2023 Recruits That Should Be On Every Board
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The 2023 class has filled out just as nicely as anticipated. As we get closer to the season we’re trying to cover as many as we can before they hit the turf for their last season! That being said, today…
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Continue ReadingThe 2023 class has filled out just as nicely as anticipated. As we get closer to the season we’re trying to cover as many as we can before they hit the turf for their last season! That being said, today we’re looking at some recruits who should be on just about every board.
Sam West Sam West 6'4" | 220 lbs | ATH Greensburg Community | 2023 State IN – Greensburg – ATH – 6’4″ 210lbs
West is a ton of fun because he plays QB for Greensburg and does a decent job but is being heavily recruited as a TE because of how good of an athlete he is. He’s someone you just want on the field and college teams recognize that. He’s a high IQ player who sees the field well. This will likely help him transition to TE much easier once he gets to the college ranks. More often than not, when West steps on the field he’s going to be the best athlete there. With that, he’s able to take off and run all the time. With his 6’4″ frame he takes really long strides and gets full speed immediately. He’s thick and has the power to grind out tough yards. While he may be big, the speed isn’t lost. He’s able to get the corner more often than not and then is off to the races. In the passing game, he’s decent. He’s got a decent arm and can let it rip. Accuracy is up and down and he’s decent on the run and keeping his eyes downfield when extending plays. Mechanically, he’s a bit raw as a passer as well. West is such a good athlete that even when he does get to college I have no doubts that he’ll get caught up quickly. Playing TE collegiately is going to be a big difference and change for him. I think he may need a year of development and figuring everything out before he sees the field. However, once he does I think there’s a chance he can be special. If he wanted to play QB in college I’d be willing to bet he can get an opportunity or 2. If not, definitely at the D2 level. However, as of now, the plan is to play TE and he’s garnered the most attention there. West is a great athlete and if he’s able to develop he could be special.
Anthony Leadford Jr – Pike – CB/WR/KR – 6’2″ 183lbs
Leadford is a twitchy athlete who is just beginning to get a feel for how good he can be. During the second half of the season last year, you could really see the confidence blossom. He was playing aggressive, smart, keeping his feet moving, and only jumping routes where he knew he could either pick it or tip it. They seem like simple things but are really good signs to see in player development. The best part, with Leadford you’re getting a bit more than that. He can return kicks and punts while doing a great job. He’s got fantastic speed and has long strides. He’s able to eat up a ton of ground in a hurry. Whether it’s playing Corner or returning kicks, he’s faster than the opposing team thinks until he’s ripping by them. With his length, I could see him transitioning to Safety because of his range and versatility. While I do think there may be a slight learning curve at first, he’s more than a good enough athlete to be successful while trying to figure things out. When he’s in press coverage, he’s at his best. Leadford likes to be physical and set a tone when he can. At the same time, he trusts himself and what he sees enough to sit back and jump the route in zone coverage. He gives you a nice blend and is only going to get better. There is a lot to like with Leadford and what he can offer. If he’s able to land in the right program and develop, there’s no telling how far he can go.
Josh Posey – Providence – OL – 6’6″ 300lbs
Posey is a physical presence on the field who is able to do a lot of good things for Providence. His confidence and comfortability with the offense really started to shine right at the end of the season and that only makes you more excited about this fall. He starts at LT and they set him there and forget about it. What I mean is he’s reliable, shows up every day, and while it may not always be the prettiest looking, he’s going to prevent his guy across him from coming into the play. Posey has incredible length and is able to reach the defender first just about every time and make that first contact. First contact often dictates how that rep is going to go and Posey is usually able to control the rep. While I do think right now he’s a bit light for his frame, he looks like someone who can easily bulk up and hit college playing weight in a few months. With his size, there are times defenders are able to get up underneath his pads so I’d like to see him work more on his flexibility a bit. I say that because he’s going to play Tackle at the college ranks. He checks all the boxes with size, athleticism, and natural instincts on the field. Mechanically, there are a few things in both the run game and pass game to work on, but he sure does a good job at preventing his defender from making plays and he doesn’t give up penalties. When he’s going against a speed rusher, he’s able to properly gain depth, attack with his hands, and redirect while keeping the pocket formed. Sounds minor, but that may be one of the hardest things for some Tackles to learn and he’s got it down naturally. Posey has the size and raw abilities you want to see and if he’s able to develop, he’ll be a starter at the next level at the very least.
