Tale of the Tape: Highlight Film Evaluation Pt. 2

When it comes to recruiting, one of the most important factors of a potential recruit’s process is film because the film does not lie. A player’s film is an active resume of their on-field work. It displays skill, technique, IQ, and effort. Oftentimes, scouts who have a serious interest in a player want to see how the prospect performs throughout all aspects of the game. Highlight film doesn’t show the whole picture, but it should be a preview of a player’s potential that gets viewers hooked and excited for more. The writeups of the five players listed below are basic evaluations based on the available highlight clips from the 2021-22 season.   [player_tooltip player_id="230267" first="Dante" last="Capolungo"] | Dakota Ridge | 5’10”, 170lbs | 2022 ATH [embed]https://twitter.com/CapolungoDante/status/1454948804436783107?s=20[/embed] Simply labeling Capolungo as a playmaker would be drastically understating just how good of a player he actually is. Defensively, he lines up as a ball-hawking member of the secondary from the free safety position. His footwork is smooth and he displays very fluid hip movements, helping him to quickly transition out of his backpedals with explosive acceleration. He is a sure tackler who plays with a high level of physicality and shows his elite awareness on every snap. His defensive accolades alone make him a DI-caliber player, but he is an athlete who is unstoppable on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Capolungo is an explosive receiver with elusive speed and excellent vision. His ability to track the ball in the air and make breath-taking catches are talents that he displays on both sides of the ball. He is explosive in and out of his breaks and he makes sure to get upfield with the ball for yards after the catch. If his talents as a safety and wide receiver are a testament to anything, it is that he can be a valuable asset to any program. Especially once you add his abilities as a returner into the mix. Capolungo’s recruiting has been picking up as he has garnered attention from CU, Missouri Western, and Colorado School of Mines.   [player_tooltip player_id="44636" first="Jayden" last="Allen"] | Fountain-Fort Carson | 5’11”, 175lbs | 2022 DB/ATH [embed]https://twitter.com/_JaydenAllen/status/1455204382279180293?s=20[/embed] What’s not to like about Allen? He is perhaps one of the more versatile defensive backs in the state who can cover over the top as a safety and lockdown receivers as a press-man corner. His film is overflowing with examples of marvelous technique, superior speed, and pure instincts that are shown on plays against the pass and the run. The way he closes the distance between himself and the ball carrier to make play-ending tackles in space is nothing less than phenomenal. Part of what makes Allen such an elite member of the secondary is how on point he is with his mechanics. His backpedals, read steps, weaves, and breaks appear to be ingrained into his muscle memory, while his eyes quickly traverse between the field and the quarterback. His breaks are so explosive and methodical that it looks as if he knows the play before it happens, which is a testament to his instinctual playing style and dedication to film study. In addition to being a top-tier defensive back, Allen can also use his speed and athleticism as an offensive weapon coming from the wide receiver position. He is such a baller that he can line up at any receiver position and torch secondaries on nine routes with ease. Allen is a high academic athlete with offers from South Dakota School of Mines, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and Dordt University so far.   [player_tooltip player_id="22685" first="Kaleb" last="Perea"] | Cherry Creek | 6’2”, 237lbs | 2022 LB/DL [embed]https://twitter.com/KalebPerea47/status/1455566810011500550?s=20[/embed] Perea is a tone-setter on the defense who possesses the technical versatility needed to fill just about every position within the box. He can line up as an edge rusher with outside contain, play the three-technique to apply relentless pressure from the interior, and control the box as a Mike backer to support the run defense or drop back into pass coverage. His explosiveness off of the ball allows for him to initiate contact and lockout an offensive lineman to read run, as well as shoot past a blocker to get after the quarterback on a pass rush. Perea is a player with dominating size, speed, and strength that every powerhouse defense needs on their front. He is a sure tackler who does a fantastic job of maintaining leverage, closing the distance to the ball carrier, and finishing in space. Being a player who can fill multiple roles on the line and at backer makes Perea a high-value prospect for top-tier programs. He has garnered attention from a variety of schools that include CU, CSU, CSU-Pueblo, and Utah State.   [player_tooltip player_id="230277" first="Walker" last="Himebauch"] | Palmer Ridge | 6’2”, 210lbs | 2023 LS/TE/DE [embed]https://twitter.com/WalkerHimebauch/status/1455620721451749380?s=20[/embed] When most people think of field goals and punts, they tend to put their focus solely on the kickers and punters. However, each kicking attempt begins with the long snapper and Himebauch is one of the best in the nation. His snaps are delivered with consistent accuracy and serious velocity. This gives the punter the assurance of getting the ball with enough time to step into the kick without having to worry about chasing a wild snap. The trajectory that he puts the ball on provides perfect placement for punters and placeholders, enabling them to smoothly complete the process of the play without the worry of a botched play. Himebach’s ball placement is so accurate that it is very possible for him to snap a ball 20-yards and hit a wide receiver in stride for fun. In a world where the little things matter, Himebauch should be considered as a top player in the most underrated position who could play for any program in the country. He has begun to receive attention from big-time programs like Nevada, CU, CSU, and Air Force.   [player_tooltip player_id="230322" first="Jordan" last="Rechel"] | Fairview | 5’10”, 160lbs | 2025 WR/ATH [embed]https://twitter.com/RechelJordan/status/1455548675711651848?s=20[/embed] Rechel’s high school debut season turned out to be the beginning of something truly spectacular. He is explosive off of the line and has breakaway speed that he uses to slip past defensive secondaries. His ability to track the ball and adjust for the catch is next level, giving him the potential of making a highlight-worthy catch on every attempt. Once the ball is in his hands, he turns upfield and uses his speed and physicality to gain yards after the catch. Rechel completed the regular season with 57 receptions for 845 yards and 10 touchdowns, making him the state’s leading freshman receiver in yards and touchdowns and the nation’s third-leading freshman receiver. It should come as no surprise that Rechel is one of the nation’s top freshman receivers because of who his quarterback is. [player_tooltip player_id="206494" first="Bekkem" last="Kritza"] (2025 QB) and Rechel were a QB/WR duo on the Boulder Bears youth team just last year. The two brought their familiar bond to the Fairview Knights and showed the country a part of what is in store for the future of football in Boulder.