The Best Performances of State: ATHs
In this article:
We end our recap of the State Championship games with a look at the most dominant two way players from the seven games. The 10 athletes in this article couldn’t be put into one position without hurting the image of…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe end our recap of the State Championship games with a look at the most dominant two way players from the seven games. The 10 athletes in this article couldn’t be put into one position without hurting the image of them as a player. So I’m adding an ATH article to dive into what they offer to the next level on both sides of the ball. These 10 student athletes need to be on the radar coaches from most levels of competition. WE have a lot to talk about for each player, so let’s get into it.
Stats: 20 Carries 67 yards, 1 TD, 3 Receptions, 38 Yards, 4 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack, 2 PBUsrnA team is going to get a steal in the Kettle Moraine athlete. Nolan holds offers from SMSU, and Concordia- St. Paul. There is no question that the 6’2″ 240 lbs FB/LB can play at the next level. I believe he could actually play either of those positions at the next level. On offense, Nolan uses that big frame to power his way to yards after contact. He runs behind his pads well, and his powerful lower half allows him to run through tackle attempts and always fall forward. Schopp also offers a receiving threat at the FB position. He has soft hands, and made the highlight catch of the Championship games with a one handed snag over the middle of the defense.
On defense, Nolan uses his strength to make himself a stout defender. He has experience at ILB and OLB. On the edge, Schopp can stack blocks, shed, and chase down ball carriers. Between the tackles he has that next level agility to be able to move that big frame side to side while making blockers miss. I’m excited to watch him make an impact at the next level.
Stats: 19 Carries, 55 Yards, 1 TD, 4 Receptions, 29 Yards, 6 TacklesrnThe 6’2″ 185 lbs athlete is a versatile athlete. He plays LB and RB for Shiocton, and based off his athletic profile I believe he could play in the secondary at the net level. On offense, Cade was the lone source of production. Yards were hard to come by for Shiocton, and the only way they came was on the back of Cade and his ability to make defenders miss in tight quarters with his agility and acceleration.
On defense, Shiocton had a hard time containing the dominant run game of Regis. However, Stingle was able to make several stops that would have resulted in even more big plays. Cade proved he could maneuver between the tackles to make stops while avoiding blockers. He also has sideline to sideline range thanks to his reported 4.46 40 speed. That speed and explosive short area play is why I think he could slide back to safety at the next level. Wherever he lines up at MNSU- Mankato Cade will have a shot to make an impact.
Stats: 2 Receptions, 32 Yards, 10 Tackles, 3 TFLsrnAnother massively under recruited senior is the 6’4″ 190 lbs TE/DE/OLB. He will need time to fill out his long, lean frame, but I believe he could become a weapon on either side of the ball. On offense, Bradley has very soft hands, and adjusts to the ball with ease when the ball is outside his frame. The playmaker has 4.5 40 speed. Speed that allows him to stretch the field before the catch or beat pursuit angles after the catch. That speed and catch radius combination stands out from the crowd of recruits at that position.
On defense, Bushke has very solid technique. He uses his hands really consistently. His pass rush repertoire is well developed and has led to a lot of production for the Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Once he defeats the block he has that special closing speed to create a lot of pressure and TFLs/sacks. He holds one offer from Sioux Falls. Coaches need to get this kid on their boards. The talent and further potential is undeniable.
Stats: 4 Carries 51 Yards, 1 TD, 1 Reception, 33 Yards, 1 TD, 7 TacklesrnThis ATH group is filled to the brim with senior steals. The next one is the 6′ 190 lbs RB/S out of Regis. On offense, Carson had an extremely efficient day turning 5 touches into 2 TDs. On the ground, Tait is a patient runner. His confidence in his athletic traits allowed him to let blocks set up, and then he would accelerate through the lane developed. On the TD run you can see the speed help him beat the pursuit. Carson makes everything look easy. Even in the passing game he has soft hands and is very dangerous out in space with the ball after the catch.
At safety, Tait showed us the required range needed to be able to play a deep half of the field, and still be able to make stops against the run. We also saw that he could come down in the slot and turn and run with receivers throughout their route. Carson has received D3 interest, but is still looking for his home at the next level.
Highlights
Stats: 14 Carries, 59 Yards, 1 TD, 13 TacklesrnThe 5’11” 190 lbs RB/LB was the top producer on offense and defense for West Salem on the way to Camp Randall. Luke is a little different from the others in this list up to this point. I believe his home is at one position. Linebacker. The senior is a natural at ILB. He quickly reads the flow of the linemen, moves with the flow while maintaining his gap. He plays without hesitation as he flies downhill against the run. Noel was one of the most sound tacklers of the week. When he made contact the play was going to end there. I was impressed with his lateral agility as well. He could stay perfectly square to the line while moving across the formation to meet the RB in the hole for the tackle. That allowed him to avoid locks, and be strong at the point of contact with ball carriers. A team, probably at the D3 level, is going to get this kid and get a difference maker.
