4 Recruits In The 2024 Class Who Are Being Flat Out Slept On

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we've got 4 recruits in the 2024 class who are being slept on in the state of Indiana. The talent and security they provide their teams alone should be enough to garner some interest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='926715' first='Deshawn' last='Rhule'] - Merrillville - OL - 6'2" 300lbs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rhule has been developing nicely throughout his career and should make his biggest impact yet this fall. He's a lengthy recruit with great reach and a lower half. As he develops in the weight room, the upper body will catch up and help round out his game. He's got solid feet and is able to get into pass protection. His hand placement is fine and he doesn't hold onto defenders. He's got a decent amount of experience at Tackle on the JV squads throughout the years and has always been just fine. He's able to gain depth and protect the edge. In the running game, he's capable of coming downhill and making a lead block to clear the way. Rhule isn't the most refined prospect out there, but he's fairly clean with what he can do. He knows his game and plays it well. I appreciate Rhule because he doesn't try to get cute or do something extra to get eyes on him. He's steady and should be the same type of player on Saturdays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@RhuleDeshawn06</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='926716' first='Maki' last='Jordan'] - Beech Grove - DB - 6'2" 170lbs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordan does a good job securing the back end for Beech Grove. Whether he's on the boundary or field side, he's got the range to cover the field and make plays. He does a great job undercutting deep routes and eliminating the throwing window altogether. He's got really long strides and accelerates just as quickly as you'd hope, which is why he's such a threat in the backend. He's got good timing and will at least get in the way and make the catch much more difficult, that is unless he's able to bat down the ball, which he does quite often it seems. He can also tackle in the open field and save the defense like you want any good Safety to when the first 2 layers get beat. Jordan has been a steady developer throughout his career and should enter his senior year as a clear starter with a chance to make his biggest impact yet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@MakiJordan5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='926717' first='Rylind' last='De La Cruz'] - Chesterton - LB - 6'0" 215lbs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>De La Cruz is a really gritty LB who does a great job creating pressure near the LOS. He's tough, physical, and can wrap up some painful-looking tackles. He's the one who is typically trying to deal some big hits and jar the ball loose if he can. He's got good head placement when going to tackle and has gotten his helmet on the ball more than once to force a fumble. When he's attacking the run, he's able to get home and create penetration for the TFL fairly easily. He's also athletic enough to string plays east and west as reinforcements come. Last season as a rotational LB, he put up 20 tackles, 4 TFLs, and a forced fumble. He was able to put together a year that showed enough talent and ability to not only keep him on the field then but give the coaches something to be really excited about heading into year 4. De La Cruz is an easy target for schools who want a LB that can come in and make a physical impact at some point in his career once he gets up to speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@DelacruzRylind</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='926718' first='Elijah' last='Phillips'] - Mooresville - OL - 6'5" 230lbs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Phillips has done a fantastic job protecting the blindside for Mooresville since he's stepped on the field for them. He's able to gain depth, doesn't stay on his heels, and has strong hands which forces the defender to adjust on the fly. He's athletic and quick enough to go out on the move and lead the way in the screen game. He'll create a pancake stack on the way out as well. I do think he's a bit light, but also acknowledge that once he gets into that collegiate lifting program, could really flourish. His size, length, and frame all give him the rare attributes naturally that you're looking for on the outside. That alone gives him a headstart in some areas over some other OL recruits. However, his plethora of experience and ability to face blitzes on the outside and not panic will continue to set him ahead. Phillips is someone I'm looking forward to seeing play live this year as well. Mooresville has a bunch of talent and Phillips only makes that statement that much stronger.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@EPhil120205</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->