Oregon high school football: Prospects whose stock is rising

The Oregon high school football season has provided fans with big plays, bigger wins and a few upsets.   As we get ever-closer to the end of the regular season, it's time to take a look at players from around the state who are seeing their stock soar.   Here's a look at the state's climbers:   OL [player_tooltip player_id='1110967' first='Connor' last='LaGrow'] — Class of 2026 Tualatin two-way lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1110967' first='Connor' last='LaGrow'] has seen his scholarship offers soar this fall.   Florida Atlantic, Montana, Nevada and Sacramento State have all extended offers, while Oregon State invited the 6-foot-7, 285-pound athlete on an official visit this weekend.   It always seemed that double-digit offers were in LaGrow's future, but it took longer than anyone at PrepRedzone expected.   He's up to 6, but that number has more than doubled in a matter of weeks.   A climb to 10 feels highly likely at this point, as he's one of the hottest OL/DL prospects on the West Coast.   QB [player_tooltip player_id='937233' first='Sloan' last='Baker'] — First-year West Linn starter and junior [player_tooltip player_id='937233' first='Sloan' last='Baker'] entered the season with plenty of belief from the coaching staff, but we still hadn't seen it for ourselves.   It's safe to say the budding star has hit the ground running.   Through five games, Baker has completed 73.5 percent of his passes for 1,329 yards and 17 passing touchdowns with another two scores on the ground.   He's firmly in the mix for first-team all-state honors and will be among the Gatorade Player of the Year favorites next fall.   Baker is the real deal!    ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1609595' first='Iden' last='Rule'] — Class of 2028 Tualatin athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1609595' first='Iden' last='Rule'] has put himself firmly on the map this fall with a collection of high-level performances.   But none was more impressive than his 200-plus-yard, two-touchdown game against No. 1 Lake Oswego.    The 5-foot-11, 195-pound playmaker plays both running back and linebacker, so it remains to seen where he'll play at the collegiate level.   But it's safe to say Rule is one to watch going forward.    RB [player_tooltip player_id='1591586' first='Luke' last='Ortner'] — Jesuit junior [player_tooltip player_id='1591586' first='Luke' last='Ortner'] has been the breakout star of Oregon high school football at the running back position.   The 5-foot-9. 183-pound ball-carrier has rushed for 1,301 yards and 16 touchdowns while averaging 7.4 yards per carry.   Those efforts culminated in a school-record 375 yards against Beaverton.   Jesuit has produced more than its share of future college stars, and has thrived at developing running backs over the years.   It is a true testament to Ortner's breakout that he now tops the list.    DE [player_tooltip player_id='1246545' first='Josh' last='Christensen'] —This summer, I somewhat flippantly said the Lake Oswego junior looked young - and could still be building with Legos.    I meant no offense - only that the 6-foot-6, 245-pound edge still had room to fill out and had a baby face.   He's shedding that “youth” label as quickly as he is would-be blockers this fall.   After a strong camp showing this spring and summer, Christensen has been stellar for Lake Oswego this fall.   In Week 5 against talented Tualatin, he registered 2 sacks, 3 tackles-for-loss and six quarterback hurries.   The following week against Tigard, he registered a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown.   This weekend, Christensen is taking an unofficial visit to Boise State.   It's safe to say the camp hype-turned-in-pad-production has led to yet another uptick in his stock.   I'm a believer - and I promise no more Lego comments!    DE [player_tooltip player_id='739439' first='Tony' last='Cumberland'] — Willamette senior and Oregon Ducks commit [player_tooltip player_id='739439' first='Tony' last='Cumberland'] was less-than-impressive as a junior playing against 5A competition.   This offseason, I dropped him on my personal rankings and indicated he needed a big year - double-digit sacks - to prove his bluechip status.   So far so good.   Cumberland has 9 sacks this season and has earned high praise from coach (and former Duck fullback) Josh Line, who has called him the best player in the state.   After a somewhat disappointing junior campaign, Cumberland is leading the state in sacks and looks the part of a future Duck.    WR [player_tooltip player_id='769925' first='Oliver' last='Luebkert'] — The Beaverton senior leads the state at the 6A level in receptions (81), receiving yards (980) and touchdowns (16).   I keep waiting for the offers to pour in for the 6-foot-3, 195-pound pass-catcher.   In fact, his story feels reminiscent to fellow (former) Beaverton star Trent Walker, who is currently Oregon State's top playmaker.   Luebkert could experience a similar climb, but it's starting to look like his first landing spot will lead to early stardom and the opportunity to climb via the transfer portal.   He's really good!    