KansasGridiron Top 25: Part 1

The second-annual KansasGridiron Top 25 kicks-off today! A countdown of the best from the Kansas high school ranks, we have spent countless hours debating the top college football prospects in the Sunflower State. Now that the hard work is over, the fun part begins!

Starting today, we will announce a handful of players each week that have been selected to the Top 25. There will be several free stories as we reveal the list, but subscribers will have access to additional premium content that will offer in-depth analysis only available at KansasGridiron and on the Rivals Network.

Without further delay, lets get to the countdown. Share your thoughts on The Gridiron message board, and let us know who you think should be among the Top 25 prospects in Kansas. And be sure to take advantage of our 30 Days Free promotion so you don't miss any of the bigger and better KG25!

Number 25: Isreal Watson - Shawnee Mission West

Watson established himself as one of the most explosive receivers in Kansas Class 6A in 2015. With 33 receptions for 812 yards and five touchdowns, the Vikings standout was a First Team All-Sunflower League selection, and earned Honorable Mention All-State.

A threat to score every time he touches the ball, Watson caught an 87-yard TD pass last season against one of the top defenses in the state in Shawnee Mission East. With interest from both Kansas and Kansas State, as well as programs in the Big Ten and Mountain West conferences, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound WR is primed for a big senior campaign.

Number 24: Aidan Mills - Newton

June 10th, Mills made the trip to Manhattan to compete in Kansas State's second one-day camp of the summer. The long, athletic tackle prospect looked to impress Bill Snyder's staff, and he did just that, picking up his first Power 5 offer just a few days later. Not long after, Mills committed to the Wildcats.

An All-Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League (AVCTL-I) honoree as both an offensive and defensive lineman, Mills has proven he can play on either side of the ball. He will look to add to his 6-foot-5, 265-pound frame in efforts to become the next in a long line of small-school prospects from Kansas to make an impact on the K-State offensive line.

Number 23: Tyrekus Birch - South

Birch is one of the most explosive pass rushers in Kansas. The Wichita product was a terror on the South defensive line, racking up 16 sacks to go with his 54 tackles and 16 tackles for loss in 2015. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder was named a Second Team All-City League selection at defensive end, and was also an Honorable Mention to the Class 6A All-State squad.

Birch is not just a standout on the gridiron. A multi-sport athlete, he plays baseball and is a talented wrestler, finishing fourth in the 195-pound weight class at the 6A state meet. With interest from Kansas and K-State, Birch landed his first Division I football offer in August from Wyoming. If he can build on his breakout junior year, the Titans DE will likely see that list continue to grow.

Number 22: Jahlyl Rounds - Wichita Northwest

Rounds was a workhorse in his first year as a starter for the Grizzlies. Running for 1,326 yards and 14 touchdowns, the 5-foot-9, 192-pound running back also contributed in the passing game, catching 21 passes for 353 yards and 2 TDs last season. He earned All-Greater Wichita Activity League (GWAL) honors, demonstrating both power and elusiveness out of the backfield.

After five 100-yard games, and a pair of 200-yard outings in 2015, college programs began taking notice of Rounds. The Wichita Northwest senior has drawn interest from K-State, along with Army and Air Force. Primed for another big year, Rounds will have plenty of room to run behind Grizzlies offensive lineman and Kansas commit Joey Gilbertson.

Number 21: Dalton Cowan - Topeka Seaman

Possessing one of the strongest throwing arms in the state, Cowan earned Honorable Mention to the All-Centennial League squad in 2015. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound quarterback completed 100 of 195 passes for 1,200 yards and 12 TDs last season, along with another 440 yards and 7 scores on the ground for the Seaman Vikings.

Cowan has been a fixture for Seaman since his sophomore year, when he started nine games, completing nearly 62% of his passes. Before committing to Emporia State last month, he had drawn interest from Kansas and Kansas State, among others. With Glenn O'Neil taking over the Viking program, the senior quarterback will be counted on heavily to make plays in the former Scott City head coach's system.