Five Juniors to Watch in ’21

There is tremendous talent in the class of 2023 across every position.  Here are five players that are looking to have a breakout Junior season or improve upon their outstanding Sophomore season in 2021. <strong>DB, [player_tooltip player_id="87680" first="Kale" last="Hammerschmidt"], 5’8", 160, Eudora</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="87680" first="Kale" last="Hammerschmidt"] is the 9th ranked DB and the 40th ranked player overall in the class of 2023.  He had a very good Sophomore season in 2020 as he made 59 tackles with 3 interceptions and a fumble recovery.  He plays as a SS.  Against the pass, he uses his good quickness and hip fluidity in his backpedal to keep his man in front of him in off coverage against the slot WR while tracking the ball in the air showing good hands as he makes the interception.  Against the run, he uses his very good instincts to quickly key and diagnose the play, uses his good play speed in pursuit, plays with good leverage and displays very good play strength in his upper body, lower body and core to tackle larger RB with force. <strong>TE, [player_tooltip player_id="35661" first="Cope" last="Henry"], 6’0", 153, Wellington</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="35661" first="Cope" last="Henry"] is the 3rd ranked TE and the 50th ranked player overall in the class of 2023.  He lines up wide usually to the left.  He uses his good play speed to get behind the CB on fade and go routes.  He does a good job of tracking the ball and is able to adjust his body if need be while displaying a good catch radius as he makes the catch on passes that are thrown high.  An outstanding blocker who uses his leverage, hands, physical toughness and play strength effectively to deliver a crushing block on the CB as he finishes the block to the ground. <strong>RB, [player_tooltip player_id="35678" first="Isaac" last="Klug"], 5’9", 152, Newton</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="35678" first="Isaac" last="Klug"] is the 5th ranked RB and the 62nd ranked player overall in the class of 2023.  A talented player who displays great prowess as a rusher and receiver.  He shows very good vision as he finds the open hole on inside zone runs, good burst through the hole as he accelerates to top speed quickly, runs behind his pads and shows great heart running over a larger DB at the goal line for a TD.  As a receiver, he displays excellent manual dexterity as he possesses a large catch radius which enables him to make the catch on passes that are thrown above his head.  Shows good ability to gain yards after the catch as he quickly turns upfield gaining several yards on screen plays. <strong>QB, [player_tooltip player_id="87838" first="Jayden" last="Nash"], 5’11", 170, Newton</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="87838" first="Jayden" last="Nash"] is the 15th ranked QB and the 67th ranked player in the class of 2023 overall.  He shows very good poise as he is cool under pressure when there is a LB or DL in his face, uses his good quickness to escape while keeping his eyes downfield, delivering the pass with very good accuracy as he places the ball where only the receiver can catch it.  Shows excellent arm strength as he is able to throw the ball 50+ yards with ease with great accuracy and touch as he leads the receiver on very deep go routes. <strong>DL, [player_tooltip player_id="87692" first="Kaleb" last="Wagenblast"], 6’1", 210, Thunder Ridge</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="87692" first="Kaleb" last="Wagenblast"] is the 9th ranked DL and the 69th ranked player overall in the class of 2023.  Kaleb had a phenomenal Sophomore season in 2020.  He made 82 tackles with 3 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries.  He plays as a DE where he lines up in a 5T, 7T or Wide 9.  He uses his excellent quickness, physical toughness and hand placement to defeat reach blocks by the OT on outside zone runs while keeping his eyes on the ball carrier constantly and uses his very good play strength in his upper and lower body to bring down the RB with ease.  An excellent pass rusher who uses his quickness to penetrate into the backfield or uses his play strength to bullrush and easily overpower the OT while displaying a very good motor in pursuit of the QB as he closes in for the sack or hurry. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;