NFL Pro Comparisons Part One: Class of 2024 Offensive Edition
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The enthusiastic football fans in all of us will be on the edge of our seats for the coming weeks as the Kansas City Chiefs clash with the Philadelphia Eagles for all of the marbles. No question, the high-flying action…
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Continue ReadingThe enthusiastic football fans in all of us will be on the edge of our seats for the coming weeks as the Kansas City Chiefs clash with the Philadelphia Eagles for all of the marbles. No question, the high-flying action will garner attention all around the world! Since the high school football season is all but concluded, let’s have some fun and take a look at the top offensive football prospects in the Class of 2024 and compare them to which NFL superstars they play their game most similar to! Without further ado, let’s jump right into things!
Quarterbacks
QB Blake Barnett Blake Barnett 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Erie | 2024 State CO , Erie
NFL Player Comparison: QB Justin Fields, Chicago Bears
There is no denying the capability that Mr. Barnett possesses when it comes to his dual-threat ability. Not only does Barnett pack a punch standing at 6’2″ and weighing in at 205 pounds, but the Erie standout signal caller has some swift feet when running in-between and outside of the tackles. Recently pledging his commitment to Kansas State, Barnett will enter his final year looking to take that next step into becoming a more accurate passer from within the pocket.
QB Liam Szarka Liam Szarka 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Grandview | 2024 State CO , Grandview
NFL Player Comparison: QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Despite not having eye-popping height at the quarterback position, Szarka makes up for it with his accurate arm that is prone to fitting the football into the tightest of windows. Leading Grandview on a deep run in the postseason this past season, Szarka will be entering his final season of high school ball as one of the top passers within the state of Colorado. Not to mention, but Szarka has some sneaky athleticism under his belt that makes him that much more dynamic.
QB Blake Palladino Blake Palladino 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Dakota Ridge | 2024 State CO , Dakota Ridge
NFL Player Comparison: QB Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Without a doubt, Palladino certainly looks the part of a quarterback with all of the tools, and this past season definitely reiterated that statement. After transferring from Mullen High School, Palladino entered the 2022 season as the clear starter under center and showcased why he is one of the more sought-after QB prospects that the Centennial State has to offer. The biggest strength in Palladino’s game is his impeccable footwork that puts him in a position to make fundamentally sound throws from anywhere on the field.
Running Backs:
RB Gabe Sawchuk Gabe Sawchuk 5'10" | 165 lbs | RB Valor Christian | 2024 State CO , Valor Christian
NFL Player Comparison: RB Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
After his older brother broke nearly every rushing record at Valor Christian during his career, Sawchuk proved others that he is also a prolific halfback when inserted into the forefront of the Valor Christian backfield. During his sophomore campaign that included a whole lot of carries to boot, Sawchuk will be the top ball carrier at Valor heading into his senior season.
RB Chevelle Early Chevelle Early RB Denver South | 2024 State CO , Denver South
NFL Player Comparison: RB Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars
Another dynamic running back who seems to run the ball with a chip on his shoulder, Early is the perfect half back for a Denver South squad that loves to pound the rock, and he is also coming off a dominant season in which he amassed for nearly 900 yards on the ground in only nine games played. If Early has a strong season campaign, then many schools may come a knockin’.
RB Blake Griffin Blake Griffin 5'9" | 195 lbs | RB Montrose | 2024 State CO , Montrose
NFL Player Comparison: RB Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans
Over the course of the previous three seasons where Griffin has called the Montrose backfield his home, the talented and bruising halfback as slowly but surely made a name for himself throughout the state of Colorado. During the 2022 season, Griffin was one of the state’s leading rushers as he accumulated a whopping 2,061 yards while averaging an eye-popping 9.3 yards per carry. Not to mention, but Griffin displayed tremendous ball-carrier vision when in-between the tackles and had a nose for the end zone with 26 rushing touchdowns on the year.
Wide Receivers:
WR Austin Bowker Austin Bowker 6'3" | WR Rock Canyon | 2024 State CO , Rock Canyon
NFL Player Comparison: WR Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
At first glance, Austin Bowker Austin Bowker 6'3" | WR Rock Canyon | 2024 State CO out of Rock Canyon High School certainly looks the part of being a next-level pass catcher on tape. Standing at 6’3″ and weighing in at a rock solid 200 pounds, Bowker has an opportunity to turn some heads during his upcoming senior season at Rock Canyon. With great hands and his stupendous ability to go up and pinpoint the ball, Bowker’s smooth route-running skills definitely puts him on the list of wideouts to watch for the 2023 high school season.
