2023 Overlooked Athletes: Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the role of athlete in football is an ill-defined one, it is an coveted role as well. They reserve this term for playmakers. Quite simply, playmakers cannot be left off the field. These are guys who will find a way to get on the field and contribute. Today and tomorrow, we will be looking at who some of the overlooked athletes in the Class of 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id=’299994’ first=’Braden’ last=’Cook’], 6’1, 180 pounds, Elkhart</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id=’299994’ first=’Braden’ last=’Cook’] can be a difference-maker on special teams and an enforcer on defense. He plays punt returner and safety for Elkhart. From his safety spot, Cook is terrific at playing the run. He reads the play and shows a willingness to come down and get to the ball. He is an outstanding tackler who frequently delivers the thud to the ball-carrier. A season ago, Cook was responsible for 63 tackles as well as a pair of tackles-for-loss. He defended against one pass and forced one fumble. As a punt returner, Cook provided fans with a glimpse of what he is capable of. He tallied 52 yards on five punt returns, averaging slightly over 10 yards per return.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id=’306965’ first=’Carson’ last=’Chadd’], 6’4, 200 pounds, Southmont</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id=’306965’ first=’Carson’ last=’Chadd’] plays superback as well as outside linebacker, and at both spots he can be a game changer. Offensively, Chadd can be effective as both a runner and a receiver. He can be lined up at a few different spots pre-snap and either motioned in or he can come to the ball after the snap. Either way, he finds ways to make plays when he does have the ball in his hands. At outside linebacker, he sets a hard edge and keeps the play inside. On both sides of the ball, Chadd displays toughness and physicality, two things that can make opponents think twice before getting in his way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id=’185545’ first=’Josh’ last=’Etter’], 5’10, 180 pounds, Bentonville Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id=’185545’ first=’Josh’ last=’Etter’] is another prospect who can make impact on both sides of the ball. At running back, he saw limited action a season ago, but did display the ability to create a spark. He carried the ball four times for 11 yards a caught one pass for 21 yards. Defensively, Etter was all over the field last season for Bentonville Central. He posted an impressive 81 tackles on the year. He wreaked havoc with his 11 tackles-for-loss. Add one sack and one fumble recovery to those numbers and you have the kind of season that makes people excited to see what will happen this fall. Etter has experience punting and returning kickoffs. On punts he booted the ball five times for 178 yards with one punt pinning the opponent inside their own 20-yard line. He added 68 yards on kickoff returns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id=’300173’ first=’DJ’ last=’Green’], 5’7, 160 pounds, Yorktown</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id=’300173’ first=’DJ’ last=’Green’] flashed potential in his junior season. Now a senior, he will be looking for a major breakout season. Green is an explosive running back, capable of creating a big play whenever he gets the ball. On special teams, he can hurry down the field and get to the returner as a gunner on the punt coverage unit. A year ago, he totaled 90 yards on 10 carries with a touchdown. On special teams, Green posted four tackles with one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->