Spotlight: PRZ Prospect Tour – Offensive Standouts
In this article:
With the Prep Redzone Prospect Tour Showcase wrapped up and the metrics recorded, we begin another series of the offseason – the Spotlight series. In the Spotlight series, I’m going to highlight the most eye-catching players (in my opinion) on each side…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith the Prep Redzone Prospect Tour Showcase wrapped up and the metrics recorded, we begin another series of the offseason – the Spotlight series. In the Spotlight series, I’m going to highlight the most eye-catching players (in my opinion) on each side of the ball from the showcase this past Saturday. Some may be notable players from the showcase, some may not be. Let’s dive into it.
Spotlight Players
Brian Dykstra, Northglenn Norsemen (WR/DB)(Jr.)(5) – Dykstra had as strong a showing as any receiver at the showcase on Saturday. In the testing period of camp, Dykstra posted some of the best times of all the receivers attending, as he clocked a 4.71 40 yard dash average his two 40 yard dash times being averaged out.), a 4.34 shuttle time, a 9’2 broad jump average, and 7.45 L-drill average. In 1-on-1s, Dykstra continued to show he was one of the best players at the camp, consistently dominating almost every DB he was lined up against with a combination of outstanding top-end foot speed, change-of-direction/route-running, and body control. When you put on the film, you can see that many of the traits he displayed at the showcase translate to in-game scenarios as well. Focusing on the offensive side of Dykstra’s junior season, you can see he displays the ability to win from both the slot and on the boundary. Highly explosive athlete that can quickly get on top of the opposing DB with a quick release and great top-end foot speed. Savvy receiver that shows a good understanding of how to attack the opposing DB’s leverage when working sharp-breaking short and intermediate routes. Tough receiver that can make the tough receptions over the middle in the teeth of the defense. Shows elite concentration and tracking ability, as he routinely makes tough catches at every level of the field with the opposing defender draped all over him. Deceptive physicality and aggression allow him to win against more physical DBs and defenders while also allowing him to maintain the edge while blocking defenders on the perimeter in run scenarios. Displays excellent ability after the catch, routinely making the first defender miss and finding space at the 2nd and 3rd levels of the defense. Dykstra is currently unranked in the class of 2023 and it’s pretty mind-boggling that he isn’t because he has the tape, athleticism, production, and a good performance at the showcase to boot. He is absolutely a player who should be ranked and has more than enough talent to play at the collegiate level.
Nathaniel Robinson Nathaniel Robinson 5'9" | 185 lbs | RB Palmer Ridge | 2023 State CO , Palmer Ridge Bears (RB)(Jr.)(28) – Robinson was undoubtedly one of, if not the best, running backs attending the showcase on Saturday. Looking at his numbers from the testing period, Robinson led all running backs in almost every category as he posted a 4.71 40 yard dash average, a 4.4 shuttle time, a 8’8 broad jump average, and a 7.43 L-drill average. In 1-on-1s, Robinson routinely dominated the LBs he was going against with a combination of excellent balance, change-of-direction/lateral agility, and vision. Much like Dykstra, all of the traits he displayed at the showcase, translate to in-game scenarios. Putting on the tape of Robinson’s junior season, you can see he is an extremely well rounded back that doesn’t have many weaknesses to his game. Robinson has great top end foot speed and an explosive, one-cut running style that allows him to quickly race past the 2nd and 3rd levels of the defense if given enough space. Outstanding change-of-direction/lateral agility allow him to remain elusive in the open field when working against 2nd and 3rd level defenders, while also allowing him to create daylight on plays that should otherwise be a loss. Displays good physicality on runs between the tackles and in situations that require him to drive his legs through contact to grind out tough yards. Good balance and lower body strength allow him to run through arm tackles and smaller defenders with little resistance. Displays outstanding vision, consistently anticipating the running lanes that will be created as the play develops, allowing him to hit big-plays in a moments notice. Shows good ability as a receiver out of the backfield, routinely being an extremely difficult matchup for LBs and less athletic safeties. Good blocker out of the backfield in pass protection scenarios when asked to stand in the backfield, anchor, and deliver a solid block on a blitzing LB. Robinson is currently rated the number 1 RB and the number 21 player overall in the class of 2023. It’s easy to see why Robinson is rated so highly and will be a fun player to watch in 2022.
