More 2025 Tale-of-the-Tape Standouts

The 2025 ranking update process continues to plow ahead as the Prep Redzone team gets the seniors-to-be list tightened up. We are currently going through almost 400 players and also making sure the current information on players already ranked has been updated as needed.   As spring football rolls in it provides a subtle reminder that we are just months away from kicking off the 2024 season. This will be the final chance this class gets to win championships and attain individual glory, and many we have reported on are hard at work preparing for the last show.   And, to keep everyone up to date on how some of these future stars are progressing toward this fall, I am selecting five players from my marathon film review who jump out on tape. These guys are the Wednesday Five - the best of the best during this snapshot in time.   Listed Below are The Five:   [player_tooltip player_id='570215' first='Carter' last='Burnett'], 6'4, 195, WR/DE, Wellington, is ranked #104. He is coming off an outstanding junior season when he hauled in 44 passes for 842 yards and 11 touchdowns and was a consensus all-state wide receiver. A long, athletic receiver who is split wide to force mismatches in the secondary, he is deceptively fast and elusive after the catch. He runs excellent routes underneath and works back to the ball well when the QB scrambles, but where he terrorizes opposing defenses is in scorching the seams on the long ball. With his ideal size, body control and ability to track the ball well, he is one of those gifted receivers who makes a quarterback look good. In particular, he is a weapon in the redzone and almost impossible to stop in the endzone. He makes a difficult position look easy on the field. Make sure and get this guy on your watch list, he is going be on fire this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1115468' first='Kaden' last='Kearn'], 5'10, 175, DB, Wamego, is ranked #46. He is the highest ranked player in this report and is coming off a standout junior campaign when he piled up 45 tackles, ran an interception back for a touchdown and added a punt return score playing on special teams. An athletic, instinctive defensive back who can play either safety and even drop down and play corner as needed. He really excels as a hard-hitting safety who floats on the perimeter and then crashes the gate on run plays at the line of scrimmage. He has excellent read and react skills, flips his hips and flows laterally well, and demonstrates exceptional closing speed. He has a high football IQ and reads the quarterback and scheme quickly, locking on receivers in his zone or hammering backs before they hit the gap. He is poised and ready for a great season this fall. Get out and see him while you still can.   [player_tooltip player_id='1217910' first='Traven' last='Niehues'], 6'2, 275, C/DT, Blue Valley NW, is not yet ranked. He is coming off a solid junior season as a big rugged center on offense and along the defensive line on the other side of the football. He is a large presence in the middle, with a powerful base and a great first step. He gets outstanding positioning and uses his leverage very well. In the running game, he blows up nose guards and collapses defenders on powerful down blocks. He has good feet, moves well and locks on linebackers in space. He is a relentless competitor who drives his man until the whistle is blown or buried in the turf, whichever comes first. This guy may be flying under the radar right now, but not for very long. He is going to make some noise in 2024.   [player_tooltip player_id='1217913' first='Jonty' last='Harris-Webster'], 6'1, 240, DE/FB, Shawnee Mission NW, is not yet ranked. He is a big, powerful defensive end coming off a solid season that gave coaches an idea of what he will deliver in his senior year. He is an aggressive defender on the edge who shuts down the perimeter and makes running to his side a nightmare. He has a strong base and quick feet and uses his hands well in keeping blockers off his pads and when chopping arms. He has excellent read and react instincts and when coming off the edge to rush the passer he is a bullet getting into the backfield. He is also deceptively quick and moves laterally along the line of scrimmage well chasing down plays on the other side of the field. Definitely one of those diamonds in the rough getting ready for a stellar season this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1217915' first='Carter' last='Gooding'], 6'1, 175, WR, Olathe East, is not yet ranked. He is coming off a strong junior season when he caught 35 passes for 532 yards and scored six touchdowns as a dangerous wide receiver in the Olathe East passing attack. He is a long, athletic wide out with good reach and outstanding hands. He works the flats and middle of the field effectively running precise slants, outs and crossing routes and is a threat with the ball in his hands after the catch. He also tracks the QB well on scrambles to make sure he is positioned for the catch. Where he is really a problem for opposing defenses, however, is setting up the long ball and burning teams deep. He is deceptively fast and elusive and goes up to the apex point for the ball on contested catches. He is also an excellent blocker in space, particularly stalk blocking corners. This kid is fun to watch, time to see him play this fall.     In conclusion, get out and see these guys in action while you still can. Also, if you know of any players flying under the radar or you have comments or questions, feel free to DM me on X.

The 2025 ranking update process continues to plow ahead as the Prep Redzone team gets the seniors-to-be list tightened up. We are currently going through almost 400 players and also making sure the current information on players already ranked has been updated as needed.