2024 Impact Players Who Caught My Eye

The 2024 class is quickly taking shape and today we’re looking at some players who are really worth a good look. I truly feel like Indiana football is on the rise and the past 2 classes have only validated that belief. [player_tooltip player_id="331132" first="William" last="Goodvine III"] - Westfield - DL - 6’2" 230lbs Goodvine is a really fun player who lines up in the heart of the D-line and is able to regularly disrupt the game and make plays. He’s got an explosive first step and is able to shed the first blocker rather quickly sometimes. If he doesn’t get home or the ball is downfield, Goodvine is the guy who will run downfield to make the play. He’s a relentless player who doesn’t take any downs off. He has and he will chase down players down the field to make the play. In the running game, he’s not bad. He’s able to extend his arms and make the play when the ball comes his way. He’s going to wrap up and the ball carrier is ending up on the ground. In the passing game, he’s decent as well. There are times he’s able to shoot gaps and make plays. Other times, if he’s not able to get home he understands to put his hands up. There are times he’s dropped back into coverage and when he does, he watches the quarterback’s eyes and reacts. I do think right now he is a bit light. However, this offseason he’s already put some weight on and is bulking up. I have no doubt that over the next two years he’s going to put the weight on that he needs to and that will no longer be an issue. Goodvine is a good player and is only going to get better. He’s got some time to keep developing and if he does there’s no telling where he’ll end up. Goodvine is someone who can easily be one of the better DLinemen in the state when it’s all said and done. [player_tooltip player_id="323933" first="Brady" last="Wolf"] - Fishers - DE - 6’1" 205lbs Wolf took me by surprise. He is a fantastic athlete who is quicker, stronger, and much more flexible than you’d think at first glimpse. He’s explosive, has a dynamic first step, powerful hands, long arms, and understands that if doesn’t get home to throw his arms up. His best play last year was a ball he tipped, went up and picked it off, and then returned the ball 85-yards for the score while outrunning the opposing team’s Slot WR. The pure athleticism and intelligence in that play alone is enough to excite people. However, that’s not it with Wolf. When he’s coming off the edge you have to watch out. He can and he will bend around that edge and get home much quicker than the QBs think possible. He’s able to dip his shoulder and rip underneath the pass blocker and get right by them. He doesn’t lose any speed and he can and will force that ball out. Wolf sets the edge for that defense while making play after play. He’s good in the run game and knows how to shoot gaps, blow up read options, and is able to make tackle after tackle. He’s all over the field and is always making plays. He’s giving the same effort in the 4th as he is in the 1st. I do think right now he’s a bit light but that’s a work in progress. The thing is, he’s still strong enough to bull rush and come straight downhill if he needs to. I do think there are times he can play a bit out of control and get a touch too excited to make a play but that’s really a minor thing. He’s a high motor guy who just loves to make plays. Wolf is good. He’s really good and I’m stoked to see his next 2 years because his ceiling is astronomical. [player_tooltip player_id="331133" first="Keonta" last="Barton"] - Evansville North - CB - 5’9" 155lbs Barton is a really aggressive player who trusts what he sees and when he sees it, he’s committing and is going full speed. When the ball is in the air, he likes to try to jump the route and either break it up or pick it off. He has success and doesn’t get burned very often when he does that. There are times he misses but everyone misses. He’s good at keeping the receiver in front of him and then adjusting based on what he’s running and where the ball is going. He’s light on his feet and has a decent backpedal. I do think right now he’s a bit shorter and lighter than you would like but it doesn’t impact him in any way and he’s got plenty of time to keep growing. If anything, it’s helping him long-term because it’s forcing him to be a physical player. Barton is regularly alone on an island outwide and told to make that guy disappear. Evansville North has a ton of trust in him to send him out onto a side of the field and just guard whoever is out there no matter what. That says a lot about him as a player and how he works behind the scenes. That’s something I really like to see and the best part is Barton doesn’t make very many mistakes on the field. He’s always where he needs to be when he needs to be there and is able to wrap up and make the play. his hips are decently fluid and is able to flip them and run without much of an issue. It looks really natural for him and he has no issue adjusting on the fly. I really like Barton and the things he can offer at the next level. He’s going to make some college program happy when he graduates knowing that they’ve got a corner who can cover and be trusted. [player_tooltip player_id="331134" first="Harlen" last="Summers"] - F.J. Reitz - OL/DG - 6’2" 250lbs Summers is a hardnose player who is able to bounce around for Reitz Memorial. Whether it’s on the outside or inside of the line, he’s able to get the job done. In the run game, he’s best on the move and when he’s the lead blocker. For this reason, I don’t see him leaving the line anytime soon. He’s good on the move, knows how to landmark when pulling, and doesn’t get caught on his heels. I do think mechanically and physically there’s some work to be done. Summers is a bit raw in those areas and could use some time developing. However, in the passing game, he’s much more developed. I’m not sure if he’s spent most of his time working on that craft but it’s not bad. He’s able to protect the blindside without an issue. There are times his hands can either be too high or be on the outside but not very often. He’s able to gain depth, keep a nice wide base, and stand his ground. He’s not getting blown back and oftentimes can drive them forward. The best part is Summers is the kind of player you’ll see blocking well after the whistle, playing with high energy, and getting chirpy when he needs to. I like players who have an edge when they get on the field and that’s exactly how Summers comes across. Once he gets a better feel for the game and the guy across him he gets more aggressive and better as the game goes on. The potential and upside is there. Over the next 2 years, if he’s able to develop and put the work in, there’s no telling where he can up at the next level.