Washington County’s Top 2024 Recruits
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A county that has a strong showing in the Class of 2024 rankings, and will only get stronger during our next update, is Washington County in southeast WI. West Bend, Germantown, and Hartford among others make up the talented county.…
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Continue ReadingA county that has a strong showing in the Class of 2024 rankings, and will only get stronger during our next update, is Washington County in southeast WI. West Bend, Germantown, and Hartford among others make up the talented county. The Class of 2024 Rankings include 8 athletes from the area. That is who we are focusing on today. Teams looking for OL, WR, and LB help need to check this article out. Let’s get started with a top OL in the state.
A kid that I believe will take off as camp season begins is the West Bend East OT. He will be an impressive athlete in person. He has a 6’9″ wingspan and stands at 6’5″ 240 lbs. Michael has been putting in the work in the gym too and that weight has been going up in response. On tape, Kern has consistent body control and balance that allows him to reach block, get up to the second level, or crash down DL while maintaining an athletic, powerful stance. I can’t wait to see and hear how he does at camps after his great offseason. It will culminate in a dominant senior season. He is the top junior prospect in the county.
Our top junior defensive player in the county is Slinger LB Brayden Hayes Brayden Hayes 6’1″ | 210 lbs | LB Slinger | 2024 State WI . Hayes is growing a solid frame, checking in at 6’1″ 210 lbs. That frame comes with excellent play speed. That speed also gives him the ability to be a devastating blitzer. Brayden is easily able to play sideline to sideline and make chase down tackles. The junior also has a high football IQ. He instantly transitions his read steps right into getting in position to make stops, and that quick processing allows him to look even faster. The Slinger standout also makes it look easy moving through the front seven. Hayes can also effectively play in coverage. He can run with TEs/RBs and that high IQ shows up in pass coverage as well. Brayden is a hidden gem at the LB position. He is still looking for that first offer.
Another piece of the left side of the West Bend East OL is the 6’4″ 290 lbs LG. Steven is an imposing presence on the interior. He has a 6’6″ wingspan and massive hands that pack a punch. His initial punch sends a shock through DL and blitzing LBs. Henry also possesses the strength to bull doze DL off the line and toss LBs around the field. The big man has some effective range to his game as well. He can pull and trap IDLs or get up to the second level. Steven is a force in the run game, and has the anchor strength to hold his ground in the pass game. D2 and D3 programs need to have him locked on their radar.
The 6’2″ 180 lbs WR is a developing outside prospect. Ryan is a long striding receiver who shows glimpses of savvy route running and releases at the line. His body control and balance is still developing, and with that will come improved route running on the routes that require sharp breaks. Right now, Ferguson is a deep threat with solid straight line speed. His long arms give him the ability to always create separation between the ball and DB. Ferguson does an impressive job of tracking the ball deep downfield. He runs underneath the ball, and also makes impressive catches through contact. The concentration and soft hands always gives him a chance at making the catch.
Highlights
Another massive OL from Washington County is the Germantown OG. Lance stands at 6’3″ 295 lbs with a 6’8″ wingspan. He uses that size to be an impact run blocker. Lance has the short area burst to be able to get out of his stance and make first contact consistently. Once he clamps his big, heavy hands onto his man Lance is able to run his man off the line. Walters plays with solid flexibility and bend in his knees to get leverage. Where I think he can take a step up in his game is with his body control. On tape, you see him go to the ground with blocks, but if he can start to finish those from his feet and continue the play he will be an even more impressive OL. He is definitely a D3 prospect with potential to be more.
Maybe the most under the radar prospect in the county is WR Mark Leidel Mark Leidel 5’8″ | 170 lbs | WR Slinger | 2024 State WI . The 5’8″ 165 lbs All Conference target is fun to watch. His ability to track the ball deep down the field jumps off the tape. He adjusts, elevates, and contorts his body to be able to bring it in. His soft hands plucks the ball out of the air. Leidel also has the speed to be able to beat DBs in a foot race downfield. The WR is also a quick twitch athlete in short areas. His ability to burst out of his breaks allows him to open up separation on short routes. He could be in line for a breakout year. I’m very intrigued to see how he does at any camps that he attends also.
Highlights
Richard could see himself climb the rankings a bit in our next update. The 6’3″ 325 lbs OL is the biggest OL in the county. That size translates into power in the run game. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that when the big man engages his defender and drives his feet good things happen. Where Gerek separates himself is with his body control. Despite his size, Richard doesn’t get off balance or overextend. He stays square and trusts his feet to get him where he needs to be. That is another solid trait of his. In short areas, Richard is quick enough to get in position or mirror defenders. Look for him to be a highly sought after D3 prospect. Potentially more than that too.
Highlights
The 6’2″ 210 lbs DE is undersized for the position, but he doesn’t lack burst and overall athleticism for the position. Jadon may have to focus on being a pass rush specialist because of his size, but that fits his traits very well. Lewis has a solid burst off the line, and the agility to be able to cut and juke around blocks or position himself to have the leverage to beat blocks. Jadon also utilizes his hands well. He is able to keep himself clean of the OL’s hands so he can use his speed to win. Jadon also has good range and closing speed once he gets past the OL. Don’t overlook the small school standout.