Class of ‘24: From Watch List to the Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Normally we begin every update by checking in with the top players in the class. But the coverage for the latest Class of '24 rankings update will be a bit different this time around. Since the Top 10 is still relatively the same since the previous update, the coverage for this May update will kickoff by highlighting the latest newcomers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With an incoming group as talented as this one, it was impossible to only increase the class to 200 ranked players. Over 25 prospects cracked the rankings in this update, which increased the upcoming senior class from 185 ranked players to 210. Several of the newcomers were featured throughout this spring, but there are still a few that need a proper introduction. Despite not being featured during the&nbsp;<em>Watch List</em>&nbsp;series, these six prospects have been on our radar, and we've kept a close eye on their progress over the past few months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["826371"],"_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: 400u0022u003eThe highest debut in this update comes from a high-profile transfer to the Sunflower State. [player_tooltip player_id='826371' first='Martell' last='Buchanan'] of Blue Valley adds to an already loaded position group, as he enters at No. 41 overall, and is the 7u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked defensive back in the class. Much like many of the top defensive backs from this class, Buchanan has also drawn interest from multiple D-I and D-II programs. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound safety currently holds offers from the u003cemu003eUniversity of North Dakotau003c/emu003e and u003cemu003eNorthwest Missouri Stateu003c/emu003e.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["827348"],"_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: 400u0022u003eThere are only a few programs in the state that consistently develop standout defenders year in and year out. Wichita Northwest is one of those programs, and [player_tooltip player_id='827348' first='Jeremiah' last='Harris'] becomes the latest Grizzly defender to make his debut in our rankings database. Harris recorded 32 total tackles and three pass breakups in nine games during the '22 campaign, which led to a u003cemu003e6A All-State Honorable Mentionu003c/emu003e nod and a u003cemu003e1u003csupu003estu003c/supu003e Team All-Leagueu003c/emu003e selection. He's now the eighth Wichita Northwest player to crack the Class of '24 rankings, as he checks in at No. 111 overall.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["826370"],"_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: 400u0022u003eOne defensive unit folks should look out for this season is Blue Valley's. They're set to have playmakers at every level of their defense, especially in the secondary. [player_tooltip player_id='826371' first='Martell' last='Buchanan'] headlines this group, but the Tigers also have this key starter returning for them. [player_tooltip player_id='826370' first='Robert' last='Marshall'] makes his debut at No. 120 overall, and comes in behind [player_tooltip player_id='827348' first='Jeremiah' last='Harris'] as the 16u003csupu003eth u003c/supu003eranked defensive back in the class. Marshall earned u003cemu003eAll-EKLu003c/emu003e honors after collecting 48 total tackles and five interceptions during his junior year.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["827345"],"_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: 400u0022u003eProspects from the lower classification levels turned heads this spring. We've highlighted a number of them during the recent 7-On-7 season, but we've yet to introduce folks to [player_tooltip player_id='827345' first='Loden' last='West']. Not only did he have a productive spring, but he was very impressive last fall as well. The Ellsworth product racked up 95 total tackles, and showcased his athleticism by also rushing for over 500 yards. He's since received offers from u003cemu003eFriends University u003c/emu003eand u003cemu003eNorthwestern Oklahoma Stateu003c/emu003e. West comes in a few spots behind Marshall at No. 123 overall, and is the 17u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked linebacker in the class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["829070"],"_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: 400u0022u003eThere were a total of eight defensive backs to crack the rankings in this May update, and [player_tooltip player_id='829070' first='Zion' last='Wayne'] of Olathe North was yet another that debuted inside the Top 150. Wayne takes over the 135u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked spot, and is the 17u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked defensive back in the class. He's set to see a much larger role this season with the Eagles graduating key starters from their secondary. He'll need to elevate his game this summer, and will have several opportunities to do so after receiving multiple college camp invitations.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["826372"],"_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: 400u0022u003eSpecialist don't receive the attention they truly deserve. At times the work they do goes unnoticed, but they are without a doubt the backbone of a team. [player_tooltip player_id='826372' first='Braeden' last='Gorby'] is a great example of this, and he becomes the first long snapper to debut in the Class of '24 rankings. Earlier this month he impressed while at the second u003cemu003eKC Varsity Combinesu003c/emu003e, and he intends to compete at more showcases this summer. Gorby rounds off this group as the 207u003csupu003ethu003c/supu003e ranked prospect in the class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646cc8071ea2a"} /-->