Small-School Talent on Precipice of the Next Level
Size. Does it matter? This morning’s scouting report begs to add confusion to the age-old adage. Although we mostly feature smaller, group II-type schools, some of these schools happen to have behemoth-sized linemen who have the frame to play college…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingSize. Does it matter? This morning’s scouting report begs to add confusion to the age-old adage. Although we mostly feature smaller, group II-type schools, some of these schools happen to have behemoth-sized linemen who have the frame to play college football right now. In contrast some school rostered smaller linemen who are gritty grinders. Meanwhile, other schools have a more slight, jack-of-all trades kind of players who lined up at four different positions last season. What do all these prospects have in common? They manage to get the job done.
Small schools with some big kids and some smaller kids. Either way, they find a way to succeed. Take a look and find out how.
The Voorhees Vikings offensive line was blessed with great size. One lineman that led the way, cementing himself as a bookend left tackle was Cameron Baumann Cameron Baumann 6’4″ | 260 lbs | OL Voorhees | 2024 NJ . Coming in at 6’4″ 280lbs, the heavyweight wrestler also contributed on defense with 21 tackles and 1 sack.
Baumann has outstanding feet. First we looked at his kick-step. He quickly gains ground and is in equally strong position to protect the edge and the move inside. His fleet-of-footedness and big body allows him to corral speed rushers and then pin them down. Baumann also consistently wins the edge on reach blocks, pinning the defense’s end-man inside. On more than one occasion Baumann was asked to pull… and it is easy to see why. He anticipates the snap count very well and can move his big ole you-know-what down the line in a hurry. Defensively Baumann has great pursuit, only to be outdone by the motor he plays with. He is adept at working to knife into the backfield and thus forcing the issue for the offense. One reminder for the upcoming season I have for Baumann is to remember to keep his eyes inside, looking for the first inside threat when he pulls. One thing I desire for Baumann is for him to include clips of him double teaming on his highlight tape.
Baumann is a road grader with a college-level build. With quick feet and solid film, he ought to be a a quick riser on the 2024 prospect board.
Logan Ritchie
Logan Ritchie
The Bernards Mountaineers have a mountain of a young man entrenched in the middle of their offensive line. Standing 6’3″ and weighing 260lbs is Logan Ritchie. Despite playing defense in the past, he was not credited with any defensive stats last season.
Ritchie throws nasty, physical down blocks. Whether it be a down block or on a double team, it appears as if he enjoys totally leveling his opposition. When double teaming, he is well coached enough to keep his eyes up for LBs looking to scrape over the top or shoot the underneath window. What I love about Ritchie’s pass protection game is that his road grader mentality carries over. He plays with attitude in pass protection too. Ritchie will take his pass set, give a little ground, and even absorb the speed of a blitzing backer; however, he knows just when to plant his post foot and turn his pass block to a drive block, driving defenders out of the frame. One thing I think would benefit Ritchie, and I know it may be difficult given how big is stature is, is to play with lower pad level.
Akin to divisional rival Cameron Baumann Cameron Baumann 6’4″ | 260 lbs | OL Voorhees | 2024 NJ , Ritchie has all the physical tools to play at the next level. His film, too, is equally as impressive.
Justin Wistuba
Justin Wistuba
Injury? This kid steps up. In need of a big play? Go to him. Need a decoy? Count him in. You need a clutch 3-pointer or and-1 play on the hardwood? He has got you covered too. The Voorhees Vikings have a jack-of-all-trades type player in 5’9″ 150lb ATH Justin Wistuba. Doing a little bit of everything from all over the field, he Wistuba completed 25/56 passes for 298 yards with 1 TD and 1 Int; rushed 86 times for 475 yards; caught 7 balls for 189 yards and 3 TDs; returned 1 kick for 31 yards; and made 16 tackles, while intercepting 3 passes.
It is tough to box Wistuba into a requisite skillset at one position because he lines up all over the place. When at WR, he is a crisp route runner who uses subtle cuts and moves to get defenders’ bodies out of position. He does not give up on plays and can get loose, particularly when his QB is under duress and they enter a scramble drill scenario. While lined up at QB, Wistuba has a tendency to break the pocket; however, he keeps his eyes downfield looking to complete a pass. As a RB, he is shifty when running the ball. This allows him to evade would-be tacklers. Defensively he is discipline in passing up deeper routes and playing to the team’s scheme. In man coverage Wistuba every so slightly trails his assignment, allowing him under cut passes and make plays on the ball. You can tell that Wistuba is a student of the game and watches his too. Against a trips formation the RB went out for a flare. Wistuba recognized this, flew up as if it was a CB blitz, directly to the RB and make a nice TFL. Being able to do so many things so well, my only hope for him is to add strength. By doing so he will not only become more powerful, but also more explosive in the process.
The versatility that Wistuba offers to a team is truly unique and invaluable to a their week-to-week game planning. Given his ability excel at so many things, he is sure to attract college coaches on the recruiting trail.
Gavin Staffa
Gavin Staffa
There was one particular South River Ram that led the push forward along the offensive line. The Ram who led the charge was the 5’9″ 190lb two-way lineman Gavin Staffa. Staffa was credited with 40 tackles and 1 safety during the 2022 season.
In limited clips, we see that Staffa plays with leverage. Being a bit shorter, he is able to get below the pad level of defenders and buzz his feet to create movement. He is able to work a nice double team in pass protection. He supports his adjacent gap with his body and has his eyes up to protect against blitzing LBs in pass protection. Staffa he does get a decent push at the LOS when double team run blocking; although, he must continue to keep his eyes up and communicate with his partner for oncoming, scraping LBs.
With Staffa returning to mix it up on the line, South River is one piece closer to competing for the division.
Stoy Fohring
Stoy Fohring
Having a pass rush specialist on the defensive side of the ball is often a Godsend to teams. When that pass rusher brings the element of speed off the edge, it is often all the QB thinks about. This is how Stoy Fohring of Delaware Valley HS plays the game. Last fall Fohring made 30 stops (3 TFL), 5 sacks, 1 FF, 2 FR, and 1 Int. The 5’10” DE also plays baseball and wrestles at 170lbs for the Terriers.
I mentioned it before but it is worth mentioning again: Fohring plays with speed. This speed, and perhaps is wrestling background, makes him a physical tackler who can wrangle ball carriers to the ground. If he does not outright beat his opponent around the edge with his speed when pass rushing, he has the proclivity to dip his shoulder and get under/lower to bend the corner. The product of a rigorous offseason, should Fohring add some mass and strength to his frame he will only wreck the game in more ways than he already does.
With the speed that Fohring brings to the table on every play, QBs will be running for their lives and play calls will be made away from him all season long.