Who Will Be The Senior Season Stock Risers?

Every fall it seems like we have a good handle on the rankings and who will be slotted where, but a late bloomer spoils the party. Typically, it will be guys we know about that finally break through and start to really hit their stride. In this article, we'll be highlighting 5 guys that could very well be the next one to shoot up the rankings and bolster their recruitment.    An injury kept him sidelined for the 2024 season, but his play at camps over the summer gave me plenty to be excited about. He's big, he's physical and presents a nightmare for opposing defenses. He provides a quarterback-friendly target with a large catch radius and is excellent both in the red zone and at the sticks. His transition to wideout has come with challenges but his potential is limitless in his senior season.     This is a kid who ended up putting together a solid junior season and will be one to watch again this fall. It appears he has made the transition and found his spot at corner. His tape from this season showed his closing speed, change of direction and his ability to play physical. He knows how to play the ball and has no issue contesting any jump ball thrown his way. He fights through blocks on screens and is able to blow them up before they ever get started. Another offseason of work should make Rylee even more comfortable out on the edge, leading to a big season this fall.     Jackson was able to be incredibly productive in the Armada offense in 2024. Malburg was is a strong running back who possesses great vision and blazing breakout speed. He keeps his legs churning and finishes all of his runs. When he gets in the open space, he can outrun a tacklers angle and take it the distance. When I got the chance to see him in the playoffs last season, he took some tough shots and continued to play with the same energy, even as the game started to go the other way. He has the potential to elevate the Armada offense to another level this fall.     [player_tooltip player_id='1595407' first='Ty' last='Thelen'] was one of my favorite finds in 2024. I got the chance to see him in the Backroad Brawl against Fowler, and Thelen rose to the challenge against a tough nosed Fowler team. He's another gritty kid who took what the defense gave him whether that be through the air or on the ground. Not only did he do damage on the outside in the open space, but he was able to get between the tackles and grind out some tough yards. While he plays in a run-heavy offense, he made a couple of impressive throws with good throw power and accuracy. Thelen has solid mechanics and made really good decisions. He's flying under the radar for now, but make no mistake about it-he could be in for a major stock boost this fall.     [player_tooltip player_id='1158862' first='Gavin' last='Fernandez'] is a really unique player. He's a physical and nasty defensive lineman who anchored the inside on a state title winning defense for Cass Tech. His strong lower half anchors him in the hole and he is able to shed blocks and make plays when they come his way. His motor is well above average and his versatility to rush the pass and be a run gap filler makes him a unique prospect in the 2026 class. I expect another solid season and a flurry of offers this fall for Gavin.

Every fall it seems like we have a good handle on the rankings and who will be slotted where, but a late bloomer spoils the party. Typically, it will be guys we know about that finally break through and start to really hit their stride. In this article, we'll be highlighting 5 guys that could very well be the next one to shoot up the rankings and bolster their recruitment.