2024 Top Ten film review – Part I

Continuing with my look at the top-level talent roaming around the Minnesota gridiron this fall, I am moving from the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/03/2023-top-ten-film-review-part-i/">Class of 2023</a> to part one of my dive into <a href="http://prepredzonemn.com">prepredzonemn.com's</a> top ten from the Class of 2024. The state will have a good mix of skill position players and guys in the trenches to follow over the next two seasons. Here is a breakdown of the guys we have ranked 1-5. [player_tooltip player_id="105367" first="Daniel" last="Freitag"] <strong>Bloomington Jefferson WR</strong> I could only find limited highlights for Freitag, but what I found it was easy to see his talent. Also a great basketball player, Freitag uses his length and body well when going up to get the ball. He has solid footwork off the line of scrimmage and uses it to get off press coverage. His quick feet also allow him to make crisp cuts on crossing routes. At 6'3", his length makes him a tough matchup for the average defensive back. A two-way player, he tracks the ball well as a corner and has the advantage of knowing routes and footwork from both sides of the ball. [player_tooltip player_id="105374" first="Maxwell" last="Woods"] <strong>Chanhassen RB</strong> Woods has good straight-line speed but what stands out is his quick-cutting ability. His instincts, combined with his footwork, make him a great one cut and-go runner. If he gets a hole, he is explosive enough to get through it quickly, but if the play breaks down, his quickness and creativity allow him to turn something into nothing. He is one of those rare backs who can make two or three cuts in a two or three-yard area. Woods can also catch the ball out of the backfield and in the slot. He is not a big back, but his balance allows him to bounce off arm tackles. [player_tooltip player_id="105372" first="Savion" last="Hart"] <strong>St. Thomas Academy RB</strong> Hart's biggest strength is that he doesn't have any obvious weaknesses as a runner. A perfect I formation tailback, he doesn't blow you away with his speed, but he is fast enough to outrun most defenders. He is not the biggest or most powerful running back in the state, but his compact body and low pad-level running style allow him to bounce off defenders that don't wrap him up. That low center of gravity makes Hart a more than capable pass blocker. He is not going to make ten moves in the span of three yards to get loose, but his vision and cutting ability always seem to find open space. Although the Cadets' offense doesn't ask for it much, Hart can also catch the ball out of the backfield when asked. [player_tooltip player_id="105392" first="Zashon" last="Rich"] <strong>Minneapolis North DB</strong> Rich might already be one of the best press cornerbacks in the state. He has no fear when lining up in tight, bump-and-run coverage. His quick feet and fluid hips allow him to mirror most receivers on the outside. Because he is usually in such good position coming off the line of scrimmage, it is tough to tell where he is at with his speed, but he doesn't struggle in the area of speed. His hand fighting off the line of scrimmage makes it challenging for his man to get anything close to a clean release. That hand fighting also translates to getting off blocks and getting into good position against the running game. Although he is usually in good position, his tackling is the obvious area where he can improve. Physically growing and getting stronger might be all he needs to become one of the best corners in the state. [player_tooltip player_id="242397" first="Lucas" last="Caron"] <strong>Bemidji DE</strong> 3-4 defensive ends are asked to take on double teams and keep their linebackers clean to make the plays. While Caron can do that, he is much more. His quickness off the line – especially laterally – allows him to get off blocks and scrape down the line of scrimmage to make plays coming from the backside. His speed also allows him to run down plays from behind. A good hand fighter – combined with his foot speed - makes Caron a pass rush threat. To take the next step and move into the elite defensive linemen in the state, I would love to see Caron come off the line with a lower center of gravity. His strong, long upper body allows him to compensate for a higher pad level, but once he learns to lower his pad level, he will move into that next category of defensive linemen.