Top two-way Class 3A players returning for the 2020 season

Our look at the top two-way players in the state returning continues as we move up to Class 3A in the state of Colorado. As we move up in each classification, it becomes more likely you will see players excel on one side of the ball and not as much on the other. There will be plenty of players who shined on one side last season and could do the same while being called on to do more on the other side of the ball in 2020. But, given our looks so far, we examine those who played both offense and defense at a high level for their respective teams in the 2019 season that are eligible to return. Here is a sample of some of those players that are back and will be fun to watch again this fall. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="22620" first="Carter" last="Cassin"], 2021, 6’1, 195, WR/ATH/DB, Evergreen</span></strong> Cassin saw most of his time on offense at running back in 2018, but last season he was called on to play more wide receiver for the Evergreen Cougars. He showed he could contribute at his new position with 42 receptions for 640 yards and 8 touchdowns. His best game versus Green Mountain saw him haul in 10 receptions for 133 yards and a score. Cassin has also been a regular in the secondary the last two seasons and his junior season saw him record 29 tackles and get an interception and fumble recovery. He can win many battles with his size and athleticism, and if his play improves this season, the Cougars will hope that it leads to a return to the postseason. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="22527" first="Kaden" last="Dudley"], 2021, 6’0, 189, WR/DB, Palmer Ridge</span></strong> The defending state champs in Class 3A return a huge stockpile of talent and should enter the season as the presumptive favorite to reclaim the title. There are many great athletes to profile on this team, but for this examination, we’ll look at Dudley, a sure-handed wide receiver who is dangerous when he gets separation from defenders. Dudley led the team with 35 receptions that resulted in 794 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns, with many big plays found on the highlight reel. He also produced on defense with 90 total tackles and 5 interceptions in the secondary. Dudley is one of the more complete players in Class 3A and is a gem to follow for a loaded Palmer Ridge program. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Brayden Keys, 2021, 5’9, 140, RB/DB, Mead</span></strong> Speed is the name of the game for Keys. He shows a burst that stands out on the tape. He was full of big plays running the ball on offense and finished with 775 yards and 9 touchdowns while averaging 10.6 yards per carry for the Mead Mavericks. His speed also allowed him to jump routes from his cornerback spot and disrupt the opposition in the passing game with an interception and 7 pass breakups. What Keys does not have in size he makes up for with speed, and that will be critical for him as he should see more touches on offense while playing in a secondary without a few key players from last season. Still, the Mavericks should be strong again in Class 3A and Keys will be key for that. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="22698" first="Cooper" last="Walton"], 2022, 6’0, 190, RB/LB, Roosevelt</span></strong> Walton was the anchor for the defense last season and is one of the top players coming back in the state in terms of tackles in Class 3A. He finished with 133 total tackles, which was sixth most by a player in the classification. He had 67 solo tackles himself for Roosevelt because he shows an ability to decipher an offense and get to the ball quickly on each play. His defensive skills stand out most, but Walton also helped form a trio of running backs to lead the ground game on offense as well. His season ended with 477 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns while also catching 11 passes for 148 yards. Those numbers may go up, along with the impressive defensive totals he put up at middle linebacker. <strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="22656" first="Jordan" last="Woolverton"], 2021, 6’2, 185, QB/DB, Durango</span></strong> Regardless of classification, Woolverton is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the state of Colorado. He was one of seven quarterbacks to rush for more than 1,000 yards on the season, and out of the seven, he was one of three to also throw for more than 1,000 yards. The Durango product had 1,941 passing yards, 1,005 rushing yards and 38 total touchdowns. Woolverton stands tall when throwing the ball and has great pocket awareness to avoid the rush while looking downfield to throw, and don’t count out what he does with his legs. His play at quarterback makes him one of the best in the state, but he also plays in the secondary on defense and tries to stop his counterpart throwing the ball. As a junior, Woolverton had 35 total tackles, 3 interceptions, 3 pass breakups and an interception return for a touchdown. If you get to the southwest portion of the state, be sure to check out Woolverton and see him produce.