2023 Film Review
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Upon request this week, I am continuing my film review of some of the top athletes roaming gridirons across Minnesota this fall. I highlighted the top ten in a series of stories over the last couple of weeks. Today –…
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Continue ReadingUpon request this week, I am continuing my film review of some of the top athletes roaming gridirons across Minnesota this fall. I highlighted the top ten in a series of stories over the last couple of weeks. Today – the athletes from the Class of 2023 ranked just outside the top ten.
Chuck Gilbert Chuck Gilbert 6'2" | 170 lbs | WR Holy Angels | 2023 State MN WR Holy Angels
Although he does sometimes line up in the slot, Gilbert has the perfect build for an outside receiver. He is a long, lean athlete whose long-striding style eats up a defensive back’s cushion in about three steps. I watched him single-handedly wreck a defensive game plan with three deep catches – two for touchdowns – in the first quarter of a game. His length can erase off-target throws, and he has the hands to do it. He is most dangerous deep but is not afraid to go over the middle and get physical. The true test will be how he does this season without the threat of Emmitt Johnson giving him a ton of single coverage.
Keenan Wilson Keenan Wilson 6'2" | 280 lbs | DL Eagan | 2023 State MN DL Eagan
Wilson has the potential to be an absolute game wrecker as a senior. The Wildcats’ nose tackle has a quick first step and doesn’t allow interior offensive linemen to get set. He has excellent footwork allowing him great lateral range for a defensive tackle. He has great straight-line speed too. He has run down much smaller players well downfield. The junior’s strong lower body allows him to take on double teams and, when single blocked, get into the backfield. If he learns to keep his hips lower, Wilson has a chance to be one of the best defensive linemen in the state.
Tyson Cooreman Tyson Cooreman 6'4" | 205 lbs | ATH Randolph | 2023 State MN ATH Randolph
Cooreman is the Rockets’ Swiss Army Knife – he plays all over the field. Offensively, he moves back and forth between wide receiver – where I would guess he will end up playing in college – and running back. His long frame makes him an ideal outside receiver, but his athletic ability makes him too valuable not to get the ball in his hands in as many ways as possible. His long-striding style covers ground quickly and allows him to get separation. He doesn’t look like he should be able to put his foot in the ground and be as effective in the open field as he is. Defensively, Cooreman is just as effective attacking the line of scrimmage as he is dropping into coverage.
Alex Elliott Alex Elliott 6'2" | 200 lbs | LB Hutchinson | 2023 State MN ATH Hutchinson
Elliott plays at two levels of the Tigers’ defense. As a linebacker, Elliott has excellent range and can make plays on the play-side and the backside either by reading cutback lanes or using his speed to run plays down from behind. In the run game, he attacks the line of scrimmage, and although his size puts him on the light end of the scale for linebackers, he hits and tackles like a bigger athlete. His speed and instincts make him an ideal linebacker/defensive back hybrid. He breaks well on balls and has a linebacker mentality as a tackler. As a running back, the Tigers’ junior shows good patience at the line of scrimmage. Once he finds a hole, his strengths are quickly making one cut and getting downhill.
Jack Liwienski Jack Liwienski 6'3" | 265 lbs | DL Minnetonka | 2023 State MN OL/DL Minnetonka
I don’t know where to start with Liwienski. Listed as a defensive lineman on our website, he might be a better offensive lineman. As a center, he gets off the ball like a smaller athlete. He has great hips – both while getting his man turned out of the hole and with his hip level even as a tall athlete. Liwienski’s awareness is solid; he recognizes blitzes and gets off double teams quickly to pick up blitzes. He moves well in open space, both pulling and getting to the second level of a defense. All that quickness doesn’t negate his power – he can bury defensive linemen and is brutal with double teams. As a defensive tackle, his get-off jumps off the screen. In addition, his pad level and work with his hands help him get into the backfield, disrupting blocking schemes wherever he goes.