2023 Under-the-Radar Prospects
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The 2022 football season is nearing its conclusion with only the state championship games left to play. I decided to shift my focus over to the seniors as they start to lock up game day visits, official visits, etc. Here…
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Continue ReadingThe 2022 football season is nearing its conclusion with only the state championship games left to play. I decided to shift my focus over to the seniors as they start to lock up game day visits, official visits, etc.
Here are 5 seniors that are flying under the radar:
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Brady Brau Brady Brau 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB MIllard West | 2023 State NE | DB | Millard West | 6’1″ 185 lbs
The Millard West Wildcats fielded one of the more underrated secondaries in Class A. One standout member of that group is cornerback Brady Brau Brady Brau 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB MIllard West | 2023 State NE who put in great performances week in and week out. Throughout 10 games played, Brady racked up 40 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, and a fumble recovery. Brau is a very fluid athlete that shined in man coverage and displayed great instincts and ball skills. When in coverage, he does a great job staying disciplined with his eyes, keeping them on his receiver before tracking the ball and getting his hands up. His 15 pass breakups and 3 interceptions are good indicators of his aggressiveness when the ball is in the air. On top of his coverage, Brady has shown great tackling skills with some real hit-stick power. You can see several plays in his tape where he disengages from blocking receivers to blow up screens/runs at or behind the line of scrimmage. Brady is a battle-tested DB that has lined up with some great receivers and more than held his own.
Cole Sharar Cole Sharar 6'4" | 300 lbs | DL Elkhorn North | 2023 State NE | DL | Elkhorn North | 6’4″ 300 lbs
Another underrated position group this year was the Elkhorn North DL which featured some big-time players. Senior Cole Sharar Cole Sharar 6'4" | 300 lbs | DL Elkhorn North | 2023 State NE was one of the main contributors to this group. The 6’4″ 300 lb defensive tackle was a space-eating monster that did a lot of the dirty work in the trenches. He can take on double teams and open up gaps for his teammates. Even when you throw two linemen on him, it’s not a given that it will work. Sharar has great upper and lower body strength that allows him to shed blocks. This same strength makes him a dominant bull rusher which helped him apply pressure to the backfield on several occasions. Sharar was also the starting left tackle where he was a solid bookend on the OL. What stands out about Cole is his short-area speed, moving very well for someone his size. Whether he’s a few yards downfield blocking on a run play or chasing down ball-carriers on defense, Cole’s motor is always going.
Payton McDonald Payton McDonald 6'3" | 295 lbs | OL Omaha Westside | 2023 State NE | OL | Omaha Westside | 6’3″ 295 lbs
A very underrated addition for Westside this offseason was OL Payton McDonald Payton McDonald 6'3" | 295 lbs | OL Omaha Westside | 2023 State NE . Payton has solidified the left guard position with his play to date, helping his team make a run at the state championship. What caught my eye from Payton’s tape was the strength in his punch and how physical he is. He is quick to shoot out of his stance and is explosive with his hands. When he gets a defender in his grasp, he is more than likely to finish with a pancake block, all while using good placement. McDonald has a frame that projects well to the next level with the aggression and physicality to be dominant.
Dawson Raabe Dawson Raabe 6'0" | 295 lbs | OL Pierce | 2023 State NE | OL/DL | Pierce | 6’0″ 295 lbs
Gonna go with another mean, tough trench warrior here. Dawson Raabe Dawson Raabe 6'0" | 295 lbs | OL Pierce | 2023 State NE is a two-way starter on the offensive and defensive line for the state championship bound, Pierce Blue Jays. When I say he is a tough, physical player, I do not mean that lightly. He uses vicious hands, a strong lower body, and brute strength to overpower his opponents. On defense, he plays defensive tackle and can line up in a 0, 1, or 3-technique and does a great job clogging up the middle lanes. Dawson has managed to accumulate 39 tackles, a tackle for loss, and 2 sacks while seeing plenty of double teams. On the offensive line, Dawson is the starting center and has proven to be a relaible anchor on the OL. Raabe is vicious when finishing his blocks and plays through the whistle. Whether you get him on the OL or DL, this is a player you’ll want to scoop up.
Cole Rickley Cole Rickley 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Omaha Bryan | 2023 State NE | LB | Omaha Bryan | 6’2″ 210 lbs
Omaha Bryan’s Cole Rickley Cole Rickley 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Omaha Bryan | 2023 State NE put up a statement season during his senior year. The starting Bear’s inside linebacker made big plays of all kinds this season, finishing with 98 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 4 interceptions (1 being a pick-six), and 2 forced fumbles. Right off the bat, Cole meets the eye test with a 6’2″ 210-pound frame with great length that projects well at the next level. He is a thumping downhill linebacker that can blow up gaps and stuff the opposing run game. He delivers a mean hit with his big frame and exhibits solid tackling technique. One thing about Cole’s game that people underestimate is his athleticism. He does a great job covering from sideline to sideline and uses his range and lengthy frame to get up and disrupt/intercept passes. This is a linebacker that is ready to shine at the next level and will only continue to improve.
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