2024 Stars to Watch From Northwest Indiana

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northwest Indiana is filled with playmakers on both sides of the ball. The area has become a hotbed for high-quality prep talent and the class of 2024 is set to become another one with incredible athletes. Whether it be a skill position or in the trenches, this area of the state will be one to watch this fall. There are sure to be a few state final contending teams coming out of Northwest Indiana, similar to last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Justin Clark","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Valparaiso","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"What a season it was for the Valparaiso Vikings in 2022. Finishing 11-3 on the year, the Vikings completed the season with a victory over Whiteland to bring the 5A state title to Northwest Indiana. Justin Clark lead the charge, as the dual-threat quarterback showed his versatility each and every week. Through the air, Clark threw for 1,034 yards and 6 touchdowns. On top of that, he also ran for 995 yards and 11 touchdowns. As a passer, Clark showed that he can stand in the pocket and deliver a ball that only his receiver can catch. His arm strength is also something that stands out on tape as he can throw it down the field with ease. Clark clearly demonstrated that he can tuck it and run, as well. He has good speed and is agile enough to make a move on would-be tacklers to extend plays. Clark is exciting to watch since he can spark a big play regardless of if he throws it or runs with it. Watch for him to repeat last year's success during his senior season.rnrnTwitter: @Justin_Clark_5","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["541750"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='541750' first='Xavier' last='Williams'] is heading into his senior season with his future solidified, as he recently committed to continue his football career in the Big 10 for the Iowa Hawkeyes. A season ago, Williams absolutely lit up the Duneland Athletic Conference, totaling 1,451 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. For someone with his stature, Williams has solid speed but his bread and butter is how shifty and elusive he is. He routinely makes defenders look silly diving for air and he isn't afraid to lower his shoulder and flatten anyone in his path. It's exciting to watch someone play the running back position like Williams. Keep an eye out for him to be a workhorse in the Lake Central offense once again this season before he heads to Iowa City in 2024.rnrnTwitter: @Xavierwilliamsw","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["541747"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Standing at 5'9u0022, [player_tooltip player_id='541747' first='Jeffrey' last='Meschede'] is a people-mover. Capable of lining up at both right and left guard, Meschede is a high motor guy that brings intensity to every play. In pass protection, he is strong enough to hold his ground and stifle any sort pass rush that comes his way. In the ground game, Meschede looks to attack his defender and find any way possible to limit their impact in the play. He will put opposing players on their backs. Meschede is quite athletic, overall. When asked to pull, he is quick to his assignment and strong enough to dispose of any defender on the edge. When you combine his talent with his demeanor, you get a player who was selected to the IFCA's 6A Junior All-State team last season.rnrnTwitter: @MeschedeJeffrey","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["152146"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='152146' first='Jaden' last='Hart'] has just about everything you want in workhorse running back. His play truly jumps off the page and it leaves you on the edge of your seat. Hart is incredibly athletic. He has good speed and it's not uncommon to see him gain separation and leave defenders in the dust as he treks down the field with the ball. Hart's agility is well above-average, as well. If you aren't careful as a defender, your ankles will surely be broken when you face Hart. He can cut on a dime and maintain solid speed and balance through the process. Hart isn't just speedy and shifty. He is also very strong. Hart will simply lower his shoulder and completely run through defenders. As a whole, Hart is a competitor and will make plays when called on, and on any down and distance. He currently holds multiple Power 5 offers and will surely earn more throughout his senior season. [player_tooltip player_id='152146' first='Jaden' last='Hart'] is electric.rnrnTwitter: @jaycooled","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["797499"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Believe it or not, last season was the first season [player_tooltip player_id='797499' first='Brent' last='Stewart'] has played football. With that being said, Stewart enters this fall with great promise and potential. He stands at 6'5u0022 and is a complete gap filler. In his first season, where he lined up as the nose tackle, he totaled 21 tackles. His Andrean 59ers finished runner-up in the Class 2A State Championship, dropping the final game to Evansville Mater Dei. In that game, Stewart recorded two assists, and that big game experience will go a long way for u0022Big Countryu0022.  As he continues to refine his overall game and adapts to the speed and physicality, the sky is the limit for Stewart. He has the size to become a dominant force on the defensive line and as he gets reps under his belt, it'll be interesting to see how he develops. Stewart is someone I will most definitely be watching this year as he continues to get stronger and develops his craft.rnrnTwitter: @Brent_Stewart","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-647a84ea50a8c"} /-->