2024 Rankings Debuts: Athlete

Athletes aren’t players without a position they’re really just players who could actually play several positions. When scouting players, you look for certain physical traits to determine what position they will play at the college level. Some players have the combo of size, speed, and athleticism that could project them to more than one position. These players usually get the ATH designation until it's determined where their best fit will be. Today I take a look at the top athletes in the 2024 class. [player_tooltip player_id="284650" first="TJ" last="Engleman"] (Princeton) 5’9 170- Engleman is a dynamic playmaker. Going into his sophomore season TJ was planning on playing running back and receiver, but an injury to the Vikings starting quarterback forced Engleman into the role. All he did was set the world ablaze with his playmaking and passing ability. With dynamic runs and long pass plays all Engleman accounted for nearly 900 yards of total offense in his first two games. He’s electric in space and has the juice to take it to the house on any given play. He’s on tap to have a big offseason and junior season. He must be accounted for on every play. I like Engleman as a dynamic slot at the college level. TJ has an offer from Kentucky, and he’s had visits to Georgia Tech and his hometown Cincinnati Bearcats. He’s really starting to heat up and I think he’s going to land some big time P5 offers this offseason. Links: <a href="https://twitter.com/EnglemanTj">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14527126/6147ddd0bd6ba708a4370e02">Hudl</a> [player_tooltip player_id="227010" first="Andrew" last="Bruce"] (Chardon) 5’11 175- Bruce plays wing back on offense and cornerback on defense. While Bruce could easily play running back at the college level, I think the position where he holds the most value, and his highest ceiling is at cornerback. When you watch his film you see an athlete who has great feet and instincts. He has the fluid hips to turn and run, and the ball skills to finish with pass breakups. He’s explosive in the run game and versus screens. What I like about him beyond his physical traits, is his feisty mentality. He’s somewhat ender the radar right now, but I expect him to start to pick up D1 mid-major offers and possibly P5 attention this offseason. I like especially like Bruce in a defense that favors press man corner coverage. Links: <a href="https://twitter.com/ajb__2005">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13106422/61b0e6870c5e520a1c43e121">Hudl</a> [player_tooltip player_id="284651" first="AJ" last="Spellacy"] (Saint Ignatius) 6’3 190- [player_tooltip player_id="284651" first="AJ" last="Spellacy"] is a young many I’m very excited about. At 6’3 190 he has great size and length, and has movement skills of a top shelf defensive back. I like him as a hybrid linebacker/safety at the next level. He has strong instincts and is explosive in his react. He’s going to be a guy that can line up and defend wide receivers, but you can move him down into the box to defend the run or blitz at a high level. Spellacy has one current offer from Toledo, but I could see him blowing up this offseason onto the P5 recruiting scene. He flashes special traits. Links: <a href="https://twitter.com/Ajspellacy8">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14817075/6191a56fff01f00d88425644">Hudl</a> [player_tooltip player_id="284608" first="Zae" last="Jennings"] (Colerain) 6’2 190- As a sophomore Jennings played quarterback for the storied Colerain Cardinals football program. He was used in a myriad of ways, from running the option, to designed draws, to throwing the ball. With his 6’2 190 pound he’s both strong enough to run through tackles and he’s sudden enough to make guys miss. At this point I’d project him to a wide receiver at the college level. With work on his throwing motion, however I'm interested to see how he continues to develop. So I wouldn’t close door on that for him just yet. Jennings has offers from Central Michigan and Miami (OH) Links: <a href="https://twitter.com/J5Zae">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14671101/617ed5c8578e990efc143b85">Hudl</a> [player_tooltip player_id="284823" first="Zac" last="Griffith"] (Big Walnut) 5’10 195- When I watch Griffith I see the perfect slot. He does a good job of using change of pace to get open. He also does a good job of exaggerating his cuts to create separation. He understands the nuance of route running and selling routes. [player_tooltip player_id="263514" first="Preston" last="Hopperton"] (Streetsboro) 5’10 180- Hopperton lined up all over the field for the Rockets. Running back, slot, strong safety, he did it all. At running back he has the vision and explosion to make plays. I like him best at wide receiver, however, as he has the speed to run by guys and the physicality to make a difference blocking in the run game. He does a great job at tracking and adjusting to the deep ball. I’ll be interested to see Preston continue to grow and fill out. He’s already bench pressing a staggering 315 pounds. Preston’s older brother, Hunter, has signed to play Tight End at Rhode Island. Links: <a href="https://twitter.com/PrestonHoppert3">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14566154/618b074e9a90e206b0156b69">Hudl</a> [player_tooltip player_id="123817" first="Cooper" last="Rummel"] (Westlake) 5’7 130- He may not be the biggest of young men but on the football field, Rummel, is just a blur. He does a good job of tracking and adjusting to the ball. I heard a quote from Texas A&M basketball coach Buzz Williams that I think is appropriate here "fast beats big, when fast is fast". Well folks Rummel is fast, and so frankly who cares if he’s not 6’2 180? The question is, when he lines it up does he beat the man across from him? Most often the answer is yes. Links: <a href="https://twitter.com/RummelCooper">Twitter</a>/<a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14470359/6182b588ff0c660af091f949">Hudl</a>