Ohio 2021’s deserving of Power 5 attention

In talking to 2021’s this week it’s really hit me hard the affect of the pandemic on this year’s senior class.  Players who’ve been working hard their entire lives to realize their dreams of playing college football have been thrown into a total state of flux.  Flux, of whether or not they’re going to get to play their senior seasons and cap off their high school careers, and take advantage of one last opportunity to put together priceless game film for college recruiters.  Flux, of getting to make college visits that will allow coaches to and players to meet in person and cultivate a comfort level with one another that could lead to life changing scholarship offers. Flux, of whether or not they’re going to get make college visits that could help them decide what school is the best fit for them both socially and academically.  Just flux.  So in this article I wanted to take a look at a few players from the 2021 class that I feel like deserve heavy looks from Power 5 conferences and schools. [player_tooltip player_id="34240" first="Elijah" last="Hawk"] 6’4 235 Pickerington North DE/TE-  At Pickerington North HS it’s easy to get overshadowed on the defensive line when you’re the bookend to the consensus top 2021 player in the state and Ohio State commit [player_tooltip player_id="34177" first="Jack" last="Sawyer"].  That being said Hawk has earned the right to have his name talked about by the power 5 schools as well.  Eli is ranked by Prep Redzone Ohio as the #8 defensive end in the 2021 class.  He projects to a strong side defensive end at the college level.  The first thing that strikes you when watching the film is Hawk’s strength and use of hands to disengage from the blocks of offensive linemen.  Whether it’s in the hands of the quarterback or running back Eli plays with an excellent awareness which usually leads him right to wherever the football is.  As if the pressure Hawk can apply via the pass rush wasn’t enough, he has the rare (these days) instinctive ability to bat down the passes of opposing QB’s and affect the game even when he isn’t able to get to the QB.  Eli has offers from literally half of the MAC conference and a handful of others, but it’s time the D1 power 5 conferences start taking notice of this young man. [player_tooltip player_id="34224" first="Cameron" last="Junior"] 6’0 210 Middletown High School-  While Cam does have power 5 offers from Pitt and West Virginia, he’s a guy that should be getting looks from all power 5 conferences.  Prep Redzone Ohio has Cameron ranked as the 6th best linebacker in Ohio’s 2021 class. When you watch film of Cam the words that come to mind are "wrecking ball".   When scouting players you have to be careful of defenders who are just looking for the big hit as opposed to making the hits within the framework of the defense.  Junior is just a devastating tackler who’s able to do it within his defensive responsibilities.  He’s also shown a consistent ability to dislodge the football and force fumbles.  Cam is a player that is position diverse.  He could play on the outside or inside in a 4-3 defensive scheme.  One thing is for sure no matter where he plays he’s going to be coming down hill and he’s gonna make game changing plays whether it be to the tune of turnovers, TFL’s, or sacks. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/marquael-parks/">[player_tooltip player_id="34217" first="Marquael" last="Parks"]</a> 5’9 160 Athlete-  Sometimes big things really do come in small packages, and this is the case with Parks.  Marquael is Prep Redzone Ohio’s 5th ranked running back in our Ohio 2021 class.  Running back can and should be used loosely however, because what Parks is, is a weapon.  He’s a player who you can line up at running back, slot receiver, or on the outside and the kid is simply a threat to take one to the house from any point on the field.  With blazing speed, elusiveness, and vision Parks is a nightmare to tackle in the open field also suit him perfectly to make his mark as a kick &amp; punt returner.  In an age of college football that looks to utilize spread offenses to create space and capitalize by getting the ball to players with speed Parks is a perfect fit.  Does the name Rondale Moore ring a bell?  Parks has offers from the University of Cincinnati and MAC schools Buffalo, Kent State, and Ohio.   With his explosiveness it’s time for the D1 power 5 conferences to stand up and take notice. As of right now it appears in Ohio that we're going to get high school football this fall in one form or another.  That of course is all subject to change.  Just like how the college recruiting is subject to change.  All we can do is hope that the kids get a chance to prove themselves and foster relationships with coaching staffs and potential schools.  While we wait for the calls to be made by the OHSAA, the state of Ohio, and the NCAA, the kids wait in flux.