Dynamic 2023 Recruits With Incredibly Bright Futures

Today, we’re taking a look at some 2023 recruits who are good prospects now, but feel like they’re going to develop into studs at the next level and are just getting started tapping into their potential. All of these guys play big roles for their schools, make play after play, and are counted on more than others around them. Ren Davis - Mount Vernon - DB - 6’0" 170lbs Davis is a fantastic athlete who really stands out when you see him in person. He’s got a long frame, great reaction time, and can run with the best of them. He’s a very natural athlete and seems to have a good feel of how to use his body and his skills to his advantage. I got to see him in person and that’s where he stood out a ton. His tape doesn’t disappoint either. The first thing you see right away is his athleticism and ball skills. He’s got a knack for getting around the ball and making things happen. He’s been used on the outside, in the slot, and in just about every spot you can put a guy you trust. He’s willing to be aggressive off the line and make the receiver earn their route and then has good recovery when needed. His length and speed allow him to play more loosely than other DBs. Davis takes the correct angles and can tackle in space. Coming to balance, form, and some mechanics are developing but the raw ability is there and clear as day. The potential is there for Davis to develop, easily, into a fantastic CB at the next level if he sticks with it and continues developing physically. Davis had a big role last year and now they head into the season with targets on their back as defending state champs. Safe to say, this fall should be a fun one down in Mount Vernon! [player_tooltip player_id="185229" first="Tyler" last="Adkins"] - Martinsville - QB - 6’0" 185lbs Adkins is a really fun QB who just knows how to make plays. Whether it’s with his arm, his legs, or some magic out of a hat, he’ll move the chains. First and foremost, his athleticism kills defenses gameplans early and often. He can and he will run. Martinsville has enough designed runs with Adkins to keep the defense paranoid. He’s a nifty runner who has good vision and can be hard to bring down, especially if you’re a small DB in the second level. He’s got a thicker lower frame and can churn out tough yards when he needs to. I do think there are times he runs a bit prematurely, but usually, he’s able to make the play. If he’s able to work on pocket presence and keep building out physically, I think he’ll put himself in a good spot. He throws a nice ball with pretty good accuracy. He’s able to drop arm angles, throw on the run, and off balance. Over the years, he’s made some throws that leave you shaking your head because with a small flick of the wrist the ball sails downfield right into the bucket. Adkins has all the raw tools and while some do need sharpening, I think what sets him ahead is his ability to create and think on the fly. Some guys panic and shut down when things don’t go their way or when things break down. That’s not the case with Adkins and in fact, that’s when he’s at his best. Get him well-sounded in the pocket and at the college level, he could light it up. I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do this fall on top of his last year of development. Chase Price - Mooresville - OL/DL - 6’4" 265lbs Price is a versatile lineman who bounces around on both sides of the ball for Mooresville when he’s asked to. Offensively, he’s really good on the run and when he gets a head of steam. He likes to hit and set a ton. He’s got a big personality and sometimes can rejuvenate the team when things go downhill. He’s got a fantastic frame and can easily blow up once he gets into a college program. He’s likely going to stick on the offensive side of the ball just with how he can remove people from situations and clear paths. Mechanically, he’s about what you’d expect. He has moments where he looks clean and other moments where he could clean up his footwork and planting. Price works like a dog and isn’t afraid of some hard work and is only going to continue developing in every phase of the game. With his frame and his aggression, he’s the type of player you plug in your depth chart at any spot he wants when you feel the time is ready. With his length, it’s going to be hard not to think of him as a Tackle, but with his ability to run and hit, he could play inside. Price has some good tape and has looked good at some camps this summer, but I think his best football is still ahead of him. He’s going into his Senior year set to help anchor the line, again, but this time, all eyes are on him. Emmanuel Montgomery - Avon - QB/DB - 6’1" 170lbs Montgomery is an incredible athlete who gives Avon every ounce of his heart and soul every time he steps on the field. At QB, if he takes off, good luck. He’s got incredible vision, the ability to weave through traffic, run through tackles, and then hit the gas. He’s completely changed course and weaved backward through the entire defense while making half of them miss to score from 50-yards out. It was quite the run and something you’ve only seen Lamar and Vick do. In the passing game, he’s quick with his decisions and knows where the ball is supposed to go. He’s got solid accuracy and can give his guy a chance downfield. He doesn’t have the biggest arm but as he develops physically that could easily change. He makes play after play and usually is the best athlete on the field. Defensively, nothing changes. His range is incredible and they just send him back there to play damage control and Center Fielder. He’s able to cover sideline to sideline, has good ball skills, and isn’t afraid to tackle. If the ball floats, he’ll pick it off. If not, he’ll come downhill shot out of a cannon, and make the tackle. Montgomery is easily one of the best athletes in the area and should be getting much more love than he is. The best part about all of this is Montgomery works hard and has been having a great summer and still has his Senior year ahead of him. If he comes out and does what he does best, Montgomery’s going to put himself on the map where he belongs. Charles Vaden - Lawrence Central - WR/QB - 6’0" 171lbs Vaden is a fantastic athlete who feels like he could be an elite route runner once he gets a good grasp of the college game. Sometimes he’s twitchy, sticks his foot in the ground, and makes hard cuts while simultaneously changing direction. While not the cleanest route runner, the potential is there. He’s got long arms, can fly, and has good ball skills. If you get the ball in his vicinity, Vaden can and will lay out for it to make the grab. He’s able to track the ball through traffic and while falling to the ground. He’s got a fantastic vertical that allows him to get back into just about any jump ball that comes his way. He’s able to play inside, outside, and in the slot. He’s also good in the screen game and can use his speed and creativity to pick up yards and move the chains. Typically, good things happen when he touches the ball. He’s going to make the play when the ball comes in his area and then has the size and frame to do something with it afterward. As he develops physically, he feels like a guy who will get better in the blocking game and the small nuances to be successful on the outside. Vaden has a ton of natural attributes that you want a guy to have. If he can continue developing on the path he’s on, he’ll be a fantastic addition to a program at the next level.