Chevelle Early Chevelle Early RB Denver South | 2024 State CO , Denver South Ravens (RB)(So.)(22) – Early had one of the more dominant showings of any RBs at the showcase on Saturday. In the testing period, Early clocked a 4.78 40 yard dash average, a 4.34 shuttle time, 8’7 broad jump average, and a 7.68 L-drill average. In 1-on-1s with the LBs, Early routinely won with incredible lateral agility/change-of-direction, elusiveness, and great top-end foot speed. His numbers were right on par with, or exceeded, Robinson’s and even dominated the 1-on-1s with the LBs much like Robinson did. However, with that being said, I think Early is by far-and-away the best running back in this class and it isn’t really close. Early paced all sophomore running backs in the state last year in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, as he accounted for 1,060 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns on 149 carries (7.1 YPC). When you watch the film of Early’s sophomore season, you can see he displays outstanding balance at the point-of-contact because of his extremely powerful lower body, core, and a low pad level as he runs through contact. Highly explosive, one-cut runner that can burst through running lanes precisely and hit the 2nd and 3rd levels of the defense quickly. Displays a very physical/aggressive running style that allows him to consistently shed arm tackles on inside runs. High motor player with an extremely high competitive drive that is displayed when driving his legs through contact to squeak out extra yards. Shows adequate enough top end speed to pull away from slower 2nd and 3rd level defenders if they take a bad angle. Textbook workhorse running back whose overall skill set translates to the collegiate level. Early currently doesn’t have an official ranking as the rankings for the class of 2024 haven’t been released yet, but if he’s rated any lower than the number one running back in the class, somebody should be charged with criminal negligence.
Blake Palladino Blake Palladino 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Dakota Ridge | 2024 State CO , Dakota Ridge Eagles (QB)(So.)(9) – Palladino is a recent addition to the Eagles team, as he previously played for the Mullen Mustangs the past two seasons. With that being said, I think the Eagles are going to be very happy with their new QB. In the testing period, Palladino had some of the best numbers of any of the QBs, as he clocked a 4.77 40 yard dash average, a 4.29 shuttle time, a 9’9 broad jump average, and a 7.13 L-drill average. Watching the tape from Palladino’s sophomore season at Mullen, it’s clear the type of talent that he brings to the table, as he displays elite level ball placement on throws to every level of the field. Strong armed passer who can easily hit every level of the field and can complete passes into extremely tight windows that most other QBs just simply don’t have the arm strength to consistently hit. Accurate, smart passer that knows exactly where to go with the ball based off the rotation of the defense and the design/structure of the play. Displays good processing ability as he can quickly move through his progressions, make the right decision, and deliver the ball accurately. Shows good pocket presence as he moves subtly enough to avoid the rush without bringing his eyes down to run too quickly while also not being a complete statue in the pocket. Good athlete with the ball in his hands as he shows good balance, vision, change-of-direction, and lower body/core strength. Good top end foot speed allows him to pull away from slower 2nd and 3rd level defenders on scrambles and designed runs. Palladino doesn’t have an official ranking yet because the rankings for the class of 2024 haven’t been released yet, but there’s no reason he shouldn’t be one of the top QBs in that class. He has the size (6’3, 190 lbs), athleticism, and production that indicate he can play collegiately at a high level. He’ll be a very entertaining player to follow these next two years.
Bekkem Kritza Bekkem Kritza 6'4" | 180 lbs | QB Santa Margarita Catholic | 2025 CA , Fairview Knights (QB)(Fr.)(8) – This isn’t the first time I’ve written about the freshman QB, as he’s been a fairly consistent figure on my player of the week lists during the season. It was no different at the showcase on Saturday. Kritza didn’t participate in any of the drills during the testing period, but easily looked like one of the top players overall at the camp during 1-on-1s, displaying consistent accuracy on throws to every level of the field. When you break down film on Kritza, you can see Kritza is a tall, long-armed QB with a quick release that has excellent ball placement on deep and intermediate throws. Strong armed passer that can hit every level of the field with little to no difficulty, and his arm strength also contributes to his ability to squeeze throws into tight windows. Intelligent QB with the ability to read the rotation of the coverage shell and identify the holes in zone coverage underneath. While not lightning in a bottle athletically, he has outstanding pocket presence and enough mobility to avoid the rush and buy himself time to find a receiver downfield. Good accuracy moving out of the pocket and throwing on the run/off-platform with varying arm angles to get the ball around defenders. It’s fairly well established at this point how talented Kritza is. If he continues to grow as a QB, he won’t only be one of the best players in the state of Colorado, but he might be one of the top players in the country by the time 2025 rolls around.
