Class of 2025’s Watch List to Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In every class we try our best to create an extensive watch list of players who may not have enough film or experience to be ranked. In the latest Class of 2025 update, we raised several players that were on the Watch List to the Rankings. This article will briefly cover five of those players, and why they are now ranked! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["899516"],"_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":"Thomas is one of those players who took off during his Junior season. Looking back to his sophomore year, he probably had enough film and playtime to be ranked, yet he was definitely a raw prospect at the time. This past season he was named team captain, as well as receiving all-region honors. The best way I can compare last year to this year is that last year Thomas was a blocker; this year he was a mauler. He gained a ton of power, and he was able to engage with opposing defenders quickly, stick on, and dive them back with usually great footwork.rnI can't wait to see how Thomas continues to improve throughout this offseason!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["277652"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='277652' first='Reed' last='Blake-Thomas']'s 2023 film was extremely fun to watch, especially when you compare with his earlier film. I've seen Reed on several occasions, many times at offseason camps. Generally, I got the sense that he's a super hard-working athlete who's as strong as an ox that just needs to get a bit more athletic and get some time playing Varsity football. On film, he looked more athletic than I've ever seen him and his feel for the game flashed. He seems to have found his place on the defense as a middle off-ball linebacker. He plugs up the middle as you'd expect from a strong linebacker, but there are a few other plays where he makes a great effort to make a play on the sidelines. I think if Reed keeps focusing on his athleticism and speed, he could be a high D2 or even MAC prospect.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["602039"],"_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":"Brady is another player who's really come on during his Junior season.rnDakota (and the MAC Red in general) is known for physical, swarming defensive play, and Brady embodies that. As an off-ball linebacker Brady flies to the football and isn't afraid to deliver a big hit. If you're running the ball up the middle against Dakota, you better have a heck of a lineman to get to try and block Brady. In just one season, he's gone from the Watch List to one of the best off-ball linebackers in the entire state.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["899522"],"_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":"Weiss really solidified himself on the Grandville offensive line this season, and he proved to be one of the best Wing-T linemen in Michigan. Even though he's a big 6'3u0022 230lbs, he moves extremely well. James is able to fly off the ball with a controlled first step, and seamlessly get to the second level or cover some good ground with his zone blocks. He may not have the pass-blocking experience that a lot of colleges are looking for, but he is undoubtedly one of the better run blockers in the state and he has the film to back it up.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["899548"],"_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":"Gabe really came into his own this season as a solid all-around tight end. I love what I see from Gabe in terms of being a possession receiver. He comes down with a lot of red zone catches, check down catches, and is overall a great player to lean on within the Holland Christian offense. I would love to see him play in-line a bit more and block, but other than that he's proven to be one of the best tight ends in this class.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-659526fdc4ba0"} /-->