2024 Film Review

Upon request this week, I am continuing my film review of some of the top athletes who will be 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 2024 ranked just outside the top ten. [player_tooltip player_id="242417" first="Trent" last="Page"] <strong>DL SMB</strong> What jumps off the page with Page – sorry about the unintentional pun – is his ability to get separation from blockers with his long arms and already strong upper body. He doesn’t allow blockers to get into his chest, allowing him to get off blocks in both the run and pass game. As an edge rusher, the Wolfpack sophomore sets the edge well in the running game and has solid instincts knowing when to attack and when to hold good position. I would like to see his pad level lower. Still, his obvious athletic abilities – especially as he gains more experience and grows into his frame – make him a player who should be on college recruiters’ radar soon. [player_tooltip player_id="242416" first="Max" last="Mogelson"] <strong>DL Two Rivers</strong> <img class=" wp-image-171715 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/07/E3UQb1tXMAA_BWA-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="159" height="212" />As a 3-4 defensive end, I would imagine Mogelson is often asked to take on double teams and keep his linebackers clean. Where that would be a problem for offenses dealing with Mogelson is how explosive he is off the ball. His first step immediately puts offensive linemen in a bad spot and gives him a head start beating any double team. His low pad level off the snap also makes him hard to block. Because of his size, he relies on his quickness, but if he can keep that quickness as he grows and becomes more powerful, his game has a chance to get to a new level. [player_tooltip player_id="242494" first="Dylan" last="Gross"] <strong>LB Brainerd</strong> Gross has already developed into a proto-typical between the tackles middle linebacker. He is best when coming downhill, using his instincts and filling the hole against the run. The sophomore is a solid tackler who attacks the line of scrimmage. The sophomore already has good size for a linebacker, and he will likely only get bigger over the next two years. Not just a run stuffer, Gross has good footwork when dropping into coverage and, like his instincts in the running game, he can read the quarterback and either get in passing lanes or come up to put a hit on a running quarterback or defending a draw play. Once his lateral range improves, playing at the next level will be as sure as his tackling. [player_tooltip player_id="105413" first="Conner" last="Connell"] <strong>TE Luverne</strong> Connell might be a better baseball player than a football player, and that is saying something. As a tight end, Connell’s size allows him to separate when running routes and enables him to make catches in traffic and when the ball is overthrown. An improving blocker, as he puts on good weight and learns to lower his pad level, he has a chance to be a complete player at tight end. A two-way player, Connell is an athletic linebacker who can play sideline to sideline. His athletic ability shows up running routes on offense, and his pass drops and quickness to the hole on defense. [player_tooltip player_id="105417" first="Zechariah" last="Ladu"] <strong>DB Rochester John Marshall</strong> Ladu mainly plays a deep safety in the defensive scheme, but he attacks the running game like a strong safety. He is an excellent tackler. He doesn’t wait for the ball carrier to hit him – he does the hitting. While he is aggressive supporting the run, he doesn’t do it by blowing off his deep safety responsibilities. He has good range and good instincts when asked to play a centerfielder role. He has a long, athletic build perfect for an outside receiver, and the Rockets’ coaching staff also use him there. He has quick feet off the line of scrimmage and uses his length well to get separation from defenders.