Current Sophomores That Will Breakout in ’23
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There are several current underclassmen in the Classes of 2025 that are going to be in position next fall to breakout and make a big impact on their team’s results. Some of these student athletes carved out a role in 2022, but what they will be in position for in 2023 will far surpass those performances. In this article, I want to dive into why these specific student athletes have a great chance of having their breakout season in 2023. Get these kids on your radar now, so you aren’t surprised in 7 months when they start to go off.
I’m very excited for what we are going to see from the Catholic Memorial QB. MJ is a talented, dual threat QB that is in a position to have a huge impact on his team this fall. We already got a glimpse into his impact on the ground in 2022. MJ excels in the read option. He has the quick twitch change of direction and acceleration to beat defenders in tight spaces, and the long speed to take take over games. If you don’t have him corralled in the box then good luck catching him out in space.
In 2023 we are going to get to see far more of his arm it looks like. QB Isaiah Nathaniel Isaiah Nathaniel 6’2″ | 215 lbs | QB Catholic Memorial | 2023 State WI graduates this summer, so that leaves the full time job open. It looks like MJ’s to take. Last year we saw the starting QB position at CM go for 123/168, 1,851 yards, and 19 TDs. Lots of opportunities for MJ to help his team and show off his talents. Big year is coming for the soon to be junior.
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Another athlete that is going to be in a position to go off in 2023 is the RB/S Evrett Tait Evrett Tait 6’0″ | 200 lbs | DB Regis | 2025 State WI out of Regis HS. The 6′ 175 lbs student athlete has the athleticism needed to be able to play at the next level, and dominate the HS level. His acceleration from a complete stop jumps off the tape, and they used it at Regis to get several blocked punts. On offense, that acceleration is also key for his role. Tait would stretch the defense horizontally, read his blocks and find the lane, then burst to top speed from there. On defense, Tait proved to have the range to be able to go from 15 yards deep to the line of scrimmage to make a stop against the run. He was also able to track down tackles from across the field. I’m excited to see how he looks both ways this fall.
I think his biggest breakout will be on offense.. He is the most productive returning rusher on the team with 33 carries, 166 yards, and 4 TDs. The four athletes who had more production ahead of him all graduate in June leaving a monster voided workload. I don’t expect him to pic kit all up, but we could see Tait push for 1,000 rushing yards while also locking down the safety position.
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Malcolm looks like he is next up at the helm of the Ashwaubenon offense. The 6’3″ 155 lbs QB stood out at the Prep Redzone WI Winter Showcase. That is where I got to take a look at his over the top throwing motion, solid arm strength, and reliable accuracy. His traits helped him earn a spot as one of the top performers from the Showcase.
The void left behind by Central Michigan Baseball commit Boone Kirst Boone Kirst 6’4″ | 185 lbs | QB Ashwaubenon | 2023 State WI will give Malcolm plenty of chances to standout and show off his talents. Last season, Boone threw for 166/266, 1,930 yards, and 19 TDs. Keep an eye out for what Malcolm does under the lights this fall as a junior. It could put him in position to be firmly on the radar of next level programs.
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Cayden looks like the perfect man to step up into the starting RB role for Wis. Rapids. He even has a similar build to former RB Leo Brostowitz Leo Brostowitz 5’10” | 190 lbs | RB Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln | 2023 State WI coming in at 5’9″ 190 lbs. In 2022 we saw him at the FB position in the Rapids offense. There he was able to use that bowling ball frame to attack straight ahead and play behind his shoulder pads. He runs his feet hard through contact. He has a low center of gravity, and he has some wiggle to him when he gets out in the open field. I think he could do big things next year looking at what s left behind.
The void left behind by the graduating seniors from Wisconsin Rapids is huge. There is roughly 2,600 rushing yards being left behind. Cayden is also the most productive returning RB, so I expect to see him pick up a lot of that workload. Be ready for big numbers from the junior this fall as eh takes over the helm.
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This one is more of a projection than a kid who has already proven he has the talent to breakout. Which means he is in position to be the biggest breakout player of the bunch. The 6’2 “180 lbs sophomore QB has the frame that has my interest peaked. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have any film to use to project him. However, if he does win the starting job there is a lot there for him to play with. Last season, the starting QB at Madison Memorial three for 109/209, 2,066 yards, and 28 TDs. He also carried the ball 50 times. So, look for big things to come from the new Madison Memorial QB. I will definitely have my eyes on the team this fall.
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I have high expectations for Trent’s junior season. I believe he can be the next premier TE talent in WI. He has an elite frame at 6’5″ 215 lbs. He ran in the 4.6s at the PRZ WI Winter Showcase. He presents a monster sized catch radius with soft hands. The big man moves like a WR in his routes. He is smooth through the breaks of the route, and doesn’t have to lose speed. His ability to use his body to create separation makes him even more dangerous on top oft he separation his route running creates. All that is left is to show the production on the field.
Trent is in a prime position to do just that as a junior. He is the most productive receiver of any returning member of the team. Stud ’23 TE Nollenn Tabaska Nollenn Tabaska 6’7″ | 230 lbs | TE Brookfield East | 2023 State WI was the leading receiver on the team and leaves behind 28 receptions, 398 yards, and 3 TDs. There are several other receptions also voided, so I’m hoping for a big year out of the Brookfield East athlete.
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Brady is already making a push for QB1, but he could secure it fully with his 2023 performance. The 6’3″ 195 lbs QB has a great frame, an arm to attack all three levels of the field with, and accuracy that shows up in his ball placement and his 72.5% completion percentage on the stat sheet. Brady split time in 2022, but we saw so much that has me excited. He has experience under center and in the gun. He was used on play action, roll outs, threw on the run, threw from the pocket in rhythm. Brady have us a glimpse of it all, and in 2023 I think he goes off.
Splitting time at QB means that we can expect a huge pump in his statistical output. In 2022 he put up 50/69, 631 yards, and 7 TDs. His counterpart put up 72/127, 831 yards, and 7 TDs. With Brady getting all that this fall we could see big numbers, and continued success for the team.