2023 Recruits Ready For A Big Year
In this article:
The season is quickly approaching and today we’re looking at 2023 recruits set up to have a big year. Some of these guys are stepping into a bigger role with a good chance to prove themselves and what they can…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe season is quickly approaching and today we’re looking at 2023 recruits set up to have a big year. Some of these guys are stepping into a bigger role with a good chance to prove themselves and what they can do.
Gabe Stockrahm Gabe Stockrahm 6'2" | 230 lbs | OL Northview | 2023 State IN – Northview – T/DE – 6’2″ 215lbs
Stockrahm is a 2-way player for Northview who is just starting to hit his stride. Last season, he started and played on both lines and developed nicely. His confidence over the second half of the season really blossomed and he rained with confidence. Offensively, he’s off the ball quickly and is able to get downhill with ease. He’s not the strongest guy but he works incredibly hard and has been tagging me in videos all offseason. The strength was capable before but this offseason he’s really spent time working and getting stronger. Assuming that translates to the field, he’s going to become a mauler in the run game. He’s already able to finish some guys in the dirt. As the strength comes, that’ll become more consistent. He’s an aggressive player on the field and wants to make contact. There are times he can be too high on the defender and not stay low but I’ve got faith that’ll clean up, especially with the added strength. Stockrahm is someone who is best on the run when he’s able to get a head of steam and clear the way. He’s a good lead blocker and isn’t someone you like to see leading the charge as a defender. In the passing game, he’s a bit more raw but still has the same physical mindset and aggressive hands. If he’s able to work on mechanics and developing, he’s going to become the most reliable lineman they’ve seen in a long time. Defensively, he’s got a nice twitch and is able to get skinny to shoot some holes and make some plays. He’s always able to find the ball and finds his way there. He’s quicker than expected and is able to cover a decent amount of ground for a 2-way lineman. I think last year Stockrahm was a bit raw physically but still played well and only got better. I’m really excited to see what he can do this year because it looks like the body has caught up. He’s put the work in, he will continue to do so, and he’ll be ready for week 1.
Brennan Balka Brennan Balka 6'3" | 220 lbs | LB LaPorte | 2023 State IN – LaPorte – LB – 6’2″ 220lbs
Balka is one of LaPorte’s tackling machines they send out on Fridays. Balka moves around all 3 LB spots and moves to where they need him to be. He’s able to drop back into coverage and come into the box and play the run. He’s instinctive and understands basic play development so he’s able to make good reads, split gaps, and make tackle after tackle. He won’t get baited with play-action and sticks with his assignment. Sounds simple, but if everyone always did their jobs, most of us coaches would be out of ours. That being said, the point is Balka is reliable and is going to be where he needs to be when he needs to be there. He’s an incredibly smart player who is able to sniff out some plays as well. This gives him versatility as he can come down on the line and make plays there. Honestly, I’d like to see a bigger sample size of him on the line because he feels more explosive there. There are times when Balka can look a bit stiff and struggles to stick his foot in the ground to change direction. Having a frame as long and as thick as he does, it can take some time to get really in tune with it to learn everything you’re capable of. I think that’s the case here. Balka is someone who makes play after play and when the body becomes more in line, he’s got the potential to develop into one of the best LBs in the state and will make his college program very happy on Saturdays.
