2023 Rankings: Next Best
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In most case there is not a lot of separation between the number one ranked player at a particular position and the number two. These are the guys who are just behind the current position best players. By the time…
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Continue ReadingIn most case there is not a lot of separation between the number one ranked player at a particular position and the number two. These are the guys who are just behind the current position best players. By the time the fall season gets underway, we will see if they are ready to dethrone the man in front or if they fall to those on their heels.
Luke Montgomery Luke Montgomery 6'4" | 295 lbs | OL Findlay | 2023 State OH 6’5” 264 DL Findlay
Even though he is currently the second best at his position, Montgomery still falls into the number four overall spot and hot on the heels of the number one player, Brenan Vernon Brenan Vernon 6'5" | 250 lbs | DL Mentor | 2023 State OH . Like Vernon, Montgomery has great length and foot quickness. He can power rush or work the edges of pass blockers with equal effectiveness. Luke also is a talented tight end. Montgomery already has nearly thirty D1 offers.
Breeon Ishmail Breeon Ishmail 6'5" | 205 lbs | WR Hamilton | 2023 State OH 6’5” 205 WR Hamilton
Ishmail comes in as the number two receiver in the 2023 class. He has sure and soft hands showing the ability to snatch the football out of the air even when covered tightly by defensive backs. Ishmail likes running the slant and crossing routes over the middle and doesn’t shy away from defenders closing in on him. He is an unselfish player which is demonstrated by his downfield blocking prowess.
Cam Smith Cam Smith 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH Austintown Fitch | 2023 State OH 6’0” 190 ATH Austintown Fitch
Smith, like he number one in the athlete category, Trevor Carter Trevor Carter 6'2" | 205 lbs | ATH Ironton | 2023 State OH , is a physical football player that can play both sides of the football. He displays tremendous range in the secondary at the safety position who breaks on the football to make an interception or breakup the pass. He is a devastating tackler who likes to punish the ball carrier. Smith is just as talented on offense as a big-play wide receiver as well as a special teams returner.
Caleb Arthur Caleb Arthur 6'4" | 215 lbs | TE Wheelersburg | 2023 State OH 6’3” 200 TE Wheelersburg
One of the top players in southern Ohio, and the second best tight end in the state, Arthur is a versatile football player who also plays outside linebacker. Offensively, Arthur can play out wide, flexed out, on the line of scrimmage, or be used as an H-back. He has the hands of a receiver and the toughness of a lineman. He is an instinctive tight end that finds windows in defensive coverages as well as possessing deceptive speed which he uses to run by defensive backs. Arthur is an exceptional blocker and gets real movement at the point of attack.
Kayden Davis Kayden Davis 6'2" | 175 lbs | RB Alliance | 2023 State OH 6’2” 175 RB Alliance
Davis is similar to the number one running back Willtrell Hartson Willtrell Hartson 5'11" | 200 lbs | RB Massillon Washington | 2023 State OH in the way he gets north-south in a hurry, hard to bring down due to powerful legs and thighs, and breaks tackles in the openfield. On the other hand, Davis is also a versatile player who can be an inside receiver in twins or trips sets. He has good hands and can run vertical routes with precision. Davis can use his running back talents in spread formations on the jet sweep.
Ryan Caretta Ryan Caretta 6'5" | 310 lbs | OL Columbus St. Charles | 2023 State OH 6’5” 310 OL Columbus St. Charles
One of the newcomers to the rankings, Caretta has all the potential to be a D1 offensive linemen. He plays with excellent leverage for a big man and blows defensive linemen off the line of scrimmage. He also uses his hands well both in the run game and in pass protection. The special thing about Caretta is his ability to pick up defenders in space even though he tips the scales at over 300 pounds. Caretta has outstanding body control for his size.
Blake Lichtenberg Blake Lichtenberg 6'1" | 185 lbs | QB Toledo St. John's | 2023 State OH 6’1” 180 QB Toledo St. John’s
Look for Blake to grow into one of the Midwest’s’ best quarterbacks by the time he is a senior. He shows real maturity for a sophomore who has excellent poise and pocket presence. Lichtenberg possesses both good arm strength along with an excellent touch on the football. He really is impressive connecting with his receivers on deeper routes. Lichtenberg can throw well on the run and he has the talent to fit into many style offenses.
Colton Powers Colton Powers 5'10" | 180 lbs | LB Marysville | 2023 OH 5’10” 180 LB Marysville
Gabe Powers Gabe Powers 6'4" | 225 lbs | LB Marysville | 2022 State OH is on his way to Ohio State next year, but the Marysville Monarchs still will have another Powers, Gabe’s brother Colton. Colton isn’t as big as Gabe, but is athletic with good quickness and plays physical. From the inside linebacker position, he attacks the run downhill and gives his body up making the tackle. He is a savvy defender against the pass as well, playing the hook to curl zones instinctively and breaking quickly on the pass. If Powers can gain some weight in the next year, he will be a real force on the defensive side of the football.
Trevaughn Jackson Trevaughn Jackson 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Washington Courthouse | 2023 State OH 5’11” 180 DB Washington Courthouse
Jackson is another one of those players that could be put into the athlete category due to his many skills as a receiver, running back, return specialist as well as defensive back. As a safety, he can play cover 2, cover 3, or man with equal ability. He possesses both range and closing speed along with attacking the football with proper leverage. Few defensive backs can cover as much field as quickly as Jackson.