Friday Film Review – March 31, 2023
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Every Friday during February through April, we’re going to throw on the tape and break down athletes across Oklahoma. Last month, we put out a tweet asking prospects in the 2024-2026 classes to send us their film for our Film Review feature. Over 150 responses later and we’re off to the races. We’ve reviewed over 100 prospects all over Oklahoma so far and we’re not close to slowing down. Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma every Friday for more breakdowns on athletes across Oklahoma.
If you’re not featured this week but have sent us your film, don’t worry! You’re on the list and will be covered in the future. Now, all of these breakdowns are based on the film we have access to. And this isn’t just a puff piece. While the majority of the breakdowns will be positive, it will also include areas to improve, question marks and more for the prospect to work on as we head into the spring and summer.
Bethel has a pair of 2025 prospects that are some of the more experienced in the state when it comes to that class. And on the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Austin Melson Austin Melson 6’1″ | 215 lbs | LB Bethel | 2025 State OK leads the way for them. Fellow sophomore Bryce Tapley Bryce Tapley 6’0″ | 145 lbs | QB Bethel | 2025 OK leads the way on offense at the quarterback position but Melson is quickly turning into the leader of this Bethel defense. The first thing that jumps off the charts with Melson is his production. Melson has started since his freshman season and it looks like it as he has over 200 career tackles already in the last two seasons. Melson routinely looks like one of the more experienced players on the field from clip to clip. Like many middle linebackers that have that kind of production, it’s also very evident that Melson loves to hit and he’s a hard hitter on the Bethel defense. And when Melson hits an opponent, that opponent goes down as he’s a sure-tackler when he gets locked on to an opponent. Melson checks a lot of the boxes and as he improves his quickness and overall athleticism, he’ll grab plenty of attention.
Choctaw is having to reload as they head into the 2023 season after making it all the way to the state championship game but the Yellowjackets have some pretty good talent in their 2025 and 2026 classes. One prospect that we expect to take the next step this fall is 2025 offensive lineman Cody Voelker Cody Voelker 6’3″ | 210 lbs | DL Carl Albert | 2025 State OK as he heads into his junior season. He got some varsity experience last year but his sophomore film also featured quite a bit of non-varsity action as well. Voelker lined up primarily as a right tackle but he’s also listed as a tight end, defensive lineman and long snapper. So the versatility is there for Voelker to make some kind of impact for Choctaw this fall. Which position that will be is a big question we have for him moving forward. Based on his size and the film so far, Voelker is still a work in progress and he has room to grow both physically and within his game. We’re looking forward to seeing more of his film being against tougher competition and seeing how he stacks up when that competition gets tougher.
Highlights
It’s been well documented on this website just how special the state’s 2025 class is and Deer Creek signal caller Grady Adamson Grady Adamson 6’1″ | 215 lbs | QB Deer Creek | 2025 State OK has firmly established himself as part of that group. One thing that the film doesn’t show is the immediate impact that Adamson had. Deer Creek had a very experienced quarterback graduate and left some pretty big shoes to fill. Adamson filled those shoes immediately and made sure that the Deer Creek offense would continue to roll in 2022. Adamson set the tone throughout the offseason and then he had an outstanding sophomore campaign. Looking at the film specifically, you see that Adamson has an absolute rocket launcher attached to his shoulder but he also has accuracy with touch in the right moments. Adamson also moves well in the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield. He also showed tremendous toughness on several plays where he waited until the last second to get his man open even though that meant taking a hit. Adamson belongs in the conversation among the best in the 2025 class.
Highlights
Jenks 2025 running back Jordan Schelling Jordan Schelling 5’10” | 215 lbs | RB Union | 2025 State OK ended up being one of the breakout players from the 2022 season. With the Trojans missing some big names because of injuries, Schelling stepped into a role early on in the season and became an impact player for the Trojans. Schelling feels like the prototypical Jenks running back with the way he runs the ball and does so many things incredibly well already at a young age. Schelling was a breakout player for the Trojans at the running back position and it wasn’t simply for what he did with the ball in his hands. Schelling was a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield and he was also very helpful as an extra blocker. The strength appears to be off the charts for Schelling as his running power is evident when he has the ball and then looking at all the film of him in pass protection situations. When Schelling has the ball, he has a very strong stiff arm and sheds defenders rather easily. We are looking forward to seeing the steps Schelling takes this offseason as an established playmaker.
Highlights
Our final prospect on this week’s breakdown is Miami 2025 athlete Seth Davis Seth Davis 6’2″ | 195 lbs | ATH Miami | 2025 OK and we’re fired up about the future of the Wardogs and specifically in their backfield with Davis and 2026 quarterback Grant Lawless Grant Lawless 6’2″ | 185 lbs | QB Miami | 2026 OK returning this fall. Davis is listed here as an athlete but the majority of his film is at the running back position. One thing that really stood out about Davis at the running back position is his balance with the ball in his hands. He does a really good job of shrugging off defenders and finding a way to stay upright. Davis is listed at 6’2 and nearly 200 pounds and that size translates on film. He looks the part and there were a few games last season where Davis appeared to be one of the tallest player on the field. Davis also spent some time as a slot receiver on offense as well as a defensive back on the defensive side of the ball and was productive from both spots. He’s listed as an athlete but for now, we like Davis as a running back because that’s where the most production is. As Davis improves his speed, he’ll become more elusive.