Stock Risers: Huston and Pierce Two Of The Top ’25 Climbers

Scouts creating player rankings work like those trading on the stock market and those predicting the weather, we all make educated guesses. Sometimes stock rises as projected while others just flat-out bust. Weather fronts can move miles away from where originally projected and change in strength.   High school football players who make the rankings may choose to play another sport and athletes in a rural town may never get seen or put in the rankings.   There were players whose stock fell from the last time the rankings were published due to injuries because I couldn't find stats on them, or because they had committed to playing a different college sport.   Here is a look at athletes who saw their stock rise after their junior seasons and have moved up the ranks.   These 10 athletes are sitting in the Top 50 in the class of 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='285568' first='Jacob' last='Hawks'], OL, 6'8”, 300, Washburn Rural (Pictured Above)   Hawks is a physical specimen who catches scouts' eyes based solely on his size. The Washburn Rural prospect moved up 29 spots in this current update from No. 40 to No. 12. He moves well for his size and is an intelligent ball player. He has been linked to Columbia University and North Dakota State as possible destinations. I imagine that the MIAA teams will be giving him opportunities to visit their campuses down the road.   [player_tooltip player_id='442342' first='Max' last='Huston'], QB, 6'0”, 170, Seaman   Huston had a big season for the Seaman Vikings in 2023. The Seaman junior moved up from the No. ranking to No. 14. He is one of three 11-man quarterbacks to throw for more than 3,000 yards (according to Max Preps). The super impressive number was his 39 to 2 touchdown touchdown-to-interception ratio from his junior campaign. Huston has nice footwork and an accurate arm. He was the offensive player of the year for the United Kansas League.   [player_tooltip player_id='282253' first='Aaron' last='Tunstall'], ATH, 5'8”, 170, Field Kindley   Tunstall was one of the leading rushers in Kansas during the '24 season. He jumped from No. 33 to No. 15 in the most recent rankings. He toted the rock 160 times for 1,782 yards in 10 games. He had one run of 99 yards and scored 22 touchdowns. The Field Kindley junior rushed for over 100 yards in eight games. He has breakaway speed and he is an impact player on the defensive side of the ball as well. He recorded 32 total tackles, one quarterback sack, and one interception for the Golden Tornado.   [player_tooltip player_id='866507' first='Joshua' last='Mackiewicz'], DB, 6'1”, 200, Shawnee Mission Northwest   A junior season with over 100 tackles helped propel Mackiewicz 20 rungs up the rankings ladder. He climbed from No. 41 position to No. 21. The Cougar free safety/outside linebacker racked up 106 total tackles in 10 games. He had three tackles for loss and one quarterback sack.  He received a pocket full of postseason accolades and is expected to be on the combine circuit in 2024. The Shawnee Mission Northwest prospect is a tough athlete who also plays ice hockey for the KC Jets.   [player_tooltip player_id='676467' first='Derek' last='Morgan'], QB, 6'2”, 190, Eisenhower   Eisenhower's quarterback climbed 19 positions in the ranking from the No. 42 position to No. 23. He threw for 1,980 yards as a junior. He had a completion percentage over 60 percent and connected with teammates for 30 passing touchdowns. Morgan can also use his legs when needed carrying the ball for 302 yards and four touchdowns.   [player_tooltip player_id='733502' first='Banks' last='Bowen'], ATH, 6'2”, 175, Lawrence   Bowen is a versatile athlete who served as a dual-threat quarterback for Lawrence as a junior. He increased his positioning by moving from the No. 87 slot to No. 25. He threw for 1,676 yards and rushed for 1,017. The Lion junior threw 13 touchdowns in 10 games and rushed for 13 more. During his sophomore season, he played defensive back and recorded 45 total tackles and two interceptions.   [player_tooltip player_id='733447' first='Garrett' last='Pierce'], LB, 5'9”, 175, Basehor-Linwood   Pierce benefited from having two impressive games that I scouted. He soared from the No. 128 position to No. 27. Pierce is an athletic defender who could play as a linebacker or in the secondary as a safety. He finished with 115 total tackles for the Bobcats as a junior. Pierce had two quarterback sacks and finished with 15.5 TFLs. During his sophomore season, he had two interceptions. The junior stepped up for the Bobcats in a leadership role after the team suffered several season injuries to players.   [player_tooltip player_id='733500' first='Bravin' last='Powell'], ATH, 6'2”, 175, Gardner-Edgerton   Gardner-Edgerton consistently produces college prospects and Powell is another in that line. The Trailblazer junior threw for 1,228 yards in 10 games and rushed for 723. He moves up in the rankings from the No. 72 slot to No. 34 after accounting for 28 total touchdowns. As a quarterback, he is very patient for his age and will take what the defense gives him.   [player_tooltip player_id='570157' first='Kyle' last='Keya'], DL, 6'5”, 205, Kapaun Mt. Carmel   Keya is an edge rusher who can play defensive end or outside linebacker. His position in the rankings improved nine spots from No. 45 to No. 36. He has an explosive first step and the speed to chase down ball carriers from the backside.   [player_tooltip player_id='285541' first='Khris' last='Hermosillo'], ATH, 5'10”, 175, Wichita County   Hermosillo is a stud from the eight-man ranks. He is currently ranked No. 40 after being ranked No. 60 in the previous edition of the rankings. He racked up 1,219 yards rushing as a junior. He will be gunning for a third consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season having also gained over 1,200 yards during his sophomore campaign. He has accounted for 48 rushing touchdowns in the past two seasons. The Wichita County product also had 26 total tackles, 14 for lost yardage, and five quarterback sacks while playing defensive end for the Indians.

Scouts creating player rankings work like those trading on the stock market and those predicting the weather, we all make educated guesses. Sometimes stock rises as projected while others just flat-out bust. Weather fronts can move miles away from where originally projected and change in strength.