Gem State Showcase: Offensive Spotlight

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>The Annual Gem State Showcase hosted by Rare Academy and Juss Jackson and staff took place last weekend and had a host of top tier talent from around the region competing and showcasing their skills for various college coaches. Coach Jackson and his staff do a tremendous job highlighting all players across Idaho and giving them every opportunity to have a shot to play at the next level. Taking a look into the showcase and the top players on the day, below is a review of some names to note coming out of the showcase. </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Want 30% off of your subscription? Use promo code <strong><em>PaulG30</em> </strong>at checkout!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- 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":["484475"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6488877f3a344"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKenna is turning into a big time FBS caliber offensive tackle prospect with some upside because he has a huge frame, long arms and will only continue to pack on more weight through his final season at the high school level. He has elite feet, patient hands and a nasty finish both in the run game and in pass protection. Still waiting for his first FCS+ offer, it should not be long until a school pulls the trigger and offers McKenna. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["342488"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6488877f3a39a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Byington is a physical and vertical downhill back that looks for contact and is smooth out of the backfield with sure hands. He has a very impressive 2022 campaign and is one of the better returning backs across Idaho and should have a monster Senior season for Meridian. He impressed over the weekend and checks in as a top five back in our current rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["540334"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6488877f3a3e0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riddle keeps proving why he is our number one athlete in the 2024 class across Idaho and has strung together plenty of high performing events across the Spring and this Summer. He is a smooth athlete with great size, a physical style of play and sneaky speed for his build. Riddle had another impressive performance and was also one of the top backs at the National Preps Showcase last month in Stockton. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["241426"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6488877f3a423"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harsin has been a top performer at multiple events this Summer, and was one of the better throwers at the Northwest Showcase and at the Gem State Showcase last weekend. He has only improved since first moving back to Idaho and continues to shred top tier talent at showcases and camps he attends. He is in line for a huge final prep season and is a no brainer FBS level talent with some upside due to his athleticism in the pocket and high football IQ. He should continue to push for the number one spot in our QB rankings and is one to keep an eye on during our next rankings release. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484473"],"_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","fullHeight":true,"anchor":"acf-block-6488877f3a465"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West-Baranco is one of the best kept secrets in the state and has been severely under-recruited this off-season and can no doubt make a big impact at the next level. He has a huge frame, big catch radius and can stretch the field vertically while also settle underneath and find the soft spots in zone coverage. Heading into his Senior season, he should draw FCS+ interest and is a big time prospect at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->