2023 Recruits Who Need More Love

We’re staying in the 2023 class today looking at guys who aren’t getting the love they deserve. These guys have a lot to offer and this fall is going to be big in helping decide where they land at the college ranks. [player_tooltip player_id="325853" first="Damon" last="Sturm"] - Terre Haute - RB - 5’11" 180lbs Sturm is someone who checks all the boxes you could want as a recruit. I feel lucky to coach RBs at the college level and Sturm is someone I’d die to have the chance to coach. When I flipped on his tape, I didn’t know what to expect but whatever it was, my expectations were too low. First things first, his vision is fantastic. Once he gets to the second level, he’s able to see holes and cutback lanes as they are forming and scoot right through them. His legs are strong and he runs with good pad level which makes him incredibly hard to bring down. If the defender doesn’t get out of the way, Sturm can and will run him over. He’s got the speed to break away long runs and the instincts you like to see beyond the LOS. If he’s not making a defender miss, he’s running through the tackle and staying up. Sturm is one of those players who looks like he’s playing full speed while everyone else is playing half speed. He has an uncanny ability to make plays and he feels like an artist who makes magic happen on the fly. He’s got a special ability to absorb contact, stay upright, maintain balance, and then book it to the endzone for the score. He’s one of those backs where even when you think the play is over, opposing coaches are holding their breath until the whistle blows because it’s never truly over. In terms of pass-catching Sturm is fine. He doesn’t have a ton of reps catching the ball so it’s hard to tell where he is but it’s safe to guess he’ll need some development there and in pass protection. Whenever he touches the ball he’s a threat to score and he’s only going to get better. He comes across as someone who was born to play the position and understands just how to get to the end zone. Some guys have the ability to teleport to the end zone and score touchdowns. Sturm is absolutely one of those guys and while I’m not sure where he’s going to end up collegiately, I hope he gets into the right program. If he does, the upside is limitless. [player_tooltip player_id="107220" first="Nicholas" last="Patterson"] - Mooresville - QB - 6’1" 215lbs Patterson is a dual-threat Quarterback who knows how to agonize a defense and stretch their limits. Patterson is someone who can make plays all over the field and is only going to get better as he gets older. His frame is fantastic and he is someone who looks like he naturally has a ton of muscle and is very well-built. in the passing game, Patterson is rather good. He doesn’t seem to overthink his footwork and typically sets his feet and lets it rip. I will say, my biggest nitpick right now is there are times he can aim the ball instead of letting it rip. Patterson is an effortless thrower of the football and can throw the ball down far rather easily. He’s got nice loft when he throws the ball and can drop it into a bucket from time to time. I do also think there are times he locks on to his first read and if it’s not there will take off prematurely. However, there are other times he comes off the read, extends the play, and lets it rip downfield. A developmental thing in progress but it’s good to see the positive signs that some veterans never seem to learn. in the running game, Patterson is a threat. He’s tough, hard to bring down, and is a really good athlete. He’s either able to make guys miss or lower his shoulder and go through them. While obviously not ideal as a Quarterback, he’s got the frame to back it and a lot of times is the guy to win in the hole. Most of the time he’s the best athlete on the field and is able to make plays simply because he’s better than everyone. He’s also a smart player and doesn’t make many mistakes. He’s only going to get better and as of today, is a heck of a player. Patterson offers a lot and whoever gets him at the college ranks is getting a player who has all the makings to be special. [player_tooltip player_id="325814" first="Kaleb" last="Kellems"] - North Harrison - WR/CB - 6’4" 175lbs Kellems is a multisport star who may not understand how good he can be quite yet. Don’t get me wrong, absolutely no issue he loves basketball but on the football field he’s also a ton of fun to watch. He’s long, a really good athlete, and has really good ball skills. Kellems basketball ability is very transparent when he gets on the football field. He’s a basketball player who plays receiver and understands how to use his body to box out and go up and make the play. When the ball is in the air, it’s a good bet to bet on Kellem’s bringing the ball down. he’s got a good vertical which extends how high he can go. With his long