George Burhenn George Burhenn 6'5" | 210 lbs | TE Mt. Vernon | 2023 State IN – Mt. Vernon – TE – 6’5″ 215lbs
Burhenn is a ton of fun to watch because of the matchup advantages he creates. With his frame, he’s got great speed and can really open it up. He’s also got long strides and gets down the field in a flash. He eats up the DB’s cushion in a hurry and then they get in panic mode. His in-cutting routes are fairly clean and he’s able to create separation with ease. Sometimes when he’s cutting out, he’s got a tendency to tip it off which allows DBs back into the play. If you throw the ball in his area, he’s likely coming down with it. He’s not just a down-the-field guy either. He’s able to come in motion, get jet sweeps, is great after the catch, and can do a ton of damage in the screen game. He’s not easy to bring down either and is going to lower his pad level and fight for extra yards. He’s also shown decent agility and the ability to make some guys miss. Wherever he is on the field, he’s got the advantage and should be the number 1 read. In the RedZone, he can box out, fight through the holding, and still go up and get the ball. Whether it’s in the RedZone or a deep shot, Burhenn has the advantage. He’s almost always able to run up underneath it and then jump and get the ball with ease. His catch radius shows all the time and there are times a ball looks overthrown and somehow he ends up with it. When the ball is in the air, he’s got the second gear most guys don’t have. I didn’t see much pass protection or blocking in the running game, but Burhenn comes across as the new generation of TE. Someone who is a matchup nightmare and is a permanent extension of the passing game. I’m sure he’ll be asked to block in college, but ideally, it’s only enough to keep the defense honest. Burhenn has a special ability on the outside and if he gets into the right program and develops on the same trajectory, he’ll be aiming to play beyond.
EJ Hunter EJ Hunter 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Pike | 2023 State IN – Pike – CB – 5’10″ 160lbs
Hunter is someone who jumps off the screen right at you. He’s an explosive athlete who explodes towards the ball. As soon as the ball hits the air, he’s reacting and is usually the first one to the ball if it’s thrown in his direction. He’s got the twitchy reaction speed that you want to see DBs have. Hunter is an aggressive player who is going to take his shot at the ball first. He trusts himself and what he’s seeing not to get burned. Most of the time, he’s right. If he doesn’t get to pick the ball, he’s at least able to take a swing at it and bat it down. Hunter stays with his guy and won’t get caught looking around and trying to make a play that isn’t there. He keeps on his guy’s hip and only worries about him. When he’s coming downhill to make the tackle, Hunter is fairly aggressive and can knock the ball loose. He’s not afraid to lower his shoulder and initiate contact. He’s got elite speed and can cover from sideline to sideline if asked to. Hunter is a really good athlete with great instincts and ball skills. Right now, he’s likely being criminally underrecruited because of his size. What he’s able to do on the field should speak for itself. That being said, his listed height above is not what he played at last year. Hunter has been grinding and putting the work in. He’s at least 20lbs heavier than he was last year along with a few inches taller. It’ll show on his tape this year and he’s going to skyrocket once teams see how far he’s come. He’s come a long way in the past 8 months and I’m anxious to see what he can do. Hunter has all the raw tools and instincts to go with the explosiveness you need to be an elite player at the next level. This fall is going to be a great chance for him to show how good he can really be.
Armani Davis Armani Davis 6'7" | 290 lbs | OL Pike | 2023 State IN – Pike – T – 6’7″ 290lbs
Davis is a natural and fluid athlete who is a people mover. He’s got a ton of natural power and is able to get off the ball quickly. For a guy his size, he’s incredibly nimble on his feet as well. He seems to bend well and has no issues with flexibility. Standing that tall and being that nimble and powerful is a rare combination. That alone should be enough to get schools excited. In the running game, he likes to use his frame and leverage to his advantage and wants to bury his guy. While there are times he can be a bit too high and get his hands on the outside of the pads, he still keeps his feet and legs churning to counter when he doesn’t win right away. As he gets stronger, that’ll become much easier for him. For a Tackle, Davis is good on the move. He can seal the edge, extend it, or be a lead blocker when asked. His nimbleness gives him the versatility most guys his size don’t have. He does need some work in the passing game and working on being more consistent. The mechanics and raw feel for OT can be some of the hardest to get down in all of sports. Davis has the frame you dream of and is someone who looks like will add a ton of muscle once he gets into a collegiate lifting program. Davis checks every box you want when looking at a guy to come in, develop, and potentially become an elite starter for your program with the potential to go beyond if everything works out. He’s an exciting prospect who is just starting to scratch the surface of how good he can be.