Practice Report & Evals: Byron Bears

Our Southeastern Minnesota tour started on Highway 14 in Byron, MN with the Bears.  We took in both meetings and practice, chatted with coaches, and evaluated and talked with players.  Here is our take on why adding Byron to your yearly recruiting or viewing itinerary is a must. Coach Halder is a straight shooter with a very keen eye for personnel placement.  His recommendations throughout the years on players have always been spot on. [player_tooltip player_id="116451" first="Christian" last="Connelly"] O<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/Christian-Connelly-crop-3212x2109-1632427004.jpg"><img class="wp-image-206112 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/Christian-Connelly-crop-3212x2109-1632427004-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="198" height="130" /></a>LB/DE, 6’4 195 (2022 Grad) Christian has both length and a frame to add bulk.  Size projections were made easier with his Dad (Craig Connelly - Mankato St. DL 1993-1996) on staff.  Most of his highlights on Hudl show him in space, processing and pursuing.  Being at practice allowed us to see how well he plays off blocks and uses his hands.  Christian has received interest from Augustana, Mankato, U<span style="font-size: 1rem;">MD and Winona State.</span> Hudl Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11120509/Christian-Connelly">https://www.hudl.com/profile/11120509/Christian-Connelly</a> Next Level: Fill out the frame! &nbsp; James Durst TE/DE, 6’5 215 (202<img class="wp-image-206106 alignleft" style="font-size: 1rem;" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/James-Durst-crop-2602x1709-1632426350-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="197" height="130" /><span style="font-size: 1rem;">2 Grad)</span> James has a college ready body.  He has a surprising burst as well as a quick gallop with the ball in his hands.  His catch range is impressive especially while moving.  He also finds the extra yardage by getting small in contact situations.  While he typically aligns in a traditional WR position on offense, his hand battles and movement on defense offers a window into his block finishing potential on offense.  On defense, he has an efficient first step, defeats blocks and most importantly, finds the ball in the opponent's backfield. Hudl Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11120500/James-Durst">https://www.hudl.com/profile/11120500/James-Durst</a> Next Level:  Block Finish &nbsp; <img class="wp-image-206117 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/Nick-Netzke-crop-2780x1826-1632427219-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="198" height="130" /> Nick Netzke QB, 6’5 205 (2023 Grad) Nick is a towering presence with a unique and quick delivery.  He is decisive in game with reads and precise both when his feet are set and while moving in and outside the pocket.  He shows the ability to buy time with necessary movements in the pocket and is willing to step up and throw knowing he is going to get hit.  We were especially impressed with his throws and completion percentage between the hashes and in traffic. Hudl Film: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13070129/Nick-Netzke">https://www.hudl.com/profile/13070129/Nick-Netzke</a> Next Level: Agility &nbsp; <img class=" wp-image-206142 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/Adam-Glynn-crop-2712x1781-1632428875-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="198" height="130" /> [player_tooltip player_id="139178" first="Adam" last="Glynn"], RB/Ath, 5’9 160 (2024 Grad) <span style="font-size: 1rem;">Adam is a decisive and shifty ball carrier.  For a soph</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">omore, both his patience and the physicality in his finish stand out.  What the film won’t show?  Having watched him in different events, we know he is both a capable receiver and will be an excellent special teamer.   </span> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15243015/Adam-Glynn">https://www.hudl.com/profile/15243015/Adam-Glynn</a> Next Level: Make one more miss! &nbsp; Kale Robinson, QB/FS, 6’3 1<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/Kale-Robinson-crop-2602x1709-1632427548.jpg"><img class="wp-image-206120 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/Kale-Robinson-crop-2602x1709-1632427548-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="198" height="130" />65</a> (2024 Grad) Our first look at Kale was at a Route Tree 3 on 3 Football Jamboree.  Long, lean and big-time athletic.  He can pedal, cover, break, throw and high point.  We have no doubt he will be a money kid as a safety.  Time will tell if he can climb the recruiting boards as a QB. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15182532/Kale-Robinson">https://www.hudl.com/profile/15182532/Kale-Robinson</a> Next Level: Varsity QB Reps &nbsp; We will have more to come out of both Byron and Southeastern Minnesota!