2024 Recruits Rising In Ranks

The 2024 class is going to live up to the hype just based on the depth it has. Today, we're looking at another group of studs in the class who have a ton of potential laying in front of them. Quentin Maahs - Warsaw - QB/RB/MLB - 6'0" 165lbs Maahs is a versatile 2-way player for Warsaw and is as reliable as they come. He can move all over the field and have success because of his instincts and natural reactions. At RB he's got quick feet, solid vision, and has the ability to run through arm tackles and fight for the extra yards. At LB is arguably where he's at his best. he is able to split gaps, make the tough tackles, keeps his head on his shoulders, and doesn't lose his sense of awareness when things go south. in pass coverage, he's decent but could use a bit of work. There are times he can be caught flat-footed and is unable to make the play because of that. A very minor thing, but something that once he cleans up will make a big difference. He comes across as a smart football player who understands what it takes to win and how to get better. I do think he could also stand to put on a little bit of weight and bulk up some. It could help him become a more versatile player and help in the trenches when he needs it. overall, I think with Maahs, he's a good player with the chance to get better and better over the next 2 years. Assuming he does, I'm excited to see where he ends up collegiately. Braylen Gillard - Franklin Central - RB - 6'2" 180lbs Gillard is a big back with more speed than defenses expect. He is able to run in between the tackles, but if the tough yards, keeps a good pad level, and has breakaway speed. He's shown decent vision and the ability to find the cutback lane when it's not there. He doesn't overpursue his landmarks and is able to read and react to blocks as they are happening. He is a North and South runner who gets going downhill immediately. His legs are strong and it allows him to help break those arm tackles. Gillard is someone you can hand the ball to 20 plus times a game and he is going to wear down the defense. He gets stronger as the game goes on and has shown that he has soft enough hands to come out of the backfield to make the catch when asked to. He really checks a lot of the boxes you're looking for in a recruit. His frame is nice and it's only going to get better as he gets into a college lifting program. He's not slow and has the versatility to become a three-down back at the college level. I'm anxious to see his next step this fall because he has been working hard this offseason and hopefully it translates. If it does, he'll quickly become one of the better running backs in the state. Drew Boyd - North Daviess - WR/CB - 6'0" 155lbs Boyd is coming off a season in which he was slowed down by injuries, but when he came back he got back into the groove of things and looked good. He plays both receiver and corner for North Daviess and is just as good at both spots . At receiver, he's good in the slot. He's shifty, he's able to get open, and he knows how to make guys miss after he has the ball in his hands. He's harder to bring down than you would expect just because he's very slippery. on defense, he's rather aggressive. Since he plays receiver, he understands how to jump the rope and then has the hands to bring it in. He's able to layout and make the interception or simply pluck it out of the air. He has the speed to run with just about everybody he covers and doesn't waste a ton of movement with his feet. I think this upcoming season is going to be very big for him because he is a year removed from the injury and this is where he's able to bounce back and shine. I think if he has a big break out this year, it's because he's ready for it. Last year, he was forced to slow down a little bit and think more about the game with the injury. This year, he's healthy and ready to go. I'm excited to see what he can do because the town is there and if he can put everything together, he's going to have a bright future at the collegiate level. Jace Hurd - Avon - WR - 5'9" 140lbs Hurd is someone who picks up stuff naturally and easily. He's able to move all over the field and make plays. He's got good ball skills, so he won't drop it. He knows how to get open, cut hard on route breaks, and read coverages live. I do think right now, he is a little bit light, and could put on some weight and muscle over the next few years. Hurd is a good route runner for his age and understands how to get open based on how he's being played. The way he plays and as aggressive as he is, he comes across as someone who profiles as an X receiver. If that's going to be the case, I would like to see him get a little bit taller down the road. If not, he could easily develop into a nightmare of a slot receiver. Good things happen when he is around the ball and as he develops it's only going to get better. Hurd is a willing blocker, a team player, and someone who has a ton of potential. How far he goes will be up to him and how much he works. Everything is about the details and he is someone who has the natural ability to be successful at the next level.