Six More 2028's To Watch Out For

In my last article, I covered six freshman players who proved to have potential going forward in the Columbus area. Today, I want to introduce you to six more freshmen in our state to look out for in 2025.    Harris is already an absolute stud. He possesses serious burst and great speed. When he runs, he moves with intention, making sharp moves to get around opponents, and his speed and agility are nearly enough to evade them completely. He runs with good pad level and can be physical, using his forward momentum to power through defenders. Making honorable mention all-state as a freshman is just the beginning for him, and I look forward to his performance next season as he has decided to transfer from Cleveland Heights to the Tarblooders of Glenville in 2025.      Rapp was a very enjoyable player to watch. He is an athletic big man who can rush from both the interior and the edge. He has a quick get-off and good bend to maneuver past offensive linemen and can secure tackles using his powerful arms. He also plays offensive guard for the Lakers. As a guard, he pulls effectively and shows good mobility. He has strong play strength and plays with discipline. Whether he plays offensively or defensively, Rapp had an impressive first high school football season, and I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes in the future.      Ligon was a bright spot for the Chillicothe offense in 2024. He is patiently waiting to make a big play before hurdling, spinning, juking, or simply turning on the afterburners. Ligon excels at reading gaps and can maneuver well to get to where he needs to break free. He possesses good top-end speed and showcased it on both turf and grass fields. Cartae will be an intriguing prospect to follow in 2025, as he has a new head coach, TJ Carper, who has experienced success running the ball in southeastern Ohio before.      Huckleby was a dangerous weapon for Cincinnati Country Day, whether as a ball carrier or a receiver. He primarily lines up in the slot and gets loose on jet sweeps, using his incredible speed and almost jelly-like movements to evade defenders. He serves as a vertical target in the passing game, as his speed can be overwhelming for slot corners. Huckleby possesses elite athleticism—something you can't teach—so I am eager to see how he combines that talent throughout his career.      As a freshman, Wallace had a 1,000-yard season with 14 touchdowns and led Danville to a state semifinal appearance. Wallace is a physical runner and can sometimes make gaining extra yards look easy. He keeps his legs churning and easily brushes off low tackles. He has a great burst as he advances into the second level and can make quick moves to reach open space. His non-ball hand serves as a defense, and he demonstrates good ball security. Danville was one step away from making a state championship game appearance in 2024, but Wallace has three more seasons to help them get there and further elevate the 740 in 2025.      Smolenski is only a second-year football player, yet as a freshman, he was named team captain for the Warriors. He primarily plays out of the slot as a receiver and is quite effective. Smolenski is a swift route runner, and as an active receiver, he excels at getting his head turned around to the ball. He is also a strong blocker and skillfully uses his body to help his teammates.

In my last article, I covered six freshman players who proved to have potential going forward in the Columbus area. Today, I want to introduce you to six more freshmen in our state to look out for in 2025.