Out The Mud Monday: Uncommitted Players Spotlight (1/03)

I wanted to start this feature to highlight players that have proven to have tremendous talent, but for some reason, coaches and offers just haven’t been coming their way. This includes players with no offers, few offers, players from small schools, players stuck on loaded teams, players from teams with little exposure, etc. This feature aims to provide coaches with a look at some of the most underrated players in the state. Not only giving player evaluation and tape and a more personal look at the player underneath the pads. This article includes honest answers from the players regarding what football means to them, what drives them, and how they handle adversity. You will also see a personal picture of the players through a non-football lens, hopefully, so that coaches can get a small sense of what the player is like when the helmet comes off. I choose to use “Out the Mud” because all players face different forms of adversity when trying to make it to the next level. For some, those obstacles are farther and fewer in between, while for others, they can find themselves jumping hurdles at every turn. Lack of interest from schools can leave players feeling stagnant and stuck in the process. However, from the mud rises some of the most hardened players. These players are ready to face that adversity head-on. These players are willing to fight tooth and nail for their spot on a roster. Whereas other men have buckled, these players have shown the grit and determination to overcome any obstacle. There’s no other way to say it, but… they got it out the mud! <hr /> <img class="alignright wp-image-261696 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/ZWTV12XV-e1641259080517.jpg" alt="" width="525" height="586" />[player_tooltip player_id="192733" first="Trey" last="Olden"] (WR) | Creighton Prep | 5’10" 190 lbs <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11524769/Trey-Olden" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/trey_olden" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a> Offers: N/A Schools interested: Claremont McKenna, University of Rochester, Knox College About #8: [player_tooltip player_id="192733" first="Trey" last="Olden"] from Creighton Prep is a hidden gem in this recruiting class. Olden is a great overall receiver, but if you want to maximize his value, putting him in the slot should reap dividends. He is very quick-footed, has an excellent change of direction, and is very explosive with the ball in his hands. Trey runs really crisp routes and has a great concept of spacing in the defense. Although his numbers seem low (18 catches for 202 yards and a touchdown), they seem to result from being in a run-heavy offense. Regardless, he was very clutch for the Jr. Jays and made several crucial catches. Olden is great at finding the sideline and providing a safety valve for QBs on broken plays. As I mentioned before, you definitely want to get the ball in this guy’s hands; he is very twitchy and shifty in the open field. It seemed as if he was making at least one person miss to pick up extra yardage on every one of his catches. Trey still has a ton of raw talent just waiting for a coach to unlock and let this young man run wild. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11524769/617d933d664b9b09d4753ad7" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <img class=" wp-image-261740 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/qsdoUzx6-e1641262877798.jpg" alt="" width="562" height="777" />About [player_tooltip player_id="192733" first="Trey" last="Olden"]: What drives you to be the best version of yourself off the field? On the field? I’ve always wanted to push my boundaries to see how far I can really go, whether that be in the classroom or on the field. I take all AP courses because I know I’m capable of succeeding in that endeavor. How do you handle adversity? I’ll take time to think of possible solutions. Usually, music helps me settle down, and I don’t make any decisions until I am in a completely clear headspace. To your future coach, what kind of person/player are they getting from you? You’d be getting a player that is willing to do anything for the greater good of the team and a player you can count on, whether in the field or the classroom. What does football mean to you? It means a lot to me, it’s gotten me out of my lowest points, and it’s something that I wouldn’t be the same without. <img class="alignright wp-image-261683" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/S72epP55.jpg" alt="" width="563" height="375" />   Elan Pittman (NG/DL) | Lincoln Southeast | 6’0" 220 lbs <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14462865/Elan-Pittman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ElanPittman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a> Offers: Midland, Doane, Sterling College Schools interested: Doane, Midland About #50: Lincoln Southeast has done a great job producing top-tier defensive talent, and NG Elan Pittman is no different. Elan