Offensive Breakout Candidates from the 2025 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2023 season just around the corner, rising juniors are set out to get a huge year on the field and on tape. In our rankings update the past few weeks, we have found several players who had solid to impressive years last year that should blow up this upcoming season. Whether due to physically maturing or figuring the game out better, these guys are set to make their mark on the state this season. We are continuing to find and locate talent across the state in this special class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["920458"],"_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":"The 6'1u0022 185 do-it-all athlete had an impressive year of tape last season at North Forrest and will look to build on his success at his new school Hattiesburg. [player_tooltip player_id='920458' first='Demarcus' last='Baker'] is the type of downhill, powerful and aggressive back that defenses hate preparing for. Featuring a nasty stiff arm move and enough contact balance to shake an entire defense, Baker is a one man wrecking machine with the ball in his hands. He has good speed and burst in the open field, but you will not want to meet this guy in the hole. Baker also spent time in the secondary last season and could give Hattiesburg some extra help there if needed. If he continues on the right track, there is no reason to not expect the rising star to gain some college traction by midseason.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64dedb87757c1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["920459"],"_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":"A powerful offensive tackle who received offers from Arkansas and Mississippi State this past summer, [player_tooltip player_id='920459' first='Harrison' last='Cluff'] joins the Columbia Wildcats this season and should instantly be one of the biggest names in 4A. Cluff stands at a tall 6'5u0022 290 and has all the intangible skills that college coaches dream of. A naturally strong kid with impressive feet, Cluff does a great job in pass protection and has a powerful first punch to him. As a run blocker, Cluff can reach well on outside run concepts and has the lower leg drive to work a defensive lineman to the backer by himself. Columbia has been known to put out some great prospects on the offensive and defensive lines over the year, and in due time, the rising junior should be the next one up.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64dedb877583a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["920462"],"_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":"Following in the footsteps of former Itawamba quarterback Ty Davis will be difficult, but TCU baseball commit [player_tooltip player_id='920462' first='John' last='Wood'] is up for the challenge. The 6'4u0022 190 lb junior will be making his first start this coming season and is bound to turn some heads off his physical profile alone. Davis impressed in camps this summer, and while it may have been without pads or a pass rush, you can see the natural arm talent. Davis has good mechanics with his feet and has little hitch or false step to his drop, allowing him to not lose his base when throwing. His arm strength is one of his best qualities as he is able to zip the ball downfield without much effort at all. While the question marks definitely still exist for good reason, there is no doubt that Wood is a star in the making.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64dedb87758a0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["920468"],"_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":"Coming off a solid season last year, [player_tooltip player_id='920468' first='Micah' last='Jones'] has a chance to solidify himself as one of the best tight end prospects in the Southeast in 2023. The 6'5u0022 225 prospect looks like he still has room to continue to get taller and more filled out. This is the type of player that hasn't even sniffed the ceiling of his potential yet. Jones runs well downfield and has natural hands to him, allowing him to be a huge threat in the pass game over the middle of the field. The rising junior also has a knack for blocking in the run game, using his power and speed to overwhelm linebackers and defensive ends in split zone and gap scheme runs. Tight end is one of the most challenging positions for college coaches to find guys at, and [player_tooltip player_id='920468' first='Micah' last='Jones'] will be one of the best guys found in the 2025 class when it is all said and done.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64dedb8775904"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='920474' first='Will' last='Smith']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Ocean Springs","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the Coast's best running backs last season, [player_tooltip player_id='920474' first='Will' last='Smith'] has the opportunity to carry the Ocean Springs offense in his junior season. Former quarterback Bray Hubbard provided a ton of help in the run game in 2022, but Smith is just as capable of getting the job done on the ground. Smith has impressive speed and burst in the open field and sees rushing lanes open before they truly do. He has a lot of wiggle to his hips, allowing him to quickly change direction and make defenders miss. Although he isn't the biggest back yet, Smith does a great job at running with low pad level and trudging through arm tackles on his way to the endzone. Capping things off, he has reliable hands out of the backfield. Expecting a monster year on the ground from one of Ocean Springs next great offensive players.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64dedb87759cc"} /-->