Film review: Class of 2022 part 5

The list of prospects that asked me to review their tape in the 2022 class has finally come to an end, for now. There were some really good prospects that I have seen over the course of the last month or so and it was great to get a chance to speak with some of them and get an idea of what their football futures entail. Undoubtably, I will return with another review of ‘22 players, but for now this is my last set of reviews in that class with prospects from Illinois and Wisconsin. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-103145" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/8C8D8B05-3951-4F7C-A915-48A039372A12-210x300.jpeg" alt="" width="210" height="300" /> RB Jaden Hale, East St. Louis, IL (5’7” and 155lbs) @iamjadenhale Hale is part of a powerhouse program at ESL and although his stature isn’t like some of his teammates, that doesn’t mean doesn’t have game. His smaller size fools many defenders, as Hale doesn’t go down easy. He’s shifty and quick, with the ability to get to the outside and make big plays. In the passing game, Hale has solid hands, so he’s definitely a threat in that area. Right now he’s not speaking with any schools but with a big spring season and some added bulk, Hale should see some schools starting to contact him. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-103153" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/32B6B357-D562-4703-A1CF-4FE2577BD78D-289x300.jpeg" alt="" width="289" height="300" /> MLB Jake Zator, Lemont, IL (5’11” and 175lbs) @ZatorJake This spring will be a different season for Zator, as last year he was significantly smaller, standing 5’7” and weighing 120-pounds. Just look at the difference from last fall and now. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-103152" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/507EE7F2-37E3-4B48-9D7E-9C67BB43B0B0-200x300.jpeg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> The added size has made Zator much more of a legit prospect on the defensive side, although his future probably doesn’t have him playing MLB like he does now. He shows good instincts and isn’t afraid to get himself into the mix, even when he seemed like he’s the littlest guy on the field. His solid coverage skills have me thinking he will end up at the back-end of a defense, at cornerback or safety. I’m really looking forward to what Zator is going to do this spring, his recruitment hasn’t really started due to his former size. Another guy that has potential to blow up. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-103151" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/474FA43E-F8DD-4BEC-9B3E-FB61BEAA6E31-200x300.jpeg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> RB Chance Joseph, Crete-Monee, IL (5’10 and 173lbs) @ChanceJo25 There is something to be said about a back that has blocking skills like Joseph’s, he’s a team first kind of player. It doesn’t end there with his skills set though, as he is shifty with good vision. Joseph has enough speed to make cuts against the grain of a defense, again his vision comes into play. As a pass catcher he is a threat out of the backfield, soft hands is always plus. He’s had conversations with Air Force, Cincinnati and some Ivy League schools, but watch out, Joseph has the potential to be a player at the next level. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-103149" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/981ADBB1-8DA5-4C0F-A8FD-2C71F68B5E17-crop-828x544-1611960609-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> LB Jadon Mims, Immaculate Conception HS, IL (5’11” and 228lbs) @jadon_mims Mims plays both ways for IC, guard on offense, but his future is manning the middle of a defense. He takes some very good angles, especially on plays that are away from him. Although Mims isn’t a burner, the fact that he knows how to get to the area the ball carrier is going to, is very impressive. When he gets there, he makes them pay as he’s a hard hitter with a wrestling background that translated well to the field. Mims is very solid in zone coverage, take good drops and again using proper angles. He also very solid in the special teams department. Right now he’s not talking to any schools, but Mims should be on multiple schools radars. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-103146" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/98F41A0F-AA4F-41D8-952F-E4E9A29E75EA-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> QB [player_tooltip player_id="31342" first="Robby" last="Michael"], Sheboygan, WI (5’11 and 175lbs) @robbymichael15 After posting a junior season where he accounted for over 400 all-purpose yards a game, Michael showed he be effective on the next level even though he’s not prototypical size for a quarterback. He’s got great touch on his balls, especially on the move. Michael know’s when to leave the pocket to buy himself extra time, but doesn’t force the run. When he’s got a clean pocket, he makes quick decisions due to his ability to read a defense pre-snap. Although he doesn’t have the strongest arm, he makes up for it with accuracy, giving his receivers space for yards after the catch. He’s been in contract with S. Dakota St., St. Thomas, Winona St., Augustana and a few others but doesn’t hold any offers at the moment. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-103141" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/D0618112-2574-4C9F-B6F2-15CB2D106E45.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> WR Sam Peiffer, Cedar Grove, WI (6’1” and 180lbs) @sampeiffer I almost want to label Peiffer as an athlete, but I definitely like him better on the offense side of the ball. He has solid speed with very good body control, Peiffer’s ability to adjust to poorly thrown balls is impressive. Typically he’s catching the ball away from his body, a sign of strong hands. Peiffer does a great job of getting open when his quarterback scrambles, that’s solid recognition skills by him. Many of the directional Dakota’s are on him, along with Illinois St., Drake and St. Thomas but no offers. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-103139" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/550C1FDA-8CC1-442B-8ADC-5C97781145F1-139x300.jpeg" alt="" width="139" height="300" /> RB Matthew Stephany, Sheboygan, WI (6’1 and 200lbs) @Matthew53401728 A back that shows some good balance, Stephany isn’t a burner but that might not matter with him. He’s able to do a good job of weaving through traffic, Stephany’s vision allows him to makeup for his lack of breakaway speed. Not saying that he’s slow, more of a sneaky fast player. He is tough to bring down due to his good size for the position. Stephany is speaking with Augustana and Kansas Wesleyan at the moment. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-103136" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/01/902CC8AC-C98B-4CC0-BA77-1C408560873D-300x210.png" alt="" width="300" height="210" /> DB/WR [player_tooltip player_id="31341" first="Michael" last="McMillan"], Sun Prarier WI (5’9” and 167lbs) @mookiemcmillan What position McMillian ends up playing depends on how much taller he gets, but even for the lack of height at the moment, he plays much bigger than his size. I liked what I saw on the defense side more than on offense, where his hands are good enough to capitalize on bad throws. McMillian does a great job of staying with his man and turning his head to make plays on the ball. He is a hard worker, who is really hitting the weight room hard to improve his game. Not getting much attention at all on the recruiting side of things, McMillian can see that change with a good offseason and showing those improvements into his senior year.