Underclassmen Recruiting Report (3/7/22)

In-depth analysis of the underclassmen prospects picking up recent collegiate offers. [player_tooltip player_id="42913" first="Gavin" last="Geweniger"], 2023, DL, Chaparral – First offer from Colorado State, Nevada After his sophomore year was derailed due to injury, Geweniger was one of the best kept secrets in the state going into his junior year. He’s always possessed the size (6’4” 245 lbs.), natural ability, and potential to be a high D1 recruit and it is finally coming to fruition with his first two offers coming in from Colorado State and Nevada over the last few weeks. He possesses a great foundational skillset to build on with his athleticism, strength, and competitive nature. He fires off the ball with great initial quickness and explosion and shows plus strength/power at the POA. He can disengage from blocks using his strong hands or lateral quickness to work around. He’s just scratching the surface of his upside and expect his recruiting to heat up going into his senior year. https://twitter.com/G_Geweniger2023/status/1495890065825873920?s=20&t=1A9Cpxp-qlXcrmuRR3OZhg [player_tooltip player_id="42943" first="Elijah" last="Paige"], 2023, OL, Pinnacle – Offers from Washington State, Cincinnati, Notre Dame Paige continues to build an outstanding list of offers after Washington State, Cincinnati, and Notre Dame have been recently added bringing his total count to 29. He has cemented himself as one of the premier OT prospects in the country with many of the top programs extending offers including Auburn, Miami, Michigan State, Oregon, Penn State, and USC. At 6’6” 290 lbs. he has a great build with length and still has good growth potential as he develops. He’s a dual sport guy (football/basketball) that shows in his athleticism, mobility, and bend. He flashes great initial quickness off the LOS with the speed and feet to work to the second level and perimeter. He’s violent at the POA and finishes his blocks by driving his feet through contact. He’s one of the rare prospects to collect offers from all 12 PAC12 programs. https://twitter.com/elijahpaige74/status/1497299471352303616?s=20&t=1A9Cpxp-qlXcrmuRR3OZhg [player_tooltip player_id="110118" first="Caleb" last="Lomu"], 2023, OL, Highland – Offer from Washington State Lomu continues to stack up offers after adding Washington State to the list. He now holds 12 D1 offers and picked up eight of them in February. He flashes great feet and mobility to be an effective blocker in space and match defender’s lateral movement. He’s powerful at the POA with strong hands and an aggressive punch at initial contact. Recently voted OL MVP of the National Preps Combine in Las Vegas where he matched up with some of the top talent in the country and continuously dominated in 1on1s. Expect more major D1 programs to follow suit and offer one of the top OL talents in the state. https://twitter.com/CalebLomu51/status/1496333867992731648?s=20&t=WjV1m7IwOXdABgZwIYv3GQ [player_tooltip player_id="214076" first="Alex" last="McLaughlin"], 2023, LB, Hamilton – Offer from Ohio McLaughlin picked up his second offer from Ohio after New Mexico State came in early December. At 6’3” 190 lbs. he’s got good length and solid growth to potential. He’s an excellent defender in space using his athleticism and savvy movement skills to be a difference maker as a run stopper and in coverage. Possesses a high football IQ with a technical skillset to be efficient with his footwork and use his eye discipline to quickly diagnose plays as they are developing. Can be a three down LB demonstrating his ability to be an outside force guy in run support, an underneath zone cover guy against the pass, or a read/rush defender off the edge. He was a key piece in the Hamilton defense in 2021 and should see his recruiting stock continue to rise. https://twitter.com/AMcLaughlin28/status/1496602695955730432?s=20&t=4a9kgOKfkCnMi8tjZpXZSg [player_tooltip player_id="42952" first="Cole" last="Shivers"], 2023, DB, Saguaro – Offer from Boise State, Wisconsin Shiver’s saw a big boost in recruiting throughout the month of February and now holds 11 D1 offers after Boise State and Wisconsin were added to his list most recently. He’s a lockdown corner with a great combination of fluid athleticism and natural coverage instincts. Very effective in both press and off coverage using his speed, burst, and change of direction to match receivers movement and cover the whole field. He’s loose in the hips with a smooth transition from his back pedal to his break quickly closing space on ball. Possesses top end ball skills and timing to rack up PBU’s and make a play at the catch point. One of the top CB’s in the state that will see his offer count continue to climb. https://twitter.com/coleshivers21/status/1497367035986153473?s=20&t=4a9kgOKfkCnMi8tjZpXZSg [player_tooltip player_id="42901" first="Zaccheus" last="Cooper"], 2023, RB, Saguaro – Offer from Alcorn State Cooper picked up his third D1 offer from Alcorn State at the end of February after early offers from New Mexico and Morgan State in 2020. He’s a complete back with a powerful 5’11” 205 lb. frame and a strong lower half. He’s a downhill runner that accelerates through the LOS and shows good lateral quickness at the second level. Carrying the ball he’s got good vision and awareness to find space and create open running lanes for himself. Displays the