a few Shawnee Mission West Vikings in our player database, and now Brandon Wilson Brandon Wilson 6’3″ | 170 lbs | DB Shawnee Mission West | 2025 State KS becomes the first to be added to the Class of ’25 rankings. Wilson entered the rankings as the 112th ranked prospect overall and the 7th ranked defensive back in the class. After a solid showing during his sophomore year, Wilson is set to have a busy summer ahead of him. He’s received college camp invitations from Dartmouth, Iowa State, and Kansas State. The lengthy safety has the potential to put together an All-League caliber year this fall.
Highlights
Speaking of defensive backs capable of becoming All-League performers this season. Brody Reschke Brody Reschke 5’11” | 155 lbs | DB Olathe South | 2025 State KS of Olathe South is the third defensive back featured in this group, and was the fifth member of the secondary to be added in this update. Reschke debuted a few spots behind Brandon Wilson Brandon Wilson 6’3″ | 170 lbs | DB Shawnee Mission West | 2025 State KS at No. 115, and he’s the 8th ranked defensive back in the class. He’s a corner we highlighted earlier this off-season during 7-On-7 coverage, and he’s continued to make plays for STFFAKC since then.
Folks nationally and around Kansas already know about standout sophomore, Jayden Woods Jayden Woods 6’3″ | 235 lbs | DL Mill Valley | 2025 State KS . However, the Mill Valley Jaguars have another defensive lineman from their sophomore class with tremendous upside. Meet 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive tackle, Abe Shaffer Abe Shaffer 6’5″ | 250 lbs | DL Mill Valley | 2025 State KS . He provided great depth for the Jags’ stout defensive line last season, and he has the potential to wreak havoc alongside Woods this year. Shaffer joins his other Jaguar teammates in the rankings, as he debuted at No. 129 overall.
The welcoming party for the recent Class of ’25 rankings update ends with Rhett Ihrig Rhett Ihrig 6’3″ | 225 lbs | DL Goodland | 2025 State KS of Goodland. Much like his teammate, Linkon Cure Linkon Cure 6’6″ | 210 lbs | TE Goodland | 2025 State KS , Ihrig is a small-school prospect folks will want to remember moving forward. Ihrig is one of the more experienced prospects within the defensive line group, as the 2023 campaign will be his third at the varsity level. He’s a 6-foot-3, 215-pound defensive end with plenty of room to grow. Ihrig rounds off the latest wave of newcomers at No. 130 in the class.