Climbing The Ladder: 2024 Stock Risers

Several players parlayed impressive senior seasons to help them climb the Prep Redzone Rankings. Here is a look at players, ranked among the Top 50 in the class of 2024, who had the most significant rise in the standings between August and January.   [player_tooltip player_id='334731' first='Donald' last='Collier'], ATH, 6'0”, 175, Trinity Academy, (Kansas)   Collier had an impressive senior season which helped him advance 11 spots in the rankings. The Kansas University signee is ranked No. 11. In nine games for the Trinity Knights he accounted for 1,090 receiving yards on 65 receptions. He scored nine touchdowns his senior season, which was a huge decrease from the 25 he had during his junior campaign.  He is a fast receiver with good hands and could end up returning kicks for KU.   [player_tooltip player_id='259842' first='Callen' last='Barta'], ATH, 6'2”, 180, Seaman, (Kansas State)   Barta parlayed a solid senior season to move up from the 57th ranked player to No. 19. Barta originally verbally committed to Nebraska University, but ended up signing with the Kansas State Wildcats. In 11 games played for the Seaman Vikings, he gained 1,441 yards on 77 receptions. He scored 17 touchdowns and could contribute right away for the Wildcats on special team units. The Seaman product is tough, works hard, and could be a gunner on a kick-off or punt team right away.   [player_tooltip player_id='415320' first='Wesley' last='Edison'], QB, 6'3”, 215, Free State, (Kansas)   Free State's Edison could end up eventually throwing balls to Collier for the Jayhawks. Edison jumped to the No. 20 slot in the 2024 Kansas rankings after a big senior season and committing early to Kansas University. Edison threw for just over 1,500 yards and rushed for more than 1,300 yards. He accounted for 38 total touchdowns. He is a dangerous dual-threat quarterback. You never know how things will work out in the new “Portal Era,” but Edison could have a chance to compete early for the quarterback position in Lawrence.   [player_tooltip player_id='262730' first='Jackson' last='Voth'], WR, 5'11”, 185, Cheney, (Unsigned)   Voth moved up twenty spots after committing to New Mexico State, but he has since reopened his recruitment after coaching changes on the Aggie staff.  Ranked No. 23 in his class, Voth has gotten offers from Division II and JUCO programs. Voth finished his senior season with 77 receptions and 1,039 receiving yards. He had 24 total touchdowns broken up to 11 on the ground, 10 on receptions, and three on special team returns.   [player_tooltip player_id='826187' first='Jameer' last='Moore'], DB, 6'2”, 165, Salina Central, (Kansas)   In my opinion, defensive backs are the most difficult position to scout. When I attend games, I get so focused on tracking stats that unless there is a DB I am there to specifically watch, that position gets lost in the shuffle. I did not see Salina Central play in person this season, there is nothing eye-popping about Moore's stat line. However, once watching his highlight reel, it becomes more apparent what college coaches see in him. He was ranked No. 80, but after a solid senior season and committing to the Kansas Jayhawks he moved to No. 25. He has explosive closing speed and the size and vertical to defend long opposing receivers.   [player_tooltip player_id='826371' first='Martell' last='Buchanan'], DB, 6'2”, 180, Blue Valley, (Kent State)   I featured Buchanan in a report last week, so I am not going to dig too deep into his report, but I also did not want to just ignore his rise in the rankings. The Blue Valley prospect increased his positioning by moving from the No. 41 slot to No. 28. He has signed to play for the Kent State Golden Flashes in the MAC Conference. He has plus speed and could have a chance to contribute to Kent State's special team units right off the bat.   [player_tooltip player_id='582516' first='Jason' last='Strickland'], OL, 6'4”, 245, Blue Valley Southwest, (Kansas)   Strickland was under-ranked in the last update. He had one of the most significant rises up the ranks moving from outside the Top 100 into the No. 34 slot after a solid senior season and a commitment to play for Lance Leipold and the Big 12's Kansas Jayhawks. I am not 100% sure which side of the trenches the Jayhawk coaching staff plans on utilizing Strickland, but he could easily play on either side and compete for a starting position by the '25 or '26 season. In 12 games he collected 17 total tackles, two tackles for loss, two quarterback sacks, and six hurries on opposing quarterbacks.   [player_tooltip player_id='446299' first='Willie' last='Dorsey'], QB, 6'2”, 170, Wellsville, (Unsigned)   I did not see Dorsey in-game action this fall, but watched him closely at a couple of camps last spring. He has the tools to play quarterback at the next level and posted impressive numbers the past two seasons guiding the Eagles' offense. Dorsey was ranked No. 95 but is now ranked at No. 36 and is the fifth-ranked Kansas quarterback in the Class of 2024. During his senior campaign, he threw for 2,648 yards and 39 touchdowns. In parts of three seasons at the helm of the Wellsville offense he accumulated over 4,700 passing yards and 68 touchdown passes.   [player_tooltip player_id='414948' first='Hank' last='Fuchs'], OL, 6'3”, 285, Free State, (Indiana State)   Fuchs is a tough-nosed lineman who can play both guard and tackle. Based on his size and speed, I believe his future is as a run-blocking and pulling guard, but he could get bigger and stronger and evolve into a college tackle. Fuchs was ranked No. 108 but skyrocketed into the Top 50 and landed at No. 38 for now. He has signed to play for FCS program Indiana State in the Missouri Valley Conference.   [player_tooltip player_id='574882' first='Roman' last='Hauser'], TE, 6'4”, 225, Norton, (Nebraska-Kearney)   Similar to Buchanan, I featured Hauser last week in a report about the reception leaders in Class 2A schools. Hauser was previously ranked No. 152 and moved up to No. 48. Hauser made the same number of receptions, 48, as his current ranking position. He is a quick and physical tight end who can create match-up problems for opposing defensive coordinators.  He gained 732 yards and scored five touchdowns for Norton. He has committed to play at Division II Nebraska-Kearney. Hauser could turn out to be a thorn in the side for the four Kansas MIAA opponents of the Lopers.

Several players parlayed impressive senior seasons to help them climb the Prep Redzone Rankings. Here is a look at players, ranked among the Top 50 in the class of 2024, who had the most significant rise in the standings between August and January.