7 Preseason Names To Watch: 23′ ATH
As we get closer to the start of the Fall 2021 season these young men are practicing with their respective teams getting ready for their Week 1 matchup. With that being said let’s take a look at 7 preseason names…
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Continue ReadingAs we get closer to the start of the Fall 2021 season these young men are practicing with their respective teams getting ready for their Week 1 matchup. With that being said let’s take a look at 7 preseason names to watch as the days are getting closer and closer to gameday.
Andre Crews Andre Crews 5'9" | 175 lbs | ATH Simeon | 2023 State IL Simeon Twitter Highlights
Mr. Crews is from Simeon, he played on Varsity this past spring season where he showcased what’s to come over the next two seasons. On offense, he bursts through the line of scrimmage bursting past the 2nd level of defenders as well as reading his blocks well by weaving in and out of defenders. On defense, he has the closing speed to cover sideline to sideline and attacks downhill in run support. With opposing defenses having to focus heavily on wideout Malik Elzy Malik Elzy 6'3" | 195 lbs | WR Simeon | 2023 State IL , this young man is going to have opportunities to make plays this fall season to further showcase his abilities. Be sure to keep an eye on him as he does so as Simeon looks to make a deep playoff push and for college interest to pick up once the fall season is concluded.
Kaleb Miller Kaleb Miller 5'8" | 170 lbs | ATH Nazareth | 2023 State IL Nazareth Academy Twitter Highlights
Mr. Miller is from Nazareth Academy, he played on Varsity this past spring season where he was utilized in many areas. On offense, he bursts through the line of scrimmage blowing by the 2nd level of defenders when lining up at running back and is quick off the line of scrimmage stacking defenders when lining up at wideout. Once he secures the catch he plants his foot into the ground to get upfield quickly where he fights for extra yards. He has good body control and change of direction which comes to light on offense as well as the return game by stopping on a dime then getting to full speed quickly. On defense, he uses his closing speed to attack downhill and fill holes in run support. In the return game, he reads his blocks well weaving in and out of defenders for a big gain on the play. Overall, as he continues to get a bigger role on this team over the next two seasons he’s going to be a sight to see and I expect college interest to pick up for this young man as a result.
Justin Taylor Justin Taylor 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH Nazareth | 2023 State IL Nazareth Academy Twitter
Mr. Taylor is from Nazareth Academy, he played on Varsity this past spring season where he was a sight to see. Yes, here’s another Nazareth Academy ATH that is a force on both sides of the ball. On offense, he finds the soft spot in the defense and gets upfield quickly once he secures the catch. He also blocks downfield for his teammates on screen plays giving his fellow wideout a running lane to take. On defense, he has a fluid flip of the hips which he uses to stay with his man in coverage and gets his hands in there to force an incomplete pass. He also takes pursuit angles to make the tackle downfield. That’s not all that he’s utilized in, he’s also a good return man where he weaves in and out of defenders to break it for a big gain. Miami University likes him so much that he picked up an offer on July 25th, first of many to come for this young man.
Oshobi Odior Oshobi Odior 6'2" | 230 lbs | ATH Oswego East | 2023 State IL Oswego East Twitter Highlights
Mr. Odior is from Oswego East, he played on Varsity this past spring season where he was a sight to see. He’s utilized in various ways on the offensive side of the ball taking snaps in the backfield as well as out of the slot. Once the ball is in his hands in the run game he bursts through the line of scrimmage and isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder as he fights for extra yards. He has good vision seeing the cutback lanes, as he does so he utilizes his jump cuts to get into the endzone. This young man can also catch out of the backfield and when lining up in the slot, once he secures the catch he gets upfield quickly playing through contact. On defense, he’s quick off the ball and fills holes in run support making the tackle at the line of scrimmage. Overall, keep your eye on this young man this fall and moving forward as he’s prone for a breakout season which will result in his stock to rise.
Travis Jones Travis Jones 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Herscher | 2023 State IL Herscher Twitter Highlights
Mr. Jones is from Herscher, he played on Varsity this past spring season where he showed glimpses of what’s to come over the next two seasons. What I like most about this young man is his attacking playstyle on both sides of the ball. On offense, he’s quick off the ball which he utilizes in the passing attack to gain a step on the defender to make the catch in traffic and in the running attack by getting hands-on quickly to wash down the defensive line. On defense, he fires off the ball slapping the offensive lineman’s hands down at the point of attack to get into the backfield quickly. As he does so he gets pressure on the quarterback as well as filling gaps in run support resulting in tackles for loss on the play. Overall, he has room to hone his craft and develop himself further. As he continues to do so keep an eye on how he produces this upcoming fall season.
Kael Ryan Kael Ryan 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH Sterling | 2023 State IL Sterling Twitter Highlights
Mr. Ryan is from Sterling, he played on Varsity this past spring season where he showcased what he can do. On offense, he’s a mobile quarterback that isn’t afraid to pull the ball down to scramble. When he does so he bursts through the line of scrimmage and blows by the 2nd level of defenders. On defense, he isn’t afraid to go up for the 50/50 balls where he comes down with them by high pointing the ball. He also has the closing speed to cover sideline to sideline as well as attack downhill to fill holes in run support. This young man is going to be one to keep an eye on as he looks to play a bigger role on Sterling’s game plan this fall season. As this happens, expect his stock to rise and for college interest to pick up as a result.
Jaden Bossie Jaden Bossie 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Mt Carmel | 2023 State IL Mt Carmel Twitter Highlights
Mr. Bossie is from Mt Carmel, he played on Varsity this past spring season where he showcased glimpses of what’s to come over the next two seasons. On offense, he’s an N/S runner that bursts through the line of scrimmage blowing by the 2nd level of defenders. On defense, he gets hands-on when pressing disrupting the timing of the route between the wideout and the quarterback resulting in incomplete passes. He also gets off blocks to make the open-field tackle and stays with his man in coverage downfield where he has fluid flip of the hips. He took a majority of his snaps this spring season at the defensive back position, look for him to become more involved on the offensive side of the ball as well this upcoming season.
These are some of the Preseason Names to Watch at the ATH position for the class of 2023. Keep an eye on these young men as they get ready to put the pads on.
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