2024 Indiana Offensive Recruits Primed For A Breakout
As we’ve been diving through the classes in Indiana you can’t help but keep getting excited. The talent and depth in Indiana is starting to really stack up and in this piece, we’re looking at a group of recruits in…
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Continue ReadingAs we’ve been diving through the classes in Indiana you can’t help but keep getting excited. The talent and depth in Indiana is starting to really stack up and in this piece, we’re looking at a group of recruits in 2024 to keep an eye on.
Dontell Harris Jr – Morton – RB/CB – 5’9″ 170 lbs
Harris plays both ways for Morton and is asked to do a lot. They trust him and understand that he isn’t going to make very many mistakes. At Corner, he plays very sound and never lets anything get past him. He’s scrappy and will be in the face of his guy when he needs to. His mechanics are fairly raw and could use a decent amount of cleaning up. However, Harris is best on the offensive side of the ball and with the ball in his hands. He’s the starting RB for Morton and does a fairly good job. He’s a North and South back who puts his foot in the ground and gets upfield immediately. He’s going to follow the hole and take what’s given. He’s always picking up consistent chunks of yards. He isn’t going to create a ton of yards or get too creative once he gets the ball, but when he has to, he’s able to find a cutback lane or bounce it to the outside. Most of the time he has the speed to get to the corner and turn it freely. He doesn’t break a ton of tackles or make a ton of people miss, but as he develops and gets stronger it’s possible that he improves in those categories. Morton trusts him in the passing game to run routes and catch the ball, but I haven’t seen much pass protection in his tape yet. I anticipate his role grows as he grows and develops. There is a lot to like about Harris and what he brings to the field. Hopefully, over the next few years, he can continue to develop and improve in a few categories. If he does, Harris is likely to have a handful of offers and he’ll be able to pick the best fit for him.
Dontae Pope – West Side (Gary) – QB/CB – 6’1″ 160 lbs
Pope is an exciting prospect who checks a ton of boxes. He’s has a lengthy frame that is still growing. He’s a rather good athlete and has the ability to take off and run. He’s a threat with his legs and defenses have to pay attention. However, Pope is typically very patient and only takes off when his first few reads aren’t there. While West Side doesn’t always run the most complicated concepts, it’s still a very good sign to see that most of the time he has no issue going through his progressions. He doesn’t typically lock onto 1 receiver and stare him down the entire way. In terms of mechanics and footwork, I feel comfortable in saying he’s got some refining to do. I do also think he could benefit from spending a decent amount of time in the weight room. I think bulking up could help him in really just about every category and help him be more of a force on the field. Right now, his arm strength is fine and he’s able to make most throws. Pope’s accuracy is actually fairly decent and he’s able to put a nice touch on his deep balls. He’s typically able to throw with anticipation and can throw his guy open when he needs to. He likes to make quick decisions and get the ball out. He doesn’t make very many mistakes or put the ball in harm’s way very often either. There’s a lot to like with Pope and the direction he can go. Over the next few years, if he can develop and put the work in, Pope can be a really highly sought-after recruit in Indiana.
Andrew Lieske – Westfield – WR – 6’0″ 170 lbs
Lieske’s freshman tape was exciting and heading into the 2021 year there was good reason to be excited. He really proved to be a weapon for the offense and the even special teams right away. Westfield sends him back to return punts and he does a decent job. He’s broken off a few long punt returns over his time and has really shown the development with the ball in his hands. In terms of footwork and route running there is still some work to be done. Mastering the technique of playing wideout takes years and years. He’s only a sophomore, so where he is in terms of that department is fine. If he’s able to spend a summer in the gym and working with ladders and running routes, I think Lieske would take a massive leap heading into year 3. He’s physical at the point of attack and is able to fight through most DBs and come down with the ball. Once the ball is on his hands, he’s bringing it down and making the catch. After the catch is when Lieske is at his best and they started working him more in the screen game just to get the ball in his hands. He has no issue blocking downfield and is a team player even when he isn’t getting the ball. Lieske’s future is very promising and there’s a lot to like about what he can bring to the table. I see him staying on the outside and playing primarily the X while being the primary read in the offense over the next few years. I think by the time he graduates, Lieske could be one of the better receivers in the state.
Christian Peterson – Pike – WR – 5’10” 165 lbs
There are a few things you can’t teach. You can’t teach speed or the ability to literally jump out of a room. Peterson has both of those intangibles and you notice them right away. Peterson is typically the fastest player on the field and he’s lightning in a bottle. The offense loves to get the ball in his hands and see what he can do. He’s able to break an 80-yard catch and run at any time and Pike draws up screens for him and give him those chances. Pike also loves to throw him jump balls because of his ability to jump. He’s a State Qualifier in Long Jump for Track and Field. He’s going to outjump the defender and come down with the ball most of the time. If he grows another few inches over the next few years, that could become an even more dangerous part of his game. He doesn’t run the cleanest route tree and I do think he could develop a fuller route tree as well. He does also jump sometimes when he doesn’t need to which costs him some yardage here and there. He’s only a sophomore and where he is now compared to where he could be by graduation is really exciting to think about. Peterson has the speed and ability to be a game-changer at the next level and I think that alone is going to be enough for colleges to take a shot. If he puts the work in and really develops, Peterson is going to be a highly decorated recruit.