Head Coaches Spring Notebook: “The Taft School” PART 4.

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PART 4:</strong> Continuing report: I take a closer look at the recruits attending “The Taft School” in Connecticut and share the Head Coaches Tyler Whitley's notes on each recruit. These notes are a reference to where each recruit is standing within their recruitment during the spring evaluation period and heading into College Summer Camp season. The notes also include the strengths they have as student-athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["840040"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cbu003e[player_tooltip player_id='840040' first='James' last='Penkett']u003c/bu003e u003cbu003e2025u003c/bu003e u003cbu003e6'4u003c/bu003e u003cbu003e250u003c/bu003e u003cbu003eDL/OLu003c/bu003ernrnu003cbu003eTWITTER: u003c/bu003e@JamesPenkettrnrnu003cbu003eInterest: u003c/bu003eProjects as an FCS playerrnrnu003cbu003eu003cstrongu003eHead Coaches Notes/u003c/strongu003eAnalysis: u003c/bu003e2 years of football. Great size. Good get off and excellent motor. Will continue to improve as his strength and experience grows. Will make a big impact this fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646f8fc05b27e"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TaftFootballCT/status/1635708814056931328?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TaftFootballCT/status/1635708814056931328?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["840043"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cbu003e[player_tooltip player_id='840043' first='George' last='Sulllivan']u003c/bu003e u003cbu003e 2025u003c/bu003e u003cbu003e6'2u003c/bu003e u003cbu003e175u003c/bu003e u003cbu003ePu003c/bu003ernrnu003cbu003eInterest: u003c/bu003eHigh Academic D3/FCS projection.rnrnu003cbu003eu003cstrongu003eHead Coaches Notes/u003c/strongu003eAnalysis: u003c/bu003eLong levered punter with natural ability. Works with Brendan Cahill. Also throws javelin in track and field. Should take over the starting job this fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646f8fc05b30d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17652293/635dcaa1688fbe042c95962d' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646f8fc05b363"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["421065"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cbu003e[player_tooltip player_id='421065' first='Gilbert' last='Kimrin']u003c/bu003e u003cbu003e 2026u003c/bu003e u003cbu003e 6'4”   185            u003c/bu003e u003cbu003eQBu003c/bu003ernrnu003cbu003eTWITTER: u003c/bu003e @GKimrinrnrnu003cbu003eInterest: u003c/bu003eUCONN, UMASS, Wake Forest, Rutgers, Pitt, URI, many more FBS schoolsrnrnu003cbu003eu003cstrongu003eHead Coaches Notes/u003c/strongu003eAnalysis: u003c/bu003eAlready a FBS frame. Can easily dunk a basketball. Great running ability, strong arm, but his best attributes are his processing speed and composure. Has a chance to be very special. Will be a 3 year starter for us. Power 5/National Recruit projection. Dad was an NFL kicker and kicked a 65 yard FG in preseason. I think he will gain some FBS traction at the start of this summer.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646f8fc05b3d8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17652315/6374d96b0c53d804e8f36aeb' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646f8fc05b402"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["437026"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":840091,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cbu003e[player_tooltip player_id='437026' first='Jude' last='Okeleke'] u003c/bu003e u003cbu003e2026u003c/bu003e u003cbu003e 6'2”   285            u003c/bu003e u003cbu003eDT/OGu003c/bu003ernrnu003cbu003eTWITTER:  u003c/bu003e@JudeOkeleke1rnrnu003cbu003eInterest: u003c/bu003eNotre Dame, UNC, UVA, Duke and many more FBSrnrnWill camp at TCU, SMU, USC, Notre Dame in summer 2023.rnrnu003cbu003eOffers: u003c/bu003ePittrnrnu003cbu003eu003cstrongu003eHead Coaches Notes/u003c/strongu003eAnalysis:  u003c/bu003eStill learning the game, but Jude will be very special. Started every game for us at NG- never played a down of organized football before Taft. Already benches over 365lb and squats over 500. Extremely well built, STRONG and physical. Loves the game and has a drive to succeed. First year wrestling and finished 7th in New England. Also throws Shot Put.  Great work ethic. National Recruit projection. It should be a busy summer for Jude.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646f8fc05b47e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17652300/6349a8db02b3211254cd89cd' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646f8fc05b4a7"} /--> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["840096"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cbu003e[player_tooltip player_id='840096' first='Jonah' last='Oquendo'] u003c/bu003e u003cbu003e2026u003c/bu003e u003cbu003e 6'4”   215            u003c/bu003e u003cbu003eOLB/WRu003c/bu003ernrnu003cbu003eTWITTER:  u003c/bu003e@jonah___20rnrnu003cbu003eInterest: u003c/bu003eUMASS, UCONNrnrnu003cbu003eu003cstrongu003eHead Coaches Notes/u003c/strongu003eAnalysis: u003c/bu003eJust turned 15 years old. Major FBS frame. Very good athlete. Physical, can bend. Natural pass catcher. Competitor. Will likely start both ways for us as WR/OLB next year. FBS Projection, potential Power 5.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646f8fc05b500"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jonah___20/status/1658549564838760450?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jonah___20/status/1658549564838760450?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["801239"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cbu003e[player_tooltip player_id='801239' first='Will' last='Palmer'] u003c/bu003e u003cbu003e2026u003c/bu003e u003cbu003e 6'3”   245            u003c/bu003e u003cbu003eOL/DLu003c/bu003ernrnu003cbu003eTWITTER: u003c/bu003e @will72palmerrnrnu003cbu003eInterest: u003c/bu003eRecruiting just startingrnrnu003cbu003eu003cstrongu003eHead Coaches Notes/u003c/strongu003eAnalysis: u003c/bu003eAthletic and physical young lineman that plays with a mean streak. Good feet and technique. Working on getting a stronger lower half. Super bright future. FCS+ projection.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646f8fc05b566"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16638845/63b07510ff01e90aece9b8d0' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-646f8fc05b58a"} /-->