2025 Ranking Updates: Weekend Film Analysis

Over 300 ranked players plus a large number of unranked performers under the microscope in March as Prep Redzone amps up the 2025 ranking analysis/updates. This weekend was a "deep-dive" weekend to get prepped for the ranking updates and in keeping with my approach I wanted to share five players who stood out looking at the "tale of the tape."   Listed below are five players from all over the state who are coming off excellent junior seasons and are currently hard at it getting ready for the all-important senior season. Get out and see them play this fall, you will be glad you did.   The Sunday Five:   [player_tooltip player_id='351573' first='John' last='Whitener'], 5'8, 200, RB, Shawnee Mission NW, is ranked #141. He is coming off a solid junior season when he established himself as a hammer of a tailback who zips through gaps and delivers a major blow on impact. A powerful, compact running back with a low center of gravity, he lines up and runs like an old-school tailback or single set back who's job is to tote the mail. He has good running back feel as he works through traffic, spinning, bouncing and generating extra yards. He has a strong lower body and a driving running style that shreds arm tackles and usually needs more than one player to bring him down. He is also deceptively fast, with a good burst and acceleration once he plants. The Northwest running game is in good hands with this kid.   [player_tooltip player_id='1115502' first='Wyatt' last='Kirkpatrick'], 6'2, 220, LB, Hays, is ranked #24. He is the highest ranked player in this report and has earned that distinction. He has good linebacker size and length and plays with a headhunter mentality. He can play any of the linebacker positions and also is a torpedo coming off the edge, but where he really shines is controlling the line of scrimmage as a master-blaster middle linebacker. He has excellent football instincts, with great lateral quickness and closing speed. He is particularly effective at blowing up double teams, deflecting blockers and aggressively sealing off the line of scrimmage. His size and speed enable him to shoot gaps and track down backs in the backfield before the play can get going. He may not be getting as much attention out in western Kansas, but this kid is for real.   [player_tooltip player_id='858149' first='Tanner' last='Woolston'], 5'11, 170, RB/ATH, Andover, is ranked #88. He is another versatile playmaker from the Andover area who can play any of the skill positions on offense, all of the defensive back slots and plays light's out on special teams. On offense he lines up all over and gets the ball in his hands in a number of creative ways. He will play tailback one play, split out wide the next and go deep, then take it on a jet sweep and burn the defense to the perimeter. He also lines up in a single-back set where he throws enough accurate passes to keep defenses from teeing off on the run. Once he has the ball in his hands he is an elusive runner who uses the entire field with good lateral quickness and speed, which he displays as a dangerous return man. Get your popcorn out for this guy.   [player_tooltip player_id='352451' first='Aiden' last='Heckathorn'], 6'2, 190, QB, Derby, is ranked #141. A transfer to Derby from Mulvane who brings even more talent to an already crowded quarterback room and gives Panther coaches another skill player option. He is coming off a good junior campaign where he directed the Mulvane offense with pin-point short passes in the flat, over the middle and in the seams. He has good size and stands strong in the pocket to deliver passes even in the face of a strong rush. He has solid passing mechanics, with a compact throwing motion and release and gets rid of the ball quickly. He is a dual threat quarterback who is athletic and can extend plays with his legs. He also appears to process information efficiently, moving through progressions and reading defenses quickly. He has all the tools to be a standout, 2024 is going to be a breakout year.   [player_tooltip player_id='1214913' first='Brady' last='Brack'], 6'4, 200, QB, Garden Plain, is unranked. He is coming off a good junior season when he ran and passed for just under 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns as the ringleader for the Garden Plain offense. He has excellent size and length and is athletic on the move. He has a somewhat unorthodox throwing motion that caught me off guard at first, but after watching for a while realized that he throws an accurate pass whether it is short darts over the middle or throwing deep down the seam. His throwing motion is a little elongated, as he drops the ball low in his motion but it is something that can be tightened up. He can throw off platform and at all different arm angles, so although not super polished as a passer yet has a ton of potential. He runs well and is difficult to bring down on designed runs and impromptu scrambles. He is coming down the home stretch for a stellar season this fall.   In conclusion, these guys are all fun to watch, but beyond that they are all solid college prospects that should get plenty attention in the coming months. And, as always, if you have questions, comments or want to pass on any names of players flying under the radar feel free to DM me on X.

Over 300 ranked players plus a large number of unranked performers under the microscope in March as Prep Redzone amps up the 2025 ranking analysis/updates. This weekend was a "deep-dive" weekend to get prepped for the ranking updates and in keeping with my approach I wanted to share five players who stood out looking at the "tale of the tape."