Highlights
Stats: 1 Reception , 6 Yards, 1 TD, 3 Tackles, 1 PBUrnThe 6’3″ junior is going to be an athlete that grabs the attention of the next level. He is a long athlete still growing into his frame. On offense, he was essentially an extra lineman because of how run heavy they were. However, we got to see his speed and awareness for the soft spots in coverage on the TD catch. He went over the middle and got behind the defense for the grab to end the half.
Defense is where he looks his most natural at this point in his career. Mobry is a rangy, athletic OLB that proved he can play on the edge and out is space. Off the edge, Mobry was stout and could take on blocks with proper leverage to keep his outside arm free. He also could shoot off the edge with his initial burst. Out in space, Mobry was very impressive turning and running with athletes in the slot. That athleticism at his size is going to get him a lot of attention at camps and throughout his senior season. I think we see a big breakout year from Jefferson. Do not miss out on this kid. Big things coming.
Stats: 9/18, 144, Yards, 1 TD, 14 Carries, 30 Yards, 1 TD, 4 TacklesrnJarod is another athlete that was a big impact both ways, but looks like he has a home on one side of the ball. Falkner’s big plays on offense gave him a lot of highlights, but I believe OLB is where he could have a home at the next level. Jarod uses his 6’3″ length to create separation from linemen. He also has a good get off and speed to rush the edge. His agility allowed him to shake blockers after getting that separation so he could make the tackle. He is raw, but I would not be surprised to see a team buy into the size, athleticism, and potential. I was expecting a big day at QB, but he surprisingly looked best off the edge.
Highlights
Calvin Hargrove
Calvin Hargrove
Stats: 20 Carries, 97 Yards, 1 TD, 20 TacklesrnThere isn’t much more I can say about Calvin that I haven’t already. He is as much of an impactful playmaker as you could hope for at the HS level. The kid plays far bigger than what he is listed at. He had huge numbers in the final game and the season as a whole. On offense, Calvin has solid vision at the RB position. He follows his blocks, and can slip through the smallest glimpses of daylight. His contact balance has been developed by his wrestling background and become great.
On defense, he has been a force at ILB. His understanding of leverage not only puts him in the proper position it also makes him a better tackler. The range he plays with is very good also. Multiple time she got to the edge of the formation to meet the RB without seeing an OL because they couldn’t get to the second level before he got to the edge. Hargrove has had a great career, and it has resulted in back to back State championships. He doesn’t have the size for the next level, but you can’t argue with the production and impact. His numbers on both sides of the ball are rare.
Stats: 11 Carries, 62 Yards, 1 TD, 4 Tackles, 2 PBUsrnDamien is now a member of the Mayville HS team. During his season with the team, Damien carved out a two way role, and earned himself his first offer from Carthage. We could see more join the pursuit of his talents when they watch the tape. On defense, Damien proved to be a playmaker against the pass. Multiple times he was able to jump routes thanks to his ability to read the QB’s eyes. Both PBUs came in key situations that led to Mayville getting the ball back. Hauglie is a good athlete who easily moves around the secondary in coverage situations. He has loose hips that allow him to turn and run. Against the run, Hauglie thrives when he can use his agility to make blockers miss.
On offense, Damien is a north-south runner. He will make one cut and then go. He doesn’t hesitate, and utilizes his blocks as much as he can. If I had to predict, I would say defense is where he fits best, and looks the most natural.
Stats: 15 Carries, 32 Yards, 2 Receptions, 27 Yards, 11 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 PBUrnI’m glad to see our final member of this talented group earning more recruiting attention recently. Since his final game, St. Norbert’s and UW-Stout have joined UW-River Falls in offering a roster spot to the athlete. Because of his size, I believe Rud’s future is at the RB position. Rud would be a dangerous change of pace back for a D3 team. He has 4.56 40 speed. That type of speed can break a game open at any level. On the field, Dawson is a shifty RB who can jump cut and burst his way through the traffic between the tackles, and then break off big gains out in space. The senior also has soft hands, and when he can get him the ball out in space he can hurt a defense. Rud also impressed me with his physicality. He was not easy to drag down. His compact frame gives him a low center of gravity that was hard to take down. I look forward to seeing the type of impact he can have at the next level.