WR Jake Krekeler Jake Krekeler 5'10" | 195 lbs | WR Argyle | 2024 TX , Valor Christian
NFL Player Comparison: WR Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks
The shifty and well-handed top wideout for the Eagles this past season, Krekeler is the type of wide receiver that can do it all. Whether it is hanging on to contested catches across the middle or sprinting past defensive backs on go routes, the soon-to-be-senior can also get the job done in run blocking and is as reliable as they come from his position.
WR Joseph Ciccio Joseph Ciccio WR Lutheran | 2024 State CO , Lutheran
NFL Player Comparison: Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
One of the more slept on prospects at the wide receiver position in Colorado, there is a good chance that Ciccio may be the top wideout in all of Class 3A by next season’s end. After posting respectable numbers at Lutheran during his junior campaign that resulted in over 500 yards and seven touchdown catches through the air, Ciccio is a name to be on the look for this season.
Tight Ends:
TE Mason Cowgill Mason Cowgill 6'4" | 225 lbs | TE Erie | 2024 State CO , Erie
NFL Player Comparison: T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions
When it comes to true dual-threat tight ends that not only can get their hands dirty in the blocking game but can also run routes and catch the football with pure efficiency, then Mason Cowgill Mason Cowgill 6'4" | 225 lbs | TE Erie | 2024 State CO is your guy. Without a doubt, Cowgill certainly passes the eye test from a sheer size standpoint, but it is the little things that makes the Erie tight end so sought after by colleges around America.
TE Colton Mills-Younger Colton Mills-Younger 6'2" | 225 lbs | TE Poudre | 2024 State CO , Poudre
NFL Player Comparison: TE Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
Another fierce tight-end that reigns supreme in northern Colorado, the play of Colton Mills-Younger Colton Mills-Younger 6'2" | 225 lbs | TE Poudre | 2024 State CO at Poudre High School certainly is raising some eyebrows locally and even nationally. During his junior season as tight-end number one for the Impalas, Younger was able to create a multitude of mismatches sometimes acting as an extra offensive lineman and even displaying a knack to haul in catch after catch in the passing game. By season’s end, Younger reeled in 45 receptions and even found pay dirt twice in the eleven games he suited up for.
TE Zach Smith, ThunderRidge
NFL Player Comparison: Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
One prospect that could definitely make some noise by the start of next season, Smith is a raw prospect at the tight-end position that is still figuring out how to play the game effectively after spending some time on the defensive side of the ball as well. The biggest thing that stands out is his 6’7″ frame that towers over most of his competition when out on the gridiron. Although Smith only recorded 108 receiving yards on 12 receptions during his junior season, Smith is expected to be a blossoming star at tight-end heading into 2023 and should be in line for some more action in the passing game come fall time.
Offensive Line:
OL Carson Caplan Carson Caplan 6'3" | 285 lbs | OL Pine Creek | 2024 State CO , Pine Creek
NFL Player Comparison: G Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns
For many years now, Colorado has made a name for itself when it comes to offensive lineman prospects not only locally but nationally as well. Headlining this ultra-talented 2024 class of hog mollies is Carson Caplan Carson Caplan 6'3" | 285 lbs | OL Pine Creek | 2024 State CO of Pine Creek who has been putting in the work over the last couple of years. Whether it’s paving the way in the running game or providing the proper pass protection for his QB, Caplan is the real deal. Combine this with stellar footwork for a player his size, and there is no wonder that he is one of the more sought-after interior lineman that Colorado has to offer.
OL Gage Ginther Gage Ginther 6'6" | 275 lbs | OL Fossil Ridge | 2024 State CO , Fossil Ridge
NFL Player Comparison: G Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs
Another exciting offensive line prospects with offers starting to rack up hails from Fort Collins and plays his ball at Fossil Ridge High School. During his third-year of high school football, Ginther made an extraordinary jump from a respectable starter to a bonafide top player at his position. Anchoring the Fossil Ridge offensive line at both the guard and tackle position, Ginther possesses tremendous upper and lower-body strength that is a big reason why he is so versatile to begin with.
OL Lincoln Fa’apouli, Fountain-Fort Carson
NFL Player Comparison:
Last and certainly not least, Fa’apouli not only has the coolest name to say among the Class of 2024 offensive lineman, but he is also creating some buzz for all the right reasons. Playing with a type of tenacity that cannot be taught, the Fountain-Fort Carson product towers at 6’5″ and packs a load at 315 pounds. Not only is he hard to push back in the battle of the trenches, Fa’apouli has surprisingly quick feet for his size which helps him chip defenders and remain engaged throughout a blocking assignment. Alas, this young man has all of the makings of being a special player not only his senior season, but possibly at the next level as well.