Jordan’s Notebook: 23′ Breakdowns Pt. 1
We’re back with Jordan’s Notebook Series diving into the Class of 23′ Player Breakdowns. This is going to be a multiple-part series covering a range of positions in each. The goal is simple: covering as many student athletes as possible,…
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Continue ReadingWe’re back with Jordan’s Notebook Series diving into the Class of 23′ Player Breakdowns. This is going to be a multiple-part series covering a range of positions in each. The goal is simple: covering as many student athletes as possible, regardless of college projection, to be a resource in getting their name out there further. If you’re wondering how to get on our radar, it’s simple: Fill out our FREE Prospect Index
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Jack Kerno Jack Kerno 6'1" | 200 lbs | LB Boylan Catholic | 2023 State IL Twitter
Mr. Kerno is an inside linebacker that can work out of a 3-4 or 4-3 defense as well as can line up as a 7 tech at times as well. There’s one clip in particular when he’s lined up as a 7 tech where he slants down to shoot into the B gap where he gets through as he works across the offensive tackle’s face. This young man is then able to meet the ball carrier in the backfield securing the tackle for loss on the play. What’s interesting is his versatility as his skill set transitions well as a stand-up interior linebacker as well as being on the line as a 7 tech. This is seen when he’s coming on a blitz as he provides insight into being able to close quickly on the ball carrier and using his quick first step when he’s coming on a blitz to penetrate the backfield to disrupt the play. In the second clip in his highlights, he comes on a blitz through the A gap where he gets through generating penetration on the play and brings the quarterback down for the sack. This young man gets there so quickly that the quarterback is still under the center securing the snap before being brought down in the backfield. In another clip, this young man is coming on a blitz off the edge from the backside where he’s able to time it well. By doing so, he’s able to get to the turn point before the offensive tackle is set to block and is able to hit the ball carrier in the backfield. From the blow he delivers on the ball carrier, he forces a fumble on the play. There’s also a play where he runs a stunt. Here, he initially comes on a blitz to the C gap but is able to slap the offensive tackle’s hands down and work across the line looping around into the A gap for a free shot on the quarterback. Once he does, he secures the sack. All in all, he provides an insight into his gap shooting ability when he’s coming on a blitz as he can time it well and get through into the backfield to either secure the tackle for loss or can meet the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage for no/little gain on the play. When he’s going up against inside runs, he provides glimpses of being able to take the run blocker head on where he can jolt the blocker before disengaging to secure the tackle at the line of scrimmage. This young man also provides glimpses of being able to trigger downhill quickly in close space to stick the ball carrier in the hole. On outside the tackle runs, he provides glimpses of using his lateral quickness to limit the ball carrier’s chances of turning the corner as once he diagnoses the run he plants his foot to close on the ball carrier. Now, you might be wondering if he has any clips in pass coverage either in man or zone and you would be right that he does. In the first clip in his highlights, he gets to the hook/curl drop in zone coverage. Here, he’s able to read the quarterback’s eyes as he’s gaining depth in his drop and is able to undercut the route to come away with the interception which he then returns for a touchdown on the play. Currently holds no offers, has D2 Interest. Highlights
Isaac King Isaac King 5'9" | 180 lbs | RB Carmi-White Carmi | 2023 State IL Twitter
Mr. King is a running back that provides glimpses of being able to break long runs both on inside and outside the tackle runs. He also provides glimpses of being able to run through weak grab tackles as he keeps his feet driving to fight for extra yards on the play and isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder either. This young man provides insight into being able to find the running lanes quickly between the tackles on inside the tackle runs. In the first clip in his highlights, once he secures the handoff he gets N/S quickly as he gets through the line of scrimmage and uses his foot quicks to gain a step on the second-level defenders. He then outruns the pursuit angles into the endzone for a touchdown as he breaks a long run. On outside the tackle runs, he showcases the ability to use his lateral quickness to turn the corner. Once he does, he can break a long run along the sideline where he will either get brought down after a huge gain or get into the endzone for the touchdown. There’s also a clip in his highlights where the frontside running lane gets clogged up so this young man sees the cutback lanes which he hits to bounce the play outside and turn the corner to get into the endzone for the touchdown. What’s going to be interesting to keep an eye on is how he continues to develop his ability to read his blocks through the hole and in open space as that’s how he’s able to break these long runs. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Khristien Childs Khristien Childs 6'2" | 290 lbs | OL Simeon Academy | 2023 State IL Twitter
