Bay Area: 2024 Offer Now Candidates
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In the talented 2024 class across the Bay Area, here are four candidates that deserve more recognition from the college ranks and can make a big impact at the next level. Justin Hylkema CA #104 OL #16 HEIGHT 6'6" WEIGHT…
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Continue ReadingIn the talented 2024 class across the Bay Area, here are four candidates that deserve more recognition from the college ranks and can make a big impact at the next level.
Hylkema has impressed at multiple events this off-season, and is every part of 6’7 with little to no bad weight and a massive frame that will only continue to pack on more weight and develop. He is a natural bender in his stance, shows a quick first step and initial punch while finishing blocks downfield and excelling at both in the box vertical/drive/down blocks along with climbing to the second level. He is a smooth athlete and has quick feet in pass protection while showing a strong off hand punch and can post back inside against counter moves with a strong base and recovery if beat. Through this Spring and into the summer leading into his Senior season, he should see his stock rise as he has a rare combination of size and athleticism for the tackle position.
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Thorpe is a power five caliber tackle that has been flying under the radar so far this season but is one of the top prospects Norcal has to offer in the 2024 class. He has the ideal body for the position with no bad weight and extremely athletic out in space. He is a natural tackle with quick feet, patience, ankle/hip mobility and snaps out of his stance with a strong inside punch and a nasty finish downfield. He can block in space at the second level, pull when needed and is a high motor kid that is always looking for work and finishes blocks with violence. A very balanced player in the run game and pass protection, he should be closing in on his first FBS offer sooner rather than later.
Highlights
Alapati came over from De La Salle for his Junior season and is one of the best California linebackers in the 2024 class. He is very active from the second level and a good combination of downhill thumper in the box that can also cover, is fluid in space and offers some pass rush abilities off the edge. The First Team All-State selection has a nose for the ball and breaks quickly to ball carriers while exploding through contact and bringing a thump at the POA when shocking blockers in-between the tackles. In the open field, he takes good angles and shows closing speed with ball skills and zone coverage discipline. Last month he picked up his first offer from UNLV and is a no brainer D-I caliber prospect.
Cunningham is another one of the top linebackers in the state, and has intriguing size and length for the position. He is a versatile player that can play both inside and come off the edge, while also able to thump inside and take on bigger blockers and fill violently. He is an explosive hitter in the open field that runs through contact and takes good angles in the open field while seemingly always around the ball. When applying pressure, he can come off the edge with a violent use of hands or up the middle with closing speed and quickly collapsing the pocket. A high IQ kid that can flip and settle in zone coverage, his position versatility and length make him intriguing for the next level and is a no brainer FBS caliber kid.