Twice As Nice: Athletes Poised for Big Production Jumps
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I have been looking through teams recently to see who is graduating, what workloads are being voided, and who is returning to the gridiron in 2023. What I found was that many athletes are finding themselves in situations where they…
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Continue ReadingI have been looking through teams recently to see who is graduating, what workloads are being voided, and who is returning to the gridiron in 2023. What I found was that many athletes are finding themselves in situations where they have a couple of those points on their side. They had good production in 2022, but now it looks like they are in position to see even more work and results. In today’s article we are going to look at the athletes who can see their production increase (maybe double?) because of their situations and talent. Let’s get it started!
2022 Stats: 22 Carries, 105 Yards, 2 TDsrnI am a big fan of the 6’2″ 220 lbs fullback out of Marshfield. He doesn’t have a lot of production to his name, but that looks poised to change this fall. There is only one other player who had a carry in 2022 returning for 2023. Over 300 total carries graduate in June leaving one of the biggest voids in the entire state. While I expect Braden to continue his main duties of lead blocker from the FB position, I can’t help but get excited for the chance of his carries to increase and the results from that. Braden is such a powerful athlete on the field. He tosses defenders as a lead run blocker. That same power is on display as he runs through tackle attempts and piles up the yards after contact. He is a tone setter with or without the ball in his hands. Teams that utilize a FB need to make Marshfield a must stop on the recruiting trail.
2022 Stats: 30 Receptions, 335 Yards, 6 TDsrnThe monster TE out of Onalaska Luther is another athlete who could see his production make a big jump. For starters, he returns his QB. That is always key for pass catchers. Another reason, the offense graduates their deep threat from 2022 in WR Nathan Riley. The offense is going to need a new mismatch to target. I believe that mismatch can be Logan’s size mismatch. Bahr’s receiving talents are the best part of his game. He knows how to use his body to gain position to make the catch at the high point. His basketball background definitely helps there. He also possesses natural, soft hands that can that can hang on through contact. I think we can see a bump in all the stats, but where we could see the biggest jump is his yardage. Keep an eye on him.
Highlights
2022 Stats: 115 Carries, 677 Yards, 8 TDsrnGavin broke onto my radar last fall when I attended one of his games live. The 5’8″ 170 lbs RB should become more an more of a mainstay in the offense this fall. He was the leading rusher in 2022, and only one other teammate in the top 5 for team rushing yards returns in 2023. This fall, Gavin should be in position to break 1,000 yards rushing. He has good vision and patience behind the line as he waits for his blocks to develop and holes to open up. His center of gravity is low, and hard to get off balance. I’m excited to see what the soon to be junior does this fall.
2022 Stats: 48/88, 557 Yards, 5 TDsrnIn 2022 Joseph saw action in seven games at QB. In 2023 we should see him take over the helm full time. With that should come a big jump in his production across the board. Joseph is a dual threat option, so we might even see his nearly 500 yards rushing increase as well. Passing is where I want to focus. Joseph will be working with new receivers, but talented ones. Led by TE Trent Oiler Trent Oiler 6’5″ | 230 lbs | TE Brookfield East | 2025 State WI , Brookfield East will field the targets Joseph needs. Cheatham also has the arm to create the production. He can attack the short, intermediate, and deep levels with accuracy and velocity, and his feet will be able to buy him time to find those open receivers. I’m excited for a breakout year from the soon to be senior.
Highlights
2022 Stats: 59 Carries, 374 Yards, 5 TDsrnA kid on this list who has the potential to be a breakout star is the current freshman RB out of Milwaukee Marquette. Tommy proved to be a big play threat, leading the team in yards/carry among anyone on the team with double digit carries. Marquette graduates their current leading rusher this summer, so the door is open for Tommy to be the next man up. With an increase in carries should come an increase in big plays for the offense. Tommy has the speed to break the game wide open. He has strong vision with the ball in his hands, and his burst through the hole leaves second level defenders in though one on one situations with him. Get ready for Tommy to break onto the scene this fall.
2022 Stats: 78 Carries, 495 Yards, 7 TDsrnWith the graduation of 1,100+ rushing yards, Kyle should be in position to breakout this fall and really bump up his production. In 2022, White proved to have an intriguing balance of elusiveness and power. He made defenders miss in space, and also ran through arm tackles and lowered shoulders. He also adds a receiving threat, primarily in the screen game. Kyle has good instincts for the position between how he sets up defenders, finds cutbacks, and plays without hesitation.