2025 Underdogs- 3A Metro
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At midnight tonight, college coaches may officially contact players in the class of 2025. Here are a few of Seattle’s Metro League’s biggest underdogs, players who I’d be in a rush to establish communication with and provide their first offer.…
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Continue ReadingAt midnight tonight, college coaches may officially contact players in the class of 2025. Here are a few of Seattle’s Metro League’s biggest underdogs, players who I’d be in a rush to establish communication with and provide their first offer.
I just learned about Salopek’s game after his performance on the track in the USATF Junior Olympics last week, taking Gold in the 4x100m relay along with several other 2025 beasts. I knew he was a good DB who played for O’Dea and had slight hype surrounding his name, but I didn’t realize he was one of the best ballhawks in the state who teams were still targeting last year. He led the Metro league with 6 picks and earned a 2nd-Team All-League nod while playing alongisde more D1 talent than anyone in the state. He’s out to prove he can lead the Fighting Irish in his Junior year as a known quantity, who won’t be targeted quite as much after showing his speed this Spring. He’s physical at the point of attack, willingly tackling and hitting hard while pressing players off the line of scrimmage, and can turn and run with fluid hips as well. I believe Salopek is the best player in the league without an offer, despite interest from multiple D1 schools- and he should be seen one of the top DB recruits in the state soon.
Highlights
Sometimes referred to as “Gobi”, Goodson started on O’Dea’s Offensive Line as a sophomore. While his size might seem just okay to college coaches who’re looking for projectable 6’4″ and above starters, he’s just under the cusp of being considered tall at 6’3″, but looks every bit of it on film, and is young enough to grow another inch or two (which would put him over the hump of what they’re looking for). However, he could fill a need far more assuredly than a wishlist of measurables with his play. Most importantly, he is a dawg, with an exciting highlight reel full of pancakes. He can road grate with the best of them, while also being a quick puller from the tackle spot and fitting perfectly in O’Dea’s Wing-T style offense, especially complementing 6’8″ titan Kai Holec Kai Holec 6’8″ | 300 lbs | OL O’Dea | 2024 State WA ‘s opposite skillset. Gobi is fast and violent, and even though he’ll likely be overlooked until his Senior year because of height, he will be extremely valuable to a college OL coach. When the projectable 6’6″ kid plays soft, you’ll need Goodson to help you sleep at night knowing the job can still get done. He’ll be a Guard or Center if he goes to the higher levels of college football at his current size but he’s worth offering early and has the chance to be a steal in the near future.
McKelheer is a great projectable athlete with unteachable traits and a strong presence on one of the best teams in the country. His brother grinded his way to Washington State despite slow recruitment over his four year HS career, but he shouldn’t have to do the same. He’ll be stepping into a big role at Linebacker this year, playing alongside two younger superstars in Liufau Loumoli Liufau Loumoli 6’1″ | 210 lbs | LB Eastside Catholic | 2027 WA and Wassie Lugolobi Wassie Lugolobi 6’2″ | 220 lbs | LB Eastside Catholic | 2026 State WA – and it’ll be interesting to see how much he can grow in the process. He projects as an RB due to his height and could see an even bigger role on offense this year. Schools should watch closely this season and seek his attention early.
Thumlert is an incredibly quick DE who also grabbed playing time on EC’s excellent defense, and his skills seem very projectable. He gets penetration with speed and pad level which comes naturally as he also plays RB. He got better over the course of the season and could come out looking like one of the best pass rushers in the state this year, as he’ll have the opportunity to give the state’s best offensive tackles fits in league play. His raw talent will get volumes better as he learns more about his roles in the defense and is in the perfect situation to learn as much as possible over the offseason. His refinement will be fascinating as he goes from a raw role player to a likely every-down starter this year, and hopefully we’ll get to see him provide good run support in addition to rushing the passer at a high level. Look for his name to gain buzz, and college coaches to be early to the party as he ticks all the boxes to play DE in college.