physicality and contact balance to pick up tough yardage between the tackles but also has the speed to turn the corner to the outside. Transferred to Saguaro after playing his first two years at Liberty. In addition to his three offers, he’s seeing a lot of attention from other D1 programs in the PAC12 and Mountain West. https://twitter.com/zaccheus_1723/status/1497631128722841602?s=20&t=aUT0jufi3vYx9gzJNJ8dug [player_tooltip player_id="42902" first="Devon" last="Dampier"], 2023, QB, Saguaro – Offer from Pennsylvania Dampier’s recruiting stock continues to rise after a solid month of February that saw him land four offers capped off with Pennsylvania at the very end. His ability on and off the field shows in his recruitment landing three high academic offers from Rice, Yale, and Penn in addition to offers from Arizona, Nevada, NAU, and Idaho State. He’s an all-out playmaker with great versatility and explosiveness as a dual-threat QB. As a passer, he possesses a live arm with plus arm strength and accuracy to hit his spots at all three levels. Great ability to throw on the run or off different platforms without sacrificing any of that strength or accuracy. He’s a deceptive athlete as a ball carrier with the speed, burst, and lateral quickness in the open field to make defenders miss and turn the corner. Has the ability to take over a game as he did in the 2021 state championship game. https://twitter.com/Devonddampier/status/1498347207971401728?s=20&t=k5inE4oK50CueCKMeAfsLRrzK-pdwR08cFNCslE19JM [player_tooltip player_id="115519" first="Demond" last="Williams"], 2024, QB, Basha – Offer from Kansas Kansas is the most recent offer for Prep Redzone’s top ranked 2024 prospect in the state. He’s an exceptional athlete that can make plays both through the air and on the ground. Great footwork and throwing mechanics with a live arm capable of making high velocity throws at any depth. He has a great ability manipulate the pocket, avoid pressure, and make accurate throws on the run to either direction. Does a great job using his eyes to move coverage and going through his progression/seeing the whole field without forcing the ball into a tight window. Shows great command of the position with a composed, confident, and mature disposition. As a sophomore he threw for over 2,600 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding 645 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. Offer count stands at 13 with many more on the way. https://twitter.com/QBDwilliams1/status/1498445368484196352?s=20&t=NpnwhRpXfJB6gzNbStHCWQ [player_tooltip player_id="115487" first="Jeremiah" last="Newcombe"], 2024, DB, Casteel – First offer from USC, Arizona State, Arizona Newcombe kicked off his recruiting in a big way with three PAC12 offers last week. Scored a big first offer from USC and followed it up with instate Arizona and ASU shortly after. Only a sophomore but one of the more dynamic athletes in the state with his ability to not only fill the stat sheet but completely take over a game. He’s smooth with his movement and the game comes very naturally to him with advanced instincts and anticipation for his age. He shows great eye discipline and route recognition with a quick trigger to break on the ball and make a play at the catch point. Possesses strong ball skills and timing to extend and attack the ball at the high point. Finished the season with 37 tackles, 7 INT’s, 9 PBU’s to go along with his 11 touchdowns and over 500 scrimmage yards. More major D1 schools will follow. https://twitter.com/newcombe_jj/status/1499549148692946954?s=20&t=XT8HM1P4I2W1V9TW6pMaTw [player_tooltip player_id="42947" first="Dylan" last="Roberts"], 2023, DL, Centennial – Offer from Northwestern Roberts scored his first offer of 2022 from Northwestern after already having Arizona, NAU, and Cal. At 6’3” 285 lbs. he possesses ideal size with a strong physical skillset. He’s powerful at the POA playing with good leverage, pad level, and balance to dominate the LOS and control blockers. Shows quick hands and understands how to use them effectively to keep blockers away from his body and then disengage from contact. Good technique and footwork with a variety of moves to beat his blocks as a pass rusher. One of the top 2023 DL prospects in the state that will add more offers as the recruiting cycle continues. https://twitter.com/DylanJettRober1/status/1499128457288159243?s=20&t=NbLNLv6vNDgNOzCnGbbnlA [player_tooltip player_id="42924" first="Kyler" last="Kasper"], 2023, WR, Williams Field – Offer from LSU Kasper pulled in yet another elite level offer from LSU last week bringing his total to 26 from many of the top programs in the country including Notre Dame, Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, and Iowa just to name a few. He’s one of the highest recruited WR’s in the country with an elite combination of length and natural pass catching ability. At 6’5” 195 lbs. its rare to find a receiver at his size with his athleticism and fluidity. He’s an advanced route runner that shows a great drive phase off the LOS and can manipulate defenders with a series of stems and nods. He’s precise with his routes and flashes great hip level transition out of his breaks. Strong and confident hands with a massive catch radius. One of his best attributes is the physicality and toughness he brings to the position. Terrific upside and potential to play at the highest level