Seniors Ready for the Spotlight: Part II

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are now just 22 days until Friday night lights return in Kansas. The anticipation is building with each day that passes by, and players are beginning to grow restless waiting for Week 1. Especially prospects from the Class of '24. Our preseason coverage for the upcoming senior class continues on, as we're coming back at you with Part II of <em>Seniors Ready for the Spotlight</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're continuing to highlight talented seniors on the outside of our rankings, and Part II features a group of five that shouldn't be taken lightly during the ‘23 campaign. This second group consists of two versatile players primed to standout this year, a pair of defensive backs with great ball skills, and one massive trench monster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":"Rad Rodriguez","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Phillipsburg","_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":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eWe begin with two-way standout, u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/radrodriguez3?s=21u0026amp;t=sGuXARfiU73A1hdQ4qGDNQu0022u003eRad Rodriguezu003c/au003e. The Phillipsburg Panthers experienced their struggles last season, but Rodriguez turned out to be a bright spot for them, as he stepped up to become a leader on both sides of the ball in 2022. Now as he heads into his final high school season, Rodriguez's play will be very instrumental in the Panthers' success during the '23 campaign. Rodriguez is a 6-foot-3, 225-pound prospect that's shown promise at both running back and defensive end. Running back may not be his primary position at the collegiate level, but he moves like a locomotive once he gets a full head of steam. Defensively, he was a u003cemu003e2A All-State Honorable Mentionu003c/emu003e pick in 2022, as he ended his junior year with 62 total tackles and seven tackles for loss.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1181062' first='Ethen' last='Allen']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Garden City","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThere's a few position groups from this class that recruiters will have no issue finding talent at. The offensive line is undoubtably the deepest group, but the secondary isn't far behind. As we get closer to the start of the season, our staff continues to find more defensive backs on the outside of the rankings with next-level potential. u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/ethen2official?s=21u0026amp;t=sGuXARfiU73A1hdQ4qGDNQu0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='1181062' first='Ethen' last='Allen']u003c/au003e of Garden City will be the first of two that we breakdown. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound corner had a strong summer, and as a result, he's drawn D-II interest ahead of his senior year. This summer, Allen put together multiple standout showcase performances, and he even clocked a 4.42 40 time. Allen possesses the length and athleticism to be left on an island, and he has the versatility to make an impact on offense as well.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Tyrone Butler","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Lansing","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThere are some notable running backs returning as starters this season. While most of the attention for this group goes towards players such as [player_tooltip player_id='670887' first='John' last='Price'], [player_tooltip player_id='259786' first='Omari' last='Elias'], and [player_tooltip player_id='146115' first='Cencere' last='Thompson'], there's backs like u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/tyronebutlerjr?s=21u0026amp;t=sGuXARfiU73A1hdQ4qGDNQu0022u003eTyrone Butleru003c/au003e being slept on. An easy way to describe the Lansing product is explosive. His explosiveness was on full display last month at the u003cemu003eSharp Top Prospectu003c/emu003e combine, as he wowed coaches with a 4.54 40 time, and he recorded a 40-inch vertical as well. Butler isn't just a workout warrior either, these numbers translate to the field. He's a very agile runner that can cut on a dime, and his pass-catching ability makes him a dangerous offensive weapon. Even though the Lions favor their passing game, Butler has the potential to eclipse 1,000 yards on the ground this season.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1103604' first='Thomas' last='Cordes']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Paola","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThe Paola Panthers are getting some more recognition in this series, as u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/thomascordes74?s=21u0026amp;t=sGuXARfiU73A1hdQ4qGDNQu0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='1103604' first='Thomas' last='Cordes']u003c/au003e will be the second prospect from Paola that we highlight. u003cemu003ePower 5u003c/emu003e coaches across the country need to take a good look at this young man. Cordes checks multiple boxes for recruiters from a physical standpoint. He measures in at 6-foot-6, 270 pounds, and has posted a bench press max of 325 pounds, as well as a squat max over 500 pounds. Not only does he possess brute strength, but he's also proven to be a solid athlete. There were multiple occasions this summer where Cordes was clocked at 4.8 in the 40-yard dash, which is impressive for someone of his size. Look for him to standout on both sides of the ball this fall.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1115646' first='Elijah' last='McFadden']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Manhattan","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eEvery reigning state champion is sure to have holes to fill after graduating key leaders from last year. Fortunately enough for the reigning 6A state champions, they'll have a few starters like u003ca href=u0022https://twitter.com/elijahmcfadde15?s=21u0026amp;t=sGuXARfiU73A1hdQ4qGDNQu0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='1115646' first='Elijah' last='McFadden']u003c/au003e returning. Manhattan had one of the most stifling defenses in the state last season, and McFadden became a key contributor as a first-year starter. He finished the '22 campaign with the fourth most tackles on the team with 64 total, and he added a pair of sacks and interceptions as well. While their measurables aren't identical, McFadden does showcase a play style similar to top-ranked prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='259756' first='Michael' last='Boganowski']. Some may disagree with that statement, but McFadden's film does the talking. He's a safety recruiters need to do homework on.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64d5987a2c991"} /-->