2023 Summer Update: Notable New Additions
The Season is quickly approaching, which means it’s a perfect time for a rankings update! This article will outline 6 of the most notable new additions of the 2023 Summer Update. Stay tuned for new updates to the classes of…
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Continue ReadingThe Season is quickly approaching, which means it’s a perfect time for a rankings update! This article will outline 6 of the most notable new additions of the 2023 Summer Update. Stay tuned for new updates to the classes of 2024, 2025, and 2026 soon!
It’s a crime Mason Mckenzie Mason Mckenzie 6’0″ | 170 lbs | QB Caledonia | 2023 State MI wasn’t on the rankings sooner, and I’m the guilty party. Both Mckenzie and Caledonia as a whole burst onto the scene last year, and I’m incredibly excited to see just how much Mckenzie has improved over his amazing offseason.
Keeping it short, Mason Mckenzie Mason Mckenzie 6’0″ | 170 lbs | QB Caledonia | 2023 State MI has textbook fundamentals, and can make any throw as a pro-style QB. The relatively new offensive system put together by 3rd-year Head Coach Derek Pennington is tailored perfectly to Mckenzie, and I’m extremely high on this Caledonia team, and I see them winning the OK-Red, slightly outmatching Rockford in the regular season.
Grand Ledge has some WEAPONS, and leading the receiver group is Grand Valley St. Commit Shawn Foster Shawn Foster 6’1″ | 165 lbs | WR Grand Ledge | 2023 State MI . An athlete that slipped through the cracks on my end, Shawn Foster Shawn Foster 6’1″ | 165 lbs | WR Grand Ledge | 2023 State MI is an experienced slot receiver that is able to get the ball in creative ways.
After the catch, Foster is agile and is able to make people miss with a good juke and great speed. Foster also gets touches on many veer-style reads as the 2nd/3rd option on the outside. Alongside fellow GVSU Commit, TE Teddy Williams Teddy Williams 6’6″ | 235 lbs | TE Grand Ledge | 2023 State MI , Shawn Foster Shawn Foster 6’1″ | 165 lbs | WR Grand Ledge | 2023 State MI is going to be a force in the Capital-Area Blue.
David Rolands David Rolands 6’4″ | 270 lbs | OL Berkley | 2023 State MI is the best offensive lineman in the OAA Gold, and in the Gold, only Avondale’s Deshawn Robinson comes close to Roland’s prowess.
The Berkley Offense is pretty balanced, giving Rolands plenty of reps with run and pass sets. His first step on power/zone runs are clean and powerful, giving him an instant advantage. His pulls look nice, but his first step on those are inconsistent.
He’s a steady pass blocker that always stays square and keeps his balance. The only constructive thing I can say on his pass blocking is that he doesn’t typically play against Elite front 7’s.
All in all, the 6’4″ 270lb tackle is set up nicely for a great academic and football career at Penn!
Highlights
I was able to watch Brandon Lewis Brandon Lewis 5’11” | 170 lbs | DB Lansing Catholic | 2023 State MI in the D6 State Championship where he posted 1INT, a few tackles, and was even involved in the offense.
Then, a few weeks ago, I watched much more of his tape, and WOW. Brandon Lewis Brandon Lewis 5’11” | 170 lbs | DB Lansing Catholic | 2023 State MI is an amazing two-way player on a state-championship team, and I’m extremely proud of him for betting on himself, committing to walk onto Michigan State. Just the sheer volume of playtime, alongside his 14 INTs and 1730 AP yards is enough to keep a close eye on him, regardless of the division he plays in.
As a DB, I’m impressed by his reaction time and general IQ.
Offensively, Lewis is great after the catch with stellar speed and creative moves.
A 1-on-1 beast, Owen Colpaert Owen Colpaert 6’4″ | 210 lbs | ATH Macomb Dakota | 2023 State MI fits extremely well in the Dakota offense and pairs wonderfully with fellow rankings addition Ethan Hamby Ethan Hamby 6’2″ | 210 lbs | QB Macomb Dakota | 2023 State MI .
Colpaert reminds me a ton of De La Salle’s Triston Nicoles, as they have extremely similar bodies but different offenses. Part of the reason why I rank Hamby higher than similar athletes like Nichols is the proven 1-on-1 ability. There are many instances on film where Owen wins 50/50 balls, sometimes in the endzone.rnColpaert has great footwork, oftentimes winning against press, but I think he could do a tad less dancing in the beginning of his routes. He knows how to win with his size, and has amazing hands.rnRoute Running is one of his strongsuits, as I think with a tad more agility and hip movement, he could bring his game to a new level.
Owen Colpaert Owen Colpaert 6’4″ | 210 lbs | ATH Macomb Dakota | 2023 State MI is an incredible athlete that will have an opportunity to raise his stock even higher throughout this season.
I need to pay more attention to teams in the Southeastern Conference, and Rory Callahan Rory Callahan 6’4″ | 225 lbs | TE Huron | 2023 State MI is one of the many reasons why.
Callahan is a best of a TE standing at 6’4″ 220. He’s utilized in the offense very well, sometimes running short stick routes, sometimes running to the middle of the field. I love his steady, consistent play, but I would love to see his receiving game go to a new level with RAC yards.rnA extremely impressive aspect of his game is blocking. It’s pancake city when Callahan is blocking, often tasked with some of the more unnatural (for high school) blocks from the Y.
To view all 32 New Additions, click HERE
Thank you for the ongoing support, and I absolutely can’t wait to cover the season!
For the Love of Football,
– Alex Pallone
Follow me on Twitter! @Alex_Pallone