Checking In On 2025's Top-Ranked Prospects

<p>As recruiting picks up across the state, it's time to check in on 2025's top-ranked prospects across each position. These athletes have already made a name for themselves in the Arizona high school football scene and are showing why they're at the top of their class. With their stock rising after each performance, let's break down the top talent and see where they stand as we head towards the end of the season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Offense</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterback</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='368911' first='Luke' last='Haugo'] has a real howitzer for an arm and he's not at all afraid to use it. Effortlessly sending the ball 50+ yards down the field, he's taken full advantage of the athletic weapons he has on the outside. The University of Arizona commit always keeps a calm demeanor in the pocket and does a great job with his pre-snap reads. He does an excellent job maneuvering around the pocket to buy himself more time without taking his eyes off of his receivers down the field. With his electric arm and good decision-making — currently has 11 touchdowns to just two interceptions — Haugo is showing everyone why he deserves to be our top-ranked quarterback. </p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wide Receiver</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Our top-ranked player in all of Arizona, [player_tooltip player_id='368921' first='Cooper' last='Perry'], has left little doubt with his jaw-dropping start to the 2024 season. He's sitting at an astonishing 754 all-purpose yards and 12 total touchdowns through just five games. I broke down what makes Perry so special earlier in the season following a big win over Millennium:</p>   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> <p>Demonstrating why he's one of the most highly touted prostects in the country, the big-bodied, lengthy wideout had no promblem making defenders miss with the ball in his hands. Without it, he had excelent footwork on his routes and it didn't seem to matter if they had one or two dfenders covering him; Perry was going to find a way to get open.</p> </blockquote>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Running Back</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='368928' first='Zach' last='Thompson'] is such a well-rounded back that I find myself becoming more and more impressed with his game every time I watch new film. Gilbert's fast and powerful back is averaging 115 yards a game with nine touchdowns on the season so far. Following a dominant Week 1 performance, I detailed some of the things that make Thompson so effective:</p>   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> <p>His strong base gives him good power and makes him difficult to bring to the ground, even when attacking his legs, while his quick feet allow him to work through the chaos of the trenches without being sucked into it by stronger defensive linemen. Thompson's vision may be his best asset, consistently making the right decisions when it comes to when to cut back and what holes to hit.</p> </blockquote>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tight End</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">At 6'6" 220 lbs, [player_tooltip player_id='954364' first='Dylan' last='Sims'] has the speed of a wide receiver and the physicality of an offensive lineman. Playing a crucial role in Queen Creek's offense, he's the type of tight end who can put opposing linebackers on their back to clear lanes for the running backs. When he heads out for a pass, Sims has incredibly strong hands that make him a go-to option for his quarterback. That speed allows him to get over the top of the defense and he has a knack for making huge plays. Committed to UCLA, Sims has all the tools to make some serious contributions to their program — and sooner rather than later. </p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Offensive Line</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Brophy's quick-footed tackle — and our second-highest ranked prospect in Arizona, regardless of position — [player_tooltip player_id='368907' first='Logan' last='Powell'] is a technician at left tackle. He has no trouble getting to the second level and at 6'6", his long reach makes sure that even faster linebackers aren't able to get away from him. When he drops back into a pass set, it takes a lot to get around Powell. He has great footwork that consistently keeps a strong base underneath him, and he's rarely (if ever) at a size disadvantage. Committed to Wisconsin, Powell's a perfect fit for their offense. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defense</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Line</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Kentucky has landed one of Arizona's top pass rushers in back-to-back years with Deshawn Warner and now [player_tooltip player_id='368910' first='Garrett' last='Martin']. Coming off the edge for Saguaro, Martin uses an impressive combination of quick feet and strong hands to gain a lane to the quarterback. Once he sees one, he shows his quickness and even the more athletic quarterbacks have trouble getting away. At 6'4" and 245 lbs, Martin has the physical tools that make him a nightmare for offensive tackles, and his motor never seems to stop.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Linebacker</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1145486' first='Dinos' last='Drossos'] is the total package at the linebacker position. Patrolling the heart of Salpointe Catholic's defense, he has incredible instincts that always seem to have him around the football. In coverage, he's quick enough to hang with slot receivers and has two passes defensed on the year. When he sees the ball get handed off, he turns into a completely different player with no regard for his own body as he flies into the trenches to attack the ball carrier. With a couple of offers on the table, he's one of the top uncommitted players in the state, and whichever program lands him will be getting a linebacker who can make an impact from day one.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Defensive Back</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Committing to Notre Dame in November of last year, [player_tooltip player_id='368909' first='Cree' last='Thomas'] can completely lock down an opponent's top target for Brophy's defense. He's got some incredible footwork in coverage and has the close-out speed to make a play on any ball thrown in his vicinity. Possessing some impressive athleticism, Thomas has a verticle that allows him to contest jump balls against the bigger wideouts. Doubling as the team's punt returner, he gets a perfect opportunity to showcase how dangerous he is with the ball in his hands. As he prepares to take his talents to Notre Dame, he has all the tools to thrive at the next level and become a key piece in their secondary.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">ATH</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='704781' first='Darryl' last='Coleman'] is off to a great start in his final season of high school football. Currently sitting at 419 all-purpose yards, he can provide a spark for Yuma Catholic in all three phases. He has 288 receiving yards, 111 punt return yards, an interception, and a pass defensed through the team's first seven games — not to mention his five touchdowns. With his recent commitment to Utah Tech, Coleman will bring versatility and playmaking ability to the next level. His impact on offense, defense, and special teams makes him a dynamic threat, and Utah Tech is getting a well-rounded athlete who can contribute in multiple ways.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Special Teams</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Kicker</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1214223' first='Tyler' last='Nolan'] is a real weapon for Pusch Ridge Christian Academy. Missing just two of his 38 kicks, he's shown some nice consistency. He's got a really strong leg which shows both when kicking field goals (long of 45) and when kicking off to the opposing team. He averages a whopping 59.3 yards per kickoff and has seen 85% of them result in a touchback. Nolan has a nice natural leg swing that provides plenty of power. With his consistency and strong leg, he's definitely a player that college coaches should take a close look at.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Punter</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='443925' first='Gehrig' last='Heil'] is a standout talent at Arcadia who excels in multiple kicking roles, including punting, placekicking, and kickoffs. With an impressive average of 63.2 yards per kickoff and 44.0 yards per punt, his strong leg and clearly refined technique show up in every aspect of his game. Heil's versatility makes him an intriguing prospect for college programs looking for a reliable kicker and punter. Holding a Division 1 offer to NAU, more opportunities are sure to follow as coaches take notice of his all-around skills.</p>    <p><em>*[player_tooltip player_id='522674' first='Dominic' last='Mitchell'] is technically our highest-listed linebacker, but has seemingly made the switch to the secondary. Thriving at the position, he's still incredibly physical but has had more of an opportunity to show his elite footwork and quickness. </em></p>

As recruiting picks up across the state, it's time to check in on 2025's top-ranked prospects across each position. These athletes have already made a name for themselves in the Arizona high school football scene and are showing why they're at the top of their class. With their stock rising after each performance, let's break down the top talent and see where they stand as we head towards the end of the season.