KC Area Prospects Joining the Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The spotlight has officially turned to the underclassmen in the state, as the latest Class of ‘27 Rankings were published yesterday. Much has changed since the previous update in July. Quite a few top-ranked prospects have established themselves as early D-I targets and multiple players earned an increase in rank. But in this report we'll be highlighting the latest additions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>More than 60 prospects were added in this update which now puts the Class of ‘27 at 210 ranked players. The Kansas City metro accounted for 12 of those debuts, and more prospects from the area are sure to be added in the offseason update. A few players from this group of 12 have already been introduced, so in this report we'll be taking a look at seven that have yet to be mentioned.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1338285"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-672acf4431bee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Manyok starts this group of seven off with the highest debut. He was one of two St. Thomas Aquinas players to crack the rankings, and he debuted just outside the Top 50 at No. 54 overall. Given his lengthy frame, Manyok has the ideal size to play either receive or multiple positions in the secondary. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1446528' first='Adrian' last='Fernandez'] - Harmon, 5'3”, 140, RB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Harmon Hawks showed some improvement offensively this season, and Fernandez deserves some credit for that. The sophomore stepped up this year and became one of Harmon's top offensive weapons. He checked in as the 14th ranked running back in the class and the 164th ranked prospect overall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1344430' first='Anthony' last='Clem'] - Mill Valley, 5'9”, 150, WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This next prospect has the potential to be a quality player for the Mill Valley Jaguars. Clem is a quick slot receiver that has a similar play style to fellow Jaguar, [player_tooltip player_id='1311588' first='Andrew' last='Watts']. He's waiting his turn this season, but Clem could turn some heads as a junior next year. He entered the rankings at No. 166 overall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1515789' first='Ethan' last='Curry'] - Lawrence, 5'10”, 170, DB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our staff first discovered Curry earlier this season in the <em>Game Ball </em>series, and now he makes his debut in our rankings. Curry was one of a few sophomores in the state that earned significant varsity playing time this season. He finished his sophomore campaign second on the team in total tackles with 70. This earns him a spot in our database as the 183rd ranked player overall and the 20th ranked defensive back in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1530360' first='Brody' last='Comfort'] - Olathe NW, 5'9”, 172, QB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the lone signal caller of this group. Comfort cracked the rankings as the 30th ranked player at his position and is the 188th ranked prospect overall. He showed flashes of being a solid dual-threat quarterback throughout this season. The first-year starter has over 900 yards of total offense and has helped Olathe Northwest get to the <em>Regional Round</em>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1530367' first='Justin' last='Simms'] - Schlagle, 5'10”, 180, ATH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Meadowlark Conference prospect that cracked the rankings was [player_tooltip player_id='1530367' first='Justin' last='Simms'] of Schlagle. Simms saw the varsity field as a freshman in 2023, but was much more impactful as a sophomore. His numbers are up on both sides of the ball and he looks to be a key player for the Stallions moving forward. He checked in at No. 190 overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1530392' first='Noah' last='Mathis'] - Lansing, 6'1”, 215, DL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mathis of Lansing concludes this group of newcomers. He's made a great impression in his first season starting. The 6-foot-1 sophomore is currently Lansing's second leading tackler with 94 total, and has three sacks to along with 10 tackles for loss. He may have debuted at No. 192, but look for him to have a higher ranking in the next update. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->