’25s That Will Shake Up the Rankings
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We are always on the hunt for more talented athletes to include in our Player Database and Rankings for each Class. We have already gathered a long list of juniors to add to the rankings since our last update a…
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Continue ReadingWe are always on the hunt for more talented athletes to include in our Player Database and Rankings for each Class. We have already gathered a long list of juniors to add to the rankings since our last update a couple months ago. So let’s dive into the tape of the athletes who are sure to shake up things at the top of the rankings. The ones who will create big shifts in the overall and fight for a top spot among their position group. Coaches, these are prospects you need to have on your recruiting boards as we get into camp season. Let’s get it started!
Michael Smith
Michael Smith
The 6’6″ 280 lbs OL out of Wisconsin Lutheran is a special prospect that is going to be fighting for a Top 5 spot among the OL. We are late to the party, but ready to sing his praises. The 2025 OT already holds offers from Washington State, and Colorado State with several other FBS programs showing heavy interest. That includes the home state Badgers.
It is clear why Michael has picked up so much interest over the past few months. His tapes show a special athlete. An athlete with the rare blend of athleticism and power needed to play at the FBS level. His feet and lower body overall are quick, agile, and able to give him an impressive burst off the line. The big man has devastating hands and upper body strength. His initial punch and leg drive give him the ability to easily remove DL from the box in the run game. Michael can move laterally while engaged comfortably and does a great job finishing with that nasty mentality you need in the trenches. Big things are ahead for the 2025 OT. Give the tape a look and
Charlie Hornacek
Charlie Hornacek
Charlie is an athlete that will reshape the DB or ATH category, depending where we decide to rank him. The 6’2″ 180 lbs athletes has a legitimate frame for the WR or DB position and the size doesn’t impact his fluidity and athleticism the field. Charlie has the speed to either cover ground in zone coverage or turn and run with receivers in man coverage. He transitions out of his backpedal smoothly. The junior is aggressive when he sees the ball in front of him. He closes quickly and is a technically sound tackler that ends plays when he wraps up. Hornacek also flashes the awareness in zone to read the QB and jump routes. Based off the skills he has shown on tape, I believe Charlie’s best spot is at safety where all these traits can consistently shine. The cherry on top is the junior also has very good hands, allowing him to also make an impact on offense. The 2025 holds offers from Concordia- St. Paul and Mankato.
Carter Thompson
Carter Thompson
Waterford has several athletes you are going to want to get eyes on, and leading the way is the 6’4″ 220 lbs WR Carter Thompson. The 2025 WR has a skill set ready for the next level. He put numbers to his athleticism at the WFCA combine that includes a 4.62 40, 36.1″ vertical, 9’1″ broad jump, and 20 reps of 185 lbs. Numbers that illustrate a big, physical, explosive outside weapon.
So we go to the tape to verify that illustration, and what Carter demonstrated at the combine carries over to the field. Carter is a vertical threat and uses his tools to consistently win battles out wide. He is quick off the line, and is able to stack his DB on vertical routes. The junior reads the flight of the ball very well, adjusting so that he has the best angle to go get it at the catch point. At the catch point, Thompson does a great job of using his size to box out DBs and his leaping ability to go up and high point the ball over DBs. Carter provides a large catch radius that QBs love to target. Carter turned that dominate combine into an offer from Western Illinois. The first of what is sure to be many offers. Check out the tape of the outside mismatch.
We are set to see Jaydon not only shake up the rankings here at PRZ WI, but also turn a lot of heads this summer. The junior is now up to an impressive 6’4″ and 210 lbs. That growth spurt is exciting because the added length is only going to make him more dangerous off the edge. Jaydon comes off the line with an explosive burst that instantly gives him the advantage over OTs. He can eat up cushion and then uses his hands to keep himself clean and get to the heels of the OT. Jaydon is an athletic edge who has shown the range to chase down plays from behind and closes quickly on the QB or inside run plays. The 2025 edge is an agile defender who can cut laterally on a dime and leave OTs punching at air. Lanser could be an early impact as a pass rush specialist. We will need to see him bulk up at the next level to be an impact against the run, but at the HS level he shows the ability to navigate around linemen and bring down RBs attacking his outside. He holds an offer from Bemidji State, and several others are sure to join them in pursuit of his talents.
Highlights
Ayden Phillips
Ayden Phillips
A hidden gem within the 8 Man League here in WI is the 6’7″ 215 lbs DE/TE out of Almond- Bancroft. Ayden has a legitimate shot to play either side of the ball at the next level, but offense looks to be his most comfortable spot. On offense he is a huge target that can hit sudden route breaks. He has soft hands that maximize his catch radius and can be surprisingly slippery after the catch. His long strides eat up yards after the catch. The big man does a good job downfield of getting under the ball and grabbing it at its high point. Ayden is a nightmare to matchup against in the 8 man league.
On defense Ayden is more of a raw prospect, but his physical traits allow him to dominate. Those long strides again allow him to eat up yards as he comes through gaps or around the edge. He is able to overpower blockers and push them into the backfield. Check out the standout athlete on tape below. He is looking for his first offer.
Thomas Lackey
Thomas Lackey
We have been a big fan of Thomas since the season ended. The 6’3″ 200 lbs LB is one of the more versatile options among the position. Thomas has the length and burst off the edge to get after the passer. He has the flexibility to bend underneath OTs as he runs to the QB. You can have him drop into a zone where he can easily drop or slide while reading the eyes of the QB. Lackey also has the range to be able to attack downhill out in space and make one on one tackles against scrambling QBs or RBs. Thomas has special body control to be able to do all the things that is asked of edges/OLBs. The 2025 holds an offer from Concordia- St. Paul. Don’t wait on this kid. As he hits the camp circuit he is going to turn a lot of heads.
The 2025 RB Class doesn’t have that elite top talent, but it is loaded with depth. That gives us several athletes chasing that #1 spot, including the RB out of New Berlin West. Sean is a 5’9″ 175 lbs RB with an impressive athletic profile. At the WFCA combine he ran a 4.54 40, 4.28 shuttle, 7.20 L Drill, broad jumped 9’6″, and vertical jumped almost 36″.
On tape, Sean is an exciting RB to watch. He has a very effective combo of vision, patience, and burst. Ryan allows blocks to develop, and as soon as he finds the alley he gets up field and up to full speed to start gaining positive yards. Once he breaks the line of scrimmage, Sean shows how elusive he is thanks to his lateral agility and ability to jump cut. Sean is a natural playmaker on the field. He makes the highlight reel play look easy, and he does it over and over. Check out his film. The 2025 is looking for that first offer.