Strongest Position Groups of the Class of 2029

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>*Use code Johnson30 for 30% off an annual Prep Redzone subscription*</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the debut of the 2029 Class Rankings it had me questioning which positions have the early lead for strongest of the Class? Which group has the most members? Who has the most Top 50 players? I went through and compiled all the numbers to get some answers. Now we are going to go through those numbers and identify our Top 5 strongest positions of the Class of 2029. This won't be a perfect science as several athletes show up in multiple positions because several have a primary and secondary position, but this will definitely give us a sense of what college coaches can expect when looking into the Class of 2029 in terms of where the most talent is at on the field. Let's dive into these positions and the athletes who made them so strong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1 Running Back</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best position group overall for the Class of 2029 is the running back position. It is made up of an impressive 27 ranked athletes out of the 99 total ranked. That is just over 27% of the total Class. Not only is it the largest position group, it also has the most members of the Top 50 with 13 athletes. That is 26% off the Top 50. The running back position is also a unit that has already experienced a lot of success on the varsity field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2122307' first='Clay' last='Mueller'] was a star in the 8 Man league going over 1,000 yards on the ground. [player_tooltip player_id='1875658' first='Joey' last='Dorow'] piled up 500+ rushing yards on varsity. [player_tooltip player_id='1453164' first='Evan' last='Trudell'] has brought an exciting speed element to the New Berlin West backfield. [player_tooltip player_id='2124832' first='Lukas' last='Alvin'] leads the way with his dominant play and impressive 6'1" 220 lbs frame. [player_tooltip player_id='1594804' first='Zekodi' last='Allen'] worked his way into a starter role towards the end of the season for Janesville Craig. Another feature RB is [player_tooltip player_id='2081568' first='Hunter' last='Schaumberg'] for Lomira where he not only shined at RB, but also LB. This group also features a stud lead blocker in Wausau West FB [player_tooltip player_id='2124839' first='John' last='McCorison']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The exciting part is there is talent ready for their breakout right behind that first group of athletes. Student-athletes like [player_tooltip player_id='2063144' first='Ross' last='Kidau'] of Waunakee who could work his way into a rotational role in 2026, or [player_tooltip player_id='1405140' first='Peyton' last='Briley'] of Greenfield who could see a leap in action and touches on Friday night. Milwaukee Academy of Science also has a pair of 2029s who could earn more time in the backfield with [player_tooltip player_id='2124863' first='Jacari' last='Walker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2124868' first='Lamar' last='Royster'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm very excited to watch this group grow, pile up more production, and find their way on the field on Friday nights. There are so many names to know, so make sure you dive into our rankings for the entire group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#2 Wide Receiver</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was surprised to see WR coming in at #2 on this list, but when you dive in it is clear they deserve to be here. They have 16 total ranked athletes, or just over 16% of the total ranked athletes. They have 6 Top 50 athletes, or 12% of the Top 50. This position is home to the premier talent in this Class, #1 overall athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1395902' first='Nicholas' last='Payne Jr']. The WR is a special prospect that already possesses physical tools that we rarely see from seasoned seniors. He is a rare prospect when it comes to the WR position in WI.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nicholas isn't the only name to know in this position group though. WR [player_tooltip player_id='2124829' first='Luke' last='Janke'] is a walking highlight reel when he is on the football field. [player_tooltip player_id='2124840' first='Abrian' last='Allen'] has a freaky 6'4" frame with long strides to eat up yards and stretch the field. Waupun's [player_tooltip player_id='2124853' first='Liam' last='Hopp'] was able to see some varsity time for one of the most explosive offenses in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group also has so many kids itching to touch the field on Fridays for one of the first times. [player_tooltip player_id='1793873' first='Trevor' last='Butterfield'] is an impressive athlete with well developed route running. [player_tooltip player_id='1918991' first='Aidan' last='Arakkaveettil'] is a fun mismatch to watch with his explosive agility. [player_tooltip player_id='2103700' first='Luke' last='Benter'] is also one to watch as Grafton looks to replace key pieces from their State Championship run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The WR position is shaping up to be more talented than usual for the Class of 2029. I won't be surprised to see multiple members end up playing D1 football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3 Linebacker</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next up we flip to the other side of the ball for our first, and only, defensive position group. The LBs are a talented group of kids that are ready to run, hunt, and hit. It has 12 total ranked athletes with 6 of them in the Top 50. Both of which equal out to about 12% of their respective lists. This position also provides the meat of our rankings with all 6 falling between 20 and 50.