Indiana Recruits With Big Fall Plans

We’re looking at recruits in Indiana who are looking to have a big fall and help put their recruitment on the map. Hunter Bennett - Mooresville - DE/TE - 6’4" 200lbs - 2024 Bennett is an incredibly lengthy recruit with a fairly quick first step off the line. With his frame, he’s got those long strides and is able to get up the field immediately. He’s able to bounce around the line and can plug in multiple spots. He’s best when coming off the edge because of his length and speed. He’s fairly flexible as well and is able to bend the corner from time to time. He plays a bit top-heavy and if he can develop his lower body, he’s going to become a more well-rounded recruit. Bennett isn’t just a lineman because he’s shown that he can drop back into coverage from time to time and play the flat or hook zones. He’s also got no issue coming into the interior and playing the run and filling gaps when he needs to. He’s good in Special Teams and is a willing gunner as well. Offensively, he’s used as a true TE/FB mold. He’ll stick his hand in the ground, line up wide, and go in motion. He’ll do whatever they need and he’s good enough naturally to be successful. He’s a fairly smart player as well and just finds a way to gravitate and linger until he can make a play. Over the past few years, he’s shown flash and potential. If he’s able to develop over the next 2 years and play a bit more consistently, he’ll draw a ton of interest and offers. Davion Chandler - Lawrence North - ATH - 5’10" 160lbs - 2025 Chandler is a 2 way player for Lawrence North who has shown quite a bit of flash over the past few years on the JV squad. He’s developed nicely and really come along. He plays WR and CB primarily and at WR, he’s got some great hands. He’s able to pluck things out of the air 1 handed and spinning away from the ball. His concentration is pretty good and he’s going to make some spectacular grabs. The route tree and being able to create separation at the point of catch are a work in progress. As he develops physically, that’ll likely help in those areas. He’s got a good twitch and is fairly quick which is why he’s so effective in the screen game. Chandler operated out of the slot quite a bit last year and he’s got the traits to be a really good slot WR. There are times he’s just able to slip behind the defense and take the top off. In the short game, he’s able to make guys miss and can find a second gear when he hits the open field. He’s very light on his feet and that translates to the defensive side of the ball as well. He’s got a nice backpedal and break on the ball. He’s got a fairly lengthy frame which is not only a good sign of things to come but it helps him now break up passes. Right now, Chandler is a fairly raw, but very gifted player who is developing nicely. He’s nowhere near close to his stride and his best football is still very clearly ahead of him. Lawrence North has to be pretty excited to get him on Varsity this fall and see what he can do. He’s been working hard this offseason and balling out at camps. I look forward to seeing if he can seize the opportunity that sits in front of him. [player_tooltip player_id="185236" first="Preston" last="Jarvis"] - Brownsburg - OL/DL - 6’1" 250lbs - 2023 Jarvis is a very nimble interior offensive lineman who is off the ball really quick. He’s their Center, but he’s got the versatility to play either Guard spot if needed. He’s got light feet, is great on the move, and has a nice center of gravity. His pad level is fairly good and he doesn’t really ever leave himself exposed to lost control. He’s got long arms but they aren’t the longest in the world. His reach is solid but there are times he comes across guys with an advantage. Jarvis is best in the zone game and when he’s able to get his feet and legs churning to create momentum. I do think right now, he’s a bit light and could use the summer to add some weight. I think if he’s able to become a bit heavier, it’ll help him really anchor down the interior. He’s got the power and strength to match his current frame and can bury some defenders, but it’s a work in progress. Jarvis feels like the kind of guy who will explode at the collegiate level. At some point, that weight room is going to pay off and he’s going to be a compact people moving tank. I like Jarvis because he plays low and has a natural feel for things and what’s going on around him. He’s got that angry streak in him that when the ball is snapped, he understands it’s a 4-second street fight. He’s got every tool and instinct that you want guys to have. He’s also incredibly good on the move and clearing the way. This fall will be his chance to show everyone he’s taken the next step and he deserves to be mentioned with the best of them. Aj Reese - Lawrence North - DB - 5’10" 160lbs - 2023 Reese is the kind of DB that teams dream of. He’s can run like a Safety and cover the entire field, he’s got great closing speed, and you can trust him by himself. Most of the time, you forget he’s out there because he erases his guy and they don’t throw his way. When they do, Reese typically breaks it up. He’s able to tackle and isn’t afraid to initiate contact. Some DBs have all the skills but won’t hit. That’s not the case here. Reese can and will lay out a big hit if you give him a chance. When he gives up a catch, he takes it personally. Reese is just a scrappy dude on the field and thrives on the energy. When his guy gets frustrated, Reese’s energy level spikes and the team reacts. Reese also has fairly good ball skills and is able to track the ball down over his shoulder. During the second half of the season, it looked like he began to play a bit more Safety. I could be wrong, but that’s what I would do. If you just throw him back there and go headhunting, he could. We know he’s got the cover skills. With Reese, I think there may even be some untapped potential in the return game. He’s a raw athlete who can run and has great instincts. As the physical and fundamental development comes, Reese is only going to get better. He’s someone who could easily develop into a starting DB in college. I think he’s versatile enough to bounce around the backend if needed but time will tell. Reese is fun and this fall he’s going to get every opportunity to prove he’s the guy they want him to be. Lawrence North has a ton of upcoming talent and Reese is set up perfectly to have another dominant season. [player_tooltip player_id="252449" first="Troy" last="Marshall"] - Portage - RB/LB - 5’8" 180lbs - 2024 Marshall has spent the past few years developing on the JV squad making play after play. He’s legitimately played 2 ways for them and was decent at both. Offensively, at RB he’s a physical runner who is able to break more tackles than you’d expect. He’s not the fastest guy on the field, but he’s quick. He’s also a physical runner and has no issue lowering his shoulder to try bulldozing tackler. He’s shown good vision and is able to find the hole and get to the second level. He’s a North and South runner and isn’t the most creative runner. He’s going to get what he can and fight for every inch possible. He covers the ball well and has decent contact balance which is what allows him to break tackles. Defensively, he’s got the ability to split the hole play after play. He’s downhill fast and knows how to blow up a play. He likes to hit and doesn’t slow down at all or worry about pulling up. He’s decent in the run game and will fill the alley and can bounce to the outside as well. He’s still learning the position but his athleticism and eye for the ball have allowed him to make plays while developing. He’s spent the offseason to this point working and going to camps and it looks like it may be starting to pay off. He looks like he’s improved quite a bit from last year and is only getting more confidence in the playbook and system. If he’s able to continue on this trajectory and keeps developing, he’s going to have an incredibly bright collegiate career.