2024 Recruits Coming Into Their Own

We’re looking at 2024 recruits who are versatile and developing nicely. This fall will be a good chance for them to fully burst onto the scene and for one reason or another, they’ve each given us something to be excited about. [player_tooltip player_id="149963" first="Timothy" last="Dixon"] - Evansville North - T/DT - 5’10" 280lbs Dixon is a nifty player who bounces around for Evansville North. He lines up on both offensive and defensive lines regularly and makes plays both ways. He played at just about every spot on the offensive line at one point last year. When they need someone to move and bounce around, Dixon is the guy. He’s versatile, knows all the spots on the line, and has a really good center of gravity. He is a bit shorter as of now, but it doesn’t hurt him in any way. He’s able to get to the second level and make the same blocks as he would in the box. Length is never an issue for him and he’s able to reach his guy every down. He’s good on the move and when being used as a lead blocker. He’ll hit any and everything in his path to clear the way. He’s not afraid of contact and bounces up after every down. Defensively, he’s able to get off the ball rather quickly and can shoot holes and make tackles like a LB. He’s able to play on the outside as well as the inside defensively as well. He can come off the edge and strictly rush the passer and get home just as well as get home by bull rushing in the middle. His lower center of gravity helps him get underneath pads much easier. As he develops physically, I think he’ll become a more well-rounded player who can still play both sides. Right now, he’s good enough on both sides of the ball that the future is wide open and if he’s able to put it all together this fall, he’ll put himself in a great spot in terms of recruitment. Owen Denny - Lake Central - K - 5’11" 190lbs Denny is as close to automatic at this level as you can get. He’s got a smooth stroke and has consistent footwork. With Denny, each kick looks the same. Good or bad, his fundamentals rarely get lost and he hits it square and straight. His recent Twitter posts show kicking a FG from 61-yards, dead center, money. Kicking is arguably the hardest thing in football. You can’t post the misses. You can’t let the misses get to you. It’s all mental and Denny understands that. He’s kick to kick and moves on. Not every Kicker has the ability to do that and they lose right there. Denny’s not just kicking in the offseason, he’s done it in-game. On Friday nights when the lights are the brightest, he comes in cold as ice and puts it through. When I do these evaluations, I try to go back and watch games on MaxPreps as well. From what I was able to tell, when they send him in, there’s no panic from the rest of the team. They trust he’s going to make the kick and they’ll move on. Denny’s recently began to get some much-earned traction and it’s been much well-earned. He’s one of, if not the best, Kickers Indiana has to offer and he’s still got a few years left. John Nabors - Covenant Christian - RB/LB - 5’10" 185lbs Nabors is a 2 way player for Covenant Christian who can do everything they ask him to. Whether he’s touching the ball or splitting a gap and making a tackle, he’s going to lay it all out on the field. When he touches the ball, he’s got a knack for creating big plays and gashing the defense. He’s quick, has good change of direction, and sees the field well. He’s got the speed to reverse field and get the angle. He’s got the ability to break some tackles and fight through contact. As he gets stronger, that’ll get better. He’s also good out of the backfield and could easily be used as a Slot/3rd down back if and when he’s polished in pass protection. Defensively, the same speed translates. He’s able to get to the ball and make the tackle regularly. He’s shown that he can come into the box and make some fantastic tackles. His speed lets him play in coverage and not get beat over the top. He’s not the most polished product, on either side of the ball, but he’s exactly what you want. A fantastic athlete who can make plays on both sides of the ball and is developing physically. If he’s going to be a playmaker at the next level, I think he’ll need to bulk up some. He’s on the right track and has 2 years left. I feel like he’s got a lot of untapped potential at RB and would really like to see him touch the ball more this fall. What he’s been able to do when he touches the ball is exciting and leaves you wanting to see a bit more. Keegan Mooney - Homestead - WR - 5’11" 170lbs Mooney is a slot WR for Homestead who has physically developed a ton in the past year. His tape from last year to now is crazy just seeing the size difference. He almost looks like an entirely different person altogether on the field. He’s lengthy, with legs that seem like they’re still growing. HIs listed weight is 5’11" but I’m not sure if that’s his new height or previous height, but either way his catch radius is much larger than average. He’s also got sharper cuts and has been working on footwork. This summer, he’s looked good in camps and scrimmages. He’s got good ball skills and can go down and get it when he needs to. He’s been lifting and getting stronger as well. With him, work ethic and being in the gym is never in question. He’s someone who looks like he’s come a long way in the short months since last season, but sometimes that’s all it takes. When the light clicks, it clicks and guys break out. He feels like he’s right on that cusp of blowing up this year. He’s got the size, the speed, the ball skills, and now this fall is setting himself up with a great opportunity. He’s got a QB we know can sling it and together they could light it up this fall.