2024 Rankings: Biggest Risers
In this article:
Class of 2024 rankings were quietly updated today, and we jumped from 200 ranked to 600 ranked. The big jumps usually lead to not many risers with so many new additions, but that was not the case for this class…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingClass of 2024 rankings were quietly updated today, and we jumped from 200 ranked to 600 ranked. The big jumps usually lead to not many risers with so many new additions, but that was not the case for this class as several prospects who have had very strong offseasons rose up our rankings. Granted, with the new additions, several players moved down the rankings, but not because their overall grades from me changed. Most all my grades either held or went up from players while doing a reevaluation. However, I will say that you can blame the OL and DL for any drop or the lack of rising up the rankings. This OL/DL class in New York is just silly good, and they make up a majority of the top 100.
Also, the criteria for these risers were jumping at least 20 spots in the rankings. Plenty of guys went up 1-3 spots, but when you jump 20, there is some serious buzz around your game. These guys fit the bill and some even jumped up 50+ spots.
A huge mauler out of Syracuse, Tyrone Davis Tyrone Davis 6’4″ | 280 lbs | OL Corcoran | 2024 State NY is athletically on another level and a couple D1 programs have taken notice. Davis was on my radar throughout last season but strong film and some college interest that materialized into offers rockets him up our rankings.
Tanner Burlingame Tanner Burlingame 6’5″ | 270 lbs | OL Maine-Endwell | 2024 State NY was not a name I knew until I saw Maine-Endwell win the state championship in their class. Burlingame was a top player in that game and has the OL measurables to excel at the next level. Burlingame was just recently the only committed 2024 (UMass) to a D1 school, although he was joined by a couple others last week.
Highlights
Bobby Galindo Bobby Galindo 6’3″ | 295 lbs | OL South Side | 2024 State NY was in the conversation of being the top lineman in the second tier of OL already and he has been dominant when I have had the chance to see him this summer. I know for a fact that he is on the radar of a couple schools he does not have offers from yet but already has a couple offers from some strong play this last fall. Should continue to be a strong summer for the South Side OL.
Highlights
Aqil Meredith-Smith Aqil Meredith-Smith 6’4″ | 285 lbs | OL Moore Catholic | 2024 State NY is attempting to stake his claim as the top IOL in this class. Meredith-Smith is getting some D1 love recently that comes off a strong performance at the Elite V showcase and some really good fall performances.
Highlights
This QB class is very complicated and I am sure I will speak on that on Twitter but one thing has become evidently clear over the course of this summer and that is Nahseem Deas Nahseem Deas 6’3″ | 190 lbs | QB Lincoln | 2024 State NY is QB1. Deas has all the tools you want in a modern day QB and that is not even including how his athleticism is comparable to the top athletes at any position in the state. Strong performances at Elite V showcase and Elite 11 in PA showcase his abilities. The Arm Talent box is checked and the Athleticism box is checked. Deas now up to 4 offers is QB1.
Highlights
Oshane Martin Jr Oshane Martin Jr 6’2″ | 205 lbs | LB Erasmus Hall | 2024 State NY is a name that some people have raved about to me, Martin Jr was solid on a Erasmus Hall defense last season that stopped every offense they faced. However, outside of the defensive line there was not a ton of play time for Juniors and when I saw Erasmus Hall twice last season Martin Jr was in on a rotational basis. I will add, when Martin Jr was in, he stood out as one of the more aggressive instinctive players on that defense. Martin Jr is starting to get some love and got a couple of strong local offers. Martin Jr is now getting into the territory where measurables and athleticism wise he is one of if not the top linebacker in the state. Could be a tough battle for the #1 LB spot in a position group loaded with FCS talent.
Once their graduation year comes around I think it is the time we can throw kickers into these rankings based on their college projection. Sidenote on Lesiewicz is that he is no just a kicker, he would have likely been somewhere in the 150-180 range if he was listed as an ATH or DB in which he is consistently a top performer. As a kicker, Lesiewicz is a 5-star Kohls kicker and ranked #19 as a kicker in the country. Likely will end up at a P5 or G5 school as a kicker.
Mike Dunn Mike Dunn 6’4″ | 280 lbs | OL Cardinal Hayes | 2024 State NY is a top returner to a stacked Cardinal Hayes OL and already has an FCS offer. Dunn was on my radar last season but like many OL this fall and summer just shot up the rankings with really solid performances. Dunn has really good strength and some of the best pass sets in the CHSFL. The competition he goes against is strong and proven and there is a really good background of strong tape that showcases a well-rounded blocking skillset. Dunn is one of the top returning CHSFL players.
Highlights
Matthew Tomaszewski Matthew Tomaszewski 6’3″ | 275 lbs | OL Shenendehowa | 2024 State NY got some upstate love with an offer from Albany and now gets some love in our rankings, a player who upon reevaluation had his grade rise quite a bit Tomaszewski is one of the best players upstate and could garner some more interest and offers from schools outside of the local area in the coming months.
