Spring Ball 2025 Film Review

The deep dive into the Prep Redzone 2025 Rankings updates continues to roll late into the night as we review as many candidates as possible as well as get the information for the guys already ranked tightened up. This year we will review close to 400 players that will be assessed for addition or move up the rankings.   And, in keeping with my approach, I am pointing out standout performers of note as we plow through the tale-of-the-tape marathon film sessions. Here are five that instantly caught my attention in last night's review.   Below are the Tuesday Five:   [player_tooltip player_id='570213' first='Brody' last='Weir'], 6'4, 230, TE/DE, Wellington, is ranked #44. He is the highest ranked player in this report and his talent on tape stands out. An athletic, multi-positional player with ideal size and speed, he goes both ways for the Crusaders as a rugged defensive end on defense and a difficult-to-bring-down tight end on offense. As a defensive end/linebacker he owns the edge, collapsing down hard on run plays and taking out sweeps and attempts to hit the perimeter. He is big and powerful enough to hit offensive tackles in the mouth but agile enough to play both the back and QB on the speed option or RPO. On offense he really shines as a prototype tight end who has a big catch radius and is almost impossible to stop in the end zone. He is versatile enough to play as an H-back or split out in the slot. This kid is getting ready to dominate this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1159895' first='James' last='MacKinney'], 6'4, 235, DE/LB, Salina Central, is not ranked. He is coming off an excellent junior campaign when he piled up 53 tackles and 13 tackles for loss and was on the all-state non-senior team. He has good size and length as a defensive end/linebacker and moves well along the line of scrimmage. When he pins his ears back for the rush he looks like he has been shot out of cannon, bursting into the backfield to make life miserable for quarterbacks and chasing down running plays on the other side of the field. He moves athletically in space and tackles well in the open field. He shoots gaps quick, while strong-arming interior linemen and fighting off down blocks to make plays before they get started. He has good instincts and his read and react skills are well above average. He is getting ready to shine in '24.   [player_tooltip player_id='570260' first='Eric' last='Smith III'], 6'3, 210, TE/DE, Atchison, is ranked #180. Another top-flight tight end/defensive end combo coming off a solid junior year when he scored three touchdown on offense and added 70 tackles, five sacks, three fumble recoveries and scored a defensive touchdown on defense. On offense he is weaponized to play multiple positions. He can line up as a conventional tight end, as an H-back or out wide in the slot. He is a hybrid receiver who is big enough to bust heads blocking but fast enough to be a threat burning up the seams. He is smooth and deceptively fast running routes and going up to the apex-point for the ball on contested catches. On defense he is an aggressive force on the perimeter who blows up the pocket on pass rush. He moves well laterally and has excellent closing speed which he uses to cause major disruption in the backfield. He is getting ready to have a breakout season this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='995120' first='Dakari' last='Wake'], 6'0, 185, DB/LB, Leavenworth is ranked #103. An athletic multi-positional player who is coming off an excellent junior season when he piled up 60 tackles and added a pair of sacks and a defensive touchdown. He can play any of the defensive back positions and can drop down as an outside linebacker or coming off the edge as needed. As a run-stopper coming off the edge he is like a heat-seeking missile getting into the backfield and hits like a sledgehammer when he gets there. Where he really shines, however, is as a headhunting defensive back with great instincts and a nose for finding the football. He reacts quickly and is an aggressive tackler in space. He is very effective sinking into zone, reading the receiver and flying to the ball to break up pass plays. This kid is a baller who is getting ready to make some noise this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1115476' first='Kaleb' last='Dewey'], 6'0 205, LB/DB, Gardner-Edgerton, is ranked #264. He is coming off a superlative junior year when his team won the coveted 6A State Championship, he led the team in tackles with 90 and was a consensus all-state player. He can play anywhere on the defense, but really shines as a combo defensive back/linebacker who will step up and bust chops on running plays but is athletic enough to drop back in coverage and cover speedy receivers in man or zone. He is a very disruptive force wherever he is playing, knifing through gaps to make plays in the backfield and chasing down plays on the outside. He has good size and is deceptively fast, in particular in showcasing his closing speed. He brings swag and aggressiveness to his play and is a defensive leader his teammates can count on. Get your popcorn out for this guy.   In conclusion, all of these guys have the size, quickness and athleticism for their respective positions to not only star this fall, but take their talents to the collegiate level after that. Get out and see them while you can. And, in keeping with my desire to keep my finger on the pulse of high school football in Kansas, please feel free to DM me via X with questions, comments or names of players flying under the radar.

The deep dive into the Prep Redzone 2025 Rankings updates continues to roll late into the night as we review as many candidates as possible as well as get the information for the guys already ranked tightened up. This year we will review close to 400 players that will be assessed for addition or move up the rankings.