Josh Woods Josh Woods 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Pike | 2023 State IN – Pike – MLB – 6’0″ 215lbs
Woods is an explosive athlete who flies all over the field making plays for Pike. Right before he makes a tackle, it looks like he gets shot out of a cannon and he makes a big hit. He’s a physical player who likes to hit and make his presence known. He’s the kind of player who energizes everyone around him and the more plays he makes, the more energy he gets and the bigger the hits are. In the running game, he’s able to shoot gaps, shed blocks easily, and make the tackle. He’s able to cover sideline to sideline so defending against zone runs isn’t an issue for him either. In the passing game, he doesn’t drop into man coverage often but when he does he’s shown the ability to defend them. Simple enough, but he doesn’t make mistakes or commit penalties. In zone coverage, he’ll be patient and watch the QB’s eyes and react. However, if he blitzes he’s an animal and disrupts the game. Play after play wherever he comes from the offense can’t stop him. He’ll make the QB antsy and they’ll either start taking off and running or hold the ball. When he’s coming downhill, there are times he can get out of control and either try to tackle too high or overpursue and make the tackle a little harder than it needs to be. If he’s able to come to balance and attack the outside hip instead, he’ll be just fine. Woods is able to diagnose and sniff out plays regularly and always seems to be 1 step ahead of the offense. To put it short, he’s good. Wherever he goes and whoever lands him is getting a steal. If Woods is able to keep developing on the track he is, he’ll be an impact LB making plays on Saturdays with Sundays on tap.
Gavin Houser – Elkhart – RB/LB – 6’1″ 178lbs
Houser is a really good athlete who plays both ways for Elkhart and is able to make play after play. Houser is absolutely a high motor player. When he steps on the field you’re going to get every ounce he’s got. Defensively, if he doesn’t make the tackle the first time he’ll get up and hunt him down to make the play. Mechanically, he’s not bad, especially for someone who starts on both sides of the ball. He’s able to come to balance, stay light on his feet, and react without hesitation. I would like to see him get better at wrapping up and coming to balance but overall there’s a lot to like. When he sees something develop, he’s going to commit and go full speed to make the play. Offensively is where I’d argue he’s got the most potential. When he’s carrying the ball, he’s got great speed and is able to run through contact at the first level easily. His vision is also decent and he’s able to find the correct lane or the cutback lanes when he needs to. His feet are quick and his hips are always right in line. He’s a fluid athlete and is able to get to squeeze through smaller gaps than you’d anticipate with a guy his size. Right now, I think consistently running with a lower pad level and finishing runs in the red zone are areas where he can improve this offseason. He has no issue lowering his shoulder in the middle of the field and bulldozing for a few final yards but in the RedZone doesn’t run as aggressive. I think he’s best when he’s using his full skillset and part of that with him is running with power. He’s got the frame, the speed, the vision, and athleticism to be a really good back at the next level. He checks a lot of boxes and if he’s able to develop and show out this season, the offers will come hot and heavy soon enough.
Christian Abney – Zionsville – QB – 6’4″ 205lbs
Abney has the prototypical size you love to see in a QB and with that, he’s able to see the field really well. More often than not, he goes through his reads easily and makes the right throw. There are times he stays on his first read but not very often. Abney is someone who scans the field a ton before the snap and takes in as much as he can. He comes across as a cerebral QB and knows where the ball is supposed to go. Abney doesn’t waste much time getting the ball out if the throw is there. He’s smart, he’s efficient, and has a good arm. He throws the ball effortlessly and can sling it downfield. I will say, I don’t love his throwing motion but that could just be me. The ball can be thrown on a rope or dropped into a bucket downfield. I’d say the farthest throw I say in the air was about 55-yards but I’d be willing to bet he can go past that easily. Overall though, accuracy is fine. He has moments of great accuracy and where he’ll miss an easy one. It happens, after all, we’re human. If he’s able to clean up some footwork and minor mechanics like the heel click, I’d be willing to bet that other stuff cleans right up. Abney has decent pocket awareness for his age and knows how to step up while keeping his eyes downfield and the ball secured. He’ll step up and deliver the ball to where it needs to go even if that means taking a shot. He can throw with decent anticipation and doesn’t seem to get rattled, even in the biggest moments. Despite all of this, don’t get confused. This dude can run and if you don’t pay attention he’ll take off. While he’s best sitting back picking your defense apart to the bare bones, he can and will rip off a 30-yard run if the defense gets too worried about the passing attack. Abney offers a ton and there is a lot to like with what he is and where he can go. If Abney is able to have another stellar fall, I’d bet he’ll have more offers than he anticipated.