Mr. Childs is an offensive tackle that provides glimpses of being able to slide out to pick up the edge rusher and force the outside rush to keep the pocket clean for his quarterback. In the first clip in his highlights, he gets out of his stance sliding to the edge picking up the edge rusher and is able to latch on quickly. Once he does, he’s able to gain leverage on the defender and drive his feet resulting in this young man putting the rushing defender into the dirt. Where I believe his strong suit sides to is his run blocking both when he’s pulling/getting to second-level blocks and when he’s working in-line. In the second clip in his highlights, he gets a free release to the second-level defender where he delivers initial contact on the linebacker pushing the defender out of the ball carrier’s running lane. He then delivers another strike on the linebacker putting the defender into the dirt as the ball carrier gets by into the endzone for a touchdown. If he doesn’t get a free release to the second level, he can double with the offensive guard before working up to the second-level block where he then can sustain the block enough for the ball carrier to get by. When he’s working in-line, he’s able to deliver a strike on the head-up defender to get his hands inside. Here, he’s either able to keep his feet driving before finishing the play driving the defender into the dirt or can drive the defender down the line of scrimmage washing the defender down – both are seen throughout his highlights. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Javion Kizer Javion Kizer 6'2" | 275 lbs | OL Carbondale | 2023 State IL Twitter
Mr. Kizer is an offensive guard that provides an insight into his attacking playstyle and showcases glimpses of playing through the whistle. In the first clip in his highlights, he’s quick out of his stance and is able to deliver a heavy blow on the kickout defender when pulling. This results in him pancaking the defender as he’s full head a steam opening up a running lane off his block for the ball carrier. He also provides glimpses of being able to block in open space on receiver screens picking up the defensive back and can get to second-level blocks as well. Whether he gets a free release or has to work up to the second-level block, he provides insight into being able to cut off the linebacker’s flow on the play. Upon doing so, the ball carrier is able to break long runs in his highlights resulting in either a big gain or a touchdown. There’s a clip in his highlights when he’s blocking in-line that really showcases his attacking playstyle and playing through the whistle. In this clip, he fires off the ball delivering a strong punch on the head-up defender which jolts the defender upright before he throws that defender into the ground and is able to keep working through the whistle picking up the safety on the play (this defender is the last line of defense). By doing so, the ball carrier is able to cut off this young man’s block and breaks a long run for a touchdown. There is also one clip that stands out in his pass protection that is one to keep an eye on moving forward. Here, once he gets out of his stance he patiently awaits the rushing defender to get within arm’s length before he anchors to tie up the rushing defender at the point of attack. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Tyson Dewey Tyson Dewey 6'2" | 165 lbs | WR Lakes Community | 2023 State IL Twitter
Mr. Dewey is a receiver that works on the outside (can hold his own both as an X or a Z receiver) that provides insight into having the foot quicks to gain a step on the defender to win over the top and has the long speed to outrun pursuit angles as well. In the first clip in his highlights, he’s being pressed and runs a zig route where he gets to the defender’s toes before breaking on the zig route to the back pylon. Once he does, he creates separation on the play before securing the pass with a one-hand grab for the touchdown. In another clip, he’s going against off coverage and is able to use his foot quicks to close the cushion on the defender gaining inside release. By doing so, he runs right past the defender securing the catch in stride and then uses his foot quicks to break a long run for the touchdown. His run after the catch is a trait to keep an eye on as once he secures the catch he gets vertical quickly where he can either break a long run for a big gain or can get into the endzone for a touchdown. This young man can also keep his feet driving to run through weak grab tackles to play through contact and can break a long run this way as well. In terms of his route running, he provides an insight into being able to stack the defender before breaking at the top of the route creating separation on the play. He can also secure the catch in traffic as well where he can either secure the contested catch before being brought down or can get vertical quickly to break a long run. In one clip in his highlights, he runs a slant route and is able to gain inside leverage once he breaks on the route. He then goes up for the high pass with the defender on his back and is able to look the ball in as he extends his reach away from the defender to secure the catch. In my eyes, this young man has the potential to have a breakout season and be a name on the rise in the recruiting landscape this fall season. Time will tell what happens and how he performs during his senior season campaign. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Jimmy Zitkus Jimmy Zitkus 6'2" | 265 lbs | OL Batavia | 2023 State IL Twitter
Mr. Zitkus is an offensive guard that provides glimpses of being able to drive the defender down the line of scrimmage washing the defender down on the play creating a running lane for the ball carrier when he works in-line. When he’s pulling, he provides glimpses of working up to the second-level blocks after he doubles with the offensive center to cut off the linebacker flow on the play. There’s a clip in his highlight where he’s pulling. In this clip, he gets out of his stance quickly getting to the kickout defender and when he makes initial contact he’s able to deliver a heavy blow knocking the defender down. This, in turn, gives the ball carrier a cutback lane to hit which he does to break a run. In pass protection, there’s a clip in his highlights where he picks up the defender coming into the B gap but is able to diagnose a blitzing defender coming in behind the initial rushing defender. This young man sees this and is able to pass off the initial defender to his teammate before picking up the blitzing defender as he absorbs the rushing defender at the point of attack to keep the pocket clean for his quarterback. All in all, this young man provides glimpses of the type of player that he has the potential to be and turn into. What I’m interested in seeing out of this young man is how he’s going to put it all together and take that next step to elevate his game. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Jake Ryan Jake Ryan 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Taft | 2023 State IL Twitter
Mr. Ryan is a linebacker that is set up to take over for Standout Ryan Porebski Ryan Porebski 6'1" | 210 lbs | LB Taft | 2022 State IL as he has similar traits and has a similar playing style. Against the inside run, he provides glimpses of being able to trigger downhill quickly in close space to meet the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage for no gain. In the first clip in his highlights, he’s able to slip the block to meet the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage. Here, he sticks the ball carrier in the hole for no gain on the play. This young man flows to the ball well and can work through traffic to secure the tackle on the play at/near the line of scrimmage for no/little gain on the play. There’s also one clip where he’s in zone coverage that stands out. Here, he’s dropped back into the hook/curl zone coverage and is able to reach down to secure the low pass for an interception which he then returns to set his team up in a good starting field position. This young man got his feet wet this previous season, but I expect his production to skyrocket as he looks to mold into the lead defender in the middle of the field for his team. Keep an eye on this young man. Currently holds no offers. Highlights
Antonio Tablante Antonio Tablante 6'1" | 200 lbs | RB Sterling | 2023 State IL Twitter
Mr. Tablante is a running back that provides glimpses of being able to run through weak grab tackles by keeping his feet driving to gain extra yards on the play. On inside the tackle runs, he provides insight into having the vision to find running lanes quickly where he can either get skinny to get through the line of scrimmage or can bounce the plays outside – both of which he can break a long run. There’s a clip in his highlights where he stays true N/S through the hole upon securing the handoff and uses his foot quicks to break a long run as he outruns the 2nd level defenders to come away with a touchdown. When he runs outside the tackles he provides insight into his lateral quickness to turn the corner. Here, he can get along the sideline and can either gain a first down or break a long run for the touchdown using his foot quicks. There’s also one clip in his highlights where he’s used in the air attack on a halfback screen. Here, he secures the catch making the first defender miss in open space before getting vertical using his foot quicks to outrun the pursuit angles into the endzone for the touchdown. All in all, this young man has high potential heading into his final season of high school football that could very well see his recruiting stock rise as a result. Currently holds no offers, has D2 Interest. Highlights
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