2023 Recruits Who Just Skyrocketed In the Rankings
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The 2023 class is insanely deep and sometimes guys slip down linear rankings. These guys are ballers and have some elite potential and when the rankings first dropped, I didn’t have high enough for one reason or another. We’re here…
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Continue ReadingThe 2023 class is insanely deep and sometimes guys slip down linear rankings. These guys are ballers and have some elite potential and when the rankings first dropped, I didn’t have high enough for one reason or another. We’re here to fix that and let’s check out who climbed the boards and how high!
Trey Gibson Trey Gibson 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Hobart | 2023 State IN – RB/Slot – Hobart – 6’0″ 200lbs
Previous State Rank: 74 / Previous Position Rank: 13
Gibson is coming off of a season that was really familiar to my Madden 08 Superstar mode year where I rushed for 2600+ yards and 40 TDs. The difference, Gibson’s was in real life. He finished the year with just under 2500-yards and 36 total TDs. Normally, I don’t post stats but those numbers are really impressive. Gibson is a really good athlete who has fantastic vision, elite agility, and the speed to take it to the house. He does this, on a regular basis so we’ve got quite a few clips that make your jaw drop. His short-area agility may be the best part of his game. He’s able to shake a defender in the hole like some of the best in the game. Some players lose all their speed or momentum but not with Gibson. He’s able to keep a higher level of speed and get back north and south quicker than those who struggle in that area. While Gibson is fast, he’s not the fastest player on the field and can get run down from time to time. The best part is if he is caught, you still have to tackle him. Gibson isn’t someone who goes down easily and is able to fight through contact and break tackles just as easily as he can break them. There’s a reason you end up with over 2000-yards and 35+ TDs. You have to be doing something right and making or extending plays somehow. He’s able to do everything and teams can’t find an answer. My favorite part is watching him shred you on the ground and then go line up in the slot, rip up the seam, and catch the TD. Hobart doesn’t overuse him in the slot either. They throw him out there just enough to stress the defense out and keep them honest. He’s such a dynamic player that you have to pay attention and queue in on him. He’s not done there because he’ll return kicks and do the same thing there. When he’s on the field, he touches the ball. When he touches the ball, it feels like there’s a 50/50 shot he scores. The worst part for defenses is behind all of that is a bigger frame who is a built 200 pounds. Gibson is fun. He’s dynamic and is one of the best players in the state. It’s quite that simple. Wherever he lands collegiately is getting a dynamic player who is going to make them better on Offense and Special Teams on day 1.
New State Rank: 12 / New Position Rank: 3
James Langen James Langen 6'4" | 230 lbs | ATH Lowell | 2023 State IN – Lowell – TE/DE – 6’4″ 225lbs
Previous State Rank: 178 / Previous Position Rank: 23
Langen is a really fun recruit because his athleticism and length gives him so much versatility. At DE, he’s able to make play after play coming off the edge. Whether it’s 5, 7, or 9 technique he’s able to come from the outside and make the play or at least impact it. He’s one of those high motor guys who will run down the play from 20-yards behind and pursue at the same speed he was when he was coming around the edge. He’s flexible enough to bend around the corner and get the advantage. If not, he’s got the arm length to extend his guy out of the gap and make the play. He understands how to keep outside contact with a mobile QB to keep them in the pocket and minimize the damage from the ground. At TE the athleticism transfers over without an issue. He almost seems faster sometimes. He’s got good ball skills and is able to track the ball in some tight windows or over the middle when he’s going to take a nice shot. His size and frame are legit and he’s not easy to bring down when he’s got a full head of steam. He’s decent in the blocking game and understands the simple things about being upfront. He’s a true TE where you can have him stick his hand in the dirt, flex out wide, and go to HB if he needs to. On the field, he’s simply a playmaker. He comes across as a really smart player who is a fast learner and is eager to learn. The potential is there and if he gets into the right college program, watch out.
New State Rank: 46 / New Position Rank: 5
Joshua Mickens Joshua Mickens 6'5" | 230 lbs | DL Lawrence Central | 2023 State IN – Lawrence Central – DT/DE – 6’5″ 230lbs
Previous State Rank: 28 / Previous Position Rank: 3
Mickens comes in ranked at 28 overall and 3 at the DL. A very high ranking, but not quite giving him credit where credit is due. Mickens is an explosive athlete who lines up on the edge and just wrecks the game all 4 quarters. He’s so fast and explosive off the edge that he’s in the backfield sometimes fighting for the handoff. I mean this with all due respect to Joshua but I found myself chuckling at his tape. In some of the videos, it looks like he’s on fast forward while the others are in slow motion. Some people just have the ability to time the snap, shoot off the ball, and be better than everyone. More often than not, that’s Mickens right now. His frame is legit and he’s got the power to back it. There should be 1 rule of thumb for the opposing offenses this fall. Double team that guy, maybe triple if you have to, and make someone else beat you. If offenses make these adjustments, there’s no doubt it’ll be frustrating for him but it’s the ultimate sign of respect. I found myself play after play seeing some poor tackle 1-on-1 outside with him knowing he’s got no shot. Sometimes there were linemen playing scared against him and you could tell the objective was to hit him and hope he goes down. I’m not sure about any of you, but I don’t walk around pushing trees hoping they happen to fall over. Mickens is a problem for opposing offenses and he should be the first thing they gameplan to try eliminating. Even in the passing game if he doesn’t get home, he knows to jump and get his arms up. He’s got a fantastic verticle and is able to go up and bat down a ton of balls and eliminate those passing lanes. Pre-snap sometimes he looks stiff but as soon as the ball is snapped he’s the most flexible and twitchy athlete on the field. Mickens has it all to be special at the next level and beyond if he can develop and hit his full potential.