Highlights
Timmy Tomlinson Timmy Tomlinson 6’0″ | 180 lbs | K Chaminade | 2024 State NY is ranked #22 overall K and #19 overall P on Kohls and the 5-star already as an offer from Army. Alongside Lesiewicz these two make up one of the most impressive kicking classes to come out of New York in quite some time.
Highlights
Gamaliel Sauveur Gamaliel Sauveur 5’11” | 185 lbs | ATH North Rockland | 2024 State NY is fast and the ATH with a Sacred Heart offer is a dominant player for North Rockland. I think Sauveur is a hidden gem that not many schools even know about but if the reported speed times are legit he would challenge Josiah Brown Josiah Brown 5’11” | 175 lbs | WR Malverne | 2024 State NY and Ja’Meer Thomas Ja’Meer Thomas 5’10” | 170 lbs | WR Bennett | 2024 State NY for being the fastest player in the state.
Fabian Rhoden Fabian Rhoden 6’0″ | 235 lbs | DL Newburgh | 2024 State NY has accolades stacked to the ceiling already with two strong years as Newburghs top defensive player in one of the best player in his area. Alongside last seasons top 23′ Deondre Johnson Deondre Johnson 6’8″ | 200 lbs | WR Newburgh | 2023 State NY Rhoden led Newburgh to a state title game in a very tough AA bracket. Rhoden is big and quick and not just stands out on tape but does so in dominating fashion. Rhoden just got his first FCS offer, expect more to come.
James McNeil James McNeil 6’2″ | 200 lbs | RB Bishop Timon-St. Jude | 2024 State NY could be a bigger rugby star than on the football field considering his performances this spring but as a running back those skills are all coinciding and McNeil has gotten some love recently from Gannon and Mercyhurst. A top 24′ RB McNeil has the size and athleticism to continue to generate interest from the next level and build of a strong fall season.
Trevor Barry Trevor Barry 6’1″ | 210 lbs | RB Iroquois | 2024 State NY may play at a very low class in New York but when you look at the production and the tape it is easy to see how those skills will translate to the DI level. Barry does a really good job of using strength, speed, and balance to be a dominant ball carrier and already has some offers to play at the next level. There are plenty of DIII schools who I knew were bummed some DI level schools have been noticing Barry. The skillset is there and production wise Barry is one of the best EVER in New York.
Kyle Meier Kyle Meier 6’3″ | 220 lbs | ATH Whiteboro | 2024 State NY has good size and one of the strongest arms in the class, like I said with Deas earlier this QB class in complicated and Meier contributes to that. QB3 through QB10 all seem very interchangeable and they all flash just incredible arm talent at times and Meier is one of the leaders in that category. Consistency, Anticipation, and Accuracy are where Meier can continue to grow and by the end of his senior season could even be challenging for a QB1 spot. Meier has a very high ceiling and is a player to watch this fall as he already has made strong improvements and jumps up in the rankings.
Highlights
Cleveland Charlton Cleveland Charlton 6’5″ | 185 lbs | WR Cardinal Hayes | 2024 State NY has some pressure on him this season as he is essentially penciled into that WR1 role alongside an offense that’s biggest question is WR. Charlton has the ability to play at the next level and has an offer from LIU with elite measurables at 6’5 and very impressive speed. A player who could really make a ton of noise this season on a Cardinal Hayes offense that is expected to put up big numbers.
Kynan Ulanga II is a nickel corner/safety at the next level and showcases some really good athleticism and the ability to make plays around the ball. A player who was really good in St. Francis’ run to the Catholic State Championship game comes back as one of their top defenders. A strong season of tape and performances I saw jump him up the rankings.
Highlights
Sam Bisesi Sam Bisesi 6’1″ | 170 lbs | K Iona Prep | 2024 State NY who is a 4-star on Kohls and a 5-star on Chris Sailer kicking is another stud in this stacked kicking class. Bisesi has some Big 10 interest and could end up at a major power 5 school or even several different local FCS D1 programs. Bisesi has a huge leg with a really high ceiling.
Michael Wheat Michael Wheat 5’9″ | 185 lbs | ATH St. John The Baptist | 2024 State NY is one of those players who will excel at whatever position you put him at. Wheat does a really good job winning reps with athleticism but his football instincts are really evident on tape. He played a lot of QB last season but that was likley the only position he did not project for at the next level. This year we get a full-time ATH/RB/WR/CB/S/OLB so basically every position besides OL/DL/QB. A full season of Wheat showcasing some of the best football you will see. He may be undersized but he understands how to utilize space and win with quickness on offense while showcasing good coverage skills and some really good ability to diagnose what the offense is doing.
Highlights
Did anyone have a stronger summer in front of Prep Redzone Scouts? Everywhere Melore went he was a top player and it just puts more evidence on him being one of the top returning WR’s in New York. He may not have the most elite measurables or athleticism but Melore has the route runner and catching ability to be a really good FCS prospect.