2021 Rankings Risers

<em>Here's a detailed look into some of the top performers that are climbing the players rankings after a strong 2020 season. </em> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="93134" first="Zereoue" last="Williams"], OL, Mountain Pointe, 6’8” 250 lbs.</strong> After focusing on basketball throughout his high school career, he decided to give football another shot entering his senior year. At 6’8” 250 lbs. he exploded onto the recruiting scene in October when he picked up seven offers in a matter of days before playing a varsity snap. Before signing with Utah on early signing day his offers included Florida State, ASU, Oregon State, NAU, Missouri, and Tennessee. He possesses great natural athleticism with elite level mobility and feet which can be attributed to his basketball background. Throughout the 2020 season he flashed great ability to work to the second level and maintain his blocks by latching on and driving through contact but exceled as a pass blocker by being able to mirror a defender and stay in front using his quick feet. Despite his limited experience, he has an extremely high ceiling at the college level and beyond given his length, flexibility, movement, and other physical tools to build on. <strong><img class="size-medium wp-image-24524 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/06/Generic-Featured-Image-5-300x187.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="187" />[player_tooltip player_id="42649" first="Sione" last="Hingano"], OL, Chandler, 6’5” 280 lbs.</strong> BYU found a sleeper in Hingano when he signed with the Cougars on early signing day. Jumping from #69 in the initial Prep Redzone 2021 rankings with a few FCS offers all the way to #28 in the state after signing. He showed tremendous improvement from his junior year to his senior year not only in his size and strength but also in his ability as a blocker. In his senior year, he showed an increased aggression and intensity as a run blocker combined with better technique and leverage to be a more effective and efficient blocker. His improvement was also evident in his mobility, bend, and foot speed in the passing game. With his strong lower half and versatility to play multiple positions on the OL he has great upside and potential at the college level. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="42684" first="Chris" last="Trojan"], OLB, Hamilton, 6’1” 185 lbs.</strong> Trojan jumped over 50 spots in our final 2021 player rankings. A bit of a late bloomer but really flashed as a senior in the tough Hamilton defense that was loaded with top end talent. The 6’1” 185 lb. athlete has the versatility to play multiple spots on the defensive end depending on the scheme he ends up in. He’s smart and instinctual, playing well with his eyes and is quick to diagnose plays and react based on his reads. He’s efficient with his movement picking his lanes and angles of attack to put himself in position to make a play. He’s a good two-way LB that is a strong/reliable tackler in the open field and shows good ball skills in coverage. He’s one of the better uncommitted defensive players in the state with offers from New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Benedictine, Clarke, and Arizona Christian. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="42775" first="Jack" last="Whitten"], DB, 6’1” 180 lbs. Chaparral</strong> The early signee to Brown is a well-rounded DB that is smart and effective in both coverage and run support. He’s savvy with his movement and attack angles with good change of direction and short area burst. Smooth transition and fluid hips out of his back pedal when running with a WR or coming down hill to fill a gap. He shows good route anticipation and closing speed to cut down separation to make a play on the ball. He’s a high motor guy in pursuit and a reliable open field tackler with the ability to deliver strong contact the POA. Love his natural feel and awareness at the DB position. He’s a great fit at the Ivy League level given his high academics and strong athletic ability. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="42691" first="PJ" last="London"], QB, 6’3” 205 lbs., Blue Ridge</strong> Recently committed to NAU, London is a natural passer and playmaker. He possesses good length and an athletic frame at 6’3” 205 lbs. He’s a precise and accurate passer both in the pocket and on the run with a quick and compact throwing motion. Throws a good ball that comes out smooth, tight, and on time showing the ability to mix up velocities to throw a catchable ball. Good all-around pocket presence with the ability to stand tall and work through his progression while allowing the play to develop. He’s a deceptive athlete that can make game changing plays with his legs both on designed RPO’s and improvising when protection breaks down. He’s built up a strong skillset that will be interesting to watch as he continues to develop and improve while at NAU. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="42755" first="Kam" last="Cullimore"], LB, 5’11” 200 lbs., Highland</strong> Cullimore made a huge jump in the 2021 player rankings after a big 2020 season where he racked up over 100 tackles and received all state honors. Plays fast and physical with a high motor to be a LB that has sideline to sideline range. He’s a tough and aggressive presence in the Highland defense that is always attacking. He shows good strength, power, and leg drive at the contact point. Great ability to play with his eyes and diagnose plays quickly, correctly, and efficiently. He has a great nose for the football and a relentless attitude in pursuit to put himself in position to make plays. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="42748" first="Max" last="Davis"], RB, 5’11” 195 lbs., Highland<img class="size-medium wp-image-24525 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/06/Generic-Featured-Image-4-300x187.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="187" /></strong> Another Highland HS player that made a significant jump in the rankings after being one of the top rushers in the state and picking up all state honors. He’s a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands using a combination of speed and strength to break tackles and pick up yardage in chunks. Flashes plus athleticism with his balance, body control, and elusiveness in the open field. He runs well behind his pads with good leverage when carrying the ball between the tackles. He shows good vision to find open running lanes and the patience to allow those lanes to develop by reading his blocks. He’s a natural football player and playmaker that is a highlight waiting to happen. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="42641" first="Dane" last="Christensen"], QB, 6’3” 185 lbs., Casteel</strong> One of the most underrecruited prospects in the state. He would’ve benefitted from a normal recruiting cycle where he would’ve been able to demonstrate his skillset at college camps and showcases but the talent and ability to play at the college level are there. He’s got lean frame with good length that allows him to sling it all over the field at different arm angles with strength and accuracy. He shows great pocket awareness and mobility when avoiding pressure. When protection breaks down, he’s able to escape while keeping his eyes downfield looking for an open target or tuck it and run using his sneaky athleticism to move the chains with his legs. In a year with a lot of QB’s around the state Christensen has shown he can make all the throws necessary and compete against top level college talent.