PRZJordan’s Names on the Horizon Pt. 1
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We’re at the midseason mark for IHSA Football here in the grand state of ILL. With that being said, we’re going to be taking a look at new names on the horizon based on film that I was either send…
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Continue ReadingWe’re at the midseason mark for IHSA Football here in the grand state of ILL. With that being said, we’re going to be taking a look at new names on the horizon based on film that I was either send via DM or tagged on Twitter. The mission has always been the same, being a resource to these high school athletes and covering as many young men as possible no matter the college-level projection (D1, D2, NAIA, D3, JUCO). With that being said, let’s take a look at part one of my names on the horizon.
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Be sure to follow @PRZJordan & @PrepRedzoneIL regarding news & information for IHSA Football
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Mr. Carlton Jr is off to a good start this fall season workout as a Mike backer. Through these first 4 weeks, he’s already been nominated for multiple teams of the week from publications. When you turn on his highlights below, you can see why. His first clip is great as he pops his hips and triggers downhill quickly in close space to secure the tackle for loss on an inside the tackle run. The rest of his highlights are much of the same with him being able to close quickly on the ball carrier – whether that’s on outside the tackle runs, flowing to the ball to secure tackles on the perimeter, securing the tackle in the flat when he’s in pass coverage, and even being a QB spy to secure open field tackles. Safe to say that Mr. Carlton Jr gets his nose in each play in some form or fashion. On the offensive side of the ball, he does work as an offset left halfback where he can either be a lead blocker or can take the rock and pick up short yardage – both for first downs and redzone goal-line touchdowns. Overall, keep an eye on this young man for the rest of this fall season as his production continues to impress week in and week out. Currently holds an offer from Carthage College and Roosevelt University. Twitter
Highlights
Everyone knows about Minooka’s O-Line duo of Ryan Susnar Ryan Susnar 6’3″ | 260 lbs | OL Minooka | 2023 State IL and Carter Gessner Carter Gessner 6’3″ | 260 lbs | OL Minooka | 2023 State IL but not many know about newcomer Mr. Barrowman. Heading into this season, I had him on the watchlist as there wasn’t any film on him and I wanted to see how he would perform with his new team. Standing at 6’6, he has a good frame and long reach to hold down the offensive tackle position. Throughout his highlights so far, he does a good job in pass protection of mirroring rushing defenders and tying them up at the point of attack once he latches on. In his run blocking clips, he showcases a multitude of working in-line and on the move. When he works in-line, he flashes his quick punch to get his hands inside and drives his feet to get a push creating a hole for his teammate to hit. What I’m interested to see more out of the rest of this fall season is his ability to work on the move and out in space. With that being said, there was one clip where he did so and was moving well to pick up 2nd level blocks. Overall, I wouldn’t be surprised if more people start putting this young man on their radar at the end of this fall season as he’s currently positioning himself as a balanced OT that can make his impact felt in both offensive attacks. Currently has some interest from the MAC Conference, expect this to increase once this season is concluded. Twitter
Mr. Catanzano is a man on a mission so far this season working as a Mike backer. There’s no doubt that his spot in the rankings is going to rise after a result of this fall season, look at his film below and you’ll see why. What stands out the most is how quickly he can close on the ball carrier in both run support and in pass coverage. Whether you run inside the tackle or outside the tackle, this young man is going to bolt to the hole and make a play on the ball carrier. Another area that this young man is stellar at is timing his blitz, there are multiple clips in his midseason highlights where he’s able to get into the backfield right at the snap and blow up the play in the backfield delivering a heavy hit on the quarterback. Overall, this young man can get to his pass coverage drops to make a play on the ball and can make his impact felt in run support. There’s not much more you can ask out of this young man to do as currently, he’s doing it all on the defensive side of the ball. He has interest across various levels but I expect his first offer to come once this season is over if he continues his production. He’s making a strong case for why he’s one of the top LBs in the Class of 24′ with his production so far. Keep a very close eye on this young man. Twitter
