Class of 2024: Top Newcomer by Position
With the debut of the updated 2024 Class Rankings comes several new names and faces to know! Today, I want to dive into those new athletes by diving into the film of the top newcomer at each position. The way I’m going to ID a newcomer is any player who is in the rankings now that wasn’t in the rankings previously. If they were apart of the Watch List and are now ranked they will be considered for the Biggest Risers article coming soon! Once we find the top newcomer, I’ll then give a quick analysis of their sophomore highlights. Let’s get it started!
Jack Sulik Jack Sulik 6'4" | 195 lbs | QB Burlington | 2024 State WI , QB- Burlington
The 6’4″ 190 lbs sophomore QB only played in 3.5 games due to Covid and a broken collarbone, but that’s all he needed to put together an impressive highlight reel. Sulik makes the rankings as our highest debuting QB at QB3 and #42 overall. Jack has a perfect build for the position and the subtle athleticism to allow the pocket passer to be able to move in the pocket or roll out while still delivering accurate passes. Jack’s film demonstrates his ability to be able to deliver balls to the short, and intermediate ranges on a rope, and he can push the ball down the field. Despite being a bigger prospect, Jack has quick feet, and an even quicker release coming from a prototypical motion. Definitely a player to watch going forward. Jack’s Sophomore Highlights
Corey Smith Corey Smith 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Catholic Memorial | 2024 State WI , RB- Catholic Memorial
The 6′ 175 lbs RB debuts as the #1 RB and the #3 overall player in the Class of 2024. The Catholic Memorial product is an elite level athlete. He ran 4.54 and 4.56 at the Prep Redzone WI Stock UP Showcase in December, and it translates to the field where it seems he generates a big play on every touch. Smith is a natural playmaker as he makes the highlight reel plays look easy. His vision and natural feel for the position allows him to see the field, find blocks, and utilize cut back lanes. WI has put out several talented RBs over the years, and it looks like Corey is the next elite prospect. He already holds one offer from Central Michigan. It’s well deserved as he clearly sticks out from the crowd playing like a man among boys.
JJ Douglas JJ Douglas 6'5" | 215 lbs | WR Janesville Parker | 2024 State WI , WR- Janesville Parker
The 6’4″ 210 lbs WR debuts on the Class of 2024 rankings at WR1 and #7 overall. JJ already possesses an elite frame that is well filled out making him a very strong athlete before and after the catch. JJ has the play speed to be able to eat up cushions, and take the top off of the defense. Douglas’ body control is just as impressive as his size. He is able to move smoothly through his routes and changes direction with ease. JJ does a really good job using that size and strength to create separation for his QB. He can either go up and over DBs or he is able to box them and use his long arms to catch the ball away from his body and far away from the DB. I mentioned it in the rankings announcement article, but this looks like a very talented WR group. Douglas is the cream of the crop. Need to know type prospect. JJ’s Sophomore Highlights
Logan Bahr Logan Bahr 6'7" | 220 lbs | TE Onalaska Luther | 2024 State WI , TE- Onalaska Luther
Logan is an intriguing TE prospect. He debuts at TE1 and #21 overall in his class. Bahr already stands at 6’6″ with the arm length to match. Despite all that length, Logan moves well in the open field and runs solid routes. That size is what is the key to his separation creation. His size forces the DB to give him a cushion or he uses that size to box out defenders and catch the ball away from his body. The most intriguing part of his game is that he only weighs 195 lbs right now. So, as he continues to add weight and strength Bahr is going to become even more dangerous contain before and after the catch. Don’t miss out on WI’s next big, physical TE prospect. Logan’s Highlight Page
Derek Jensen Derek Jensen 6'7" | 310 lbs | OL Arrowhead | 2024 State WI , OL- Arrowhead
Derek debuts on the rankings as the top player in the class. The 6’6″ 295 lbs sophomore offensive lineman has quickly become a wildly impressive prospect. He has elite level size, strength, and length for the position. His body control has made huge strides since this time last season as he now is able to slide and move in any direction with ease. In the run game, Derek uses his superior strength and strong base to drive defensive linemen off the ball and into level two. He is able to do it one on one or he can create a huge push on double teams, and then easily slide off the double to pick up the level two defender. I’m excited to watch Derek’s development over the next two seasons because I believe there is still so much more potential to tap into. He is just getting started, yet he already holds 4 FBS offers at this time. The name to know here in WI.
