Under the Radar, Uncommitted Trench Monsters
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The trenches on Friday nights are going to be home to some amazing battles when the season kicks of in a month. We have seen so many OL and DL in the Class of 2024 announce their commitment to the…
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Continue ReadingThe trenches on Friday nights are going to be home to some amazing battles when the season kicks of in a month. We have seen so many OL and DL in the Class of 2024 announce their commitment to the next level, from the FBS level to D3. Despite the dozens of commitments we still have a slew of talent on both sides of the trenches that are looking for the college program they want to call home. Below you will read about seven in particular who without a doubt have the talent to play at the next level. However, they seem to be going under the radar. So it is time to give them the spotlight they deserve. We start with a talented big man on the defensive side of the ball.
Conner Wallman Conner Wallman 6’4″ | 280 lbs | DL Delavan-Darien | 2024 State WI is a talented, big, and raw DL prospect. He checks in around 6’4″ 260 lbs, but still has an athletic build. That tells me he can continue to add size at the next level. What stands out most on his junior highlights is how strong and stout he is in the middle of the defense. His low center of gravity and powerful frame allows him to dig in and hold the line. That same strength, particularly his upper body strength, allows him to shed or throw OL to the side and then make the stop at the line. Wallman also has impressive short area agility to move side to side and burst to cover ground quickly after shedding blocks. Conner’s best football is ahead of him. There is a lot of clay for a college coach to mold here.
Highlights
The 6’4″ 270 lbs OL is going to make a college coaching staff very happy. The IOL has film checking off the boxes you look for in a guard. He has the short area agility and quick feet to be able to get himself in position on big IDL so we can win the leverage battle. Ethan is also strong along the interior. Even while making lateral moves, Ethan moves with power. He seems always loaded up and ready to initiate contact if not engaged. When he does make contact, that first punch has shown to be devastating and he has the wide, strong base to drive DL off the ball and into level two. He is a tone setter for the physical Plymouth run game. It is time to check in on the big man.
Highlights
Watching the growth and development of De Pere’s Milo Upton Milo Upton 6’4″ | 280 lbs | OL De Pere | 2024 WI over the past couple years has been awesome to watch. It is time for a college program to come in and pursue the opportunity to further develop him at the next level. The big man has grown up to an impressive 6’4″ 280 lbs, an inch and 30 lbs more than he was last season. With that added size this fall, you can expect Upton’s game to make a big jump. On tape, the big man has proven to be a smooth athlete with the range to be able to get to the second level or pull across the formation on time. Milo also has developed the powerful leg drive to be able to move the bigger DL. I can’t wait to see how much he mauls DL with his added size this fall. This dude is my prediction to breakout in his senior season. Make sure to check in for his Week One tape.
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Another serious steal on the OL is Nicolet’s Max Stuhlmacher Max Stuhlmacher 6’3″ | 285 lbs | OL Nicolet | 2024 State WI . The 6’3″ 285 lbs OL has been a varsity starter for multiple seasons now. His game relies on his college level strength. Max is an absolute bully in the run game. The superior strength he has built up allows him to rag doll DL and LBs. His heavy hands deliver punches that pancake defenders and when he clamps those big mitts onto defenders he runs his feet until he is putting his opponent in the dirt. I believe Max best fits at guard at the next level. There his strength can further be amplified as he maintains the pocket in the pass game, and then bulldozes open running lanes. He is still looking for that first offer. Get on the powerful athlete before everyone else does.
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College coaching staffs need to get back out to Nicolet HS because our next athlete also attends there. It is the 6’2″ 220 lbs DE/Edge defender Damarcus Chappell Damarcus Chappell 6’2″ | 220 lbs | DL Nicolet | 2024 State WI . Damarcus is a nightmare matchup with his speed, burst, and agility. He finished in second in sacks in the entire state of WI thanks to ability to burst out of his stance, run the loop, and bend underneath OTs trying to get their hands on him. Chappell carries the speed from that firs step all the way to the QB. He closes quickly and violently. Damarcus also has shown solid hand fighting techniques and pass rush moves. He is going to be right back in the race for the most sacks in the state. Time for a team to come add that third down threat to their defense.
Highlights
Our final defensive trench monster is a serious hidden gem. From the small school of Wittenberg- Birnamwood, we have the 6’5″ 290 lbs 2024 DT. Charlie also plays center for W-B, but his play at NG is what stands out. The massive athlete excels at holding the line of scrimmage in the run game. He is immovable in the trenches. Charlie also has shown that he can use that power to get penetration into the backfield, ripping through double teams and corralling the RB/QB. He is one of the most raw prospects in the state, but you can’t teach the natural gifts he has.
We end with the 6’4″ 270 lbs OT out of Little Chute. Owen’s short area burst and overall range instantly impress at his size. In tight quarters he is able to quickly close on DL before they can get hands on him to create separation. Owen is also able to get out in space on screen plays and land blocks downfield. Butkovich’s upper body strength is also impressive. He is able to throw around his opponents, and as he gets more coaching on hand placement that strength will become even more of an impact. The strong, athletic OL is raw, but the gifts are there to mold and work with.