Grit- Big framed pass catchers

Continuing to search for big multi tooled athletes on offense usually leads you back to the Tight End position.  However, in the current state of football a true hand in the dirt tight end is getting more and more rare.  This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as coaches are finding more and more ways to employ their talent both outside and inside the box.  These five big framed pass catchers were fun to watch, hope you enjoy!   [player_tooltip player_id="112125" first="Sam" last="Peters"]- (Maple Grove Senior High) 6’4 220Lbs.  C/o 2023. @sampetersss What a weapon for an outstanding team.  Sam does a decent job at the point of attack with his hand in the turf, he understands how to use his length and shows the ability to be disciplined with his aiming points.  He leans a little too much at the line of scrimmage instead of driving through guys and can continue to improve in that area.  However, the farther away from the ball he gets the more dangerous.  In the blocking game he is great at the second level and in space vs. athletic defenders he does a great job coming under control.  In the pass game he is an absolute weapon with a huge catch radius that would make any quarterback a happy man.  He does his best work over the middle of the field with a nice understanding of working into voids vs. zone defenses.  Fall of 22’ will be an exciting one again for Maple Grove!   [player_tooltip player_id="123861" first="Blake" last="Stahl"]- (Champlin Park Senior High) 6’5 200Lbs. C/o 2023. @BlakeStahl9 Blake lines up as a number one, in the slot and attached as a Tight End.  He has a nice skill set as a receiver, he is a hands catcher with a big catch radius and creates mismatches all over the secondary.  I would like to see him improve with his inline blocking because a lot of college programs are most likely going to project him as a tight end moving forward and with his frame, he should be able to be effective at that spot.  Besides catching the ball, he is a tremendous in space blocker for all of the different screen variations Champlin runs.  When you are as long as he is it is sometimes difficult to block smaller players in space but he shows a great understanding of angles, and has patience to put himself in great spots to be effective.   [player_tooltip player_id="295822" first="Jermell" last="Taylor"]- (Eden Prairie High School) 6’4 220Lbs. C/o 2023. @jermell_taylor Smooth would be the word I use to describe Jermell.  He never seems to be in too much of a rush but he always gets where he wants to go.  As a blocker he plays with a great base and is very under control.  He is not dominating at the point of attack but very effective.  What jumps out most on film has to be his hands.  He is one of the most natural hands catchers I have seen in this year’s evaluations.  He can high point, catch a throw behind him, go down and get it, wherever you put the ball he is going to catch it with soft hands, thumbs together if possible and make it look easy.  Many good players fight the ball in different situations but Jermell is smooth and under control and once he has the ball at least the first defender often seems to bounce off of him as he turns up field.   [player_tooltip player_id="301901" first="Jensen" last="Wallin"]- (Monticello Senior High) 6’2 230Lbs. C/0 2023. @Jensen_Wallin_ My favorite part of Jensen’s film is just it’s sheer diversity.  We get offensive clips showing his ability as a blocker and his knack for finishing.  Follow that up with Defensive line reps where he brings the same physicality.  Add on top blocking kicks and leading on kickoff return and you have a big framed player who can do a variety of different things for his team.  My favorite rep is his first defensive clip which highlights his ability to re-direct and accelerate and finish.  Very excited to see Jensen’s development and where he may be contributing this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id="295810" first="Andrew" last="Harren"]- (Sauk Rapids Rice High School) 6’5 200 Lbs. C/o 2023. @AndrewHarren Andrew is a lot of fun to watch, often when I see a kid with this frame in high school I immediately expect to see a bunch of fade routes and jump balls.  While it’s great to have a big guy to heave it up too I am always hoping to see more than just that and Andrew delivers.  The variety of routes he runs, including double move shake and whip routes really highlights his skillset and shows that he is more than just a big frame.  He does a nice job attacking the ball with his hands and shows a feel for finding soft spots in zones.  What I like best is how big Andrew’s strike zone is, as a former quarterback you get a feel for guys and just how accurate you have to be in order for it to be a completion.  Guys with a huge strike zone like Andrew give you all sorts of freedom to throw back shoulder, high, behind, anywhere you need to place it to keep it away from the defender and he can get it.