Rising Stars: New QBs and RBs Shake Up the 2025 Rankings

PrepRedzone's 2025 rankings have just received their first update following the 2024 football season, and they're packed with some incredible new talent from across the state. Shining the spotlight on quarterbacks and running backs who have left their mark on the field, these prospects have earned well-deserved spots in the rankings. Let's dive into the stories of these rising stars and see what makes them stand out.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterbacks</h2>    Michael “Butter” Tollefson, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound quarterback, shined in the 2024 season at Mountain Pointe High School, showcasing his dual-threat abilities every time he stepped onto the field. Known for his athleticism, he's so difficult to bring down behind the line of scrimmage with his combination of agility and balance to stay on his feet and immediately get away from the rest of the pressure. With effortless arm strength, Tollefson's not at all afraid to launch the ball down the field and give his receivers a chance. His stellar play earned him over 15 collegiate offers before committing to Arizona State University, where he'll join the reigning Big 12 champions.     [player_tooltip player_id='1397539' first='Mattson' last='Young'] is the kind of quarterback every coach dreams of leading their offense. The 6'4", 200-pound signal-caller from Heritage Academy-Mesa has become a star through his high school career. Young's arm strength is matched by his precision, he shows great touch on deep sideline throws while also zipping passes through tight windows over the middle when he needs to. He ent nine of his ten games this season without throwing an interception and finished with 35 touchdowns on the year. It's not just that Young is accurate — he completed 72% of his passes this year — but he also took chances down the field and connected on them; he finished the year averaging an incredible 26 yards per completion. Committed to Lake Forest College, they're getting a steal with Young's talent and leadership.     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Running Backs</h2>    [player_tooltip player_id='1573367' first='Kash' last='Allen'], a senior running back for Highland, was the heartbeat of the Hawks' offense in 2024. Standing out with his explosive playstyle, Allen came out of the gates firing on all cylinders, surpassing 100 total yards in each of his first three games. None more impressive than his standout performance against a California team, Frontier, where he rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries, plus returned a kick 95 yards for a touchdown. At 6'0" and 190 pounds, Allen combines strength and agility, making him a tough runner to bring down. As he closes out his high school career, Allen's blend of skill and character makes him a valuable addition to the NAU culture, where he'll fit right in.     [player_tooltip player_id='1573385' first='Dylan' last='Hayhurst'] has been nothing short of electric for Goldwater in 2024. At 5'8" and 180 pounds, Hayhurst might not be the biggest back on the field, but his heart and hustle have made him one of the state's most productive runners. He led all Arizona rushers during the regular season with a jaw-dropping 2,238 rushing yards, including a record-setting performance against Willow Canyon where he piled up 413 yards and six touchdowns. That wasn't the only time he put up unfathomable numbers, he rushed for more than290 yards a whopping four times this season. Hayhurst's game is built on explosiveness and vision, allowing him to find seams in defenses and capitalize on them with big plays. Hayhurst brings a toughness and competitiveness that'll serve him well at the next level. Coaches looking for a relentless and reliable workhorse should take a look at this Goldwater star.     [player_tooltip player_id='1560109' first='Jack' last='Isidore'], the 5'9", 190-pound running back for Verrado, was a steady force for the Vipers in 2024. He rushed for over 100 yards in eight games this season, including an impressive streak of seven consecutive games. One of his standout performances came in a crucial game against Desert Edge, where he racked up 216 rushing yards and a touchdown, leading Verrado to a hard-fought 17-10 victory — unfortunately when they faced them again in the playoffs, it wasn't as fortunate of an outcome. With 1,624 rushing yards on the season and an average of 8.7 yards per carry, Isidore has shown his knack for finding gaps in defenses and turning them into explosive plays. His 15 touchdowns this year reflect his ability to find the end zone whenever the offense gets close. Isidore's efforts haven't gone unnoticed, earning him collegiate offers from San Diego Mesa and Lake Forest College.     [player_tooltip player_id='1563162' first='Justin' last='Bender']'s journey to becoming Higley High School's powerhouse running back is one of dedication and transformation. At 6 feet tall and 205 pounds, Bender began his high school career as an offensive lineman, weighing in at 275 pounds. Through relentless hard work and commitment, he shed 70 pounds and reinvented himself as a running back. In the 2024 season, Bender's power really shined as he pushed through tacklers for an average of 7.7 yards per carry. A standout performance came in a loss to a Marana team that earned themselves the #1 seed in the Open Division Playoffs, where he scored two touchdowns and ran for 161 yards. Bender's story is more than just about stats; it's a testament to his resilience and drive. As he prepares to transition to college football, he brings with him a mindset and work ethic that any team would be lucky to have.     [player_tooltip player_id='1566304' first='Brayden' last='Munday']'s burst and aggressive running style have made him a key offensive threat for Bradshaw Mountain High School in 2024. At 5'10” and 175 pounds, his ability to hit the hole quickly and churn out tough yards has been a consistent asset for the Bears. However, where Munday truly thrives is on the defensive side of the ball. An athletic defensive back with great instincts, he's all over the field making plays for his team. This season, Munday recorded 63 tackles, 12 passes defensed, and 3 interceptions, showcasing his knack for reading plays and stepping up in crucial moments. His relentless energy and ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball earned him recognition as a First-Team 4A Grand Canyon All-Region Offensive Utility/Flex Player.     5A State Champion, [player_tooltip player_id='1372049' first='Aryon' last='Thomas'], was a key piece for Desert Edge's offense in 2024, showcasing a powerful combination of size and agility that keeps defenses on edge. At 6'0" and 185 pounds, Thomas finished as the team's leading rusher and had a true standout performance against Cactus Shadows where he rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries. Throughout the season he's been the spark for this team, making plays when they needed it most. Averaging 5.7 yards per carry while never getting more than 15 carries in a single 48 minutes of football, Thomas has proven to be a dependable and explosive option in the backfield. With his drive and skill set, Thomas is poised to make a significant impact wherever he lands.     Starting off the year with a rough stretch against some of the top defenses in 3A, Crismon had scored just seven points through three games. Dominick Nix flipped a switch after being held to under 35 yards for each of those first three weeks. He went on a three-game tear where he absolutely tore apart opposing defenses and led the team to three straight victories. Through said stretch, Nix put up 694 yards and nine touchdowns on 11 yards per carry — that's 231 yards and three touchdowns a game. At 5'10" and 190 pounds, Nix has proven to be capable of carrying the load. Over the course of the season, he accumulated 1,086 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 8.0 yards per carry. His patience behind the line of scrimmage and burst when he saw a lane made him a nightmare for the other team. Recognized for his efforts, Nix earned himself a spot on the 3A Central All-Region First Team.

PrepRedzone's 2025 rankings have just received their first update following the 2024 football season, and they're packed with some incredible new talent from across the state. Shining the spotlight on quarterbacks and running backs who have left their mark on the field, these prospects have earned well-deserved spots in the rankings. Let's dive into the stories of these rising stars and see what makes them stand out.