Scouting Reports for Ohio’s 2023 Big Ten Signees
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Michael Kilbane OH #14 DL #3 HEIGHT 6'4" WEIGHT 240 POS DL CLASS 2023 View Profile Michael Kilbane Instagram Twitter State: Ohio School: St. Edward Last month the Saint Ed’s Eagles won the Division 1 state championship to go back-to-back.…
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Continue ReadingLast month the Saint Ed’s Eagles won the Division 1 state championship to go back-to-back. A key player on those state championships was Mike Kilbane. Kilbane was a game wrecker for the Eagles defense. He’s a defensive end that can win with power plays or with athleticism. Kilbane has a strong bull rush that he uses to walk offensive linemen into the backfield and then is able to disengage and make plays. He has a get off and athleticism to win the edge as well. He’s plays with heavy and hands and is stout versus the run. Northwestern and Pat Fitzgerald seem to be a great fit for Kilbane, who’s a no-nonsense kind of young man.
Highlights
Pat Fitzgerald and the Northwestern Wildcats did some work in Ohio in 2023. As we’ve already spoke about Michael Kilbane Michael Kilbane 6’4″ | 240 lbs | DL St. Edward | 2023 State OH , Fitzgerald also came to Ohio for Safety Joshua Fussell Joshua Fussell 6’0″ | 180 lbs | DB Lakota West | 2023 State OH . Lakota West has put out several D1 P5 defensive backs over the last couple of years including Malik West who we talked about yesterday and is heading to Ohio State. At 6’0 180 pounds Fussell has good size and length and a frame he’ll be able to continue to add good weight too. When you watch Josh’s film the first thing, I see is a player who has really good hips and feet. He’s smooth in changing directions. He takes good angles to the ball and does a great job of playing the ball rather than the man. While he’s not a big DB he isn’t afraid to play in the box and put his nose in there and sniff out run plays. I really think Josh is a guy who the Wildcats will be able to put in centerfield as a single high safety and let him take away anything deep.
Dixon has been a do it all player for the Tallmadge Blue Devils, where he played both sides of the ball while making big time plays. After a time where he was committed to Wisconsin, Collin changed his mind and will be headed to the University of Illinois to play for head coach Bret Bielema. Collin will play wide receiver for the Fighting Illini. He’s really as a complete a wide receiver as you’re going to come across at the high school level. At 6’2 205 Collin has a body that’s ready made for the college game. As a route runner he’s polished, breaking off routes and using them to create separation. He has good strength and has which he frequently uses to make contested catches. Once he gets into the open field, he’s a play maker. Dixon is also a threat as a returner on special teams. I really think Dixon could force his way onto the field early in his career at Illinois.
Calhoun had commitments to West Virginia and Cincinnati before being offered by and signing with the Michigan Wolverines. I’ve known Cam since his sophomore year. He has all the length you want in a tough man to man corner. He has the hips and feet to move with and mirror top receivers. When the balls in the air he gets great breaks and plays the ball really well. Beyond the frame and athleticism, Cam is a fierce competitor. You’re not going to have to worry about him forgetting a bad rep or battling self-confidence. When he straps it up, it’s on. Cam will be greatly helped adding weight and strength from a P5 strength and training program. From a skill and athleticism standpoint I believe Cam is well prepared to compete at Michigan.
At 6’4 220 Breeon Ishmail Breeon Ishmail 6’5″ | 205 lbs | WR Hamilton | 2023 State OH definitely passes the look test. Ishmail started his high school career at Hamilton HS where he played a lot of wide receiver and linebacker. He started receiving a lot of D1 attention as a sophomore before things really cooled off for him. After his junior season he decided to transfer to Princeton high school for his senior year. On staff at Princeton is former Cincinnati Bearcat all-time sack leader Antwaan Peek. The Ishmail and Peek decided it would be in Ishmail’s best interest to move to the edge position. So, with all of that in mind, what we’ve seen so far from Breeon is very impressive considering he’s a very unfinished product as an edge player. His combination of physical stature and athleticism simply can’t be taught. Combine that with a program and scheme in Michigan that has done a great job of developing NFL caliber pass rushers of recent and I think Breeon has a very bright future. He moves really well in space as you see him drop and cover as well as in pursuit of the football. He’s violent when he arrives. As a pass rusher he has not just the size and athleticism, but the long arms needed to stave off blockers and win reps. As he continues to develop his technique as a pass rusher, I believe he’s a guy who the Wolverines will be able to both put his hand in the dirt and stand up to play coverage or blitz off of the line. His versatility will be a great asset for him and his defense. I’m very excited to watch Breeon develop physically and as a player at Michigan.
Glover is the type of hybrid safety-linebacker that are very coveted in today’s game of college football. They’re so valuable because defenses need linebackers that can run and cover, and Glover provides just that. Glover is Northwestern’s 3rd and final recruit from Ohio’s 2023 class. Glover is comfortable playing coverage in space, displaying fluid hips and taking good angles to the play. He makes decisive reads and when he fire’s, he gets downhill in a hurry. For all his talent in coverage, he’s really fun to watch in the run game and as a tackler. Glover comes in to lower the boom and he’s athletic enough and has the awareness to make plays on the ball to create turnovers. Unfortunately, Nigel missed a large portion of his senior season due to injury. As he continues to get bigger and stronger, I think the future is very bright for Glover.