2021 Transfers to Offer

If the COVID season didn't make it hard enough for players to get recruited, 2021 transfers had an even more uncertain season as they were forced to sit out 4 games (or 50% of the season) per AIA rules. That only gives these athletes maybe half a season to rack up film to help them achieve their goal. Although it is limited, these guys have done everything they can to put themselves in a position to get recruited. Take a look at 5 transfers to offer: <strong>James Mcelhenny</strong>, ATH, Ironwood HS (Transfer from Tolleson HS) Mcelhenny can play anywhere on the field. At Tolleson, he was the QB1 but COVID forced Tolleson High to not have a season, where he then transferred to Ironwood and played DB and WR. As a QB, Mcelhenny shows the ability to hit all 3 levels of throws with accuracy. His timing and placement is solid and he does a good job of distinguishing whether to use velocity vs touch.  As a WR, he is a long strider and tracks the ball well, showing potential to develop into a deep threat. As a DB, he does a great job reading the QB’s eyes and covers ground well. He has solid play recognition as he transfers that QB IQ to a FS position. He is an NAIA level talent and is very versatile and can make an impact anywhere on the field, but I do think schools should strongly consider him at QB. He holds offers from Ottawa (AZ), North Florida, Arizona Christian, Wisconsin-River Falls, and Heidelberg University. [player_tooltip player_id="42612" first="TJ" last="McRae"], OL/DL, Centennial HS (Transfer from Saguaro)<img class="alignright wp-image-76513" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/IMG_4438-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="271" height="203" /> McRae has a solid frame at 6’3" 275lbs, and can play on both sides of the ball at the next level. On the DL, he shows a good initial ball get off with solid lower and upper body strength. He has excellent power and frequently drives O-linemen backwards and makes contact with ball carriers at the LOS. He disengages off blocks well to plug up gaps and make plays, and does a good job overall of getting off double teams. He could improve finesse, but his power makes him a big threat at the high school level. As an OL, he shows solid leverage and drive in the run game, and does a good job getting to the second level when needed. He holds a notable offer from Memphis, and has drawn interest from Arizona State, Nevada, and Northern Arizona. [player_tooltip player_id="42686" first="D’hayven" last="Valentine"], WR/DB, Desert Edge HS (Transfer from Westview) At Desert Edge, Valentine primarily played WR and lined up as a slot often. He is a threat with the ball in his hands, and can be elusive and shifty with room to work with solid second level speed to top it off. He does a great job using his speed to get over the top of DB’s and shows solid body control to adjust to awkward catches and keep a foot in bounds. He did a great job running wheel routes and burned defenses often. He did a good job of identifying and sitting in open windows to make himself a clear target. As a DB, he breaks on the ball well and does a very good job reading the QB. He has good position versatility and could excel at the NAIA-D2 level, and has drawn serious interest from Sioux Falls and Washburn. [player_tooltip player_id="42669" first="Emeka" last="Ogbonna"], ATH, ALA-Gilbert North (Transfer from Brophy HS) Ogbonna is a scrappy player with a high motor. As a ball carrier, he shows a good eye for the hole with solid balance, and can accelerate through a gap to hit the second level. He can wear down a defense between the tackles, or use speed to stretch the edge, and shows a good combination of physicality and elusiveness. As a slot, he shows a good initial burst off the LOS and is a clean route runner with solid explosiveness at the stick at the top of routes to generate separation. He has strong hands and doesn’t break stride for catches across the middle or into traffic. On defense, he’s shown to be a SS/LB hybrid type and does a good job closing on ball carriers and is a fundamental tackler. I believe Ogbonna could make a huge impact as a slot or RB at the next level. He currently holds an offer from Nebraska Wesleyan.<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-64635" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/IMG_4613-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="42693" first="Taron" last="Thomas"], DB/WR, Saguaro HS (Transfer from Desert Vista HS) Thomas didn’t get much of a senior season due to the 4 game transfer sit out and the 3 COVID cancellations for Saguaro. As a DB, Thomas shows fluid and flexible hips with a solid change of direction. He has solid range as a 1-high safety and can cover ground very well in the pass game. He closes on ball carriers well and showed improvement his senior year at the POA. As a WR, he possesses very reliable hands and has hauled in some tough catches, showing solid body control. He does a good job of emphasizing the stick at the top of routes to explode out of it and create big separation. He still has room to develop, but will be an absolute steal for whichever program lands him as he can be a playmaker on both sides of the ball. He has drawn interest from Northern Arizona and attended the Arizona State camp back in June of 2019.