2025 Sleepers Rising in the Ranks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report the focus will be on players who are right on the cusp of taking the next step. These are standout players from the class of 2025 who are all ranked fairly high but not high enough to carve out regular coverage and visibility like the top-ranked guys are used to. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As I go through conducting research on specific positions and tracking development of performance, I always run across players who grab my attention when I am not expecting it. When that happens I make note of it and then cross reference to see if the player that just popped up is a known commodity with lots of exposure or flying under the radar. The latter are the <em>sleepers</em> that I make a point to gather up periodically to share with the viewing public.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These <em>sleepers</em> are ranked in the <strong>2025 Rankings</strong> and played well enough on tape to catch my eye, but as mentioned above, not high enough to get in the spot light as often as they deserve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The following are five sleepers ready shine bright in the 2024 season:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442666' first='Holden' last='Ziegler']</strong>, 6'3, 260, DE, <strong>Council Grove</strong> is ranked <strong>#41</strong>. He is coming off a standout junior season and gave Council Grove fans something to look forward to in 2024. A big, fast mauler of a defender, he can play anywhere along the defensive line. He fires off the ball well and moves laterally very well for his size. His strong hands and powerful base enable him to create chaos along the line of scrimmage. He is also an aggressive, violent tackler who let's you know when he has arrived. Keep an eye on him in 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1115459' first='King' last='Leonard']</strong>, 5'10, 175, DB, <strong>Washburn Rural</strong> is ranked <strong>#43</strong>. Another high-end athlete for Washburn Rural and coming off a superlative junior season when he picked off nine passes and added 75 total tackles. A fleet-footed defensive back who can play lock-down corner if needed but really stars as a centerfielder free safety roaming the passing zones. He has an uncanny instinct for reading the quarterback and recognizing the scheme to put him in position for the turnover. He is also an elusive return man who is capable of going the distance anytime the ball is in his hands. He is a fun one to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1114828' first='Jayden' last='Houghton']</strong>, 6'3, 225, TE/DE, <strong>Frontenac</strong> is ranked <strong>#48</strong>. Coming off an excellent junior campaign, he is a versatile two-way player who can play anywhere on the field. As a tight end/receiver on offense has soft hands and catches well in traffic. On defense is a wrecking force coming off the edge. He is strong, moves well laterally and is an athletic playmaker. He is particularly effective in using his solid mechanics to split double teams and penetrate into the backfield in a hurry. Another southeast Kansas player ready to shine. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='571069' first='Gabe' last='Kimzey']</strong>, 5'11, 205, LB, <strong>Pittsburg</strong> is ranked <strong>#56</strong>. Another brawler of a backer who will pound the offender into submission. He is coming off a standout junior season when he racked up 91 total tackles and 11 tackles for loss. Powerful for his size and a headhunter until the whistle blows, he stuffs the middle in the run game. He has excellent mechanics, good knee bend and body lead, reads well and has excellent closing speed. A defensive playmaker, he gets in the backfield in a hurry. Watch this guy in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='442662' first='Adam' last='Hageman']</strong>, 5'10, 185, LB, <strong>Shawnee Mission NW</strong>, is ranked <strong>#85</strong>. A scrappy, playmaker of a linebacker who will hit you in the mouth. He is coming off a solid junior season when he used his quickness and excellent lateral movement to cause disruption all over the field. He has great read and react closing speed and is a smothering tackler in the open field. He is also a force on the blitz, zapping the gaps so quick the guards sometimes don't even touch him. Definitely a player on the rise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, will continue to provide needed visibility on <em>2025 Sleepers</em> as we approach the 2024 season. As always, if you have recommendations or feedback feel free to DM me on X.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->