Five Seniors that College Coaches Want to See Play Again

&nbsp; <img class="size-medium wp-image-26658 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/07/MARENGO-e1593621250798-300x251.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="251" /><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20303" first="Jonah" last="Pace"], Marengo; SDE</strong> – Pace finds himself on this list not just for his play through his junior year, but also for what could be over the next 4-5 years as he continues to fill out his 6’5 frame. The offensive tackles in the MAC will look a little different when he gets to campus at Central Michigan, but Pace consistently used his length and understated athleticism to blow by the tackles he faced while at Marengo. With 19 TFLs his junior year, the 2-time all-conference standout showed plenty of production to get noticed at the next level. He also showed a rare level of contain discipline as an edge rusher. Pace has good get-off at the snap as well as a lane discipline that makes getting to the edge against him nearly impossible. At 6’5 235 it stands to reason that his length and ability to redirect on pass rush will translate well when looking to keep the quarterbacks of high-powered MAC offenses contained in the pocket. If I were CMU, I would get Jonah’s signature and seal the envelope because if Illinois had a 2020 high school football season already his list of offers may have looked a lot different. &nbsp; <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20242" first="Nate" last="Thomas"], St Laurence; RB</strong> – At just 5’8, Thomas certainly doesn’t lack for power in his running style. <img class="size-medium wp-image-57597 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Nate-Thomas-265x300.jpg" alt="" width="265" height="300" />With offers from Valparaiso and Murray State, another year of fall football could have earned some serious MAC interest for the third team all-state running back. Thomas will run over defenders before making them miss, but he has one cut ability at the line of scrimmage and can find and hit a hole naturally. With 26 TDs and over 1,700 yards in his junior year, he clearly checks the productivity box. The only thing standing between Thomas and D1 offers might be his open-field speed; or maybe just another year to showcase what he can do with the ball in his hands. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <img class="size-medium wp-image-57647 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/Saveyon-Henderson-300x292.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="292" /><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20297" first="Saveyon" last="Henderson"], Crete Monee; OG</strong> – At 6’5 Henderson looks like a D1 prospect getting off the bus. He boasts an offer from Kent State but with another season of development that list could majorly grow. Henderson shows flashes of utilizing his strength and athleticism and when he does it’s impressive. With another year to understand leverage Henderson would have college coaches running to see him play. The 305 pounder showcases his athletic ability when the Crete Monee staff has him pulling on power plays where he can effortlessly get to the next level.  He also has the feet to be able to effectively pass set against D1 interior rushers. He does have a tendency to come off the ball high which causes his hand strike to be a little slower and makes it easier for him to lose leverage in the running game but these are issues another season of high school football could have very well cleaned up. &nbsp; <img class="size-medium wp-image-40092 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/07/brad-walker-jr-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /><strong>Brad Walker, Huntley; DL</strong> – The only junior to be selected to the 8A all-state team, Walker is as physical as they come. The 6’1 DL is a bit of a hybrid – not the ideal size for a high-level interior guy and not the ideal athleticism for an edge guy, but he had one of the best get offs in the state last year and it showed up consistently in the run and pass game. Walker is exceptionally explosive in his get off and has a knack for timing the snap that’s really uncommon for a player his age. He’s gotten interest from a lot of D1 suitors, but nothing in terms of FBS offers yet. With the chance to take the field for another season, I think a lot more schools would be able to look past the hybrid size issue and see an explosive disrupter no matter where you choose to line him up. &nbsp; <img class="size-medium wp-image-57511 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/James-Cooper-Jr-300x283.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="283" /><strong>James Cooper, Harlem; QB</strong> – Cooper likely lacks the size and arm strength needed to garner interest from the FBS level but he with another season under his belt he could get plenty of interest to play the position in college. With the pocket presence of a seasoned veteran, he has enough athletic ability to feel a pass rush and use his feet to extend plays. He throws a very catchable ball and while his arm strength isn’t elite he can consistently put the ball where it needs to be. With 25 TDs and 12 yards per completion, Cooper had a knack for big plays as a Junior. Another year to improve on getting the ball into small windows and Cooper could have started to hear a lot more from colleges looking for their next signal-caller.