2024 Rankings: Top Newcomers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Monday, we finished off our prospect ranking update with the unveiling of the Top 200 for the state's 2024 class. In case you missed it, you can check out the complete rankings <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/rankings/2024-rankings/">RIGHT HERE.</a></strong> Also, be sure to go back and check out the other ranking updates and breakdowns of the 2025, 2026 and 2027 classes. In this post, we're putting the spotlight on five prospects who are the top newcomers on this ranking update. These guys have absolutely blown up this season and become legitimate prospects for the next level. Be sure to keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma for more 2024 prospect breakdowns this week!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["584313"],"_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":"Claremore wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='584313' first='Gage' last='Deckard'] is one of the breakout stars of this season and we got a chance to see him in person back at our 7v7 tournament in February. We were told that he was going to emerge as one of the state's best wide receivers this offseason and he's lived up to the hype. Deckard is one of the state's leading receivers with over 1,000 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns on the season. Earlier this month, we were at Bishop Kelley as the Comets hosted Deckard and the Zebras and we saw the speed first hand. Deckard has also made plays this season, including in that game on the defensive side of the ball. When Deckard gets into the open field, that speed is very impressive to watch. As the Zebras start preparing for the playoffs, Deckard is going to be one of the top players to watch in the 5A playoffs and his recruitment should take off.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1068995"],"_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":"We got a chance to see Blanchard earlier this season and while we were on the field prior to the game, we were looking around at the different players warming up for the Lions and one stood above the rest. Literally. Senior offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1068995' first='Ross' last='Johnston'] is all of 6'5 and is an absolute tower on the Blanchard line of scrimmage. Talking with Blanchard coaches prior to the game, he was certainly pointed out as someone who has the chance to be special. And we're about to find out just how special. Johnston has emerged as a legitimate D1 prospect as he earned his first D1 offer from Tulsa last week after taking a visit earlier in the month. And it took him just a few days to pull the trigger and announce his commitment to Tulsa. Now, the biggest question with him is whether or not he signs with TU or will a power five program come in late?","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["191294"],"_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":"We mentioned seeing Deckard in person this season and it came against Bishop Kelley earlier this month. Defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='191294' first='Reid' last='Jones'] also shined that night and he has certainly emerged as one of the top prospects along the defensive line. In fact, we really like the front seven that Bishop Kelley has and specifically on the defensive line. They are going to be an absolute problem when the playoffs begin next week. But with Jones specifically, we really like the raw athleticism and power that he has and uses on every single snap. Jones and the Bishop Kelley defensive line did a really good job of getting pressure in the backfield. Central Arkansas coaches agreed and they landed a commitment from Jones earlier this month. Jones and the Comets are taking a ton of momentum into the playoffs after capturing the district championship.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["917639"],"_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":"Every season, we see players come from out of nowhere to become some of the best players at their respective position. El Reno senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='917639' first='Malachi' last='Nicholson'] might be another example of that. Over the summer, we previewed El Reno and mentioned how Nicholson seemed to be knocking on the door of a breakout season. He had a good junior campaign last season but he has been nothing short of spectacular this year. Nicholson grabbed all the headlines earlier this season when he ran for more than 500 yards in a single game. But Nicholson has been much more than just that one game against Noble. He has run for more than 2,100 yards on the season and still has one more game to go in the regular season and then the playoffs. El Reno has produced some playmakers over the last few years and Nicholson is the next up.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["375219"],"_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":"We mentioned Claremore and their star wide receiver and coincidentally, the team they play this week has a star wide receiver as well on this breakdown. Collinsville's [player_tooltip player_id='375219' first='Hudson' last='Henslick'] was a breakout star for the Cardinals last season and he has taken his game to a whole new level this fall. Collinsville is right there with Claremore as an 8-1 contender on the season in Class 5A. Henslick is the team's leading receiver by a wide margin and he has emerged as their best overall player with his play on defense and in special teams. He has been a spark to this team more times than not so far this season. Now, coming into this season, we knew that Henslick was productive but we were curious how he would rank as a prospect. But everyone in 5A knows about him at this point and he's still producing at a high level. So we know Henslick can play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65407484620b0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->