Small Indiana School Studs Part 2
Chase Jones – Tecumseh – RB – 6’0″ 185lbs – 2023 Jones is a fairly shifty back who is able to make a handful of guys miss on the regular. He’s got a twitch in-between the tackles that makes him…
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Continue ReadingChase Jones – Tecumseh – RB – 6’0″ 185lbs – 2023
Jones is a fairly shifty back who is able to make a handful of guys miss on the regular. He’s got a twitch in-between the tackles that makes him dangerous. He’s able to get small, keep his legs churning, and come through the backside of the hole and the pileup of bodies. He’s also fairly hard to bring down from time to time and makes the LB’s earn their bread that day. Jones has a fantastic ability to bounce off hits and stay balanced and get back going North/South. He’s got fairly good vision and is able to find cutback lanes, change direction, and cut across the grain to make things happen. While his tape on the ground toting the rock is very promising, it’s very likely he’ll need some work in pass protection and understanding blitz pickup at the next level. He’s tough and has no issue getting hit so I don’t anticipate any issues. Jones is someone you want on the field because of his ability to make plays. He’s going to get into a program, adjust, learn the playbook, and help that offense run the ball. Jones is a good recruit hidden way under the radar and someone is going to snag him.
Riley Buroff Riley Buroff 6'4" | 175 lbs | QB Churubusco | 2023 State IN – Churubusco – QB – 6’4″ 185lbs – 2023
Buroff has gotten drastically better ever year and this year was no different. He stands at 6’4″ and sees the field well. He’s got clear vision of everything in front of him and then has an elite feel in the pocket. He’s typically got a fantastic sense of pressure and knows when it’s time to go. He’s a better athlete than people will give him credit for as well. He can extend plays and make a throw downfield. I appreciate the effort and knowledge of Buroff to intentionally square his shoulders up when he’s throwing on the run. He’s got a decent arm and can uncork one from at least 50-yards in the air. He throws a nice, catachable ball as well. He likes to make quick decisions and get the ball out. But, if not and he has to take off he’s more than capable to do so He takes really long strides and eats up yards in a flash. When he’s in the pocket he’ll stand there and deliver the ball, even when taking a massive hit. He’s not afraid of contact. Buroff is a fairly sound and smart QB with all the tools and size you look for. There is a good chance he spends a year or 2 developing into the offense and program, but if he sticks with it, there’s a good chance he’s a starter down the road. Buroff is fun, hidden at a small school maybe a mile down the road from where I’m writing this, and is worth every second of your time.
Mark Rowland – Boone Grove – QB – 5’11” 160lbs – 2025
Rowland is a fun upcoming QB for Boone Grove who has a lot of things to be excited about moving forward, especially after the promise he showed this year. Breaking out and hanging 25 TDs in his first season as the full-time starter is a good way to get things going. It wasn’t the stats, but the way he looked doing it. As the season went on, he got more confident, looked better, and started making more wow plays. Rowland is aggressive and will take his shot down the field if it’s there. He’s not afraid to give his guy a chance deep. The best part is that usually only his guy has a shot at it. Rowland is decent at placing the ball for his guy. He’s able to throw on the run, throw guys open, and anticipate them coming out of their breaks. Right now, my biggest knock is that he’s got a heel click that needs cleaned up over the next few years. I imagine it will because he looks like someone who spends a lot of time on mechanics. He looks good overall, just a minor thing to clean up. By the time he graduates, he could easily be much taller and much more refined. He’s only a sophomore and has a few years of development left, but if the next few years look like this past one, Rowland is going to have no issue finding a home at the next level when his time comes.
Diego Hernandez-Reyes – Rensselaer Central – RB/LB – 5’9″ 165lbs – 2025
Reyes is a 2 way player who is getting better, gaining confidence, and is going to be a big part of his program’s plans for years to come. His freshman year, he showed a ton of promise. This year, he’s only added to that promise and taken another step. At RB, he’s been as good as you want. He’s an aggressive runner who can make guys miss or run through them. He’s a patient runner and knows to let his blocks set up first. He’s fast enough to bounce it outside if he needs to as well. He’s got a really good core and is able to keep his balance and stay up even in some incredibly tough spots. Reyes is good out of the backfield and has caught balls way down the field as well. Pass protection and blitz pickup is a work in progress, but as it is with most young backs. Reyes has a good twitch to him when he’s in the tackles and hard-nosing his way for a few extra yards. Defensively, he’ll come downhill, play the run, and make tackles in the open field. Wherever they’ve needed him to this point, he’s come through for them. Reyes is developing right as he should for them and looks good doing it. When he graduates, he may have his choice on which side of the ball he wants to play. He’s a nice recruit with versatility and will make some program better down the road.
Brayden McInturf – Bishop Luers – WR – 5’10” 185lbs – 2023
McInturf is fun recruit who is able to do just about anything you can ask a player to do. He’s got a really good head on his shoulders on the field and just understands what’s happening on the field and around him. He’s got all the makings to be a nasty slot receiver at the next level. He’ll catch just about anything that comes his way. Even if it means laying out and scooping it out of the air right before it touches the ground. He’s shifty, good in open space, and can read what’s happening in front of him and react live. He’s good really good ball skills and can track the ball over his shoulder on his way to the ground. He’s more than willing to block and do his part in the running game. He’s got a knack for just getting open and finding the soft spot in the defense. Time and time again he’s been able to help move the chains when they needed it most. Bishop Luers is on a loaded offense with some bigger names but that shouldn’t discredit what he can do. McInturf is a baller in his own right and is going to make an impact at the next level. Where is yet to be determined but he’s got everything you need to be successful at the next level.