PRZNE 2024 Class | 5 Players Flying Under The Radar II
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Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: OscarGalindo30 in the coupon code area. The 2024 recruiting cycle is in full swing, with several prospects connecting with coaches and starting to attend camps. In this article, I wanted to highlight five…
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The 2024 recruiting cycle is in full swing, with several prospects connecting with coaches and starting to attend camps. In this article, I wanted to highlight five incoming seniors that are still flying under the radar.
Jackson Roberts Jackson Roberts 6'2" | 185 lbs | ATH North Platte St. Pats | 2024 State NE | ATH | North Platte St. Patrick’s | 6’2″ 183 lbs
Jackson Roberts Jackson Roberts 6'2" | 185 lbs | ATH North Platte St. Pats | 2024 State NE broke out as one of the top athletes in 8-man football, spearheading one of the more explosive offenses in Class D1. Roberts rushed for 1,064 yards on only 88 carries for an absurd 12.1 yards per carry, and scored 22 rushing touchdowns… every fourth carry was going for a touchdown. What stood out the most from Jackson’s tape was how balanced he is when he runs. Roberts’ strong lower body keeps him upright and fighting for extra yards, often needing a gang of defenders to bring him down. Jackson is a unique back that can mow defenders over when running downhill or he can beat everyone to the edge before hitting his next gear and outracing the field. He does a great job flowing to the ball on defense and was consistently near the ball to make a play. Jackson is a great tackler with sound technique and a solid frame to put a lot of force into his hits. Great awareness and hardly ever puts himself in a bad position. Hidden gem!
Clayton (CJ) Gauff | RB | Bellevue West | 5’9″ 170 lbs
Injuries in the backfield led to CJ Gauff being thrown into the starting RB role for the Thunderbirds, and he held his own very well. Gauff finished the season with a solid 559 yards and seven touchdowns on only 88 carries. CJ is an extremely smooth runner with great vision and cutting ability. Gauff’s ability to see the entire field and anticipate new lanes is mesmerizing to watch. He makes finding holes and exploding through them look so effortless. Gauff is very bouncy and can cut and juke his way to new lanes without compromising his speed. One thing that shouldn’t get overlooked is CJ’s toughness when running downhill, absorbing contact while maintaining his balance. He was also effective as a receiving back, serving as a safety valve in the passing game, displaying great hands and YAC ability. CJ’s running ability will be a nice complement to what should be the top passing attack in the state.
Brycen Schwenka Brycen Schwenka 6'4" | 210 lbs | ATH Minden | 2024 State NE | TE/DE | Minden | 6’4″ 210 lbs
Minden’s Brycen Schwenka Brycen Schwenka 6'4" | 210 lbs | ATH Minden | 2024 State NE was one of the players that left a huge impression at the Prospect Tour showcase last month. He passes the eye test immediately with his 6’4″ and 210-pound frame and continues to impress when you watch him in drills. Brycen’s size and athleticism make him a legit prospect as either a tight end or defensive end. He moves very well at both positions, displaying an explosive get-off on defense and a nice change of direction when running routes. Schwenka’s big mitts make for a reliable pass catcher with the strength and concentration to make tough catches over the middle of the field. Even with a natural size advantage, Brycen doesn’t rely on his size to win matchups, as he understands spacing well and can find the open zones. He’s also an aggressive blocker on the edge and a huge asset to the Whippet’s running game. His strength and length help him shed away blockers while keeping good sight of the ball. Great pursuit and is very physical when he gets to his target. Don’t overlook this small-town baller!
Eli Holt Eli Holt 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Norris | 2024 State NE | LB | Norris | 6’2″ 210 lbs
Straight up thumper! Eli Holt Eli Holt 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB Norris | 2024 State NE was among the more productive defenders in the state last season and will be a crucial player for the Titans in 2023. What stood out the most about Holt was how well he can recognize what the offense is doing and then put himself in a position to make a play. He’s quick to break on the ball when he keys the run and is smart about playing his gaps. Eli is strong enough and has enough wiggle to shed blocks at the line and before making a beeline toward the ball carrier. Holt isn’t just a downhill ‘backer either, as he can quickly drop into coverage when he reads pass. He is very mobile in coverage and can eliminate underneath routes. Eli’s timing on blitzes is also impressive to watch, crashing the line at the perfect moment and blowing up the play in the backfield. Great athlete overall, taking his district in shot put. Under-the-radar prospect with major game.
Bobby Joseph Bobby Joseph 6'0" | 185 lbs | RB Millard West | 2024 State NE | RB/ATH | Millard West | 6’0″ 180 lbs
Bobby Joseph Bobby Joseph 6'0" | 185 lbs | RB Millard West | 2024 State NE is a player that is primed to have a big season for the Wildcats in 2023. Bobby is an up-and-coming athlete with a very impressive skill set. He primarily plays running back, but he has proven to be a receiving threat out of the backfield. In only six games played, Bobby did damage in the air and on the ground with 208 rushing yards and 204 receiving yards with four touchdowns. He’s a strong runner between the tackles with great vision and quick feet to navigate through lanes. He’s very patient and follows his blocks very well. Joseph’s balance when taking on contact and strength to stay upright was also very impressive to watch. He is especially dangerous if he can gain the edge, as he possesses great acceleration and burst when he sees the open field. Very good hands! Bobby had some highlight receptions in his tape, hauling in difficult receptions and turning upfield to tack on some YAC. Bobby’s stock has been rising with a great track season that saw him reach new PRs of 11.1 100m and 22.5 200m. Big things coming up!
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