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just like the positions above LB, there are plenty of kids who have already tasted that varsity experience. [player_tooltip player_id='2124841' first='Bennett' last='Fletcher'] was a key piece to a Union Grove team that made a deep 2025 playoff run. [player_tooltip player_id='2124842' first='Maximo' last='Xolo'] brought home a State Championship with Darlington. LB1 [player_tooltip player_id='2081576' first='Maximus' last='Ward'] got a glimpse of Friday night action, but could see a big jump in playing time this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other athletes who are gearing up for their breakout year are [player_tooltip player_id='2043308' first='Dominic' last='Manno'] of Waunakee, [player_tooltip player_id='1717287' first='Tommy' last='Kelley'] of St. Joseph Catholic Academy could be leaned on to help replace some of the talent lost from the SJCA State Championship run. Wausau West has been a team that plays very tough, and a guy like [player_tooltip player_id='2065012' first='Cameron' last='Tipple'] could be ready for his shot at a varsity spot this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a lot to watch when it comes to this group. I have a feeling this year we see this group have a lot of new names get on the field and make this position even stronger.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4 Quarterback</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have had a special run of talented QB Classes here in WI. It started with the Class of 2026 and it runs through at least the Class of 2029 after finalizing these rankings. The position has 10 of our 99 ranked athletes, and 5 of the Top 50, roughly 10% of both. That includes a pair with varsity experience who earned Top 10 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading the way is [player_tooltip player_id='2124827' first='Hawkin' last='Ullsperger'] of Wauwatosa West who has outstanding arm talent, especially for his age. Followed by [player_tooltip player_id='2123215' first='Ethan' last='Foemmel'] who was able to start a majority of the 2025 season for Marshfield. He returns several of his targets so I'm excited for his sophomore season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After those two are several athletes who are biding their time as older kids are ahead of them. However, a guy like [player_tooltip player_id='2055009' first='Charlie' last='Shepard'] of Waukesha South could even see time on defense at LB, his secondary position. [player_tooltip player_id='1717343' first='Asher' last='Mueller'] of Whitefish Bay is a kid very dedicated to his craft. I have already seen him spending multiple offseasons working with QB coach Benji Kamrath so he will be ready when his time comes. I'm also excited to see [player_tooltip player_id='2124851' first='Jordan' last='Hammond'] of Indian Trail get back on the field and show any and all development from this offseason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB is headed by some impressive talent, but we are just scratching the surface of what this group could be. That is exciting considering it already has the representation that has earned them a Top 5 spot in the position group rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#5 Tight End</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming in at #5 we have the tight end position group. The group has 9 of our 99 ranked athletes and a very strong representation from that group inside the Top 50. 5 TEs sit inside our Top 50 overall and that includes #2 overall player and TE1 [player_tooltip player_id='2086595' first='Hank' last='Doyle'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This position doesn't have a ton of varsity athletes, yet. There time is coming, though. The ones who have seen the field include Waterford's Emmett Dragatz who has been a huge help in the run game with his blocking. [player_tooltip player_id='1184480' first='Henry' last='Nieman'] was able to get on the field and make an impact on both sides of the ball for Tomahawk. [player_tooltip player_id='2112438' first='Carter' last='Groh'] of Kiel was also able to catch a few passes throughout the season for the varsity. Lastly, [player_tooltip player_id='2124862' first='Logan' last='Bonner'] got on the field as a blocker pretty often for Lake Country Lutheran.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The up and coming talent is similar to the QB position. It is a large, strong group that is ready for their moment when they are called upon. TE1 [player_tooltip player_id='2086595' first='Hank' last='Doyle'] is ready for a consistent role on varsity this year. [player_tooltip player_id='2124830' first='Owen' last='Schmitt'] has the size and physicality to play TE or DE for the Waukesha South varsity. [player_tooltip player_id='2124837' first='Carson' last='Sauer'] is an intriguing athlete who was utilized in several ways on the JV in 2025 and could bring that to the varsity unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The current talent and up and coming talent could come together to launch this group further up this list by the end of the 2026 season. Especially if more TEs from the Class make their presence in the rankings. This is a position that WI HS football seems to excel at producing, so I'm excited for what is to come from this bunch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->