Ones To Watch In The KingCo 2A Conference
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The KingCo 2A conference should take a big step forward this year with several of their best players returning. Highline dominated the conference last year 7-0, led by one of the top ’24 recruits in the state in Marquawn McCraney…
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Continue ReadingThe KingCo 2A conference should take a big step forward this year with several of their best players returning. Highline dominated the conference last year 7-0, led by one of the top ’24 recruits in the state in Marquawn McCraney Marquawn McCraney 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB Highline | 2024 State WA . However, Renton and Lindbergh are rising programs and will look to build on winning seasons to join them in the playoffs. Here are five players who will be key to the conference garnering more respect.
McCraney isn’t just a Division 1 talented athlete, he’s a complete player who carries himself at a premiere level too. He can turn a catch in any spot into a score, and is one of the best playmakers in his class based on instinct alone. However, his junior highlight reel begins with him blocking, showing he understands what carries a team to win beyond himself. He’s more quick and elusive than a track speedster, but will take a crease when it opens up. He takes great angles and is explosive in the open field. He received about 10 unofficial D1 offers this Spring but Cal seems to have the edge after being the first to officially offer him in the beginning of August. He’s going to put up big time stats and be an all-state performer this year, but McCraney’s brightest days might be as an early contributor in college who steps in and produces in a D1 WR room right away.
Glenn-Thomas lined up primarily in high safety looks for Lindbergh as a freshman but looks to establish himself as an outside CB this year. He has good awareness and is a willing and sure tackler. He makes good reads on in-breaking routes to high point jump balls which netted him several interceptions this season. He is aggressive at the point of attack and can force PBUs and fumbles, jarring receivers as soon as they touch the ball. In addition to his ability to go up and get it, he has an impressive catch radius and the instincts to grabs deflections. He also features as a versatile receiver who makes plays down the sideline or in the slot. He can burn DBs that misstep or get in behind with good angles in his routes, which trick them out of position to think they can cover his shorter presence downfield. His use of leverage will allow him to continue improving through his sophomore year and help Lindbergh contend for a playoff spot.
Highlights
Ford is a good athlete with a promising frame that can make plays in the box. At TE, he made several catches en route to a 2nd-Team All-League Selection last year. He makes the defense pay for leaving the middle of the field open. He uses good instincts to find holes in coverage, getting in behind linebackers and under safeties. He’s great with his hands, not only catching the ball but as a blocker too, getting great push in the run game. He’s also shown the ability to line up in the slot and outside as a receiver and run a variety of routes, combining hsi catching ability with good running after the catch and scoring several TDs last season. He should factor in at DE as well, and his physicality will be a big test of where he deserves to be ranked as a prospect. He’s going to be key to Interlake’s success this year and could be one of the top overall players in the conference in addition to making a name for himself in WA’s prospect pool.
Turner is a shifty back with good contact balance who started both of his first two years as an underclassmen, earning all-conference nods both times and was the best back in the league last year. His frame is ideal and helps him project well as a versatile back who could get on college radars this year. He’s got the speed to crease defenses once he gets to the second level and takes good angles to get through the line and make explosive plays. He uses his speed to be a powerful runner as well by lowering his shoulder, which plays well on defense as a free safety too. He’s a good athlete who understands the game well enough to go both ways and still has plenty of room to grow. Turner is be central to Renton’s growth as a program as they look to compete for the league title and make the playoffs this season.
Karmelo Bell
Karmelo Bell
I came across Bell in February and loved his physicality and energy, saying he could garner more respect on the recruiting trail if he showed out during camp season. He went out there and did just that at Central Washington’s camp in June, winning a DB MVP award. Since I first covered him, he’s grown an inch (unverified, but he looks taller and lengthier), and his quickness stands out more compared to others in the state. He’s got good hips that allow him to cover ground effectively and good awareness to utilize it. He’s lengthy and has one of the most projectable profiles in the conference to work with. Bell will continue to lead Renton’s defense and playoff hopes. His highlights are mainly in zone but his skillset should work well in man too. He should make a case to be one of the top DBs in 2A this season.