Kell Football’s Top Returners For The 2021 Season

Kell High School usually does a good job of producing talent, and competing with some of the better teams in the state. Last season though, the Longhorns finished with a 6-4 overall record, with a 6-1 record within their specific region. Even with the great amount of talent on their roster, it was not enough to overcome Cambridge in late November. In this game, they exited the playoffs early as they fell 36-14. While the team has just witnessed plenty of its starters leave due to graduation, the amount of young talent on the team is very promising, making the 2021 season something exciting to look forward to. Below, we have listed some of our favorite returners for the Longhorns. Feel free to take some time to check out their tape. We're sure that you won't be disappointed. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="34019" first="David" last="Mbadinga"]-</strong> <em>RB</em> Mbandinga has come to be known as one of the more notable players on Kell's roster, and he will be returning in the 2021 season, for what will most likely be a strong season for him. Despite his small height and frame, he lets his running do all of the talking. His twitch, shiftiness, and burst allows him to maneuver well around tackles, and to be able to bounce off of poor tackle attempts, putting him in place to gain positive yards on the ground. He does a good job of keeping his legs moving on contact, and he also displays good footwork, which helps him to get in and out of his breaks effectively. Next season, we would like to see Mbadinga put on more weight, and be able to continue to work on his overall balance with the ball in his hands. <strong>Ty Crockett-</strong> <em>S</em> Crockett, who was a junior last season, does a decent job of playing aggressive, and hard-nosed football. Not only does he come downhill fast to make tackles, but he also is not afraid to get his jersey dirty by making seemingly out of reach tackles, and plays in pursuit. Even though he is very raw with his movement skills due to the way he can move a bit stiffly at times, we feel that he has enough explosive ability to be able to help him continue to be one of the key players on the Longhorns' defense. Crockett also has the length and size that you would want out of a player his age. Going into next year, we want to see him continue to use this to his ability, and to be able to expand upon his ability to play in space, and coverage. If he can improve in this area, he can definitely improve upon his overall game on defense. <strong>Ayden Jackson-</strong> <em>CB</em> Jackson does a good job of contributing to the Longhorn's team as an overall athlete due to his ability to make plays on the ball as a DB, as well as positive plays in the return game when given the chance. Jackson has great speed, crossover run, burst, and an awareness of the game at hand. Not only does he turn and run well, but he is okay out of his breaks. He is very smooth in some of his movement, and the way he allows his feet to contribute to his ability to mirror movement can be seen as a big strength of his which will ultimately translate to next year, and can even improve if he continues to work upon this. <strong>Joshua Barker-</strong> <em>DL</em> Barker is not only a wide, and built DL prospect, but he does a good job of using his speed, and lower body strength to out-leverage linemen, and to put him in place to make push the pocket and put pressure on the passer. He also has great length and range, which allows him to make plays on the QB in the backfield, or tackles on the ball carrier from weird angles. He can get caught leaning at times, but we like his overall get off when the ball is snapped, as well as his use of hands, and arms to be able to gain separation and make big stops. Barker may be a bit raw, but we like his upside as a DT. Along with this, Barker may not have great long speed, but his short area quickness is something to be excited about, especially since he plays a reactionary style of football with a very high motor.