PrepRed Zone Illinois/Indiana Spring Showcase Top Dogs

This past Saturday in Crown Point, Indiana over 125 athletes got tested, worked on individual position drills and then participated in 1v1 competitions. There were a lot of very good athletes in attendance and here were the best of the best. (I won’t be including wide receivers or running backs, as I broke down their performances <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/05/prepred-zone-illinois-indiana-spring-showcase-top-rbs-wrs/">here)</a> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-145002" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/F99A7912-C571-4DB3-BF6C-C996D5D82B0A-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Castle, IN OT [player_tooltip player_id="98078" first="Richard" last="Myers"] (6’6” and 299lbs) @rkmyers22 An absolute monster, Myers stood out during the individual session, then was an wall during the 1v1. The huge frame and long arms gave him an advantage he knows how to use, but there was another impressive part to his game, Myers footwork. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1393717009381306369?s=21 For such a large young man, he moved so well, always keeping a wide base with great balance. Once schools find out about Myers, he’s going to blow up. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-145003" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/1A9DF45E-ABD7-4413-BC33-2B6D6EEE3C5D-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Mt. Carmel, IL OT Aidan Duerig (6’5” and 298lbs) @AidanDuerig Another massive young lineman, Duerig does not look like he almost tips the scales at 300lbs. Carrying his weight well, helped him move extremely well also. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1393727292858380290?s=21 Although he didn’t get too much playing time this past year, Duerig has all the skills to make an impact for perennial power Mt. Carmel. Hand placement with great force on his punches, agility to take the outside line away from speedy defensive ends, Duerig has a ton of qualities that make a great tackle. Get on this young man now, before he blows up in the fall. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-145004" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/036F0F7E-EA20-4C3B-8455-E8D96BB72EB0-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Noblesville, IN OT Ben Decker (6’4” and 265lbs) @BenDecker79 The two lineman spotlighted in front of Decker all gravitated to each out, it was easy to see why. Their skill levels were all on par, each of them looking the part of an offensive tackle. Decker was just a bit smaller, he’s likely more of a right tackle than a left, but that could change if he grows a bit taller. A great frame, with plenty of room to add on weight, Decker has a lot of tools to become a bit time tackle. He has very good footwork, extremely strong and was difficult to get around. Extremely impressed by Decker’s game at this stage in his career. 2023 Lafayette Jefferson, IN OG Josh White (5’11” and 237lbs) @joshwhite125 If White was three inches taller, everyone would be all over him, but since he’s a bit on the shorter side, he’s gotten overlooked. I really liked what I saw from him regardless of size, a great base, good hand placement while showing impressive athleticism. You can tell he plays other sports (basketball) where he’s probably a bully down low. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1394435967730266116?s=21 That mentality is brought over from the gridiron, something you just can’t teach. If White is able to grow a few inches, he’s got the room to add on more good weight while keeping his good foot speed. I’ll be watching his progression and you should be too. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-145005" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/537D7E80-D58C-4A56-BF44-BF5276AE146B-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Brownsburg, IN DE [player_tooltip player_id="107259" first="Leighton" last="Jones"] (6’3” and 253lbs) @LJones7676 Not only did Jones look the part of a big time defensive end, he tested the part as well. Two shuttle times under 5 seconds (4.78 &amp; 4.88) and an explosive broad jump at 9 feet. For a rising junior, those numbers are exceptional, but Jones isn’t just a jumbo athlete, he’s got the skills to be a terror for offensive tackles. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1393719909016801284?s=21 Quick feet, great hand work and strong, Jones is a monster in the making. He’s already garnering some big time interest from Midwest powers and that makes tons of sense. 2023 Loyola, IL DE [player_tooltip player_id="145342" first="Brooks" last="Bahr"] (6’5” and 248lbs) @BahrBrooks99 Twice in the same week Bahr and I have crossed paths and again, he was one of the best of the group. Leverage with him is so impressive, he uses his long arms to do almost anything he wants against defenders. