Hutch CC’s 23 for ’23: In-State Recruits
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Over the next couple of days we’ll be highlighting the 23-man in-state signing class of the NJCAA National Championship runner-ups. Hutch is coming off a season where they produced 10 All-Americans and had 34 players sign with 4yr programs. Replacing…
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Continue ReadingOver the next couple of days we’ll be highlighting the 23-man in-state signing class of the NJCAA National Championship runner-ups. Hutch is coming off a season where they produced 10 All-Americans and had 34 players sign with 4yr programs. Replacing that much talent is no small task, but it also speaks for the level of success the staff has had on the recruiting trail. The Blue Dragons were able to fill most of that void in-state with some really high level guys. This class has some kids that really jump off the screen on film. I’ll break the report into 3 subgroups based on position groups and highlight each player. Lastly, we will feature the offensive skill group.
If the Blue Dragons could only walk away with one quarterback from the Class of ’23 in The Sunflower State, Malachi Berg Malachi Berg 6’3″ | 200 lbs | QB Topeka West | 2023 State KS would be one of the names on the wish list. Signing the multi-sport star out of Topeka was a win on the local recruiting trail. Berg was a 4 year starter at quarterback and a multi year starter in basketball at West. He not only was a 2nd team All-Unified Conference performer on the gridiron, he was also All-Conference in basketball too. That gives you an idea about his athleticism. All reports indicate that he’s a natural-born leader and excellent student in the classroom as well. Those are definitely strengths and qualities you want in your quarterback room. Berg is a nice sized kid that will add more bulk to his frame over the next couple of seasons. He’s a dual threat QB who can make plays with his legs if things break down through the air. In a game this past season versus Highland Park, Berg rushed for a career high 238 yards and 5 touchdowns. Look for this QB to continue his development over the next couple of years.
The addition of this kid, Tyrell Reed Tyrell Reed 5’10” | 190 lbs | RB Lawrence | 2023 State KS will bring excitement down the highway to Hutchinson for a couple reasons. This is an explosive kid who is capable of hitting the homerun play anytime he touches the ball. He’s exciting to watch on film and I expect he’ll bring that element of excitement to the RB stable. He’s versatile and can be effective not only as a rusher/receiver out of the backfield but also as a return specialist. Reed was All-State honorable mention as a returner. He rushed for 1279 yards with 23 TDs in his lone season at Lawrence High and hovered around #5 and #6 in RB rankings in the State. Before starring at Lawrence, Reed was a do-everything back at Highland Park in Topeka. This brings up to the next reason excitement is brewing, at least for the fine fans Hutch will inherit from Topeka. There will be a reunion between Reed and current Highland Park star Trevontae Richardson. If you’re from Topeka area, you know exactly how electric this duo can be.
Highlights
When on the recruiting trail, you always take a long look at kids out of winning programs. Being around success and understanding what a winner is brings something to your program and culture. Hutch tapped into some powerhouse programs in the state to grab some of those guys. Daeshaun Carter Daeshaun Carter 5’11” | 195 lbs | RB Maize | 2023 State KS out of Maize is one. Playing in a system with a generational talent at QB sometimes means the RB gets overshadowed, but this kid still stood out on film finishing just shy of 1000yds and 14 TDs. Nice size kid, sitting around that 200lb mark, brings a blend of power and elusiveness to the table. An advantage of co-starring with that type of QB is you get to put your hands and pass blocking skills on full display. There’s film of him putting LBs on their backsides in pass protection. Typically pass pro is what keeps young backs off the field, but I think the learning curve for him will be slight. He has a combination of rushing/receiving/blocking that will get him an opportunity to play early.
Trevontae Richardson
Trevontae Richardson
This kid should prove to be a productive addition in this “23 recruiting cycle. Richardson is one of the most electric players on the west side of the Sunflower State. A speedy athlete that runs in the 4.4-4.5 range in the 40 can make an impact out of the backfield, as a receiver, and as a returner. He is a very dependable pass catcher and smooth getting in and out breaks on routes. When you watch him on film, even on average plays his athleticism jumps out at you. He’ll be reuniting with his old running mate Tyrell Reed Tyrell Reed 5’10” | 190 lbs | RB Lawrence | 2023 State KS , who transferred to Lawrence for their senior year. As previously mentioned, this duo makes for a very explosive reunion in Hutchinson.
A versatile athlete, Noah played more of a wingback position in hometown Hutchison High’s double wing system. He also played a healthy volume of reps at slot receiver too in multi receiver sets. He’s a shifty and speedy athlete who creates mismatches from wherever he lines up. He’s very effective on fly sweeps and screens where he gets the ball in his hands quickly. I could see him being a utility player who does more than line up wide and run routes. The All-League selection is no stranger to representing the town on the big stage and no stranger to locals. He was a Kansas Shrine Bowl selection after a productive senior season.
Lucas Hanks
Lucas Hanks
The Blue Dragons did their due diligence in loading up the tight end up unit in this recruiting cycle. We’ll start off with 6A All-State HM product Lucas Hanks out of Washburn Rural. The big TE plays more of an H-back type role, so he typically lines up off the ball. Though not the traditional “hand-in-the-dirt” blocking TE, Hanks has nice mobility and does most his blocking pulling and lead blocking. As a receiver, Hanks works well navigating the middle of the field on short and intermediate routes and has good hands.
What better player to build with than a kid working to get his real estate license while still a teenager? Wichita Southeast’s Tayten Edenfield Tayten Edenfield 6’4″ | 220 lbs | TE Wichita SE | 2023 State KS is doing just that after surveying plots of land in the zones of defenses as a savvy pass-catching TE. Edenfield is more of a leaner type TE who does alot of work out of the slot as a #3 WR in trips sets. He showed on film that he can be a serviceable blocker, but most of is impact is made working the field in the passing game. His route tree expands beyond the typical short to intermediate routes, though he excels on those too. He will probably add weight to his frame after some time on campus. Right now he looks more at home in a college WR room than a TE, but I could see him being used in a hybrid role either way with his skillset.
Cole Coonrod Cole Coonrod 6’5″ | 210 lbs | TE Manhattan | 2023 State KS is an intriguing prospect with an nice upside. Coonrod stands 6’6″ and over 200lbs with a basketball background. Basketball backgrounds usually translate well at the TE position. Coonrod is no exception as he uses his frame well to boxout defenders and make plays in traffic. He is also athletic and has decent speed. He runs good routes and is a matchup problem with his skillset. As a blocker, Coonrod uses great technique. He plays with good pad level and leverage and uses his hands to gain control. The versatile TE should continue his development at Hutch and become another 4yr college prospect down the line.
Tate Hoover
Tate Hoover
Another product from 6A State Champions Manhattan High, Tate Hoover is proven winner who may be looked at for a couple different roles. Listed as a TE recruit, Hoover made his money anchoring a very stout Manhattan OL playing center. He was an All-Centennial League selection, along with every other member of a O line that paved the way for two 1,000yd backs. Hoover is a violent blocker and shows above average agility for a center. Signing an All-State Honorable Mention lineman as a TE ensures you one thing: you’re getting a more than capable blocker to set the edge. I haven’t seen him much as a pass catcher, but his value in short yardage and/or goal line sets should be evident with his experience and tools.