Jace Gilbert Jace Gilbert 6'5" | 270 lbs | DL Arrowhead | 2024 State WI , DL- Arrowhead
Make a list of the traits you want from an up and coming DL prospect and he most likely comes out looking like Jace. Gilbert debuts as the DL1 and #4 overall. He has elite size at 6’5″ 230 lbs, length, burst off the line, and strength. He also has the speed to be able to chase down players in the backfield. He packages all into one dangerous trench monster. Jace is able to quickly identify how the OL is trying to block him, and then utilize the best move to defeat the block. The highlights show Jace using his quick first step to make himself untouchable at the line. He has shown that he can dip underneath linemen or make them miss with lateral agility. Gilbert also flashed a shoulder hump move that I rarely see at this level, but his strength allows him to. That strength also allows him to set a strong edge. Jace looks like he has the makes to be the next top DL prospect in WI. Jace’s Sophomore Highlights
Rocky Duran Rocky Duran 6'1" | 165 lbs | DB Fond du Lac | 2024 State WI , DB- Fond du Lac
Rocky is a long, lean DB prospect who plays like an athlete 20+ lbs heavier. Rocky’s physicality is the first thing that jumps off the tape, and it’s what helped him debut as the DB2 and #46 overall prospect. That physicality shows up in all parts of his game. I believe Duran is the best tackling DB in his class. He has no fear flying downhill to make tackles on RBs out in the flats, and when he will light up receivers downfield when given the chance. He also has the strength to fight through blocks so he can make the tackle. Rocky’s recognition stood out during my film review for him also. He quickly read receiver breaks allowing him to close, mirror the break, or change direction on time to make a play on the ball. As Rocky continues to fill out his 6’1″ 160 lbs frame we could see him transform into an impactful safety based on his current strengths. Definitely an athlete to watch going forward.
Sam Pilof Sam Pilof 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Middleton | 2024 State WI , LB- Middleton
It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of the 6’3″ 205 lbs sophomore LB out of Middleton. I couldn’t wait to see where he debuted in the rankings, and we now know that he is officially the highest debuting LB at LB1 and #6 overall. Pilof is such a versatile prospect who has film showing him make a huge impact as an ILB and OLB. His play speed and overall athleticism allows him to have sideline to sideline range and his first step quickness makes him a dangerous edge rusher. Pilof closes with eye catching quickness as he puts an end to plays before they have time to develop. He isn’t just an athlete either. Sam has heavy hands and the strength to push-pull offensive linemen and he can deliver strong initial punches when he gets his hands inside. Sam’s pass rush repertoire is starting to take shape as well. He does a great job with his hand swipes and he has an effective rip move as well. The explosive playmaker is fun to watch, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him climb even higher in the rankings over the next few years. Sam’s Sophomore Highlights
Tevyn Montgomery Tevyn Montgomery 5'10" | 225 lbs | ATH Bay Port | 2024 State WI , ATH- Bay Port
The 5’11” 225 lbs Bay Port product debuts as our ATH1 and #12 overall prospect for the Class of 2024. Tevyn is a powerful athlete who holds his thickness throughout his entire frame making him a dangerous RB. He possesses a low center of gravity allowing him to use that bowling ball build to bounce off tackle attempts. The leg drive jumps off the tape too. If the play isn’t dead then you can bet he is still churning those powerful legs looking for all the yards after contact that he can pile up. From his ILB position, Montgomery is a talented run stuffer who quickly reads and recognizes line flow and finds the ball instantly before closing quickly on it. That power you see while he carries the ball translates to defense where he is able to deliver big shots while still wrapping up ball carriers. Tevyn also has the range to be able to flow sideline to sideline making plays all over the field. This dude is a tone setter on both sides of the ball and I’m pumped to watch him continue to develop his play on both ways. Tevyn’s Sophomore Highlights