Paytonlives said:
I think Jesse Owens (Billings West) might be the best player in the state
https://twitter.com/khansen406/status/1043311874622799873
https://twitter.com/khansen406/status/1043315764135120896
Jesse and a group of 8-9 other kids are in the conversation. An extremely hard year to pinpoint one kid as the best player in the state.
Going through my preseason Top 10:
1) Chrishon Dixon - hasn't done a ton this year in terms of offensive numbers as Billings Central have been rolling teams on the ground, as usual. However, he still has several highlight catches when he gets targeted and has been a stalwart on defense. He is still my #1 player.
2) Garrison Poetzl - if this kid only had to play defensive line, he would be unstoppable. He has been exceptional as an interior defensive lineman and simply okay as an offensive tackle.
3) Ryan Lonergan - I hear his name prevalently when talking with guys about the most impressive players in the state. He is far and away the best TE prospect in the state as his receiver numbers have been outstanding (unofficially leads AA in receiving yards) and his blocking has improved. But another element Ryan has added is his defensive performance. He has been a problem as a DE. If his blocking continues to improve, he is approaching Colin Bingham/Will Dissly territory as a TE/DE prospect.
4) Trevin Gradney - has two picks (from the 1st game of the season against Missoula Big Sky) and has not been thrown at a ton. Has shown well on film and is still regarded as one of the top gets in the state.
5) Holden Sampson - is far and away the best offensive lineman in the state. He has looked bigger, faster, and stronger this year.
6) Joe Olson - I said he was the best RB prospect in the state in the preseason and he has proved me correct thus far though Blake Counts has been phenomenal as well.
7) Alaric Greil - is the veteran on a young, inexperienced Helena Capital team. Alaric moved to the OL out of team need and is still a physical presence on the defensive line. He has gotten so big that I feel like he's lost some of his explosiveness but he may be the strongest kid in the state. His future will likely be on the interior of the defensive line.
8) Brody Grebe - he is doing Garrett Graves-like things this year for Roundup. Has been dominant on offense and defense. Not one Class B team has slowed him down so far this year.
9) Alex Johnson - is the leader of the Helena High defense and has played a hybrid TE/WR role on offense. I rated him as the best safety prospect in the state in the preseason. However, Ryan Tirrell has been turning heads at safety for Missoula Loyola his senior season.
10) Jesse Owens - is one of the most explosive players in the state on offense. Has started to make some plays defensively for Billings West that has really helped their defense. He has the ability to take it to the house every time he touches the ball on offense.
Other kids who have been really good their senior seasons so far:
Ryder Meyer - a sparkplug player on both sides of the ball. Has the ability to play both smart and aggressively on defense.
Blake Counts - actually leads Joe Olson for the AA rushing title by about 50 yards. Has been a workhorse.
Colten McPhee - had 220 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns vs. Dillon's defense two weeks ago. If he was 3 feet taller (5'9"), he would already have a FCS scholarship offer as a LB.
Rylan Ortt - smooth, productive athlete out of the QB position and has played safety this year as well
Landers Smith - looks faster this year. The #1 player in 8-Man this year.
Ryan Tirrell - he is a Top 10 player on film so far his senior season...maybe even Top 5. Has transitioned from OLB to Safety and his size/speed ratio from the safety position is eye-popping on film.
Blake Thelen - I slated him as a high school QB who probably would play WR in college this preseason. He has impressed as a QB.
Casey Gunlikson - If you want a sleeper from the Class B ranks, look no further than Casey. A sub-11.00 100M runner that shows aggression on the football field with the ball in his hands.
Connor Paul - a bulldozer at guard for Billings West. He has taken his game to another level this year. Strong as an ox.
Noah Ambuehl - Noah is playing QB at about 6'5", 240 lbs. this year. He's a future Griz TE all the way.
Ryan Simpson - long, tall receiver who has been a key cog in Bozeman's offensive machine.
Dawson Allen - has dominated against top competition (Loyola specifically) and looks faster/stronger his senior season.
Easton Page - he is the best slot receiver in the state in my opinion. Short, shifty, and strong after the catch with an ability to run crisp routes.
Blaise Meriwether - has been rock solid as a free safety for Missoula Sentinel. A top 4 safety prospect in the state.
Marcus Wehr - he plays strong-side DE with the length and physicality expected out of top prospects. He is a Top 3 defensive lineman in the state right now (along with Poetzl and Greil).
Zach Spiroff - a similar athlete and football player to Ryder Meyer. Zach has been solid for Helena High this year, especially at corner. Is also still one of the top punt returners in the state.