2025 Ranked Players Flying Under the Radar

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every year a handful of players seem to get the lion's share of the prep visibility. Particularly the star athletes headed to the top division programs. And, once these rising stars start getting visibility it never seems to stop. Somebody picks up the report, sees the potential and who all the schools are involved and next thing you know more visibility gets generated. About the same people...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meanwhile, there are young men working hard and doing great things in relative obscurity. Some of them are laboring away in small schools. Some are so far out in western Kansas they rarely get a look. Some are even guys on the same team as the stars, plowing ahead hoping some of the spotlight will eventually spill over in their direction. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It doesn't happen as much as it should. It's getting better, but there are still too many excellent high school players flying under the radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Because of this discrepancy, Prep Redzone makes it a point to do the research and look for these diamonds in the rough. The stars of tomorrow who need more than an occasional flashlight beam on their heroics.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report, I started from the bottom of the 2025 rankings - approximately 300+ players - and started flushing out the guys that had outstanding junior seasons but rarely any headlines. It didn't take long to have a list of candidates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Listed below are five of the 2025 studs flying under the radar so far this year.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115479' first='Parker' last='Moore']</strong>, 6'2, 220, LB, <strong>Free State</strong>, is currently ranked <strong>#262</strong>, but will be climbing the rankings fast. A big, quick, physical force at the linebacker position, he reads the play quickly and flies to the ball. He comes off the edge aggressively, using his powerful hands effectively, shucks blockers with ease and tackles well in space. He is also a light's out hitter and will deliver a significant blow at the point of attack. He is definitely one to watch in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115474' first='Owen' last='Barth']</strong>, 5'11, 185, LB/FB, <strong>SMNW</strong>, is currently ranked <strong>#273</strong>. Although somewhat undersized at linebacker, he makes up for it with aggressive head's up play. He is a scrappy headhunter of a player who finds the ball quickly and is all over the field making plays. He gets in the backfield in a hurry and hits players in the mouth. Also plays fullback on the offensive side of the ball and is a crushing blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115092' first='JD' last='Troutman']</strong>, 5'10, 175, ATH, <strong>Paola</strong>, is ranked <strong>#274</strong>. A true multi-position athlete, he lines up at tailback or as a wide receiver on offense, plays free safety on defense, is an elusive, dangerous return man and handles the team's kicking duties. As a runner he is tough between the tackles, patiently finding holes and then with his quick burst gets into the secondary in a hurry. He is one of those guys you figure out how to get the ball to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115096' first='Jackson' last='Rumford']</strong>, 6'5, 225, TE/WR, <strong>Scott City</strong>, is ranked <strong>#276</strong>. A big-target tight end and wide receiver, he has soft hands and is effective at finding seams in the defense. He is also a force once the ball is in his hands and churns out yards after the catch. Going up for contested passes is one of his strengths as he catches well in heavy traffic. As a blocker he locks and unloads on defenders in space and is a piledriving blocker in the run game. He has the makings of a top-notch collegiate receiver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='570291' first='Nate' last='Mitchell']</strong>, 6'0, 220, DL, <strong>Pittsburg</strong>, is ranked <strong>#293</strong> currently but won't be there long. He is a physical, fast play destroyer who dominates wherever he is on the line of scrimmage. He is a standout speed rusher with a killer swim move that leaves frustrated tackles in his wake. He is adept at taking on and blowing up double teams and is relentless in his drive to get to the quarterback. He is poised and ready for a breakout senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, this is the first in a series of reports which will be focused on providing visibility for the players that are <em>flying under the radar</em>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->