Hutch CC’s 23 For 2023: In-State Recruits, second go around…
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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. We’ll start with the LB/DB haul.
Sean Swearingen
Sean Swearingen
Swearingen is an experienced and savvy DB who played alot of snaps in his high school career. The senior started getting varsity reps as a sophomore and steadily developed throughout his career. He’s an active defender who’s not afraid to mix it up. He finished his career at Olathe West with over 125 tackles. Plays with his hands and is physical in press coverage. Swearingen also moves well and transitions smoothly in coverage which led to several pass breakups and a couple interceptions in his prep career.
Adrian Spencer, Jr.
Adrian Spencer, Jr.
When you think prototypical CB, you think of length, smooth hips, speed, patience. When you turn on the tape of Spencer, he immediately jumps of the screen. He has elite size for a DB, and he checks almost all of the boxes. The Lansing standout didn’t finish his career with alot of interceptions despite his measureables and 3 year varsity experience. Maybe it’s because of his versatility and ability to cover outside and nickel; QBs just avoided him. Stats aside, this kid has the physical tools and has adequate speed to be a factor at the next level. The Lansing product has major upside and will be an intriguing prospect once his time at Hutch is up.
Eric Butler Eric Butler 6'2" | 220 lbs | ATH Olathe Northwest | 2023 State KS , Jr.
Eric Butler Eric Butler 6'2" | 220 lbs | ATH Olathe Northwest | 2023 State KS , Jr.
The Blue Dragons signed 3 LBs in this ’23 Class, and all three of them look like they provided offensive coordinators with some sleepless nights game planning. We’ll start with Olathe Northwest’s stud LB Eric Butler Eric Butler 6’2″ | 220 lbs | ATH Olathe Northwest | 2023 State KS , Jr. Listed as a 3-Star by various publications, Butler is as advertised on film. The East-West Shrine Bowl All-American has great size and a strong frame. He is physical and smart and very disruptive. He showed the ability to dissect plays and flow with aggression to the football. He is a downhill player and fills gaps. He also played some RB in his prep career, so he’s athletic enough and heady enough to drop back in his zone and play in coverage. Should be a player that will step in and contribute early.
Another highly accomplished LB who I expect to contribute shortly after he arrives on campus. Like the rest of this group, Rice jumps off the screen. When you turn on the film, you very quickly see why this kid was a Blue-Grey All-American Bowl participant. Rice has been getting varsity reps since his freshman year and totaled over 200 career tackles and a hand full of acks and interceptions. The smallest of the trio was the most active as far as stats go. Like the previously mentioned Butler, he is physical and plays downhill. He dissects plays and fills at a very high level and should step foot on campus ready to contribute.
Hutch perhaps signed one of the most productive and top RBs in the state…to play LINEBACKER. Cooper Hajek Cooper Hajek 6’2″ | 215 lbs | ATH Nemaha Central | 2023 State KS is probably a household name on the prep scene in his area as an all-around football player after amassing over 2,000 yards and 42TDs rushing this past season. The 2A Offensive Player of The Year has a college ready frame for a linebacker and despite his eye-popping offensive production, he trusts his future is at LB. Like the other LB signees, he plays with great burst and dissects plays and gets to the ball. Hajek is disruptive and has to be accounted for by the QB during pre-snap. Again, I look for him to also he a contributor as soon as he gets fitted for a Hutch helmet.