Way Up North 2024 Standouts
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For 30% off a subscription use code Johnson30 in the coupon code area. Northern WI is home to several college level athletes, yet that area tends to be more overlooked than the rest of WI. My goal is to help…
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Northern WI is home to several college level athletes, yet that area tends to be more overlooked than the rest of WI. My goal is to help work towards ending that stigma. So today we are going to dive into those way up north prospects. We have eight athletes in this first installment of need-to-know prospects. These kids have what it takes to impact a program at the next level, so don’t miss out. The film is included below. Please give it a look!
Gavin Rossow
Gavin Rossow
A rising junior that is sure to have a big senior year is the 6’1″ 210 lbs RB/LB Gavin Rossow. The Grantsburg two way athlete has the tools to be a next level player. He stands out from the crowd with his size, speed and strength. On offense, Gavin is a power runner. He plays behind his shoulder pads, but Gavin does show patience. He waits for his blocks to develop and will rely on generating yards after contact after utilizing his blocks. On defense, Gavin shows off his quick downhill burst against the run or as a blitzer. His athleticism profile fits well for the position allowing him to make tackles from sideline to sideline. Rossow is also a hard hitting LB and has shown he can separate player from ball. Definitely a name to follow this summer and fall.
Logan Alberson Logan Alberson 6'3" | 195 lbs | TE Ladysmith | 2024 WI
Logan Alberson Logan Alberson 6'3" | 195 lbs | TE Ladysmith | 2024 WI
An athlete that I believe can breakout and play at the D2 level is 6’3″ 195 lbs TE/OLB out of Ladysmith. Logan has a long, lean frame with a long wingspan to match. Overall, Logan has well developed body control allowing him to move smoothly yet powerfully. On offense, Logan is best as a receiving threat. That body control allows him to run smooth routes. He is a mismatch for LBs because of his speed, agility, and catch radius. After the catch he is a physical runner with the speed to big up big chunks of yards. His blocking is developing too. As he continues to grow his impact there should also improve. On defense, Logan sets the edge with strength. However, he shines when he gets to use his burst and agility to fly off the line, bend the edge, or chase down the ball in the backfield. When Alberson gets to play in space he thrives. Don’t sleep on this northern standout.
The 5’11” 200 lbs RB is a compact, hard nosed running back. He has a sturdy build and plays like it. Caleb lives behind his shoulder pads when he has the ball in his hands. Dickens does have some wiggle to his game when faced with a defender one on one in the open field. The junior also plays DE, but with his build it looks like RB/FB are his best fits at the next level. Expect a big senior year for Caleb as he is the second leading rusher of all the returning players.
The 6’1″ 210 lbs FB has been a key piece to the Rice Lake offense for a couple seasons now. The big back has some wiggle when he needs it in the hole, but first and foremost Stone is a north-south runner. Easton is an upright runner, but that doesn’t seem to effect his power. Stone bounces off tackle attempts with his contact balance and he has enough long speed to collect the yards after contact while defenders try to swarm tackle him. His final season should be an exciting one. Don’t overlook the long time playmaker.
The 6’2″ 285 lbs junior is a raw, intriguing prospect out of Rhinelander High School. The OT is light on his feet, giving him the ability to pull or get up to the second level. It also allows him to make the level one blocks while moving laterally. Sam also possesses heavy hands that have allowed him to land strong initial punches. They also allow him to control his man. Balge also has a solid anchor in pass protection which allows him to not be driven off the ball. I project him as an OG at the next level where he can use those heavy hands, range, and anchor strength. Check out his highlights below.
Highlights
The 6’2″ 215 lbs athlete will be a fun chess piece for a next level program. Lucas plays safety, outside linebacker, and tight end/slot and I believe he can play either side of the ball at the next level. Lucas has 4.76 40 yard dash speed, and that is plenty for the OLB/TE spots at the next level. That is where he fits best. At OLB he would be able to use his range and ball skills to be effective in coverage, and that speed would be key for him as he rushed off the edge or blitzed. Lucas has also shown he could be used in an H-back type role. Line him up in spots where he can have the mismatch over LBs and let him run away from them in the open field. Keep an eye on him this fall as Superior looks for him to step up in his final season.
The 5’9″ 175 lbs RB should be on the radar of next level teams that value athletes who can win out in space. That is where Payton does his most damage. Both in the run game and pass game. Find a way to get him some green grass where he can use his vision to set up blockers, agility to shake defenders, and his long speed to turn that green grass into a lot of yards for his offense. Rhinelander looks poised for a strong season, and I expect Payton to have a big impact on the offense’s performance.
Highlights
Another junior who will have a big impact on Rhinelander’s season this fall is OL Owen Kurtz Owen Kurtz 6’0″ | 235 lbs | ATH Rhinelander | 2024 WI . The 6′ 250 lbs junior is a mauler at th eOG psoition. Between leverage and his sheer power Owen has proven to be a force in the run game for Rhinelander. The junior is also very quick as he gets himself in position on his target. Kurtz also has that nasty demeanor as he looks to bury his opponents on every block. He doesn’t possess your prototypical build, but you can’t argue with the quickness, mentality, and power he plays with.