Best Available WI Seniors: Part III
In this article:
We may be deep in the offseason, but recruiting has been on fire here in Wisconsin! We have seen a ton of talent from across the state announce their next level homes over the past couple of months since the…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe may be deep in the offseason, but recruiting has been on fire here in Wisconsin! We have seen a ton of talent from across the state announce their next level homes over the past couple of months since the season ended. Despite all the announcements, there are still a lot of seniors still looking for that place that feels like home. To make sure as many of those kids get the spotlight as possible I have started a series looking at the top uncommitted talent. Today, I have Part III. Part III includes nine more athletes that need to be on the radars of the next level. Get a sense of what they have to offer below.
The 6’6″ 240 lbs TE/DE seems to be one of the state’s most under recruited athletes. He has excellent size that will allow him to play either position at the next level. Aiden also has the talent at both positions to be an option at either position. He has the required strength that allows him to be an effective run blocker on offense, and set a strong edge against the run game on defense. As a pass rusher, there are glimpses of solid bend to be able to dip his long frame underneath offensive linemen. As a receiver, Janke utilizes his length very well. It allows him to make the catch at the highest point while keeping it away form defenders. That size also allows him to create separation from DBs. I believe Aiden holds one D2 offer, so far. Name to know.
An athlete who is going to be a riser in the rankings when they debut soon is the 6’2″ 205 lbs OLB. Justin is a rangy, athletic linebacker who looks at home out in space. He has a lot of experience playing out in the slot where he does an impressive job of reading and recognizing what’s in front of him. He moves easily in every direction, and that allows him to be effective in zone coverage. Surma also has the speed to be able to cover ground as well as run with RBs/TEs. Don’t let all the athleticism fool you, though. Justin is a sound tackler who will lay the wood on ball carriers and receivers when he gets the chance to. Justin is another under recruited athlete on this list. He holds one D2 offer.
Highlights
The 6’2″ 280 lbs senior played LG and LT this past season. He is at his best on the interior. There he is able to play to his strengths best. Tori is an effective puller, both across the formation to trap defenders and up to the second level. Mielke is is a powerful athlete. He plays with a wide base and good bend allowing him to have the leverage to drive big interior defensive linemen off the line of scrimmage. The big man has a powerful initial punch that can put defenders to the ground. It seems to be a pattern early in this article, but Tori also holds one D2 offer at this point. Give him a look.
Justice is an intriguing offensive weapon out of Kenosha. He plays primarily RB for Indian Trail, but he offers the ability to line up out wide as well. The 6’2″ 190 lbs senior has the frame for either position. On the ground, Justice is a physical runner. More than you would expect for an athlete who is long and lean like him. He plays behind his pads, runs his feet through contact, and most importantly has the body control to be able to take hits without being thrown off balance. Justice possesses the speed to be able to hurt the defense outside the tackles. Lovelace also brings the hands needed to be a viable option as a receiver recruit. His route running would need the time and coaching to develop, but he has the tools to mold. Don’t miss out.
Highlights
Everett is a hidden gem at the WR position. He has elite size at 6’4″ 210 lbs with 4.79 40 speed. Teams looking for a redzone, jump ball winning playmaker on the outside need to check out Lentz. He can stretch the field with his long strides and will go up over the DB to get the ball before they can have a shot at making a play on it. Everett is a smooth mover with the football. He glides around the field. The big man is a natural hands catcher. He is able to pluck the ball out of the air without breaking stride. A team is going to get a steal in the big receiver out of South Milwaukee. Don’t sleep on him.
One of the more noticeable discrepancies between talent and recruitment is the Fond du Lac defensive end. The 6’3″ 220 lbs senior has proven he can make an impact from a three point and two point stance. There are a lot of tools to like. He has a high motor that emphasizes his entire game. I really like his feet. Isaiah has a quick initial burst out of his stance, can slide laterally while engaged and disengaged with blocks. His hands are active, and strong. Lastly, Jones plays with good awareness. He knows where the ball is at all times, and uses that high motor to get to it before the whistle. Jones holds an offer from Ripon. Give him a look.
Next up is a member of the 8 man league here in WI. The Newman Catholic TE/LB has prototypical size at 6’4″ 225 lbs and has been a dominant force on the field for a few seasons now. On defense, Eli locks down the middle of the field. He has solid awareness and instincts for the position. Gustafson is able to diagnose plays and get in position to make the stop. Lastly, the big man has solid range from the middle of the second level. On offense, Eli really shows off the body control with sufficient route running for his size and position. He is a natural receiver that looks it in and makes sure to catch it away from the body. Eli can be counted on in the run game as well. He currently holds multiple D3 offers. Keep him on your radars.
I’m surprised that Brock is under the radar at this point. He stands out from the crowd on the field. The 6’2″ 230 lbs DL has superior strength compared to the guys around him. He is able to stand up the OL right at the point of contact and has the heavy hands to shed blocks with one club of his arm. Brock is a well rounded prospect that has the mobility and athleticism to pair with the power. His ability to slide laterally while engaged makes it easier for him to disengage as well as harder for opponents to land a square block on him. Lastly, Sawicki has the range to be able to chase down ball carriers in the backfield. Brock holds an offer from UW River Falls. Check him out.
Jonah is another intriguing prospect that is a blank canvas to work with. Up until this season Jonah was a QB. This season he switched to WR/TE. The 6’3″ 210 lbs athlete has the size for the position as well as the athleticism. His awareness for the soft spots in coverage stands out, and can be correlated to his QB experience. The athlete also has surprising hands. You can watch the highlights and see him making an impressive one handed catch. Where he needs the most coaching is the nuanced parts of route running. That shouldn’t surprise anyone though. Buy into the potential and you could come away with an impact player in the end.