Highlights
Mr. Bagwell was on the watchlist coming into this fall season and he’s been making his impact felt being at the helm of Collinsville offensive attack. The way that he’s utilzed plays to his strengths as he works on the move out of platform and gets involved in the run game as the primary ball carrier. What stands out the most about this young man is how effortless he makes it looks making 40+ yard bombs when working on the move, sometimes throwing cross body, and puts the ball into the receiver’s basket. If you try to bring pressure on him, he did flash his ability to stand strong and find his hot read quickly as well. Switching over to the run game, if you try to tackle this young man too high or too low he’s going to break the weak grab tackle and keep his legs pumping to pick up extra yards after contact. All in all, this young man has arm strength to him and isn’t afraid to put his body on the line to pick up first downs. With his performance so far, he’s going to see himself crack into the rankings and should see his recruiting interest increase. Twitter
Ben Snider
Ben Snider
Broke 30 year record at Stevenson: 6 receptions for 236 yards & 3 TDsrnMr. Snider is a new name to me this fall season and one I can’t believe I didn’t have on my radar. If you want a X receiver that can take the top off of the opposing defense, look no further as Mr. Snider is the epitome of exactly that. His ability to close space quickly on the defender playing in off coverage is impressive and he capitalizes off this by winning over the top on deep shots downfield. This happens both where he can secure the contested catch in double coverage as well as stay up to utilize his yards after catch and gets into the endzone for six. There was also a clip where he used his long catch radius to secure the sideline grab and got his foot in right along the sideline to keep the chains moving. One area of his game that I’m interested to see further is his ability to break the defender off at the top of the route on a consistent basis. Overall, if you don’t make sure you’re keyed in on this young man he’s going to take the top off for six consistently. Twitter
Mr. Jackson works as a slot receiver and does a good job of understanding spacing. In his highlights below, he can find the soft spot in zone coverage and sit to become an outlet for his quarterback to keep the chains moving. His ability to run a multitude of routes is what catches my attention. You need him to be the hot read he can do that. You need him to run a crossing route to secure the catch in traffic, he can do that too. Receiver screens, check. Securing sideline catches, check. This young man has the skill set to be a reliable target for his quarterback and that’s something that every quarterback wants. He also is used in the return game. Be sure to watch how this young man produces the rest of this fall season. Twitter
Highlights
Mr. Phengkeokaisone holds down the Mike backer position for Montini’s defense. His pass coverage skills are what caught my eye as he kickstarts his midseason highlights with an interception. The way he went about getting it is what’s impressive. He takes his read step to play the run first before transitioning to his zone coverage drop and then undercuts the route to secure the interception. Later on in his highlights there’s a similar play but instead of coming away with the interception he comes away with the pass breakup by punching through the hands of the receiver. Flipping gears to run support, this young man does a good job of flowing to the ball whether the run is coming at him or away from him. Overall, this young man’s transitions in pass coverage and his fluid flip of his hips are one to keep a close eye on as he can very well come away with a handful of interceptions before the season is concluded. Twitter
Highlights
Mr. Johnson is off to a good start this season picking up where he left off last fall. When he runs between the tackles he’s a hard runner that can get in/out of the hole quickly. You have to be careful that you don’t weak grab tackle this young man as if you do he can shrug it off and break long runs either for a big gain on the play or take it to the house for six. What’s also impressive is how patient he is in the screen game to let his blocks set up in open space. In both instances, his foot quicks are visibly shown being able to outrun 2nd level defenders in an instant once he gains a step on them. If you don’t have this young man on your radar, you need to. He’s here to make his mark and he’s doing a darn good job. Currently he holds no offers but I expect the interest to increase significantly once this season is concluded. Twitter
Highlights
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Be sure to follow @PRZJordan regarding news & information for Illinois High School Football as well as @PrepRedzoneIL.
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