in college football as he continues to fill out and develop. https://twitter.com/KasperKyler/status/1499194994296438787?s=20&t=mb8nC7fJBuAGhgMe2GZpeQ [player_tooltip player_id="115500" first="Elijah" last="Rushing"], 2024, DE, Salpointe Catholic – Offer from Michigan Add Michigan to the growing list of offers for one of the top 2024 prospects in the nation. He now holds 11 total offers and continues to establish himself as a national recruit with his two latest offers coming from high level eastern programs. He’ an explosive edge rusher with size, speed, and athleticism that is rare for a sophomore. He’s a tough block and extremely disruptive with his ability to make plays as they develop at or behind the LOS. Possesses elite initial quickness firing off the ball with low pad level and good leverage to establish positioning. While rushing the passer or in pursuit he flashes great lateral agility, flexibility, and burst to chase sideline to sideline. Does a good job attacking the edge and flipping his hips to crash the pocket and rush the passer. Was a top performer at the recent UA Next All-America Camp. https://twitter.com/elijah_rushing/status/1499428982105673729?s=20&t=P4r3PXF7eoVieoWS7hVyZQ [player_tooltip player_id="165883" first="Tre" last="Spivey"], 2023, WR, Hamilton – Offers from Kansas State, Wisconsin Spivey was one of the most under recruited players in the state until the end of the 2021 season but is finally receiving the recruiting attention he deserves. Just last week he picked up two Power 5 offers from Kansas State and Wisconsin. At 6’4” 185 lbs. with a 78 inch wingspan and great growth potential he possesses the size and length college programs look for in a major D1 receiver. He has a strong combination of technical ability as a route runner and natural athleticism. He can use his length and speed to be a lethal vertical/redzone threat attacking the ball at the high point with great extension and timing. He’s a precise route runner at the short and intermediate levels to create separation using a strong release move and a variety of stems and nods. Also a great stalk blocker on the outside. Look for him to add more high level offers given his talent and ability. https://twitter.com/SpiveyTre/status/1499747284463992834?s=20&t=_5nzlQtUwRFw22VqTboPOw [player_tooltip player_id="42926" first="Matthew" last="Klopfenstein"], 2023, TE, Horizon – Offer from Wisconsin Wisconsin came through AZ offering several top prospects in the state including Klopfenstein. He’s one of the top TE’s in the country with 18 total offers including at least one offer from every Power 5 conference. Just in the last month he has added seven new offers. At 6’5” 230 lbs. he’s an excellent receiving TE that is also a physical force as a blocker. He’s an outstanding athlete with great body control and coordination, he does a great job using his massive frame to extend and make highlight reel catches outside his framework. He runs well, smoothly getting in and out of his breaks and using his short area burst to create separation especially at the short and intermediate levels. As a vertical and redzone threat he can use his body to box out defenders and high point the ball making him a matchup nightmare for any defender. You’ll see more and more elite level programs offering him throughout the offseason. https://twitter.com/Matthew_Klop/status/1499539965402701827?s=20&t=m2--P51lZFlXDcR_fol61g [player_tooltip player_id="42912" first="Mykeil" last="Gardner"], 2023, DL, Liberty – Offer from Washington State Washington State was the most recent offer for Gardner who is on a hot streak of offers since the offseason. He’s got 19 total offers now with the list of top programs growing by the week. At 6’3” 295 lbs. he checks a lot of boxes as a major D1 defensive lineman with his combination of size, athleticism, and strength. He’s explosive off the ball with great initial quickness and an aggressive first step to establish positional leverage. He’s a plus athlete that uses his lateral agility to flip his hips and work around blockers or use his short area speed to chase down ball carriers sideline to sideline. Great command of a variety of moves to beat his blockers such as spin moves, rips, and long arm techniques. Had a strong performance at the recent UA All-American Camp.ad https://twitter.com/mgardner2023/status/1499605990383108101?s=20&t=x1fg5XZgN-WlRnjj8mkoBg [player_tooltip player_id="110129" first="William" last="Way"], 2023, DE/OL, Pusch Ridge – First off from Idaho State, South Dakota Way was able to kick start his recruiting by picking up his first D1 offer from Idaho State that was quickly followed up by South Dakota. At 6’4” 240 lbs. he’s a versatile line prospect that shows the ability to play either side of the ball at the college level depending on scheme and development. Well balanced and built frame with good growth potential and functional athleticism in space. He flashes a quick and aggressive first step out of his stance on both sides of the ball to gain positional leverage. Strong and powerful at the POA he’s a finisher and heavy striker that plays with good leverage, pad level, and leg drive. Love his physical and attacking style on every play. Solid all around skillset and would expect his recruiting to build off these two initial offers. https://twitter.com/will_way44/status/1499224301500731394?s=20&t=Hd3f05b2Dz1hxgbpSruFhA