Class of ‘25: Five Prospects Rising to the Top 50
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The Class of ‘25 as a whole displayed an ability to improve at an accelerated rate this past season. They weren’t afraid to make mistakes at the varsity level, and even when they did, they quickly adjusted. This third update…
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Continue ReadingThe Class of ‘25 as a whole displayed an ability to improve at an accelerated rate this past season. They weren’t afraid to make mistakes at the varsity level, and even when they did, they quickly adjusted. This third update for the Class of ’25 features the most stock risers thus far, as over 15 players earned a new ranking this time around. There were multiple prospects that moved up at least 10 spots, but this group of five made a sizable jump in the rankings. In addition to rising over 25 spots in this update, these five players also became Top 50 prospects.
The leader of the pack in this January update is Adrian Hernandez Adrian Hernandez 6’3″ | 295 lbs | OL Garden City | 2025 State KS of Garden City. His impressive first season anchoring left tackle on varsity secured him a spot inside the Top 25. After climbing 58 spots, Hernandez is now No. 24 overall, and is the 3rd ranked offensive lineman in the class. Holding down the blindside can be challenging for a first-year starter. But Hernandez never faltered, as he’d wind up being a key piece to the Buffaloes’ offensive line this past season. Hernandez and his fellow hogs helped Garden City’s offense generate 37 points per game and nearly produced 3,300 yards of total offense. He’ll be an important player for the Buffaloes this fall.
Coming in with the second highest increase in rank, is standout athlete, Jayden Lang Jayden Lang 6’0″ | 170 lbs | ATH De Soto | 2025 State KS . De Soto’s offense featured multiple first-year starters this past season, and Lang was arguably one of their best. Lang was the Wildcats’ go-to guy on outside runs, as he possessed the elusiveness to create big plays in the open-field. Just how explosive was Lang this past season? Well, the sophomore managed to break De Soto’s single-season record for yards per carry with an impressive 11.31 yards per attempt. His strong season boosted his rank by 47 spots to become the 25th ranked prospect overall, and he is now the 3rd ranked athlete in the class.
This past season there were several wideouts across the state that put together unbelievable stat lines. Jacob Grant Jacob Grant 5’11” | 160 lbs | WR Baxter Springs | 2025 State KS of Baxter Springs, quietly had one of the best from the Class of ’25. In his first year starting, Grant had five games with over 100 yards receiving, and he finished the season hauling in 39 receptions for 956 yards and nine touchdowns. These outstanding numbers would earn him a 3A All-State Honorable Mention nod, and he his now the 45th ranked prospect overall and the 9th ranked receiver in the class. He’s a small school prospect that folks need to remember during the ’23 campaign.
Maize South’s aerial attack featured some impressive pass-catchers this past season. While the group was headlined by Sammy Dresie Sammy Dresie 6’2″ | 180 lbs | WR Maize South | 2024 State KS and Jeron Askren Jeron Askren 6’3″ | 220 lbs | TE Maize South | 2024 State KS , sophomore wideout, Landen Gatto Landen Gatto 6’5″ | 200 lbs | WR Maize South | 2025 State KS , managed to turn some heads as well. The 6-foot-4 receiver presented a big target for fellow sophomore, Tate McNew Tate McNew 6’1″ | 185 lbs | QB Maize South | 2025 State KS , and he proved to be a very reliable option. Gatto’s solid year earned him an invitation to the U.S. Army National Combine in December, as well as an unofficial visit to Coffeyville Community College. His recent progress moves him up 37 spots from No. 51 overall to No. 17, and Gatto is also now the 6th ranked wideout in the class.
The Blue Valley West Jaguars are beginning to become a factory for defensive linemen. They’ve developed multiple collegiate level prospects along their defensive line over the past two seasons, and Nico Cocumelli Nico Cocumelli 6’4″ | 220 lbs | DL Blue Valley West | 2025 State KS is one that could draw serious interest in a few years. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound edge rusher earned the fifth highest increase in this update, as he moves up 27 spots to No. 16 overall, and is now the 4th ranked defensive lineman in the class. His physical brand of football helped him rack up 31 total tackles and 10 tackles for loss during his sophomore year. He’ll be a player to keep an eye on heading into the ‘23 campaign,