Rising Sophomores With Plenty of Upside

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we inch closer to the season, we'll have more and more content for you on some of Ohio's best. Today's article centers around a strong core of rising sophomores with plenty of potential. This group features a mixture of prospects, some of whom played at the varsity level in 2021, while a few others got their work done at the lower levels. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Currently, no one featured in this piece has yet to pick up a single scholarship offer. These young men have plenty of time to change that, and it all starts this fall. Keep an eye on them as we enter this season because a few more of them could make that jump to varsity, and a few others could become major standouts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>OL: Parker Harden, 6'4" 275, Pickerington Central</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Consistent knee drive.</li><li>Takes pride in finishing blocks.</li><li>Raw power is still being trained.</li><li>Stays hip to hip on zone or gap double teams.</li><li>Constantly winning at the point of attack leads to steady hand placement.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>ATH: Shiren Mabry, 6'3" 190, KIPP Columbus</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Shows a swift first step off the snap.</li><li>Can hold his own against base blocks inside the box.</li><li>Speed gives opposing tackles problems.</li><li>Has a projectable frame he can grow into; I think he bodes well as a 3-4 OLB at the next level. </li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DB: Reese Powell, 5'11" 170, Licking Heights</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Outstanding physicality for a young defensive back.</li><li>Reads his keys and explodes downhill like a missile.</li><li>Takes good angles to the ball, fighting to stay square when he gets there.</li><li>Has the speed to make up for others' mistakes.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>RB: Cooper Josefczyk, 5'11" 190, Medina</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Impressive contact balance.</li><li>Has the speed to outrun defenders with an angle on him.</li><li>Can provide a major vertical threat when lined up in the slot.</li><li>Combines both finesse and strength in his running style.</li><li>Sticks his foot in the dirt and gets north &amp; south when the time calls for it.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>DB: [player_tooltip player_id='928425' first='Sayre' last='Smothers'], 5'10" 150, La Salle</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Sees through the wideout in his zone to the quarterback.</li><li>Hip fluidity to not lose a step when being challenged vertically.</li><li>Not afraid to stick his nose in there in the run game.</li><li>Shows a natural, low pedal.</li><li>Controls downfield vertical routes.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>ATH: Vincent Giordano, 6'3" 230, Kings</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Was a major contributor on both sides of the football.</li><li>Size gives tacklers issues after the catch.</li><li>Easily adjusts to make catches on balls thrown behind him.</li><li>Bullrush causes serious knockback on the defensive side.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->