is a run-stuffing machine that ate up the interior of opposing lines. One thing about Pittman is that he is very physical and has a great motor. When you watch his film, you can see a player that keeps his feet moving and continues looking for places to cause havoc. He racked up 48 tackles and a sack from the interior lineman position during his senior campaign. He displayed his violent hands and great technique when shedding blocks. Don’t underestimate Pittman’s athleticism and awareness, as he can also get his hands up at the line to bat away passes and even recorded a pick-six... granted, it was in the endzone. Still, the books say pick-six anyway you slice it. Overall, Pittman is a fierce competitor that would be an excellent addition for any team looking to improve their run defense. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/14462865/61817403578d72063ca9fec1" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <img class=" wp-image-261684 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/GNAZfuB0.jpg" alt="" width="527" height="789" />   About Elan Pittman: What drives you to be the best version of yourself off the field? On the field? <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1habvwh r-1wbh5a2"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-k200y r-gu4em3 r-pm2fo r-1kqtdi0 r-1867qdf r-deolkf r-dnmrzs r-1ny4l3l r-ymttw5 r-1f1sjgu r-o7ynqc r-6416eg" role="presentation"> <div class="css-901oao r-jwli3a r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-rjixqe r-bcqeeo r-1udh08x r-bnwqim r-fdjqy7 r-1rozpwm r-qvutc0" dir="auto">What drives me the most would probably be my heart. It knows what it wants, and that is to continue my journey and go next level. And off the field, I would say my brain. You can do almost anything you set your mind on.</div> </div> </div> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-obd0qt r-18u37iz"> <div class="css-1dbjc4n r-1kz6sp"></div> </div> How do you handle adversity? I would handle adversity by going back harder, pushing myself past the edge. To your future coach, what kind of person/player are they getting from you? I know these coaches are getting a player with lots of drive, lots of competition, and a lot of love for the game. Talent is everywhere, you just gotta see it. What does football mean to you? Football means a lot to me. It’s something that gets me up and makes me want to continue to do better. It builds me physically and mentally. It’s the mental toughness. <img class="wp-image-261671 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/H7okSUPW.jpg" alt="" width="520" height="650" />   [player_tooltip player_id="174584" first="Kale" last="Consbruck"] (WR/ATH) | Norris | 5’9" 150 lbs <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/8325208/Kale-Consbruck" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ConsbruckKale" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a> Offers: Hastings, UNK, Wayne State, Cornell College, Northwestern College Schools interested: University of Central Missouri and COE College About #5: Kale is a very exciting and underrated player coming out of Norris. He is a great overall athlete with tons of speed and shiftiness, making him a menace in the open field. Consbruck is a player you can stick anywhere on the field and can expect him to produce. Kale has crazy concentration, is a good hands receiver, and has excellent field vision. If you need an example of his concentration, look at the 2:33 mark in his clip below. He had one of the most acrobatic and insane catches I've seen on film. Kale is super tough and fearless on the field and doesn't fold to any DB or WR lined up against him. He isn't scared of making the big catch over the middle of the field and has the hands to hold on through contact. As a bonus, Consbruck is also a very dangerous return man and has made several teams pay with one of his many electrifying return touchdowns. Kale is a very detailed athlete that takes his craft seriously, and it shows in his play and preparation. Several schools have begun to catch onto the Norris ATH, and I wouldn't be surprised to see more jump on the bandwagon before Consbruck puts pen to paper. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8325208/61b43a44bd755f0b90759379" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <img class=" wp-image-261670 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/P1ggpBsI-e1641254904730.jpg" alt="" width="492" height="734" />   About [player_tooltip player_id="174584" first="Kale" last="Consbruck"]: What drives you to be the best version of yourself off the field? On the field? The best version of me is driven by wanting to be the young man that does the right thing when no one else does. I want to earn the respect of everyone around me, and the same goes on the field. I’m not the most physically gifted, but I want to earn the respect of every coach and player on the field by working harder than everyone else, perfecting little details, and just being tougher mentally and physically. How do you handle