Matt Dean Matt Dean 6'5" | 190 lbs | QB Highlands Ranch | 2023 State CO , Highlands Ranch Falcons (QB)(Jr.)(14) – Dean was the QB that stood out the most to me at the showcase. Simply put, he can throw the leather off the ball. The kid has an absolute cannon and easily had the strongest arm of any of the QBs at the showcase on Saturday. Dean started impressing during the testing period, as he posted some of the best testing numbers of any of the QBs at the event, clocking a 4.74 40 yard dash average, a 4.39 shuttle time, 9’5 broad jump average, and a 7.41 L-drill average. Obviously, the first thing that stands out about Dean’s film is his arm strength. Elite level arm strength allows Dean to hit every throw you could possibly ask of a QB and forces the defense to cover every blade of grass in pass coverage. Displays good ball placement and accuracy to every level of the field, including on tight window throws in between zones when a defense comes out in a zone look. Highly accurate passer on the run, with more than enough arm strength in combination with that accuracy to threaten every level of the field while throwing on the move. Shows good processing ability as he’s able to quickly move through his progressions and deliver an accurate ball even when working his reads across the length of the field. Excellent pocket presence allows him to feel the rush well and move around the pocket accordingly without taking his eyes off his receivers downfield. Displays excellent athleticism and ability as a ball carrier, as he has great top-end foot speed that allows him to consistently pull away from 2nd and 3rd level defenders if given enough space to find daylight. Tall, long-armed, highly athletic passer that fits the mold of the prototypical modern QB. Dean is currently rated the number 17 QB and number 143 player overall in the class of 2023, but he should certainly be ranked higher. Dean has the frame (6’5, 180 lbs), athleticism, arm talent, and production that easily translates to the highest levels of college football.
Manuel Gonzales, Grants Pirates (New Mexico) (WR)(So.)(11) – Despite the fact that Gonzales plays for the Grants Pirates down in New Mexico, he was by far-and-away my favorite player from the Colorado PRZ Prospect Tour Showcase this past weekend. When I tell you that not a soul could even get a hand on this kid, I’m not exaggerating. Despite his smaller frame, he was easily the best route runner and the shiftiest of all the receivers at the showcase. During the testing period, Gonzales clocked a 4.94 40 yard dash average, a 4.31 shuttle time, an 8’9 broad jump average, and a 7.22 L-drill average. As stated earlier, Gonzales was completely uncoverable by all but one of the DBs attending the camp. When you watch the film from Gonzales’ sophomore season, it’s quickly evident that his dominance at the showcase transfers to in-game scenarios as well. Gonzales displays elite change-of-direction/route running ability as he routinely beats almost every DB that lines up across from, regardless of their size or athleticism. Shows extremely consistent hands even when working shallow and intermediate routes through traffic over the middle. Very smart and savvy receiver that knows how to use the DBs leverage and momentum against him to consistently create separation. Highly explosive receiver that can hit top speed in a matter of a couple steps. Deceptive top-end foot speed despite the lower testing numbers as his speed routinely shows up on the film with him consistently being able to get on top of the opposing DB and take the top off of the defense. Lethal weapon out of the slot that can easily beat the defender covering him inside if they don’t have the short-area quickness to match his. Very tough, physical, and aggressive receiver despite his smaller frame, as this routinely shows up when he’s run blocking on the edge; consistently being able to lockdown and even sometimes pancake defenders who are considerably bigger than him. Projects as a slot receiver at the collegiate level. While Gonzales isn’t currently ranked for the class of 2024 in New Mexico, he absolutely should be. His smaller frame (5’6, 130 lbs) could explain the low recruiting profile but whatever team takes a chance on Gonzales is getting a high level slot receiver for years to come. If he can continue to grow and fill out his frame, these next two years of his high school career will be important but also will be unbelievably entertaining to watch for the fans.