2029 Rankings: Athletes With Early Varsity Experience

If you haven't gotten to take a look at the inaugural 2029 Rankings that debuted on Wednesday make sure you go check those out. 99 ranked athletes and a lot of kids ready to blow up in the Watch List. Among those 99 ranked athletes are several playmakers who already were able to earn playing time on their team's varsity. Being able to earn a role at the top level this early on is a special feat. The athlete needs to be able to have the talent to hold up vs older competition and also the football IQ to understand their assignment to a level that the coaching staff knows they can trust them out on the field. This group of athletes bring that combination to life. Before we dive in there is one caveat. We already dove into the Top 10 in this Class, so today we will be focusing on athletes outside the Top 10. Let's get into it!    Our RB/LB1 in the inaugural 2029 Rankings kicks us off in this article. As a freshman, the Randolph standout put up 35 carries, 138 yards, 3 TDs, 67 tackles, and 1 TFL. The freshman already possesses a physically imposing 6'1" 220 lbs frame. When Lukas gets rolling on his path you better bring a buddy to bring him down or get off the tracks because he is a freight train when he carries between the tackles. Lukas already looks the part of a next level recruit. I'm jacked up to see him grow, develop, and produce for three more years.     Zekodi worked his way into a starting role late in the season for Janesville Craig. I was lucky enough to time one of those starts perfectly and be in attendance for it. Zekodi ended his freshman season going for 44 carries, 197 yards, 2 TDs, and returned 7 kickoffs for 111 yards. Zekodi is a stoutly built RB at 5'9" 185 lbs. The freshman is starting to prove that he has those next level RB traits. Vision in traffic, quickly finding seams or cutbacks. He has a solid burst of acceleration. Plus that stout frame has a low center of gravity so he can finish runs rather aggressively. The freshman RB is going to be one to watch as he continues to carve out a bigger and more impactful role.     This is an exciting playmaker who was able to earn significant varsity action as a freshman. The 5'10" 175 lbs RB finished with 76 carries, 541 yards, 5 TDs, plus 25 tackles, 1 TFL, 10 kick returns for 244 yards, and 3 punt returns for 81 yards and TD. On the field, Evan is an explosive athlete. He perfectly pairs with the 2027 RB at New Berlin West, bringing the lightning quick element to the thunder-lightning duo. Evan can cut and accelerate in an instant and his top end speed instantly pulls him away from the field trying to chase him down. Evan gives you a feeling that any time he touches the ball he could score. I'm very excited for Evan and this New Berlin West offense.     Will is coming off a fantastic freshman season where he was able to play a ton of varsity football. So much so that the freshman was able to earn 2nd Team All Conference honors. That came on the back of 47 tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 FF. The freshman did so well locking down his half of the field at safety. He was quick to diagnose and his range allowed him to bait and close on the ball quickly. Will was also not afraid to provide run support and make those last line of defense tackles in the open field. Will has a strong sense for finding ways to get around the football. That is going to lead him to plenty of big plays and production over the coming years.     Emmett finished 2025 with 4 receptions for 19 yards in his freshman season on varsity. However, that is the smallest tip of the iceberg when it comes to his impact. The 6'3" 200 lbs TE made his impact as a run blocker. The freshman has built a strong frame already. A frame that was able to consistently drive edge defenders off the line and open up big holes so his RB could cut upfield off his backside. Emmett also showed that he could get across the formation on leads and deliver strong blocks to dig LBs out of running lanes. The pass game production should grow, but while it does you can count on Emmett to continue to build on his talent as a forceful run blocker.     What a first season of high school football for [player_tooltip player_id='2124835' first='Camden' last='Steinhorst']. The freshman earned a starting spot in every single game of 2025 for the varsity and earned Honorable Mention All Conference honors. Even more impressive, those starts came as the team's center. The 6'1" 265 lbs freshman proved he could reliably lead and anchor the OL. Camden is an absolute bully in the run game, overpowering and even tossing DT/NGs around the trenches. His upper and lower body strength are well developed for his age and are going to allow him to anchor the Ashwaubenon OL for years to come.     Another OL with varsity experience is [player_tooltip player_id='2124836' first='Anthony' last='Anzalone']. The 2029 OL was able to earn playing time in a lot of the varsity games and would eventually get to start a handful of them. I'm really impressed by this kid's tape. Even at 6'1" 240 lbs Anthony is an animal in the trenches. He is so quick moving from level 1 to level 2 and if he has to get in space he has outstanding range. Adding to the athleticism, Anthony also brings surprising power and anchor strength to dominate DL in the trenches and LBs/DBs in space. I'm excited to watch Anthony work his way into a weekly starting role with Racine Case.     John is a varsity athlete who didn't really have any production to lean on. What he did have was plenty of tape. Violent tape. The 5'11" 210 lbs freshman did a great job of using leverage and never letting his feet stop when he made contact. Clip after clip you see John underneath his man, hands inside, and driving until the whistle. You could expect that type of force vs LBs, but there are clips of John taking on the DE and still being able to drive them out of the hole. John brings the toughness and right mentality needed for a team that wants to get the run game going on a weekly basis.     Abrian is one of the most intriguing athletes in this entire Class. He has elite length for the WR position at 6'4". The 2029 needs time to fill out that frame, though, checking in at just 130 lbs. However, that light frame was far from limiting for him on Friday nights. The 2029 WR ended his first year with 26 receptions, 554 yards, and 4 TDs. The long striding weapon can cover ground in a hurry when attacking vertically. Abrian has a very strong ability for tracking the football on those deep passes, adjusting to the flight of the ball and then going on the attack to high point it where the DB can't get it. The downfield threat has a lot of raw talent. Now it is time to pack on the muscle and develop the nuanced parts of the position.     Hunter is one of only a few athletes in this Class who already has made a strong impact on both sides of the football. On offense Hunter piled up 82 carries, 490 yards, and 8 TDs with an additional 13 receptions, 172 yards, and 2 TDs. On defense Hunter was able to make 51 tackles, 5 TFLs, and 1 FR. That all led to Honorable Mention All Conference honors. The best way I can describe Hunter is balanced. He already is showing he can win plays in so many ways. The speed is there to break off the big play. He will run hard between the tackles. He won't hesitate when filling against the run game. Hunter plays like a veteran, yet he still has three years to go. This is a kid to keep an eye on as he grows and improves.

If you haven't gotten to take a look at the inaugural 2029 Rankings that debuted on Wednesday make sure you go check those out. 99 ranked athletes and a lot of kids ready to blow up in the Watch List. Among those 99 ranked athletes are several playmakers who already were able to earn playing time on their team's varsity. Being able to earn a role at the top level this early on is a special feat. The athlete needs to be able to have the talent to hold up vs older competition and also the football IQ to understand their assignment to a level that the coaching staff knows they can trust them out on the field. This group of athletes bring that combination to life. Before we dive in there is one caveat. We already dove into the Top 10 in this Class, so today we will be focusing on athletes outside the Top 10. Let's get into it!