Class of 2024 Rankings: Big Time Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a new subscription</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2024 saw several athletes added to the final rankings before publishing. Despite that creating plenty of reshuffling, several already ranked players were able to show that they had taken another step in their development. That led us to the pleasure of pushing them up the rankings. So many kids made that senior year jump, but the ones in this article stood out the most for us. Let's dive into why they made the jumps they did!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["104984"],"_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":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eRankings Jump: #51 to #35u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnI thought I was already high on the West De Pere stud WR coming into the season. The Wisconsin Badgers PWO commit only impressed me more though once the season kicked off. I started the season watching Langdon live, and his big frame, aggressiveness at the catch point, and strong, natural hands jumped off the field. Nordgaard's body control and ability to track and adjust to the ball was some of the best I have seen in WI, and doing it at 6'4u0022 195 lbs is special. It was clear that he belonged much higher than #51. I can't wait to see how he develops in Madison over the coming years. Big fan of this kid.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d6675846ba0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["281464"],"_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":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eRankings Jump: #75 to #59u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnElijah was one of the top debuting athletes prior to the season. Now after the 2023 season he is one of the biggest risers. Coming into the season we knew the speed was unquestionable. The reigning D1 100M Dash State Champion plays at a different speed than everyone else. He is able to instantly eat up cushion, stack DBs, and then pull away in the open field. What led to the jump is that this season we started seeing more of the nuanced parts of the WR position. The ability to track the ball, the ability to go up and get it despite being 5'10u0022 165 lbs. We also saw him fine tune his route runner further. His burst out of breaks consistently opened up huge separation for his QB. The tools are there to mold at the next level. Mankato got a good one here.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d6675846c17"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["634706"],"_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":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eRankings Jump: #132 to #63u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnCharlie really saw his recruitment take off the last few months after getting more film to put out. He has elite size at 6'5u0022 305 lbs. While he is a raw prospect, Charlie offers the tools needed to play at a high level. Along with the massive, long frame, he possesses the strength needed to dig IDL out of the trenches and reset the line of scrimmage downfield. The senior also has naturally heavy hands that shock defenders when he makes that initial punch. Nowinsky also showed off increased range this fall when asked to get out in space and move. This is a high ceiling prospect for Ohio to develop.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d6675846c82"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["270692"],"_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":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eRankings Jump: #141 to #64u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnAn RB who fully broke out this fall and made a big jump is Menomonee Falls' [player_tooltip player_id='270692' first='Joseph' last='Koch']. Koch has a well balanced game to go along with his well put together  6' 185 lbs frame that caught the eyes of the St. Thomas staff. Joseph proved he could handle a large workload and the physical side of the position. He repeatedly ran through tackle attempts thanks to his high quality contact balance and body control. In the open field he showed off the second gear to pull away from the defense. His vision between the tackles stood out over and over on tape too. Koch was quick to find alleys, or seams to accelerate through. I'm excite for what he could do at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d6675846cf3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["634701"],"_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":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eRankings Jump: #126 to #70u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnOne of my favorite defensive players in the Class is Hudson's Sam Hickman. The 6'3u0022 225 lbs edge rusher/DE is an explosive athlete off the ball. His first step and closing speed gave QBs little time to avoid him. His lateral agility allowed him to make one on one tackles in the backfield or off the edge against shifty, smaller athletes. His strong hands and ability to transition that first step burst into power allowed him to make an impactful bull rush. His balance of power, size, and burst/range will have him in position to be an impact at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d6675846d6a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["634995"],"_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":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eRankings Jump: #102 to #87u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnEau Claire has a good one coming to town in RB [player_tooltip player_id='634995' first='Demetrius' last='Bergmann']. The 6' 185 lbs back has a tone setting style of play. He is a one cut back who has no hesitation when he needs to lower the shoulder or stiff arm a defender to the ground. He fights through contact with a strong leg drive and absorbs hits well without losing balance. I am excited to see him bring that power running to the WIAC.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d6675846dcc"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["505898"],"_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":"u003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eRankings Jump: #157 to #115u003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnRyan was able to fully break out this fall and dominate his opponents. The way he plays had me thinking he was even bigger that his listed 6'2u0022 180 lbs. Ryan has no problem playing above the rim, high pointing the ball, and muscling the ball away from DBs. The big man has excellent hands and body control allowing him to reel it in from awkward angles. Ferguson proved to be a vertical, big play threat who was able to get behind the defense with his long strides too. Ryan made big strides over the past year, and that has me excited for how much better he can get at MNSU- Mankato.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65d6675846e43"} /-->