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1393718784616239105?s=21 There is speed and explosiveness to his game as well, an 8’2” broad jump and back to back 8.6 second L-drills showed that. If Bahr played at another school, he most likely would have had a big spring season. He’s just going to have to wait a few more months to have his breakout year. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-145006" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/841E6344-9A30-4584-929B-9B03CDA9F5CC-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Yorkville, IL DE [player_tooltip player_id="133959" first="Andrew" last="Laurich"] (6’4” and 226lbs) @AndrewLaurich On of the fastest lineman in attendance, Laurich put up an impressive 9’3” broad jump, showing off his explosiveness. He used the quick first step to fly by defenders during the 1v1 portion. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1393718175716495362?s=21 Twice in the same week Laurich was one of the best on the field. The potential is there for a breakout junior campaign, so keeping an eye on Laurich during the fall is a good idea. 2022 Hinsdale Central, IL ATH [player_tooltip player_id="119808" first="Sean" last="Allison"] (5’10” and 194lbs) @Sean_Allison18 I’m a big fan of players who show versatility and Allison falls into that category. Built like a linebacker but moves like a safety, there’s a lot to like about the hybrid player. He’s got good enough hip movement to cover slot receivers, while there plenty of speed to blitz off the edge and get to the quarterback. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1393730443099389961?s=21 The explosive athlete jumped to an impressive 9’5” broad jump, while running his second L-drill at 7.47 seconds showing his change of direction. Allison is coming off a very impressive junior year, and that momentum should lead him into a monster of a final season. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-144115" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/Ty-Hopp-DSC_5901-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> 2022 Aurora Central Catholic, IL ATH [player_tooltip player_id="20927" first="Ty" last="Hopp"] (5’11” and 218lbs) @hopp_ty Another tweener, but impressive athlete was Hopp, who’s frame is already filled out with some room to add on more weight. He’s quick in tight spaces, has solid speed and decent hip movement. He’s more of a linebacker due to his size, but there’s plenty to like about his game. I’ve seen Hopp previously and he was solid, but this time around he’s really put in hard work to improve his game. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-144015" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/Caden-Tolefree-DSC_6037-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> 2022 St. Joseph, WI LB [player_tooltip player_id="118352" first="Caden" last="Tolefree"] (5’11” and 212lbs) @CAdenTol21 First off, Tolefree passes the look test, but was shocked to find out he didn’t weigh more than 212lbs. He looked more like 230lbs, so that gives him some more room to add weight to his frame. There’s a lot of explosiveness to Tolefree’s game, broad jumping 9’9” on his first attempt then backing it up with a 9’8”. He’s also very solid with his change of direction, putting up impressive L-drill times for his size. Two days last week that Tolefree looked impressive has him squarely on my radar. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-145008" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/05/EA2601F2-A99A-4E8D-9FC8-AEF887A93395-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Marion, IN CB [player_tooltip player_id="98031" first="Greg" last="Atkinson"] Jr (5’11” and 152lbs) @GregJr_1 The best complete testing numbers on the day, Atkinson is a very impressive athlete. He ran a 4.38 fourty, while broad jumping 9’8” twice in a row and then doing the L-drill in under 7.2 seconds each time. Atkinson is a bit slender right now, but he’s got a frame that will add on more weight. Atkinson’s best football is definitely in front of him. 2022 Evanston ATH Sean Cruz (5’11” and 178lbs) @SeanPCruz I got a chance to see Cruz this spring as he faced off against a tough Maine South team. What stood out then and again on Saturday was Cruz’s athleticism. After he ran his first fourty, a solid 4.72, I asked him what other positions he’d be comfortable playing. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1393749888719114241?s=21 The secondary was the answer and shortly after, Cruz ran a blazing 4.56 which confirmed what I was thinking, there might be a position change in his future. Although there’s not much experience playing in the secondary, the speed, athleticism and size could have a very well worth project for a program.