5 Recruits In The 2024 Class Who Can Have A Huge Year
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We’ve got 5 really talented players in today’s piece that should have a big Senior campaign. The season starts next week, so it’s full-go for everyone moving forward! Mason Riggins Mason Riggins 6'6" | 230 lbs | TE Zionsville |…
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Continue ReadingWe’ve got 5 really talented players in today’s piece that should have a big Senior campaign. The season starts next week, so it’s full-go for everyone moving forward!
Mason Riggins Mason Riggins 6'6" | 230 lbs | TE Zionsville | 2024 State IN – Zionsville – TE – 6’6″ 230lbs
Riggins is one of the fastest-rising TEs in the region, let alone the state of Indiana. He stands out, literally, right away. You then see this 6’6″ stallion churn up chunks of yards at a time. He’s off the line quickly, he’s got great ball skills and does a good job going up and taking what’s his. He’s able to be physical and come play on the line at the next level. While there’s likely that learning curve as there is for most, if not all TEs, his upside is what makes him such a good target. He’s shown times where he can read zone coverage and find that soft spot for his QB to target him. In general, I don’t think he’s been utilized downfield as much as he could be, but as much as they use him in the running game and play action, it’s understandable to save his stamina for late in the 4th. If he gets the opportunity, he’s a great Redzone target and has proven that at least more than once. Last season, he had 11 receptions, 127 yards, and 1 TD, but does so much more for that team. That’s just the tip of the iceberg for what he can do, he’s just a good teammate willing to be the gritty guy because football revolves around guys like Riggins, and his of being valued on Saturdays is coming.
Twitter: @MasonRiggins1
Caaden Gault Caaden Gault 5'11" | 205 lbs | LB Columbus East | 2024 State IN – Columbus East – LB – 5’11” 205lbs
Gault is a really productive LB who does a lot of things well. He’s sound in his mechanics for his age, does a great job anticipating snaps, and is a relentless pursuer of the football. He’s athletic and does a good job dropping back into coverage. He’s then got the speed to come downhill and make a play when and where needed. He’s not the tallest LB, but he seems to have excellent reach and longer arms than most guys his height. He’s got a decent amount of experience as an OLB and I anticipate that being his position at the next level. With his range and ability to sniff out the run, he’s sometimes someone you want moving and near the LOS. Last season alone he put up 96 tackles, 9 TFLs, a sack, and forced or recovered 4 different fumbles. It was a stellar season for a stellar recruit. He’s gotten better each year and gotten more and more productive. Gault is a fantastic player waiting to be snagged to help a defense.
Twitter: @caadengault
Donavan Baker Donavan Baker 6'0" | 190 lbs | ATH Reitz Memorial | 2024 State IN – Reitz Memorial – ATH – 5’11” 190lbs
Baker is a dynamic player who can do a ton of damage with the ball in his hands. He moves around for Reitz Memorial at RB and WR. While he’s not a refined player, he’s creative and can pick a part of the defense with his legs. He’s got long strides and a thicker frame than most Gadget players which bodes well long-term. I feel he’s got potential at both RB and WR, so it’s hard to pinpoint 1 area for him right now. He’s been used in jet sweeps as well as regular carries out of the backfield. Last season, he averaged 5.7 yards per carry and 10.4 yards per reception and flashed all that potential. His thicker frame gives him the ability to bounce off some tackles and pick up extra yardage, especially as he develops in the weight room at the next level. Baker could come out and have the breakout season he’s been hinting at because he’s got all the talent and versatility.
Twiiter: @BakerDonavan1
Caden Gordon – Castle – QB – 6’0” 180lbs
Gordon had a really promising first year starting and you can tell immediately why they’re excited about what he could do this year. He admittedly had a few plays on his tape where I caught myself saying “Alright, that’s pretty impressive.” His first play on his season-long HUDL highlights is where you can find the first play I’m referring to. He was flushed out of the pocket after going through his reads, scrambling to his left, and somehow saw a receiver back in the middle of the endzone. With a flick of the wrist, as he’s falling in the opposite direction and getting hit, the ball is on the money for 6. That’s not the only time he did something impressive, either. Gordon is quite simply a playmaker. He’s a dynamic athlete who can run in circles and then break off around the edge for a 40-yard TD. On top of that, he’s not one to put the ball in danger. On the year he completed 60% of his throws and had 13TDs to 4 INTs. He’s heading into year 2 as the starter and with that year under his belt, Gordon should be primed to have a big big year.
Twitter: @CadenGordon12
Nick Witte Nick Witte 6'4" | 190 lbs | WR Lapel | 2024 State IN – Lapel – WR – 6’4” 190lbs
Witte is going to leave a huge hole in Lapel’s offense when he leaves for college next fall. Over the past 2 years, you might not find a more productive WR. His size and athletic abilities all match with what you’d hope when you see Madden numbers like he’s putting up. He uses his frame so well, too. He’s able to highpoint balls and go up and over defenders. Where most guys would fall to the ground, he’s able to keep his balance sometimes and pick up some YAC on balls that really shouldn’t have any. His speed and agility for his frame shouldn’t be as elite as they are, but thankfully they are because it’s what makes him so special. A guy who is 6’4″ that can run by everyone on the field and then make guys miss is a problem. I mean, there’s probably a good reason that he’s put up 109 receptions, 1576 yards, and 13 TDs in the past 2 seasons of football. Witte is a ton of fun to watch, only getting better, and should be on everyone’s radar if they want to build an offense at the next level.
Twitter: @Nick_Witte