adversity? I handle adversity calmly, and I attack it just as I attack every other part. Don’t think too much and handle what needs to be handled. That includes getting rid of the distractions and living in the moment. To your future coach, what kind of person/player are they getting from you? To my future coach, you are getting one hell of a football player. You won’t find another player with the same amount of heart and toughness as I do. I am undersized but still thrive in the physical game of football because of the drive that happens during the practices and games and also from the amount of mental and physical pain that I can endure. What does football mean to you? Football, to me, is everything. I find myself the happiest and most energetic during football season. I like other sports, but nothing gets me more amped than football and just lining up to run another play that involves me winning my 1 on 1 matchup with the guy across from me.     <img class=" wp-image-261675 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/742iYDiu-e1641255550478.jpg" alt="" width="547" height="493" />[player_tooltip player_id="157632" first="Shan" last="Acharya"] (OT) | Elkhorn North | 6’5" 310 lbs <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13106020/Shan-Acharya" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/shanacharya4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter</a> Offers: Drake, Valparaiso, Wayne State, Chadron State, University of Mary, Midland Schools interested: Nebraska About #73: Looking for a bookend tackle to set the edge? We got just the guy you need right here. Right off the bat, Shan looks exactly how you want your tackle to look. He is big, strong, with long arms, and very quick on his feet. Acharya does an excellent job staying low and setting his anchor, and he keeps his hands and feet moving constantly. Shan is a player that doesn't stop until the whistle blows and looks to finish on every one of his plays. In his clip, you can see how vicious he is when blocking and the several pancakes that he served up this season. Acharya is not just a punishing blocker but a great leader on and off the field, helping set the culture for the upstart Elkhorn North Wolves. He was not just a pioneer for Elkhorn North but looks to be a pioneer for football players of South Asian descent as he looks to be the first Nepalese-American to play Division-1 football. Shan is a brilliant player with all the physical tools and talent to be a key contributor at the next level. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13106020/6137ae3a578eaf0770184e98" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <img class="alignright wp-image-261674" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/01/w30J-VAh-1.jpg" alt="" width="536" height="953" />About [player_tooltip player_id="157632" first="Shan" last="Acharya"]: What drives you to be the best version of yourself off the field? On the field? On the field, it is definitely the personal goals and ambitions I have set for myself. I want to be better than anything I’ve envisioned myself to be. Also, my doubters: The schools that rejected me during my recruitment, the nay-sayers, and anyone who has told me I couldn’t be where I am today. Off the field, it is my family. I want to do the best I can so their sacrifices are paid off, and so their hard work and time they’ve put into bettering me has paid off. How do you handle adversity? I put my head down and find a solution, whether that be working twice as hard or giving my all to get through it. I don’t complain, I just sort of put my head down and work through it. The quote “When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.” Is sort of my motto with adversity. I try to work to find the positive in it, whether it is motivation or anything else. To your future coach, what kind of person/player are they getting from you? As a kid that was a C team QB at one point and didn’t start on varsity till my Junior year, they will be getting someone that will give them a 110% every day, whether that be on the field, in the film room, or on the practice field. They’ll get someone who is prepared, so that when any adversity or any difficult circumstances arise, they have a guy to go to. They are also getting a dependable guy on and off the field, and someone who will work twice as hard in the classroom. As a person, they are getting a kid who loves the game and someone who can lead by example, on and off the field. As well as someone who wants to learn and soak it all in. What does football mean to you? Everything, it is my safe space and it gives me the ability to let go of my stresses and whatever is going on in life. Football lets me just be me and play the game I love. It has given me so many opportunities, taken me so many places, and helped me meet so many awesome people, that thanking the game would be an understatement. Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to grow as close to my high school teammates, and most of those guys are like family to me now.