5 Indiana Recruits Who Can Reinforce Any Special Teams Unit
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Trevor Henkle Trevor Henkle 5'8" | 160 lbs | K Zionsville | 2024 State IN – Zionsville – K/P – 5’8″ 160lbs – 2024 Henkle has a pretty decent leg and is able to be consistent with his swing. Last…
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Continue ReadingTrevor Henkle Trevor Henkle 5'8" | 160 lbs | K Zionsville | 2024 State IN – Zionsville – K/P – 5’8″ 160lbs – 2024
Henkle has a pretty decent leg and is able to be consistent with his swing. Last year, he took a big step forward and it was noticeable. He only missed 1 PAT and then was able to send the kickoff through the end zone 41% of the time. For a first year varsity player, that’s pretty good. So far this year, he’s only gotten better in every phase of the game. He’s kicking more kicks through the end zone and his mechanics are cleaner. He’s got a great plant leg and is able to swing through with ease. Lately, his kicks have been going through with some extra distance on them from previous seasons. In the punting game, he’s shown the ability to hit it in the corner and get it out within the 5. While not consistent, the potential is there. Only the best of the best are able to do that consistently and if he’s able to do so, he’ll be right there. Henkle is also able to sky the ball up and leave plenty of hang-time so his guys can get downfield and potentially make a play. Having good special teams is an advantage and Henkle fits that mold perfectly.
Kenny Curry – Mooresville – K/P – 5’10” 160lbs – 2023
Curry is currently the leader in Indiana with made FGs and he’s looked fantastic doing it. He’s yet to miss, he’s consistent, and hitting the ball dead on where he needs to. He’s shown throughout his career he’s as steady as they come and he’s got a versatile leg. He’s able to kick the FGs, Kickoffs, and Punt as well. Sometimes guys look good but aren’t kicking often. That’s not the case here. Curry is relied upon regularly and he gives his team a decent rope to play with. This past week alone he hit Field Goals from 26, 31, and 38-yards respectively. Add on his XPs every week and Curry is a pretty valuable man. He’s good in the punting game as well and can flip the field with 1 swing of his leg. He’s recently been getting some traction in his recruitment, as he should, but it’s not enough. Curry has a big leg and is only going to improve as he gets comfortable at the next level. Curry is someone who should be on every list that has any sort of issue on Special Teams because he can most definitely help.
Brayden Schneiter – Lake Central – LS – 6’2″ 170lbs – 2024
Schneiter is able to consistently rip the ball back with some force. A good long snapper can make or break the unit. The laces need to be facing a specific direction when the holder gets it for Field Goals. If the ball is poorly snapped, not spiraling, and end up backwards, you’re going to have a short career snapping the ball. For Kickers, laces out is a nightmare. Schneiter has really taken it up a level this year. He’s getting the ball right to the chest of the punter, every time. He’s getting the ball spiraling and landing properly on Field Goals and Lake Central’s Special Teams Unit is reaping the benefits of it. Having a good long snapper, at any level but especially at the High School level goes a long way for the development of the kickers. Schneiter is doing his part and should be on team’s lists moving forward.
Owen Denny Owen Denny 5'11" | 190 lbs | K Lake Central | 2024 State IN – Lake Central – K/P – 5’11” 190lbs – 2024
Denny is someone we highlighted heading into the season as someone to watch and oh man, is he off to an awesome start this fall. On the receiving end of the snaps from Schneiter is Ole’ Reliable. You need 3, send in Denny. He’s got a huge leg and has fantastic accuracy to match. Kicking off, he’s able to send it back to get stamped for a touchback regularly. His swing on Field Goal attempts is a thing of beauty. Everything with him is natural and easy. He’s someone who makes it look easy to where you think you can go out and do it, until you try. He’s able to punt and give plenty of hang-time so his guys can get downfield to cover the kick. It’s not a short kick, either. He’s going to nail the punt and flip the field just about every time. On top of what he’s able to do in the kicking game, he’s come along in the receiving game as well. He’s made a few plays on offense including a 38-yard TD reception a few weeks back. Denny is one of the best kickers in the state for a reason and by the time he graduates, he’ll have no issue finding a home at the next level.
Ben Sponsler – Carmel – K – 5’8″ 180lbs – 2023
Sponsler has a fantastic leg and is letting it rip this fall. On Kickoffs, if it’s not through the end zone, or at least in it, you’re almost confused. Sponsler’s confidence is at an all-time high right now, as it should be. He’s mechanically sound, hitting the ball square, and getting it between the uprights. A few weeks back, he hit a 42-yard Field Goal that would have been good from 50+ yards, easily. The ball was still dang near going up when it went over the cross bar and it went so far the camera behind the goal post wasn’t able to see where it went. He’s consistently hitting these bombs and having room to spare. When the sun goes down, the lights get brighter, and the pressure is on he’s still the same guy. Mechanically sound and a booming kick and he moves on. He’s fun because he’s played in some big games, made some big kicks, and can handle the moment. He’s got a bright future with a big leg and I’m excited to see where he ends up and if he makes an impact right away.