Top two-way players returning in Class 4A for 2020

Our look at some of the best two-way players in the state of Colorado now focuses on Class 4A. As previously mentioned, the higher the classification you go, you will see more athletes that specialize or focus more on one side of the ball than the other. But in Class 4A, you can still find a number of key players who play both ways and produce. Many of these players saw time in the postseason last year and could be primed to put up even better numbers this fall, which in turn should help their teams return to the postseason for a chance to reach the state championship game. Here is a look at some of the top two-way players eligible to come back in the classification this fall. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Ty’ren Draper, 2021, 5’10, 182, RB/DB, Hinkley</span></strong> Draper was one of the top running backs in Class 4A last season and should be a quality prospect to watch in the state for the 2021 class. He was fourth in the classification with 1,533 yards, averaging 9.8 yards per carry, and rushed for 14 touchdowns. He shows patience allowing his blockers to set up the holes and the vision to accelerate through those holes for big runs. Those offensive numbers were a big reason for him being named honorable mention All-State in 2019, but don’t forget his solid defensive numbers in the secondary with 43 total tackles (29 solo), 5.5 sacks, 1 interception returned for a touchdown and 1 fumble forced. Another similar season for Draper this fall should garner him attention to play at the next level. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Jaden Kennis, 2021, 6’3, 180, WR/DB, Windsor</span></strong> Kennis was the definition of a ball hawk as a free safety for the Windsor Wizards. His 6-foot-3 frame gives him great range to cover and close in on the ball and he showed great instincts to read where opposing quarterbacks would throw the ball. He finished with 7 interceptions, highlighted by his game versus Brighton where he picked off 3 passes. There were also 9 pass breakups, a forced fumble and fumble recovery to his name. That size and length roaming the back end of the defense was also helpful in catching 10 passes for 225 yards and 3 touchdowns as a wide receiver in the offense. Kennis is built well and is a player teams will have to focus on in the passing game on both sides of the ball. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="22729" first="Ian" last="Loomis"] 2022, OL/LB, Loveland</span></strong> Loveland did a good job putting Loomis in the box and having him blitz through gaps and create chaos in the backfield. In his first varsity season for the Indians, he recorded 22 solo tackles and assisted on 91 more to make him one of the top tacklers in the state. Blitz packages with him resulted in plenty of quarterback pressures and 5.5 sacks accredited to him as well, and a year of experience as a starter should help Loomis find certain areas of his game to work on and improve even more. The athleticism at his linebacker spot could also be seen on the offensive line, where he played on the interior and was utilized with a number of pulls and traps in blocking schemes to create some holes. He does a good job as well of working with teammates to double team defensive lineman and work to the second level to block linebackers in the run game. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Charlie Offerdahl, 2021, 5’11, 183, RB/DB, Dakota Ridge</span></strong> The Jeffco Conference Most Valuable Player in 2019 recently earned an offer from Northern Colorado, and putting on the tape you can see why. Offerdahl was a First Team All-State defensive back in Class 4A with good recovery and closing speed, and he is not afraid to lay a big hit on ball carriers. He recorded 68 solo tackles, 91 total tackles, 4 interceptions and broke up another 13 pass attempts. His skill set of downhill running and physicality transitions well to offense, where Offerdahl was the leading rusher with 869 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns while catching 9 passes for 75 yards. Dakota Ridge came seconds away from reaching the Class 4A state championship last season and Offerdahl will be crucial for the team to make another run to the title game this fall. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Cael Porter, 2021, 5’10, 175, RB/DB, Ponderosa</span></strong> The highlight tape for Porter shows a number of key plays on offense and defense he made for the Ponderosa Mustangs. As a running back in the pistol and shotgun, he can run between the tackles and maneuver past defenders to get to the second level and turn on the jets. His season ended with 719 rushing yards on 110 carries and 6 receptions for 75 yards with 5 total touchdowns. On defense, he roams the secondary from his safety spot and has good balance of both getting his nose in the box and delivering hits in the running game while also closing out on the ball and breaking up passes on the back end. He finished with 91 total tackles (59 solo), 3 interceptions and 3 pass breakups. Porter is an underrated athlete drawing some attention from Division II level schools so far and could see more option on the table with a strong senior season.