Rising 2024 Recruits With Exhilarating Upside
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Jayden Eagle – Eastern High School – RB – 5’9″ 190lbs – 2024 Eagle is an explosive athlete with the ball in his hands. He’s a big play waiting to happen and has now had 2 back to back 1000-yard…
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Continue ReadingJayden Eagle – Eastern High School – RB – 5’9″ 190lbs – 2024
Eagle is an explosive athlete with the ball in his hands. He’s a big play waiting to happen and has now had 2 back to back 1000-yard rushing seasons. Not many guys can carry the ball for 9YPC for a full season, let alone do it 2 years in a row while also hitting double digit TDs. Quite the impressive feet from Eagle if you want my opinion. On the field, he’s got a fantastic second gear and is able to find it almost right off the line of scrimmage. He doesn’t waste time dancing around behind the line of scrimmage and gets North/South immediately. With his elite speed comes an ability to make defenders miss with ease. Sometimes it seems like Eagle had to of oiled his uniform with some of the tackles he’s able to slip out of, but nope that’s all him. He’s got great control of his body and a good natural feel of things around him. While I imagine size is his biggest question mark I don’t think it should be. He’s been incredibly durable, is still developing, and you never know once a guy hits your lifting program what he can turn into. If you have a shifty back who is good in space and can catch the ball out of the backfield and return kicks, while developing in your system that’s a huge win. Versatility is the name of the game and that’s what Eagle brings to the table and I’m pretty excited just knowing we got another year to watch him play at the HS level.
Wyatt Woodall – Southmont – RB/LB – 6’0″ 215lbs – 2024
Woodall is a phenomenal athlete who has had one of the best seasons to date for anyone in the entire state. Not many guys are going to have 1000-scrimmage yards and 100 tackles in the same year but Woodall was able to accomplish that feat this year. The best part is how he looked doing it. He looked exactly how you’d hope. Simply better than everyone else on the field. With the ball in his hands, he’s like an angry horse you’re trying to stop full speed. He’s got long legs that eat up a ton of yardage in a hurry. While he’s not making a ton of people miss, he’s breaking more tackles than you can count. He’s got an elite center of gravity, fantastic contact balance, and isn’t afraid of contact. In fact, he looks for it because he wants to do the hitting. Woodall has even come out of the backfield as a pass catching back, ran through a few defenders, and hit an 80-yard TD reception. If you ask him to block he’s going to take it personally like that defender said something about his Mamma and put him on his back. Defensively he plays the same physical way. He likes to hit, make plays, and let them know when he’s lurking. If Woodall went to a bigger school he’d have more eyes on him than you’d be able to count. But, that’s what I love about High School football. Some incredibly smart football coach is going to bring Woodall in and he’s going to be a stud for them. Everyone will ask where this kid came from but there he was right in Southmont the whole time.
Benedict Morakinyo – North Central – OT/C – 6’0″ 260lbs – 2024
Morokinyo has really had a solid fall and really helped solidify the right side of the line this year. He’s listed at 6’0″ but seems much bigger than that. He’s started at Tackle and towers over every defender that comes across him. If he’s 6’0″ he’s got some of the longest arms and legs I’ve seen. Weight wise, he is a little bit light but that’ll change over time as he puts the weight on and hits a lifting program. He’s got light feet and is able to move them without being stuck in the mud. He’s almost too light on his feet sometimes and if he anchors down, he’s a problem. In the running game is where he’s at his best so far. He’s typically able to get leverage and make the block and clear the gap for the ball carrier. He’s got a strong first punch and isn’t afraid to use his hands. As the year went on he looked more comfortable and got a better feet for the outside. He’s been able to set his feet and win in pass blocking most of the time. He’s someone who could also likely play on the inside of the line depending on what you need. Morakinyo is a fun recruit who can help any line.
Lukas Marlow – Northview – ATH – 5’9″ 150lbs – 2024
Marlow has currently broken my simulation. I’ve seen him punt the football, return kicks, play FS, and WR. What stands out most is his natural athleticism and that everything comes fairly easy for him. Defensively, he’s got a good nose for the ball and is able to sniff things out before they happen. He’s not afraid to come into the box and make a hard tackle where he’s going to pay for it later. He’s decent in coverage and understands zone concepts and how to pass off receivers. Offensively, I wonder if there isn’t some still hidden potential. When he’s got the ball in his hands he’s able to make things happen, which is likely why he returns kicks. He’s got good speed, soft hands, and is able to find the open hole in zone. Marlow is someone who could easily come in and play Special Teams and have a big impact as he’s developing. A great chance to see the field early is be on Special Teams and it helps when you can do just about everything in that phase of the game as well.
Langdon Holbrook Langdon Holbrook 5'8" | 180 lbs | ATH Scottsburg | 2024 State IN – Scottsburg – ATH – 5’8″ 180lbs – 2024
Holbrook is another weapon that can be used all over the field. In the slot, as a corner, or returning kicks he’s shown to have the versatility to make play after play. Offensively, he’s as good as they get with the ball in his hands. He’s got elite speed. He’s been clocked at over 21 MPH and he gets there in a hurry. He’s got elite acceleration which allows him to start and stop on a dime. Holbrook is someone who could be used as a slot WR or a gadget/3rd down back you trust coming out of the backfield. He’s got good hands which is what allows him to be so versatile. He’s great as a punt returner as well and has housed a few over his time already. With another year, it’s likely he adds to that tally next year. Defensively, he’s a good man coverage corner. If you need someone to stick to a receiver and annoy him while breaking up the ball late as it comes than Holbrook has had success there as well. Length may be a question for him but that’s why it’s so good for him he’s great on offense and Special Teams. Wherever he ends up I can assure you they are getting a hard working recruit who is going to make an impact in more than one way.