Debut Athletes: Top 2024 Kansas Newcomers

With a large gap between rankings updates, there are a significant number of athletes making their debuts in the Class of 2024 rankings. Players who had big seasons and athletes who have been getting offers to play college ball.   Here is a look at the highest-ranked newcomers to the standings, all of which are ranked in the top 100 and many of them are athletes I saw compete in person this past season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1105455' first='Micah' last='Johnson'], RB, 5'10”, 185, Goddard, (Kansas)   Debuting in the No. 26 slot is Goddard running back [player_tooltip player_id='1105455' first='Micah' last='Johnson']. Johnson had a senior season producing impressive numbers on the ground. In nine games he rushed for 1,119 yards on 187 carries. He scored 11 touchdowns on the ground and added one touchdown reception. Johnson is an elite runner on the gridiron in the fall and on the track in the spring. He has committed to play for the Kansas Jayhawks after graduation.   [player_tooltip player_id='1078257' first='Sam' last='Boetcher'], RB, 5'10”, 180, Basehor-Linwood   A running back that I saw play twice this season comes in Ranked at No. 52. Boetcher was a work-horse back for the Basehor-Linwood Bobcats. He carried the ball 214 times in 11 games and gained 1,042 yards. On a team that was expecting to throw the ball a lot heading into the season, Boetcher's load in increased after a truckload of injuries that decimated Basehor's receiving corps. He scored 16 times on the ground and added one touchdown reception. The great thing about this young man is a leader on the field and in the classroom. He is way underrecruited in my opinion, but he is still uncommitted and has multiple NAIA offers.   [player_tooltip player_id='1103579' first='J.' last='Brooks Kapplemann'], QB, 6'2”, 200, Liberal   Playing out in the southwest corner of the state is an undervalued quarterback from Liberal. J. Brooks Kappelmann is a quarterback I was fortunate enough to see play and enters the rankings in the No. 58 slot. He threw for 2,351 yards in 10 games for the Redskins. He also rushed for 749 yards and accounted for 35 total touchdowns. I saw Liberal play against Topeka High and the senior signal caller understands how to run an offense. He had multiple weapons on the Liberal team which helped his stats. To my knowledge, he has one JUCO offer, but every in-state school that needs depth at QB position should give this kid a look.   [player_tooltip player_id='1103612' first='Declan' last='Battle'], QB, 5'11”, 170, Louisburg   I did not see Battle play in person in 2023, but I followed him closely. Battle is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the state and debuts in the rankings in the No. 60 slot. In 10 games played for Louisburg, Battle threw for 1,364 yards and rushed for 1,009. During his senior campaign, he recorded 32 total touchdowns. He has multiple offers including one KCAC school, but has yet to commit.   [player_tooltip player_id='1103608' first='Jahmarion' last='Washington'], RB, 6'1”, 215, Parsons   Washington is a big-back who rushed for over 1,000 yards during his senior season. He debuts in the 2024 rankings at No. 67. He scored 23 touchdowns on the ground and rushed for 1,512 yards in 11 games. The Vikings' back is long and quick. He can run past tacklers or bowl them over. He has multiple JUCO programs interested in him,   [player_tooltip player_id='938454' first='Ryan' last='French'], TE, 6'2”, 200, Lansing   French is an exciting and underrecruited tight end from Lansing. He is ranked No. 72 by Prep Redzone. He is solid as a run-blocker and provides a tough match-up in the passing game. He made 30 receptions for 320 yards and four scores during his senior season. He was underutilized in the red zone on a team that featured multiple offensive weapons. He has offers from multiple NAIA programs but has yet to commit.   [player_tooltip player_id='1103595' first='Alex' last='Parks'], WR, 5'8”, 150, Blue Valley Southwest   Parks received a swag bag full of post-season accolades. He parlayed a 1,000-yard receiving season into a debut at No. 75 in the Class of 2024 rankings. Parks benefited from playing in a throw-first offense led by a talented quarterback. He collected 83 receptions in 12 games gaining 1,381 yards and scoring 20 touchdowns. The Timberwolf senior runs solid routes and has nice hands.   [player_tooltip player_id='1103598' first='Ryeki' last='Tuley'], QB, 5'11”, 170, Shawnee Heights   Tuley was a quarterback that I saw play twice this season. After a season in which he threw for 2,108 yards, the Shawnee Heights signal caller debuts in the rankings in the No. 79 slot. Tuley was leaned on heavily on a team that battled injuries. He completed over 65 percent of his passing attempts. He threw 21 touchdowns and rushed for seven more. I would not call him a dual-threat quarterback, but he can extend drives with his arms and legs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1103590' first='Kaleb' last='Scott'], ATH, 6'0”, 180, Basehor-Linwood   Scott was impressive in 2023. He was penciled in to serve as a starting defensive back for the Bobcats and then due to injuries he ended up playing both ways and was one of Basehor's top receiving threats. He is a newcomer to the rankings and debuts at No. 80. On the defensive side of the ball he finished with 36 total tackles and two interceptions. He finished his high school career with 119 total tackles and five interceptions in 28 games played. During his senior season, he caught 57 balls, eight for touchdowns, and finished with 854 yards gained. He is a dangerous return man which included a 99-yard touchdown return. In two seasons Scott gained 849 yards on 24 kickoff returns.   [player_tooltip player_id='1103640' first='Jeff' last='Nold'], WR, 6'3”, 180, Sedgwick   Nold debuts in the rankings Ranked No. 89. The long wide receiver is a three-sport prospect from Sedgwick. During his senior season, he made 60 receptions for 1,1012 yards. An increase of 10 catches and almost 400 yards from his junior season totals. He finished his high school career with over 2,000 yards receiving and 31 touchdown receptions. He can high-point the ball and is a weapon in the red zone. Nold also is an impact athlete on the basketball court and the baseball diamond.

With a large gap between rankings updates, there are a significant number of athletes making their debuts in the Class of 2024 rankings. Players who had big seasons and athletes who have been getting offers to play college ball.