Rankings review: Indiana ‘24 top 30-21 player breakdowns
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The sophomore class in Indiana has new been ranked, with 30 players making the list and others we are keeping tabs on in the watch list. Many of these players made their mark on varsity during their freshman year and…
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Continue ReadingThe sophomore class in Indiana has new been ranked, with 30 players making the list and others we are keeping tabs on in the watch list. Many of these players made their mark on varsity during their freshman year and with the season already under way, are looking to show improvement before becoming upperclassmen. Here is a breakdown of the top 30-21 players in the updated Indiana state rankings.
30 – LaVille QB Lucas Plummer Lucas Plummer 6'3" | 190 lbs | QB LaVille | 2024 State IN (6’3” and 170lbs)
Good size and solid footwork, Plummer needs to be a bit more accurate with this throws going forward. A freshman getting varsity time bodes well for his future, so there should be a jump in performance in year two. Plummer has good arm strength, has nice touch and is a solid athlete.
29 – Northrop DE Julante Hinton Julante Hinton 6'2" | 210 lbs | DL Northrop | 2024 State IN (6’2” and 210lbs) @J_wavy72
Hinton is extremely raw but highly talented, he’s a pass rushing nightmare for opposing teams. He runs like a linebacker, which he could ultimately end up moving to, but has the frame to add on 30-40 pounds and stay with his hand in the ground. I really like the aggressive style of play Hinton has, but he does need to work on his tackling technique. Even though he’s not close to a finished product, the potential is there to be an impactful player at the next level.
28 – McCutcheon QB Owen Smith Owen Smith 6'2" | 180 lbs | WR LaVille | 2023 State IN (6′ and 165lbs) @owenrsmith11
With extremely good footwork, Smith is able to buy himself just that extra half-second to find a target and quickly get the ball to a receiver. Great movement in the pocket, he also is a threat to take off on broken plays or when there’s no receiver open. Smith’s arm strength should improve as he gets older and puts on more weight, but he did launch a 63 yard bomb at the FBU camp this summer.. He is on the smaller side but Smith has the skill set to play bigger than his measurables.
27 – Triton Central RB Ray Crawford Ray Crawford 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Triton Central | 2024 State IN (5’9” and 165lbs) @raycrawford28
For a smaller back, Crawford does a fantastic job of keeping the ball high and tight while he runs with the ball. Extremely shifty, with great lateral movement and good feet, he’s got enough speed to break off big runs. Crawford does well out of many different sets, but due to his size, he’s more likely to be more effective outside the tackles. With many teams going to a two-back system, Crawford has the ability to be the lightning to someone else’s thunder.
26 – Bloomington North LB Ralph Rogers Ralph Rogers 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB Bloomington South | 2024 State IN (6′ and 190lbs) @ralphrogers2005
Although Rogers plays a lot with his hand in the dirt, he’s going to end up moving back to linebacker at the next level. The traits that he’s learned as a defensive lineman will only help, as he’s extremely quick off the edge due to his ability to time snaps very well. Rogers has impressive read and react skills as well, taking good angles to make tackles, where he wraps up ball carriers very well. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Rogers to have a big sophomore year.
25 – Tippecanoe LB Wade Jones Wade Jones 6'5" | 200 lbs | ATH Tippecanoe Valley | 2024 State IN (6’5” and 186lbs)
Typically when you see a safety with Jones’ measurables, the player is most likely going to continue to add weight and become an outside linebacker. Most likely that will be the case with Jones, but he has solid hips and very good ball skills which could see some teams thinking about keeping him as a safety. Jones runs well and is a solid tackler, but as his frame matures, he’s probably headed to the linebacker room. Wherever he ends up, Jones is a playmaker and has a high ceiling.
24 – LaVille OL Erik Bedock Erik Bedock 6'3" | 270 lbs | OL LaVille | 2024 State IN (6’3” and 260lbs) @ErikBedock
An extremely athletic lineman, Bedock moves very well for his size. He can pull and lead block on screens easily, it’s impressive to see him outrunning some linebackers. Bedock is very quick off the snap, gaining leverage right away especially on running plays. He has an extremely strong lower half, which he uses to drive opponents off the line of scrimmage. Bedock can play some tackle, but at the moment he projects more as a road-grading guard.
23 – Charlestown QB Clay McClelland Clay McClelland 6'1" | 170 lbs | QB Charlestown | 2024 State IN (6’1” and 160lbs) @clay_mcclelland
The lefty had some solid stats in his first taste of varsity football last year, McClelland showed that when it’s his turn to take over, he’ll be ready. Extremely athletic for the position, he’s got above average speed when he takes off from the pocket. McClelland has very good footwork and a quick release, should see his game expand this fall.
22 – Decatur Central LB Halbert Aguirre (6′ and 205lbs) @halbertaguirre
The first thing that stands out for a player in Aguirre’s class is his ability to read then react to plays at a high level. For a freshman last year, it’s an impressive trait that should only improve with more time. Physically, Aguirre is an extremely impressive athlete with very strong hands as he disengages from blockers very well. He’s got a great sense of timing on his blitzes, the quickness shows when he shoots gaps. Aguirre needs to improve in pass coverage, but the skill set to do so is there.
21 – Warren Central WR Jo’Ziah Edmond Jo’Ziah Edmond 6'1" | 185 lbs | ATH NorthWood | 2024 State IN (6’1” and 175lbs) @joziahedmond4
Last year Edmond played a good amount of quarterback, but at the next level, he’s going to be a pass catcher instead of the thrower. He’s extremely explosive, his scrambling after broken plays is extremely impressive. Edmond’s knowledge of offenses will translate over to when he makes the position move, and if putting him out wide doesn’t work out, running back could be the next step, he’s that athletic. Obviously Edmond is a bit raw as a receiver but there’s tons of potential for him to be a difference maker out wide.