5 Recruits Making A Statement Through 3 Weeks

<p>We've got a great list today of guys who have been doing their thing on the field and taking another step of development.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='109625' first='Danny' last='O'Neil'] - Cathedral - QB - 6'1" 185lbs - 2024</h2>   <p>O'Neil doesn't particularly need help with recruitment as he's headed to Boulder, Colorado to join Deion and the Buffs. However, as good as he's been to start the year, it's a slight to him to not mention him in some piece along the line. Whether you're talking about the 70-yard rushing TD from a few weeks back or the cross-body moving to his left 50-yard dime for a touchdown last week, he's been fantastic every time he's been on the field this year. With a target on his back and everyone watching, it's hard to live up to big expectations but he's got Cathedral rolling just like normal. Completing over 60% of his throws and 705 passing yards with 10 TDs through the air with his rushing upside has him right on track. Every time O'Neil steps on the field he's liable to do something fun which is why his arrival to Boulder is so highly anticipated.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@_DannyOneil</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='986476' first='Nate' last='Johnson'] - Center Grove - DL - 6'3" 265lbs - 2024</h2>   <p>Johnson is off to his best start by far in his career and seems to not only have turned the corner to be a reliable piece, but a disruptive player. He's great on the interior of the line and has no issue working against a double team. Like every DL, he doesn't win every battle, but his strong hands and upper body give him the leverage he needs more often than not. He's quick off the line and does a good job swimming through and dipping his shoulder. In the game against St. Edward (OH) with 3 D-1 commits up front, it was Johnson for Center Grove who gave them the biggest fuss up front. His size is real and he does a good job against stiff competition. Through 3 games he's got 21 tackles, 14 of those being solo, 2 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks. Johnson checks a handful of boxes with his traits and now is starting to produce at the highest level possible in Indiana which only projects well for long-term development.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@BigNate75CG</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='735672' first='Griffin' last='Tucker'] - Providence - DL - 6'1" 235lbs - 2025</h2>   <p>Tucker is having a phenomenal year and seems to be breaking out as a junior while making some big plays. He's got a really high motor and does a great job churning his legs and driving his guy back. He's able to get up underneath the pads and then has really long arms so he's able to drive them back without much resistance. He's shifty while going against a block and does a good job coming off to make the tackle. He's moved around on both sides of the line but ultimately is best out wide rushing the passer. So far this season, he's got 14 tackles, 8 TFLs, and 4 sacks while looking like this is just the start. I mentioned his ability to rush the passer, but I don't want to discredit his play in the running game. He's solid against the run as well and overall is having a great year. If Tucker continues this level of play, he could be pushing for the state sack leader by season's end.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@GriffinTucker55</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='610959' first='Landen' last='Murray'] - Andrean - DL - 6'1" 200lbs - 2027</h2>   <p>Murray is a freshman we highlighted coming in as a potential breakout for multiple reasons, but so far he's more than lived up to expectations and is setting a higher ceiling than maybe we thought before. He's starting as a freshman and not just on the field, but making a big impact. In the running game, he's stout and does a good job against 1 on 1 blocks. He's able to get around a tackle as well because he's a fairly good athlete. You can see he's got a frame that is going to continue developing and turn into something special. Through 3 games of his freshman year, Murray has 14 tackles, 3 TFls, 1 sack, and a forced fumble. A freshman coming in and making a big impact, especially up front is such a big win for any program and the player himself. Murray's going to have 4 years to refine his craft on Friday nights and so far, he looks pretty darn good.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@Landen96063748</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='393425' first='James' last='Finley IV'] - Andrean - DB - 6'1" 170lbs - 2025</h2>   <p>Finley is one of the best DBs in the state in my opinion. He's highly ranked for a reason, but now he's playing offense and he looks great. Finley is such a great athlete that he's going to have success anywhere. He's even returned a kick this year and looked there as well. However, having him play offense is big for his development long term. It allows him to learn and see the game from a WRs perspective. Number-wise wise on offense he's caught 16 balls for 242 yards, and 1 TD. He's shifty and smart. He understands coverage and how to exploit it. He's then such a fluid athlete that he makes guys miss and explodes downfield. However, it's still on defense where he's most times the best player on the field. He's 1 step ahead of the offense and clamps down his receiver every game. He then comes off his guy and comes downhill to make the tackle. Typically, you don't like to see your DBs racking up tackles. It means your second and third level is busy and the ball is moving down the field. However, with Finley, that's a bit different. 19 tackles, 14 solos, 1 interception, 1 pass deflected, and a fumble recovery through 3 games is where he stands as of now. Finley is one of the best recruits in the 2025 class as a whole and is certainly backing that up so far in the 2023 season.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@JamessFinleyy</strong></p>

We've got a great list today of guys who have been doing their thing on the field and taking another step of development.