2023 Recruits You Can Expect To See On Saturdays

[player_tooltip player_id="300168" first="Derek" last="Overbay"] - DeKalb - TE - 6’4" 230lbs Overbay is a legitimate TE whose versatility gives DeKalb a lot of options on how they deploy him. He’s someone who can stick his hand in the ground and seal the line, play HB and go in motion, be a lead blocker, or be split out wide and become a matchup nightmare for defenses. For his size, he’s fairly flexible and isn’t stiff. Sometimes being that tall, getting on the end of the line can be tough, but not with Overbay. In the running game, he’s willing to get in there and be physical. He’s not afraid to use his size and leverage to bury a guy. DeKalb has also found success having him as a lead blocker and clearing the path. In the passing game, he’s able to go up and get it like you’d hope. He’s got a fantastic vertical and really strong hands. He’s able to track the ball and catch it in the smallest of windows. He’s not afraid to go over the middle and will try to deal a hit rather than be hit. When he’s got a chance to catch and run, he wastes no time getting north and south. He’s looking to turn the corner and hit the jets because he’s faster than defenses expect and can pick up a ton of yardage after the catch. Right now, I think his lower half needs some development over the next year. While he’s strong, I think to have immediate success at the next level, having a stronger foundation and being able to churn out tough yards against other college athletes could go a long way. When he steps onto the field, it’s clear as day he’s got every tool you could want a guy to have. Overbay is fast, tall, strong, physical, can outjump pretty much everyone, and has the hands to back it up. His development and where he ends up is going to be very fun to watch because he really does check every box you want in a TE coming in. [player_tooltip player_id="107236" first="Da’Von" last="Doughty"] - North Side - DE/MLB - 5’11" 205lbs Doughty is an explosive athlete who has a way of finding his way to the ball. Whether he’s lining up on the edge and coming downhill or lining up at LB and dropping back, he’s going to explode to the ball. He’s got some of the best short-area burst I’ve seen in quite some time. He explodes off the line and is able to split gaps and blow up plays in the backfield regularly. The best part is he’s just as good in coverage. He’s such a fast and fluid athlete he’s able to run in man and zone coverages with ease. He’s aggressive and understands when to jump the ball to make the pick. When he gets the ball, he turns into a runner with good vision and is hard to tackle. If he picks the ball off, he can and he will take it to the house. He had 3 pick 6’s last year alone and a few forced fumbles returned for TDs. If he doesn’t pick the ball off, he’s blowing the guy who’s supposed to catch it up. Doughty is instinctive and as I mentioned, just always seems to be by the ball. He’s tough and likes to hit. He’s going to make a big hit on the guy if he can and swipes for the ball. Because of that, he does force more turnovers than the usual guy, but it can cause him to miss a tackle here and there. Doughty has really become a defensive weapon and is like a versatile chess piece that you can move to eliminate an important piece of the offense. Need a DE to help in the run game? He’s got you. Need a LB to drop in coverage and make plays? He’s got you. When he’s on the field, he’s making plays. Sometimes it’s as simple as that. Doughty offers a lot and wherever he lands at the next level, hopefully, they get to maximize his abilities and let his talent shine because there’s no telling how far he can go. [player_tooltip player_id="185164" first="Luke" last="Burgess"] - New Palestine - T - 6’8" 270lbs Burgess is really fun to watch. He’s the real deal at T and offers everything you could dream of. Typically, guys with his frame at that age are as stiff as 3-day old bread. That’s not the case here, and more importantly, that’s the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Burgess is a fantastic athlete who bends well. To be completely honest, I was shocked at how low his stance was. I expected a high stance with the offset foot to balance. Nope. Burgess is down there, bent well, and explodes off the ball. It’s natural and he has no issues. He’s able to dominate the LOS with his long arms, incredibly strong hands, and speed off the line. The best part is that his frame isn’t just a frame. For his age, he’s well built and spends a lot of time in the weight room. More often than not, he’s finishing the play by forcing the defender to be picked up by a few different teammates. In the passing game, he’s able to properly gain depth when he needs to, has great balance, and has the same length and strength to dominate there as well. Right now, my biggest critique is that sometimes his stance is noticeably different when he’s going to run block and pass block and that can tip off defenders if they’re paying enough attention. That being said, there’s a reason he’s one of the best T in the state. Not only does he have all the physical tools and the aggressive mindset on the field, but he knows how to put the work in when no one is watching. The results are in the tape and it’s clear as day. With Burgess, I expect to see him develop into a starter at the next level with the potential to go further if he properly develops and hits his stride. [player_tooltip player_id="185226" first="CJ" last="Davis"] - Northrop - DB - 5’10" 165lbs Davis is someone you should probably just not throw the ball near. I lost count, but he had to be over double-digit interceptions last year. When he’s on the field, he’s going to be near the ball and take his shot at it. More often than not, he’s bringing the ball down and off to the races the other way. He’s got an ability to time things perfectly to not only pick it off but not get penalties called any other time he doesn’t get the ball. His timing is immaculate and a big part of that is because of how good of an athlete he is. He’s versatile, has quick feet, and is explosive. You have to be to pick off that many balls. If he doesn’t pick it off, he’s batting it down. Davis almost always keeps himself in a position to make a play and have a shot at the ball. At one point, the game plan was to throw on the complete opposite side he was on. When offenses are avoiding you like that, you’re doing something right. The biggest compliment as a DB is to have no work come your way because they’re afraid of you. Davis also has no issue coming downhill to play in the run game. He’s mechanically a bit raw in tackling and coming to balance, but those can be easily cleaned up. He’s got no issue throwing his shoulder and body into a receiver when he needs to. Davis is a fairly physical player and thrives when the opposing receiver starts to get frustrated. He makes it a long game for the guy he’s defending and he’s only getting better. His future is bright and where he ends up is TBD, but he’s got the talent to be something special at the next level. Conway Zhang - Brebeuf Jesuit Prep - DT - 6’1" 265lbs Zhang is an interior lineman who is able to make play after play. For his size, he’s able to shoot through some impressively small gaps. He’s off the ball quick, is able to get small, and is a fluid enough athlete to be successful down after down in the interior of the line. Zhang plays with a nice pad level and you won’t typically catch him with his chin up or exposing his pads. When the ball is snapped, he’s coming downhill without hesitation. He’s not afraid of being hit or dealing them. He’s not the fastest guy on earth, but he’s fast enough to run down plays from behind when he needs to. He’s able to fight through contact and not be phased. He’s powerful enough to blow his guy back from time to time. As he continues to develop and get stronger, that’ll become more frequent. Regardless, he’s decently built now and definitely isn’t afraid of a weight room. His lower body is where he’s strongest and that’s why he’s able to anchor the middle. Whether they’re running at him or away from him, Zhang is there to stand his ground and make the play. He’s a smart player and can see plays developing and anticipate the gap and where it’s going to be from time to time. He does have a tendency to tackle high and has gotten a hand or 2 on the shoulder pads when making a play. With his tree-trunk legs and ability to hold down the middle while making tackle after tackle in the backfield, there’s good reason to be excited about what Zhang can offer. He was built for the interior of the defensive line and his mentality on the field matches that. I can see him developing and becoming a valuable piece to his college’s defense sooner rather than later wherever he decides to go.