Offensive Recruits Blowing Up Right Before Our Eyes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='300016' first='Jayden' last='Morris'] - Southside - WR - 6'0" 175lbs - 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morris is off to the best start you can ask for. The senior WR is dynamic and does just about everything you can ask of a WR. Morris is a fantastic athlete who can bounce around the field. We covered him this summer and this fall, he's proven to be better than expected. When he touches the ball, good things happen for Southside. He's able to win contested catches, run some nice routes, and adjust to the ball to make the catch when he's falling to the ground. Last week, he had arguably his best performance yet. Morris had 280 all-purpose yards on Friday. My favorite play of the night was a short catch over the middle where Morris then hurdled a defender, weaved through the rest of the traffic, and found daylight for a long TD. He's shifty in space and gets more confident the more he touches the ball. He's someone who could be an elite slot WR and have the gadget plays ready for him. Morris is fun, going way under the radar, and is balling out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lamarion Nelson - Wayne - RB - 6'0" 205lbs - 2023</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson is out here playing Madden on Rookie mode thinking we wouldn't notice. Nelson is faster, stronger, and more athletic than everyone on the field week after week. When he touches the ball, you're shocked if he doesn't score. Friday, he went ballistic. He put up 427-yards and 7 TDs in one of the best performances you'll ever see. He was decisive with his cuts, running through people, making them miss, and hitting the jets. He's got the size to run in between the tackles yet is shifty enough to be used in the kickoff game, where he also did a ton of damage returning 2 kicks for TDs there. Nelson is playing at a totally different level right now and you have to go check him out if you get the chance. He seems to check every box you want in a recruit and is only getting better and more confident. Nelson is on the verge of something special and if he gets the right opportunity, he's aiming to play on Sundays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adam Kunkel - South Dearborn - QB - 5'10" 170lbs - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kunkel was dialed in this past week and he's continued to perform week after week. He's confident, knows where he's supposed to go with the ball, and can rip it in there. He's able to throw with anticipation and off his back foot when he has to. While not ideal, he's improving and his mechanics have improved quite a bit from last year. Kunkel was able to make some tight window throws and drop some pretty balls into a few buckets. He seems to get better as the lights get brighter and the game goes along. Kunkel is playing at a really high level for a really good program. He's got the arm to play at the next level if he's able to develop. He's a good enough athlete to extend plays and run when he needs to which only helps him in a bunch of scenarios. Kunkel has been off to a fantastic start and this past Friday, his 4 TD passes and 60+ points hung on the defense were more than enough to catch my eye. He looked the best he had all year and he's got a ton of raw potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='322415' first='Ariyan' last='Ballance'] - Brownsburg - RB - 6'0" 185lbs - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ballance was fantastic this past Friday and has really come along to start this season. First and foremost, his physical development is the first thing you notice with him. He's bigger, faster, and stronger than he was last year. He's running with confidence, has a good grasp of the offense, and is able to play all 3 downs. He's strong enough to stay in and pass protect when he's asked to as well. He's able to come out of the backfield and be used as a weapon too. Last week, he had 138 rushing yards and a TD on the ground. What made this performance impressive was how consistent he was all game against some elite competition. They were at Fishers last week and Ballance was breaking tackles, earning tough first downs, and was reliable all 4 quarters. He was able to break a long run to give Brownsburg some breathing room when they needed it most. Ballance can run in between the tackles and has some grit to his game. He's fun and he's going to be a really good prospect next year as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='189083' first='Josh' last='Ringer'] - East Central - RB - 6'1" 190lbs - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ringer might be one of the worst-kept secrets in the state of Indiana, but yet still doesn't ever seem to be ranked where he deserves. This dude can ball. It's as simple as that. This past week, he put on another clinic for the local fans to watch. Ringer was so good that he only got 13 carries because he put the game out of reach rather quickly. Those 13 carries went for 180-yards and a 3-piece TD combo. A rather efficient night for a guy who can do it all. When he gets the ball, he's able to make guys miss, has elite speed that defenders don't expect, and then is reliable in both phases of the passing game. He's a bigger back but the speed is still there. This past week, he showed everything he's capable of with his limited opportunities. When they need him to carry the ball 30+ times, he will. Ringer is one of the best complete backs in the state and Friday was just a day's work for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='322440' first='DJ' last='Gordon'] - Park Tudor - QB - 6'1" 195lbs - 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gordon is one of the most fun players in the state to watch. He's dynamic and can do just about everything you want a QB to do. There are times he shows some flash that you only see in No.8 in Baltimore. He's got a nice frame and has the size to take hits when he runs. He's also able to dish out some hits and return the favor. While not ideal for your star QB to do so, it can really juice the boys around him when they see their QB level a guy. Gordon has the speed to turn the corner and hit the gas. 2 weeks ago he rushed for 127-yards and 2 TDs while tossing for 300-yards and 5TDs. This past week, Park Tudor's offense was slowed down just a bit, but Gordon was still Gordon. He's a baller and is a ton of fun to watch. When he takes off, defensive coaches hold their breath. He's then got the accuracy to slice and dice behind, especially with the holes behind the defense that his legs create due to fear. Gordon isn't going to be an Indiana gem much longer. If the national audience finds him, as they should, he's going to blow up, as he should.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->