New State Rank: 6 / New Position Rank: 2
Noah Miller Noah Miller 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Hobart | 2023 State IN – Hobart – DT/DE – 6’3″ 240lbs
Previous State Rank: 178 / Previous Position Rank: 23
Miller is an interior menace to opposing offenses and he doesn’t let up. He’s 110mph all the time on every down. For a guy his size, he’s got a really quick first off the line and then has really strong hands that pack a punch. He’s able to get small and shoot through gaps you wouldn’t expect him to. With that, he’s rather twitchy and has good reaction speeds as well. Hobart moves him around because he’s versatile enough to do so. While primarily he’s on the inside, when he bounces to the outside he’s shown that he can collapse a pocket and get home out there as well. With his arms being as long as they are it helps him reach the QB much faster than the average player. He understands play development and then is an explosive enough athlete to react and get to where he needs to be. When the ball is thrown, Miller immediately snaps his head and starts towards the ball without any hesitation and doesn’t quit until the echo of the whistle. Miller’s frame is good, but he’s got the potential to really bulk up in college and add to his game and what he can do. He’s exciting to keep an eye on because he does a lot of little things some guys don’t care about. The effort, talent, and athletic abilities are all there for Miller. If he’s able to land in the right program and hit his stride, it doesn’t matter where it is, he’ll become an impact player.
New State Rank: 44 / New Position Rank: 4
Devaon Holman Devaon Holman 6'2" | 170 lbs | DB Warren Central | 2023 State IN – Warren Central – CB/WR – 6’2″ 170lbs
Previous State Rank: 87 Previous Position Rank: 11
Holman is a fantastic athlete and has the perfect length for what he does. He’s got great defensive ball skills and likes to contest the ball if he can. If he’s not going to bring it down, he’s breaking it up and then moving on to the next down. He’s got really good speed and is able to run with pretty much anyone who steps on the field. He’s got fluid hips and his feet are usually right in line. Holman’s also got a great vertical which puts him in just about every play that comes his way. He’s physical when he needs to be and can play down at the LOS when asked to. He’s just as confident in press-man coverage as he is in zone coverage. Overall, mechanically he’s not bad either. There are times when it needs to be cleaned up and can get choppy but we aren’t expecting players to be perfect, let alone all the time. He’s very athletic, instinctive, knows how to tackle, and can be trusted by himself on an island out wide. All of that sounds obvious, but it’s not as simple as people think and Holman has earned that trust and respect over time. Wherever he ends up, I expect those same traits to translate right over. His game is very adaptable and likely won’t need as much grooming as some other recruits will in terms of footwork and raw football IQ. I’m excited to see what this fall brings because recently he’s started to really show out and stand out in the crowd.
New State Rank: 31 / New Position Rank: 10
Bryson Bonelli Bryson Bonelli 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Batesville | 2023 State IN – Batesville – WR – 6’3″ 185lbs
Previous State Rank: 78 / Previous Position Rank: 9
Bonelli is someone I covered a few months back and we’re back for a second look after a specific request. That being said, this time we also have a bit of extra tape to look at as well. Bonelli has the frame you dream of playing WR. He’s a legit 6’3″ and is able to win contested balls with ease. Physically, I do think he’s a bit raw and is still on the upswing of his development there. He’s got a decent vertical and is able to pluck the ball out of the air rather easily. He’s got strong hands and easily has some of the best ball skills in the class. He’s not the fastest WR and the top ends of his route stems he’s a bit stiff but it doesn’t ever impact his play. He’s strong enough to break some of the tackles he can’t outrun and then hits paydirt either way. When the ball is in the air, there’s a sense of relief knowing he’s going to bring down the ball. His size, hands, and vertical give him better odds than most who step foot on the field. My biggest question for him long-term is is he going to be able to develop more as a route runner to get open at the next level? Right now, I think he’s still a bit raw. He’ll likely be viewed as an X and a possession WR. In order for that to happen, they need to develop the same sense of trust he’s got now. There’s no concern, in my opinion, about his ball skills or competitiveness for the ball, and think he’s college-ready today in those categories. He’ll go over the middle, take a shot, bounce right back up, and go run a streak and catch a TD. There’s no doubt the talent is there and if he’s able to put the work in and develop, he could easily be special at the next level. Typically, good things happen when you’re 6’3″ and can catch everything that comes your way. That alone should be enough to have colleges lining up soon enough.
New State Rank: 39 / New Position Rank: 5