Athletes Worth Going Outside the Threshold For
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College coaches are tasked with recruiting large areas, usually entire states, so do make things more efficient many will set up thresholds that they need athletes to fit inside of. It is a successful practice because the best college prospects are mostly the biggest, fastest, strongest kids. However, every state has a collection of kids who might not meet those thresholds, yet they have the talent to play at a high level of college football. Today, we shine the spotlight on those student athletes under the threshold with next level talent. Don’t let these kids slip under the radar. Or they will be stolen by another coaching staff. Let’s get started!
Jacques is at the front of the pack here in WI when it comes to athletes worth going outside of a position threshold for. His 5’10” 182 lbs frame doesn’t jump off the screen and catch your eye. Do not let that stop you from watching this dude. Jacques is one of the best receivers in the state. Throw out the size, and enjoy watching him work. Jacques has high end hands. Hands that give you faith that if you can get the ball close he is going to come down with it. It doesn’t matter if it is contested or not. The play speed is there in spades as well. You will repeatedly see him pull away in the open field, and eat up cushions at the start of his route. If you’re looking for receivers here in WI then you can’t overlook the Franklin standout.
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Another athlete just outside of what might be a lot of thresholds is the 6’1” 225 lbs OLB from Fond du Lac High School. What he lacks in length, McGee makes up for in quickness. When you don’t have length to create separation you have to win in other ways. Quickness and agility are the keys to success for Jeremiah. He can accelerate, jump cut on a dime leaving linemen punching at air, and close on ball carriers/QBs in a flash. The junior also has the range to make plays all over the field. Don’t sleep on Jeremiah this fall. Ean is a gamer. I watched his final regular season that he and his team needed to win, and Ean dominated on both sides of the ball. Don’t miss out on him.
Ean was a productive, impactful two way athlete for SP West in 2022. Due to his size, 6’1” 205 lbs LB/TE most closely fits as an LB at the next level. While not being the biggest athlete, Ackley plays big. He fights through blocks to get to the ball, and delivers big hits. Ean is very effective at timing his blitzes. He knifes through the OL in those scenarios quick enough to beat them out of their stances. The LB stepped up in the big moments too. I watched their must win season finale, and Ean took over the game on the way to the victory. Don’t overlook the under the radar athlete.
This is an exciting prospect that has a strong chance of making a next level impact despite his size. Jayvion is only 5’8”, but the RB looks the part of a college RB. He would best fit in a change of pace role, or the lightning in a thunder- lightning type of two back tandem. Hunter wins with speed, quickness, and vision. He sees the field so well with the ball in his hands. Blocks are quickly identified and utilized, and he is able to set up defenders so that he can have the angle or leverage on them. Get this playmaker the ball out in the open field, and he will help a program at the next level.
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The final athlete that I strongly believe teams need to consider going outside the threshold for is Rapids LB Carter Christy Carter Christy 6’0″ | 215 lbs | LB Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln | 2024 State WI . The 6′ 210 lbs athlete is compact for an LB, but he is filling out his frame well. The most impressive part is how strong he is. You will be hard pressed to find a stronger athlete. Especially pound for pound. That translates to game day too. Carter is able to bull rush right through interior offensive linemen. He doesn’t slow down as he plows through and wraps up the ball carrier. The stout defender has molded his game to make him a reliable run stopper. Keep an eye on him. He has improved his play year after year.