frame, long arms, and ability to jump out of the gym he’s never covered. Even when you think he is, he’s going to rise above the defender somehow and make the play. Once the ball hits his hands, it’s as good as glued in there. Usually guys his height aren’t able to bend well and that’s not the case with Kellems. He’s a loose athlete who is flexible which allows him to move around the field and not be limited in what type of routes he can run. North Harrison will move him into the slot from time to time and let him make plays there as well. They will draw screens up to him, throw the ball downfield and give him a shot, and use his abilities to their advantage. Kellems has decent speed but isn’t the fastest guy you’ll come across. He’s got the speed to take it to the house and hit the gas no doubt, but he’s more the possession type receiver. Throw the ball to him and let him extend drives. With a big catch radius and his background, good things happen when the ball comes his way. I’m not sure which direction Kellems is looking to go at the next level but if he does go football, the future sure is bright. [player_tooltip player_id="200198" first="Carson" last="Terrell"] - Northeastern - QB - 6’2" 198lbs Terrell is a dual-threat Quarterback who always seems to catch defenses by surprise. He’s a better athlete than they anticipate and as soon as the game starts Terrell will rip off a run and put them on notice. He’s got the speed to break those big runs and extend drives and more importantly, hit paydirt. He’s not the fastest guy but definitely has enough speed to be more than effective at the next level. In the passing game, he’s got his flashes of elite potential. He’s got the arm strength to let it rip easily and sling it all over the field. The furthest in-air throw I saw was just over 50 some yards and it didn’t look like he fully stepped into it. He feels like someone who will develop and have a cannon at the next level once he gets into a college lifting program. I’d argue he’s best on the run when throwing the ball. He can rip it in there effortlessly and change his arm angle if he has to in order to deliver the ball. Accuracy is a strength for him and he usually puts the ball in a good spot for his guy to make the play. I will say, he does have a rather long windup and it can take him a bit longer than you’d like to get the ball out, but that’s something a position coach can help clean up really easily. When Terrell is in the pocket, he likes to set his feet, scan the field, and deliver the ball. If you rush him and force him to step up, more often than not he takes off running. While I’d like to see more extension of plays to look downfield, at the same time it’s hard to argue with a guy who is ripping off a 20-yard run and moving the chains. A good athlete with a big arm who is versatile is more than enough to excite colleges. If they’re not already, I imagine the offers will come hot and heavy this fall. Terrell offers a ton and is someone who can make a program really happy if they can get the most out of him. [player_tooltip player_id="284228" first="Jayden" last="Whitaker"] - Brownsburg - QB - 6’1" 190lbs Whitaker is another dual-threat Quarterback in the class who can light it up on the ground and through the air. He’s able to stress defenses and get to the edge in a hurry. He’s got a lengthy frame and while right now is a bit light, takes really long strides and gets full speed almost immediately. He’s a straight-line runner who doesn’t like to break stride and wants to get to the endzone as fast as possible. In the passing game, he’s really developed over the past year. Where he was playing with anticipation and throwing guys open at the end of the year is really exciting to see. As the season progressed you could tell he got more and more comfortable as he took command of the offense. He’s got a big arm and can let it rip. He throws the ball easily and doesn’t strain when throwing deep either. When he’s on the run he can really let it rip and while moving to the right will throw a missile at his target. Whitaker understands where the ball is supposed to be and you won’t catch him locking onto his 1st read very often. He’s smart, gets the ball out quick, and doesn’t make very many mistakes or put the ball in harm’s way. He understands how to protect the ball while taking calculated risks. Accuracy is fine but not great. Sometimes he can miss but he’s human and no one is perfect. However, it’s likely because sometimes when he’s flustered or rushed he can lose some of his mechanics and base footwork. Whitaker has proven time and time again that when the lights are the brightest he’ll play at his best. He thrives in pressure situations and is the kind of guy you want to touch the ball last. He’s recently begun to get some FCS traction, and my guess is by fall time, the offers will begin to come in more abundantly.