Film Rewind Vol. 6
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In the film rewind series, I will be taking a look back at last season’s film from players in the 2024 and 2025 class in anticipation of the high school season less than a month away. Ja’Marrion Banks HEIGHT 5'11"…
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Continue ReadingIn the film rewind series, I will be taking a look back at last season’s film from players in the 2024 and 2025 class in anticipation of the high school season less than a month away.
Ja’Marrion Banks
Ja’Marrion Banks
Ja’Marrion Banks provides a spark for his team whenever he takes the field as an explosive ball carrier. Banks has good speed, good vision and natural instincts as a back to find extra yardage. He is a burner back that can quickly leave teams in his wake in open space with next level speed. Keeps good balance to weave through traffic and come out clean on the other side. Is a player that can seemingly appear out of a swarm of defenders for big yardage. Makes a habit of hitting the edge at full speed, keeps hips tight to turn up field faster than most for big gains. Shows good lower body strength to perform quick cuts, can lose a defender quickly to establish a running lane in the second level. Absorbs contact well with his upper body, can spin off contact and use his burst to maximize yardage. A good improviser, not afraid to bounce plays outside if a hole closes up. Banks will be in a new offense for his senior year and holds a leg up on the learning curve thanks to his next level speed. He is a full package running back with the speed and strength to keep him on the field throughout the game.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16474109/637b9742e97a850598db21dd
Ayden Cruz
Ayden Cruz
Ayden Cruz is an impact player on offense and defense for his team that puts in maximum effort each play. Few players can take command on both sides of the ball with the level of impact Cruz has for his team. As a wide receiver, he has versatility when lining up on the outside or in the slot, is a threat to turn screen passes into six with his athleticsm. A flexible player that can adjust his body to the ball to make difficult grabs with regularity. Has a wide catch radius thanks to his flexibility as well as a strong pair of hands. Is a shifty runner after the catch by keeping his center of gravity low for hard cuts. Makes an impact on broken plays by gravitating towards open space to give his quarterback an open target to throw to. Is a cleanup linebacker that often finds himself in the right place at the right time to make stops or create turnovers. Created multiple turnovers thanks his instincts to position himself where the play was headed before it arrived. Can disrupt plays with recognition unlike most linebackers at the high school level, has the athleticism to get his nose down and into plays. Is a multisport athlete with a background in baseball. Cruz is a player that belongs in the college ranks that has come by his success with hard work on the field, in the film room and in the classroom.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15377570/63595f895ef73a0caca8c773
Aidan McLaughlin
Aidan McLaughlin
Aidan McLaughlin is a disruptive defensive end with a high motor to make a habit of getting to plays in the backfield. McLaughlin can take care of run stopping or pass rushing assignments with quick reads on his man to react towards the play. Takes care of plugging up holes against offensive tackles, keeps actives hands to still grab running backs while being blocked. Handles double teams with a lot of resistance, can break through or maintain position to give his linebackers time to make stops. Strength in his upper body to shed blocks and make one arm tackles. Rotates his hips well to get off blocks to his left or right and attack quarterbacks looking to scramble. Makes solo tackles with regularity, doesn’t just slow ball carriers, but can bring them down in one-on-one situations. Fires himself towards the play when left uncovered, can force bad decisions without making contact. Has good size and speed to play the position effectively which has led to offers from Otterbein and Wittenberg. McLaughlin this offseason. Everything I’ve seen from his junior year tape shows a player ready to make a big impact in his senior year and beyond.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14112827/63569223da5c0d0894c601bf
Nick Barker Nick Barker OH
Nick Barker Nick Barker OH
Nick Barker Nick Barker OH is a quick-draw quarterback with good accuracy to let his receivers work upfield off a clean pass. Barker has quick, sound footwork in his short drops to drive the ball towards his man, can tuck the ball to get away from pressure and gain yardage. Is able to make good throws on the run or off-balance to keep his offense moving. Makes reads quickly, commits to his receivers as the route opens up for clean delivery and space for his man to work upfield. Has a clean release to hit routes in stride. Looked confident in his throws as a sophomore, was able to show different throws in his time on varsity. Shows the ability to keep his head up under pressure and look for positive yardage. Barker is a player with a lot of upside you don’t see out of a young quarterback. Working with a quarterback coach this offseason while headed to a new offense has kept him sharp. Has opening up his abilities working with different receivers, showed off his strong arm and openings to come with more time under center. Barker has shown progress in his throws at all three levels. Overall, he is an exciting prospect to watch with more time on varsity to unleash his skillset with a talented core around him.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16387139/64551aed2348d00fa4ce618a