Summer Series Vol. 5
In the Summer Series, I will be taking a look at players putting in the work before their senior year and gaining ground through hard work. Some with offers, some looking for their first, these players are putting in the…
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Continue ReadingIn the Summer Series, I will be taking a look at players putting in the work before their senior year and gaining ground through hard work. Some with offers, some looking for their first, these players are putting in the work now in preparation for their final high school season.
Donovan Elder
Donovan Elder
Donovan Elder has put in a lot, and I do mean a lot, of work this summer as he works towards a bigger role on the offensive line in the fall. Elder has an athletic build for an offensive linemen with a lot of strength proven in the weightroom. Able to fire out of his snap with power at the ready, he keeps his hips level when engaging his blocks to take up as much space as possible. Shows good fluidity to keep his shoulders low and level in pass protection to deflect pass rushers away. Showed good footwork last fall in limited experience, but has become a regular student of the Linemen Lab to nail down a strong form that starts down in his feet. His quickness has shown regular improvements throughout the summer to aid him in his overall camp workouts. Staying busy getting noticed this summer at camps like John Carroll and Wittenberg, Elder came away with an offer from Wittenberg and will be looking for more once his senior year gets underway. There’s no denying the strength and power Elder has, now with sound form and a full season to get better, he is a player that should see even more offers come his way once the dust settles.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14423862/6449ecd48cde4b0ae453f2c3
Anthony Budak
Anthony Budak
Anthony Budak has been one the biggest risers in the area this offseason as a dynamic quarterback that can make throws all over the field. Physically one of the biggest quarterbacks in the area at 6-foot-4, Budak stands tall when delivering passes and can absorb hits to keep himself out on the field for his team. He is a creative passer that can get the ball out quickly on the run, in the pocket or on the roll out. He has gotten out to camps at Clemson, Ball State, Youngstown and UConn to name a few which has gotten eyes on him in the form of some big time coaches. In May received his first Division I offer to Maine which has ignited his play in other camps. Budak has already shown to have a quick, accurate trigger, but with some help has evolved his game further to showcase a number of different throws. His accuracy at the first level is well above average from his junior year. Throwing in the second and third level opens the door to big plays as he delivers balls in stride to help his receivers get upfield. Budak accomplished a lot in his first season in a new offense, I’m excited to see what he can do in year two with everything to play for.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16996756/6353f7ab478eac0e70f519d7
Cole Anderson
Cole Anderson
Cole Anderson has the big arm every high school coach is looking for in their quarterback and the touch to deliver passes with accuracy at the third level. Anderson keeps his eyes downfield looking for the slightest opening in the secondary where he can thread a ball into his receiver for big yardage. He has good mobility to recognize pressure, roll out and throw on the run if he has to. At 6-foot-2 he has more than enough height to see the entire field. Gets the ball out with velocity to hit receivers in stride. Has been tightening up his mechanics and throwing motion this offseason to get the ball out quicker. Made improvements to his footwork to drive off his back and get even more zip on his balls on out routes. Anderson is headed in a positive direction with his recruitment as well with his camp workouts leading to an offer to play at Heidelberg. He has been out at a number of other camps with coaches keeping a close look at what he is doing headed into his senior year. Anderson has been throwing all offseason and not skipping a beat headed to his big senior year in an offense that can let him rip the ball all over the field.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14918728/63268c226e82e30564f7d2d9
Jason Mackey
Jason Mackey
Putting up big numbers as a junior on an offense that few could contain, Jason Mackey has shown the makeup of a next level back with the strength and speed to carry his team. A one-cut back with burst to be a home run hitter, Mackey has high end speed as well a superior balance to make moves when running his fastest. His acceleration is as good as you will see from a ball carrier which gets him into the second level behind his robust offensive line. He has an abundance of power in his upper body, but keeps strong legs to perform hard cuts that can get him more yardage quickly. His patience is an integral part of his game that allows his burst to really shine with limited space. A hard runner to bring down, Mackey can break his way out of tackles with a good rate of success. Is a reliable pass catcher to add another option for his quarterback to look to. He has been hitting the weightroom hard this offseason with gains across the board that can only benefit him as a featured back. Mackey picked up an offer to John Carroll in June and is on a trajectory to be one of the top backs in the area.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14520552/63744dc56e810e0a240f1d9c
A menace along the defensive line as one of the strongest run stoppers in all of Northeast Ohio, Rocco Courtad Rocco Courtad 6’1″ | 260 lbs | DL Aurora | 2024 State OH has put together an offseason to watch in the gym and at camps. Aside from a dominant performance at the first Lineman Lab showcase in May, Courtad has kept his head down from all the distractions that have come in the lead up to his senior to focus on his recruitment. Earning his first offer to Clarion at the end of May, he has kept on his routine towards becoming the best player he can be. His power moves have never been in question, but he has become even more dynamic by adding impressive speed to his game. A defensive lineman with good footwork already, Courtad has become more explosive in one-on-one situations with his balanced attack. Using the power in his arms to get linemen out of his way, Courtad is as dangerous of a run stopper as you will find in the area. His camp work is second to none by putting together what he has learned on display for college coaches to see.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16097942/6367eaeb19a50509bc79839b