PRZJordan’s Playoff Sleeper X Factors Right Here Right Now
In this article:
As we finished the regular season and head into IHSA Playoff Action, we’re going to be taking a look at a few sleeper X factors on playoff teams that could very well be the difference between their team advancing to…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAs we finished the regular season and head into IHSA Playoff Action, we’re going to be taking a look at a few sleeper X factors on playoff teams that could very well be the difference between their team advancing to the next round or getting bounced given their spark they can provide their team. Without further ado, let’s take a dive into PRZJordan’s Playoff Sleeper X Factors Right Here Right Now.
____________________
Use Code JordanAmaskane30 for 30% OFF your subscription today!
Be sure to follow @PRZJordan & @PrepRedzoneIL regarding news & information for IHSA Football
____________________
Travis Stamm
Travis Stamm
Mr. Stamm is a young up and coming receiver for Lyons Township that works as a X receiver. This young man has the foot quicks off the line to win over top after stacking the defender on deep shots downfield and in some instances can break weak grab tackles breaking long runs upon securing the catch. His route running is also one to keep an eye on as he currently posses the ability to break defenders off creating separation on plays well and as he continues to get more Varsity experience look for this skill set to improve. Looking at his matchup against Loyola Academy, be sure to keep an eye on this young man as if he has the ability to come away with momentum swinging plays giving his team the edge in a close contest. Twitter
Mr. Grabowski is an inside linebacker that can trigger downhill quickly in close space to disrupt plays in the backfield by slipping blocks and shooting through either the A or B gap. This young man is going to be the focal point of holding down the interior of Lake Zurich’s defense and could very well be the difference maker in this game against Pekin. Let’s not forget that he also flashes his ability to read screens where he can close to blow up the receiver as he’s securing the catch for a loss on the play. He also plays halfback on offense working as a N/S runner. All in all, keep an eye on this young man as he looks to hold down the middle of Lake Zurich’s defense – I wouldn’t be surprised if you hear his name a lot in this game as he likes to get involved in each play. Twitter
Highlights
Mr. Stennis is a transfer from Rich Township and since coming over to the Warriors has been a menace. This allowed the dynamic WR core between Joshua Franklin Joshua Franklin 6’0″ | 165 lbs | WR Crete Monee | 2023 State IL and Lynel Billups-Williams Lynel Billups-Williams 5’10” | 165 lbs | WR Crete Monee | 2023 State IL to come back together adding in this young man’s dual threat ability. Add all of this together and you have yourself one high powered offensive attack. If you’re not careful in holding gap control this young man can take the option the distance as he weaves in/out of defenders in open space as he uses his foot quicks to get into the endzone for 6. His foot quicks are legit as he showed he can outrun some of the fastest players in his conference – most notably some of the D1 defensive backs off the option. Let’s not forget about his ability to get it done in the air attack as well making level 3 throws on deep shots downfield and giving his receivers a chance to secure 50/50 balls. Overall, this young man’s skill set goes hand in hand with the fast paced high powered offense Crete-Monee likes to run. Be sure to keep a close eye on this young man as the Warriors take on East St. Louis. Twitter
Mason Emin
Mason Emin
Mr. Emin works as an outside linebacker and plays a role in special teams giving him more chances than one to make a play for his team. This young man flashes his ability to crash off the edge in his pass rush to generate pressure on the QB and uses this same closing ability to almost come away with a blocked punt in his highlights below. Not to mention that he almost came away with a forced fumble when on kickoff where the ball was starting to come out as he was bringing the ball carrier to the ground. He can also close on the QB quickly once he see’s the QB is trying to escape the pocket to come away with an assisted sack too. Overall, he flashes opportunities to make a play that will swing momentum into his team’s favor and if he does it could provide to be the difference maker against Sycamore. Twitter
Byron Jame-Ray Olson
Byron Jame-Ray Olson
Mr. Olson is a defensive tackle working as a 3 tech that can slip blocks to disrupt plays in the backfield in run support and can shoot into the A gap to secure TFLs at times as well. Where he can make his most impact is in his pass rush as he can uses his swim move paired with the quickness out of his stance to get into the backfield quickly generating pressure on the QB. This either results in the QB being flushed out of the pocket or trying to force a throw with pressure in his face and when the QB has forced the throw it resulted in either INTs or incomplete passes. Be sure to keep an eye on this young man as he can very well help force a turnover on the defensive side of the ball for the Celtics giving them momentum against Richmond Burton. Twitter
Jacob Finley
Jacob Finley
Mr. Finley is an offensive lineman that has a good frame standing at 6’8 290 as he works as an offensive tackle. This young man’s ability to, simply put, throw defenders around is one to watch as it doesn’t matter if he’s blocking in line or in pass protection it results in the defender being put in the dirt. When he does so, he can create a big hole for the ball carrier to hit inside the tackles and in pass protection can keep the pocket clean for his QB. It’s this type of dominance as an O-Lineman that can play a part of being a difference maker in a game bringing such physicality each play. For college coaches, this 2023 currently holds one offer from Illinois State University. Jump on him now to get a steal of a prospect. Twitter
Braden Downs
Braden Downs
Mr. Downs is a receiving tight end that has a solid frame at 6’2 205. This young man’s ability to be a threat in the air attack is not an understatement as all throughout his highlights below he finds himself beating defenders over top and taking it to the house. This is all set up by the play action fake getting defenders to bite down to play the run as this young man slips past defenders gashing them for a big play on either a seam route up the middle or a post corner route where he can secure the catch and get vertical for six. He also can check and release where once he secures the catch he can get vertical along the sideline to break a long run for six as well. Overall, if you’re a defender and get caught looking into the backfield this young man is going to go right by you on a play action shot for six giving his team momentum in the game. Twitter
Aiden Weaver
Aiden Weaver
Mr. Weaver is an offensive lineman that works as an offensive tackle and is one heck of an in-line blocker. Whether that’s on a down block or drive block, this young man can jolt the defender upright with his strong punch at the point of attack and put the defender into the dirt when doing so. The result of these types of blocks you ask? It creates a hole for his halfback to hit hard as they run off his blocks and can break long runs when doing so. With pass protection, he also flashes his ability to drive the defender down the line of scrimmage when he tries to shoot into the B gap keeping the pocket clean for his QB. All in all, look for this young man’s run blocks to be the focal point of Tuscola’s running attack.
____________________
Be sure to follow @PRZJordan regarding news & information for Illinois High School Football as well as @PrepRedzoneIL.
Want to be ranked? Fill out our FREE Prospect Player Index, another tool to help you in your recruiting journey.
Use Code JordanAmaskane30 for 30% OFF your subscription today