Class of ’24 Watch List: Part II

With the 2021 season inching closer and closer, we continue to look at potential prospects for the next Class of ’24 player rankings update. This second edition features arguably the top kicking prospect in the class, along with four players that can contribute in a variety of ways. Look to see where these players debut in the next update. <strong>Barrett Lietz</strong> – Rossville, 6’0”, 220, OL/DL Lietz could potentially work his way into the starting lineup on both sides of the ball as a sophomore. He played sparingly as a freshman and managed to tally four tackles on defense, and provided solid depth on offense. The young hog has gotten much stronger since 2020, as he closed out summer weights hitting a 465-pound squat max. He could make an impact in the trenches for the Bulldogs this fall. <strong>Sam Parks</strong> – Maize South, 5’8”, 130, K After an impressive freshmen year, Parks is poised to be one of the top legs in the 5A ranks this season. There could be an argument that he was snubbed for an<em> All-State Honorable Mention</em> selection after going 3/4 in field goals and connecting on 33/34 extra points last fall. Parks did however take-home <em>2^nd Team All-AVCTL</em> honors during his first varsity season, and he should be a candidate for 1^st Team this year. <strong>Jamal Pratt</strong> – Olathe North, 6’2”, 235, DL Pratt is looking like he could be an exciting prospect along the defensive front for the Eagles over the next few years. In the few snaps he played last year, Parks showed glimpses of what could come as he develops. He racked up 12 total tackles, one interception and one sack during his freshmen season. Pratt should see a significant increase in snaps as a sophomore and could even be moved around on defense as well. <strong>Matthew Magette</strong> – Eudora, 5’11”, 170, ATH Magette didn’t see much varsity action during the 2020 season, but that should change this fall. He's possibly earned himself a larger role after the offseason he’s had. Magette was a state qualifier in track to kick off the summer, and then he closed out Eudora’s summer workouts in a big way. During the Cardinals’ athletic testing, Magette posted a 4.68 40, a 4.2 in the 3-Cone, and an explosive 39.5 inch vertical. The athletic sophomore could be used in different ways on both sides of the ball during the '21 season. <strong>Logan McCarty</strong> – Cheyline, 5’10”, 155, ATH Cheyline absolutely dominated in 2020, winning the <em>6-Man State Championship</em> with a perfect 9-0 record. They graduated one McCarty brother in the spring but should not skip a beat with Logan leading the way for the Cougars this year. He played great on both sides of the ball as a freshman; accounting for over 900 yards of total offense with 19 total touchdowns, and racked up 69 total tackles with one sack and five interceptions. Don’t sleep on him as he continues to develop.