Small school gems – Class of 2023

I made it a point to get to as many different schools and see as many teams as possible during the fall. That being said, due to time and mileage, I will never be able to get to as many outstate schools as I would like. Unfortunately, even with the other prepredzone.com writers that live in outstate areas, that means we are – live anyway – going to miss a ton of great players. This story is part one of at least two stories this offseason that I am doing to highlight some of the best talent outstate who play for schools with a smaller enrollment than most of the schools I am able to see in the metro area. [player_tooltip player_id="19003" first="Ryan" last="Retzer"] <strong>OL Belle Plaine</strong> Few players’ highlights have immediately made me take notice, like Retzer’s film. He has excellent size for a guard and is a powerful straight-line blocker. However, what – literally – made me sit up straighter in my chair was his athletic ability. His quickness and explosion off the ball allow him to get under a defenders’ pads before he is out of his stance. He gets to the next level and across the formation during trap blocks as quickly as anyone I have seen. Combined with his obvious strength, he routinely mauls smaller defenders. [player_tooltip player_id="112046" first="Wes" last="Overton"] <strong>TE Rockford</strong> I am by no means saying Overton will play in the NFL, but when I put on his tape, he immediately reminded me of Minnesota Vikings’ linebacker Anthony Barr. Like Barr, Overton is a huge linebacker and as athletic of a linebacker as you will find. His footwork and ball skills make it obvious he is a talented offensive player too. On offense, the junior is a matchup nightmare for defenses. He is too athletic to be covered by a linebacker and way too big for a defensive back to handle. [player_tooltip player_id="112049" first="Tyson" last="Cooreman"] <strong>WR Randolph</strong> Everything Cooreman does on a football field can be summed up with one word – explosive. He plays multiple positions on both sides of the ball. Because of a long-striding style, it doesn’t look like quickness would be an attribute. I threw on his tape and was impressed by his first step and ability to get in and out of cuts quickly. When he can open things up in the open field, the lengthy Cooreman covers ground quickly and can make the angles defenders take on him look silly. At 6’4", his power is deceptive, especially as a running back. He gets his pad level low during contact and blows through arm tackles. [player_tooltip player_id="22946" first="Karson" last="Lindsay"] <strong>ATH Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton</strong> If throwing deep is your thing, Lindsay is your guy. Playing quarterback, Lindsay’s touch and accuracy on the deep ball immediately stands out. He can effortlessly drop the deep ball right into the basket when his receiver runs a go route. Although he looks comfortable in the pocket, Lindsay buys time in the pocket and uses his legs to be a threat in the run game as well. A two-way player, he is a corner with good footwork who is not afraid to mix it up with a receiver or in the running game. [player_tooltip player_id="112075" first="Andrew" last="Phillips"] <strong>RB New Richland H-E-G</strong> Phillips made a run during his junior year where he made – and I am not exaggerating – NINE tacklers miss. The junior took an option pitch to the left and cut across the field to the opposite sidelines. On the way, he made the entire defense look foolish en route to a thirty-yard gain. In addition to his open-field running skills, he can move the pile and catch the ball out of the backfield. Like Cooreman, he is a long strider who – when not making entire defenses miss – can open it up with solid straight-line speed. [player_tooltip player_id="112076" first="Noah" last="Strickfaden"] <strong>QB Norwood Young America</strong> Strickfaden has the prototypical quarterback body. His long, athletic build makes him appear to be a drop-back quarterback – which he can do effectively. What makes him stand out on film is his speed – not only when scrambling but also on designed runs. Not surprisingly, as a passer, he throws well on the run and has a nice deep ball. Strickfaden has a bit of gunslinger in him too. He is creative with the ball when the initial play breaks down.