RB [player_tooltip player_id='1059015' first='Justin' last='Craigwell'] — Lake Oswego senior [player_tooltip player_id='1059015' first='Justin' last='Craigwell'] hasn't gotten the respect he deserves rotating in with All-American LaMarcus Bell.   But whenever the future Ute misses time, Craigwell emerges as one of the state's best backs.   The 5-foot-11, 205-pound ball-carrier is criminally-underrated and deserves significant FCS buzz.   Lake Oswego coach Steve Coury has coached up dozens of future college players and he's a believer.   He loves Craigwell - and he would know.   If he continues at his current rate, the Lake Oswego star will make the “Mark Hamper All-Stars,” a group of players who were bound to succeed in college because they were rated too low.   Hamper starred at Idaho early in his career, then departed for a full-ride offer to Cal.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='1529840' first='James' last='Johnstone'], [player_tooltip player_id='1660158' first='Mason' last='Perkins'] — The West Linn duo may not end up being huge recruits, but one of the questions coming into the year was the Lions' 3-4 defensive front.   Who would stand out and help West Linn's celebrated defense come together?   The two biggest statements have come from Johnstone and Perkins, neither of whom are your typical linemen but both are thriving.    OLB [player_tooltip player_id='1609761' first='Tyler' last='Holmes'] — The West Linn sophomore caught my attention at The Northwest Showcase and I was determined to keep up with his development this fall.   Holmes has emerged as a key piece of the Lions' front seven and has become a trusted tackler in space. His coverage skills caught my eye in camp, but it's his physicality that is serving him well early at West Linn.   Holmes is going to be a player to watch over the next couple of years.   All-state honors could be in his future if he continues to develop.   ILB [player_tooltip player_id='769922' first='Zach' last='VandenBrink'], [player_tooltip player_id='1234610' first='Cole' last='Dickson'] — A big-time baseball prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='769922' first='Zach' last='VandenBrink'] and fellow inside ‘backer [player_tooltip player_id='1234610' first='Cole' last='Dickson'] are the foundational pieces in the middle of the West Linn defense.   I'm not sure VandenBrink will play football in college - only because he's such a gifted baseball player - but both he and Dickson are putting up strong numbers for the Lions.   It's almost unfair how many great athletes West Linn boasts on both sides of the ball.   They are an outstanding program!    ATH [player_tooltip player_id='937113' first='Shane' last='Peters'] — Class of 2027 West Linn playmaker [player_tooltip player_id='937113' first='Shane' last='Peters'] is out for the season, so his stock, unfortunately, won't be climbing higher this fall.   Still, he deserves a special shout-out for his play this season.   Peters was arguably the most dynamic return man in the state.   Here's to a quick recovery - and a big senior campaign.   We're rooting for you!    RB [player_tooltip player_id='1232743' first='Daniel' last='Heninger'] — Glecoe's [player_tooltip player_id='1232743' first='Daniel' last='Heninger'] has rushed for 1,519 yards and 18 touchdowns while averaging a staggering 11.1 yards per carry.   Against Liberty, he contributed 306 rushing yards and five touchdowns - all five in the first half.   He's the most underrated star in the state this year, as he's gone from relative unknown to arguably the state's most dominant playmaker.    ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1613644' first='Presley' last='DeLance'] — The 2028 Lake Oswego two-way athlete had massive hype in the offseason.   But you have to walk before you can run, and sometimes we want our athletes to skip steps.   On an absolutely loaded Lake Oswego team - with the state's best receiving corps - DeLance has carved out a role, highlighted by a 56-yard reception against Tualatin.   The 6-foot-3, 220-pound sophomore is going to be a big name in Oregon high school football (and beyond) soon.   But it's good to see him getting early playing time, and making an impact, at Lake Oswego,   WR [player_tooltip player_id='1242623' first='Cavan' last='Rogers'] — Oregon City's 6-foot-1, 170-pound junior got off to a stellar start to the season with 27 receptions, 509 yards and three touchdowns in the non-conference slate.   He's also registered a play that is likely to be considered the “catch of the year” in Oregon.   Rogers may not get the love of some other big-play receivers, but he deserves it.   He's having a stellar fall.   ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1474331' first='Ben' last='Wiepert'] —The Wilsonville junior has amassed a state-leading 92 total tackles and recently took an unofficial visit to Oregon State.   He's firmly on the map - and deserves every bit of it.    WR [player_tooltip player_id='1699751' first='Luke' last='Carli'] — The Wilsonville senior has hauled in 546 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns so far this season and is one of the state's best playmakers.   Wilsonville always has a strong collection of athletes, and Carli is near the top of the list this fall.

The Oregon high school football season has provided fans with big plays, bigger wins and a few upsets.