Electric 2025 Recruits Taking The State By Storm

<h2>Benny Patterson III - Castle - DL - 6'2" 215lbs - 2025</h2>   <p>Patterson is a versatile recruit who is able to bounce around on the line for Castle. He's able to play on the outside with his length. He's got good reach and bends fairly well and doesn't seem stiff at all. He's able to play the interior as well and make plays there. He's good on the outside when he knows he's rushing the passer and gets a chance to pin his ears back. He's got a few different moves he's able to hit the lineman with and sometimes is able to get home. I do think right now he's a bit light but you can expect that to change over the next few years as he develops physically. He's got the raw ability, length, and motor to be really good. If he's able to bulk up it could really help him be a more forceful and violent player. Patterson is quick enough off the line to shoot some gaps and get in the backfield immediately. He's nimble enough to bounce around and find a sliver to get through and make the play. He knows how to bat down the offensive lineman's hands and how to use their momentum against them. He does a lot of little things well and is all over the backfield making plays. The future is incredibly bright for Patterson and he could be a household name by the time it's all said and done.</p>   <h2>Cion Waters - North Central - LB - 5'10" 190lbs - 2025</h2>   <p>Waters is a decent athlete who has really come along for North Central in the JV program and has flashes of brilliance when he's gotten his chance on Friday night. He's all over the field and will be sideline to sideline and doesn't give up on any play. He's able to come to balance and make the tough tackle as well as the open field TD saving tackle. He's already left his mark on a few receivers with big hits and you can expect more to come over the next few years. He's a thicker LB with strong legs and lower body and it stands out on his tape. His cover skills are a bit raw but the potential is there. If he's able to be coached up some in both man and zone coverage I think he can thrive at the next level. As he develops physically, he's only going to get stronger and be able to make more plays in the running game and line of scrimmage. Waters has come a long way and could be ready to make his varsity impact next fall.</p>   <h2>James Finley - Andrean - ATH - 6'1" 150lbs - 2025</h2>   <p>Finley is an incredibly versatile player who is able to move all over the field, both sides of the ball when needed, and can make plays. He's got a ton of range as a DB and is able to cover a ton of ground. He's got great closing speed and when he sees something he commits. When he's right, he's right. This season he was able to pick off and house a pass. The return was 98-yards and as big as they come and is the type of play to set your confidence mile high. He's able to play both man and zone coverage and have some success. In man, he's got a tendency to bite on a double move but hasn't gotten burned with it because of the make up speed hes got. He's someone I could see be looked at as a Safety by some schools and a Corner by some other schools. Finley comes across as the type of recruit who could learn any position and have success down the road and that's what he's done for Andrean anytime his number has been called.</p>   <h2>Hunter Meredith - Heritage - RB/LB - 5'10" 190lbs - 2025</h2>   <p>Meredith plays on both sides of the ball for Heritage and has success both ways. Defensively, he's good at rushing the passer and coming off the edge. When he's on the ball and coming to blitz he's got an extra gear that he brings which allows him to hit home. He's able to make tackles in the backfield and save some big plays. Offensively, he's got good vision and fantastic short area agility. He's able to stop on a dime, make a guy miss, and re-accelerate back to full speed. He's not the most physcial back but he understands what he does well and doesn't try pressing. He seems like the type of back who could thrive in a zone scheme. Get him running, stick his foot in the ground, and get vertical is right where he thrives. Since he does come from a triple option offense he's likely going to need development in pass protection but there's no reason that should slow him down or hold him back. He's a smart player and seems like he learns quickly. That's all still a few years away and if Meredith develops like he could, he'll have no issue finding a landing spot at the next level.</p>   <h2>Luke Russell - Columbus North - LB/TE - 6'2" 205lbs - 2025</h2>   <p>Russell is a fantastic player who just has great feel for himself, the game, and what's going on around him. As he develops he could become a menace to society for teams he's playing. He plays angry and flips the switch you want every player to. He's explosive for his size and gets after the ball one way or another. He's good on the blitz and affecting the running game. He's able to get off blocks, fend the lineman off him by extending his arms, and making the tackle. Russell has fantastic vision on the field and is able to see things and diagnose them as they're developing. He's got fantastic speed and is able to cover the entire field. In terms of coverage he's fine but needs some work over the next few years. He's not going to miss many tackles when they come his way, either. If he develops in the weight room and continues on the trend he's on, everyone will know his name. He's a fun recruit with all the upside you want. If he wanted to move to the offense and play TE he could and I wouldn't be surprised if some school asked him his thoughts. Russell is dynamic and should absolutely be a name to remember moving forward.</p>