Jayden Morris – South Side – WR/CB – 6’1″ 175lbs
We covered Morris the other day, but he’s in the 2023 class and he deserves to be classified correctly with my error. Morris is someone who genuinely plays both ways for South Side. Offensively, at Wide Receiver, he’s annoying for defenses. He’s able to get open, he’s got strong hands, and he’s incredibly hard to bring down. A lot of times it takes at least three guys to bring him down and make the tackle. He’s always keeping his legs turning and is always to pick up the extra yards. With his frame, he’s able to go up and high point the ball and bring it down easily. He’s got a fantastic vertical and that helps him on both sides. On defense, he’s aggressive when he needs to be and he’s patient when he needs to be. Sometimes he can play Corner and the next play he’ll be down in the box. They move him all over because he’s versatile and he always seems to find his way toward the ball. While I’m not sure what side of the ball he loves most, I think it’s clear he could probably do either or when he gets to college and will likely have the opportunity to pick which side he wants to be on. I’m excited about this fall because I think he’s someone who could really begin to come into his own and breakout
Kolin Jolas – Bishop Luers – MLB/DE – 6’0″ 200lbs
Jolas comes off the edge for Bishop Luers and is able to move around on the line when they ask him to. He’s good at sealing the edge and forcing the ball carrier back inside. When the ball comes his way, Jolas is able to wrap up and make the play. He’s typically able to fight through contact, extend an arm, and fend off his guy to make the play. He’s got an explosive first step which gets him downhill really quickly. I think he’s a good enough athlete to go drop back and play LB if he wanted to. He’s got the speed to cover most RBs and TEs and the flexibility to stick with them and make plays. I do think right now he might be a little on the lighter side of things, but he’s got time to add some weight. In my opinion, Jolas is best when he can pin his ears back and go hunting. He’s either able to get around his guy or shoot off the line past him and make the play if the QB is still in the pocket. If not, he is more than willing to run down the field and make the play. Everything he does is for the benefit of the team and he tries to make everyone around him better. The physical tools are there, the speed is there, and the knowledge of the game is also clearly there. If he’s able to develop like I think he can, by the time he graduates, he’s going to have a handful of offers and he could pick the best school for him.
Mario Lomax Mario Lomax 6'0" | 170 lbs | WR Lawrence North | 2023 State IN – Lawrence North – WR – 6’0″ 173lbs
Lomax is a very natural and smooth operator who knows how to use his frame to create separation at the catch point. He’s a fantastic athlete with a great change of direction and ball skills. he always seems to get open when they need him to and when the ball is in his hands, he’s good after the catch. He’s able to make guys miss and has the speed to turn the corner and go when he needs to. They like to use him in a multitude of different ways just to get the ball in his hands. Whether it’s down the field or in the screen game, good things happen when he touches the ball. Lomax doesn’t have much-wasted movement and gets downfield immediately. As good as he is in the passing game, he’s just as a reliable blocker outside in the run game. I do think right now he may be a touch light, but ultimately he’s a more slender agile player who doesn’t need to bulk up too much. I can see colleges wanting to use him in the slot because of his short-area agility and ability to get open right off the line but we will see. The upside is there. The talent is there. With Lomax, it’s a matter of where does he end up? This fall is big and I can’t wait to get that answer.
Luke Skartvedt Luke Skartvedt 6'5" | 300 lbs | OL Roncalli | 2023 State IN – Roncalli – T/G – 6’5″ 300lbs
Skartvedt is the guy you don’t want to make an enemy with if you’re on the defense. If you’ve ever watched The Blind Side, you know that Michael drags a defender completely to the bus during the play. Well, Skartvedt may have watched that movie 1 too many times because that’s what he does. Rep after rep. Honestly, it’s funny. You have a guy that powerful, that strong, with that good of fundamentals at this level is insane. He’s able to finish guys in the dirt if they don’t make it to the sideline during the play. In the run game, he’s just as aggressive. His hands are powerful, his leverage is good, and he can move guys back with ease. It doesn’t matter where he’s lined up or who’s across from him he’s going to finish the play the same way every time. He doesn’t make very many mistakes, he doesn’t overshoot his landmarks, and he’s always where he needs to be when he’s supposed to be there. If you’re building an offensive lineman, Skartvedt is a good prototype to start with. As of now, Skartvedt recently just committed to Northern Illinois to play at the D1 level. He’s earned it and now that NIU found him, everyone else is starting to poke around too.
Collin Butler Collin Butler 6'4" | 280 lbs | OL Leo | 2023 State IN – Leo – T/G – 6’4″ 265lbs
Butler is another gritty offensive lineman who seems to take every rep personally and like it’s his last. He likes to finish you in the ground and give you an extra shot or two while you’re down there. He’s a tone-setter, the Energizer Bunny for the offense when things aren’t going as planned, and someone who only gets better as the game goes on. He’s stronger than defenses anticipate and is able to move them around fairly easily. He’s coming from a triple-option offense so his run blocking is up to par. He’s good at coming downhill, getting his hands on the defender, and moving them out of the way. However, he is a little raw in pass protection, but I don’t really think it’s much his fault. Coming from an offense that is such run-heavy, he isn’t asked to step back into pass protection very often. He’s not bad at it, but there’s room for improvement. Luckily, he’s a natural when it comes to playing offensive line. Butler plays with good leverage and his instincts are almost always right. I do think he can put on a little weight, but it’s not something impacting his game. Hopefully this fall, he’s able to take another step forward so he’s able to end up in the college program that best fits him.
Isaiah Fowler Isaiah Fowler 6'2" | 265 lbs | OL Chesterton | 2023 State IN – Chesterton – OL/DT – 6’1″ 270lbs
Fowler is a 2-way starter for Chesteron and is able to hold his own on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he’s really aggressive, has good instincts, and is able to bullrush effectively. His long arms allow him to reach and extend gaps when he needs to. Offensively, he moves around but his best at tackle. He’s able to get downhill in the running game, keep his hands inside, he did nice wide base, and make the Block. In the passing game, there are times he can overstep oh, but it’s not very often. He’s good at getting depth and sealing the edge when he needs to. He remains light on his feet, nimble enough to bounce either way and stay a part of the play. I do think physically he’s a bit light and could add a touch of muscle, but it’s not an immediate need holding back his game. He’s good the way he is, but as he develops, things will become easier and easier for him and he’s going to get that much better. I’m excited to see what he can do this fall because the eyes are on him. He’s earned everything and has grinded to get to where he is. I don’t see any reason that will slow down and wherever he ends up is going to get a really good football player.