5 Weeks In, 5 New Stars In Indiana Pt. 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're through 5 weeks of the season already! With that, today we're looking at 5 recruits who have put themselves near the upper echelon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='541969' first='D'Andre' last='Black'] - Bloomington South - WR - 6'3" 185lbs - 2024</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Black has always been a phenomenal athlete waiting to burst onto the scene on a football field. That day has come and it is glorious. He's an outside receiver with long strides and chews up yardage. He's fast off the line and gets downfield in a hurry. He's able to go up and get the ball in 50/50 situations. With his frame, he's able to box out in the end zone and bring down the ball for 6. He does a good job using his body to take the hits and bounce right back up. He comes back to the ball and knows to fight through contact. He's also good at breaking a tackle and picking up big YAC. Black is also a willing blocker downfield and even has highlights pancaking his defender. Through 5 weeks he's got 452 receiving yards and 5 TDs, which is more than his 2 previous seasons combined together. He's got the potential to develop into a true X WR at the next level, or even a TE if they want him near the line with his ability to block. Either way, his size, speed, and ability to catch give him a high upside and have him flashing right when he needs to be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@DandreBlack</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='206060' first='Connor' last='Cruz'] - Covenant Christian - QB - 6'2" 180lbs - 2026</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cruz is currently firing on all cylinders and came out to start the season that way. There's a trend with success and QBs in Indiana who work with Anthony Morelli. Cruz is someone I met at the QB X-Factor camp this summer and he looked good. I was anxious to see him play live ball; he looks just as good. You can see the confidence in the pocket and going through reads. He can come off a read and go to the next one if it's not there, yet doesn't stay in the pocket too long. He's got good pocket awareness and knows when it's time to go. While he's not a big runner, he can run to move the chains. His 40 yards and 2 TDs through 5 games prove that. Cruz is most efficient in the pocket when he's dealing. He's got a big arm and can make most throws. I like where he's at in his development and looks like a guy who could throw a nice ball on Saturdays. His 15 passing TDs and 1200 passing yards through 5 games is nice, but it's the way he's looking doing it. Cruz is catching fire early in his career and could be breaking records by the time it's all said and done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@Connor_Cruz_9</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='560083' first='Christian' last='Kramer'] - North Putnam - QB - 6'1" 185lbs - 2026</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kramer is off to a hot start to his career and doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon. He's one of many QBs who worked with Anthony Morelli this summer and the proof has been all over his tape through 5 games. He's a sophomore who looks like a senior with how he handles himself on the field. He's the leader of that team and they go as he goes. He's a good athlete who makes the defense pay attention to him and his legs, which opens up the passing game some for him. He also does a good job keeping his eyes downfield while he's on the move. While he can run, he's looking to throw first which is what you want to see. His frame is in development but looks good for his age. Through 5 games he's got 14 total touchdowns, and over 1400 scrimmage yards, and seems like someone who has a very bright future on both the ground and through the air. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@C_Kramer18</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='205876' first='Ifeoluwa' last='Adeoba'] II - Pike - ATH - 6'2" 225lbs - 2025</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adeoba is one of those guys that some schools are hoping to stay under the rug so they can get a steal of a prospect, but I don't quite think that's going to be the case. The way he's playing and dominating games, it's only a matter of time until he gets national attention, let alone some local eyes his way. He's a phenomenal athlete and is super raw, yet just makes play after play. He's explosive, can play violent, and has a second gear that most guys are not able to find. So far this season, he's been a player with a relentless motor and mindset, which is all over his tape. He's a game-changer and someone who looks to make the big play, yet has no issue making the simple play. He wraps up in space, does a good tracking the near hip, and doesn't take poor angles. Through 5 weeks of the season, he's already recorded 41 tackles, 14 TFLs, 7 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 7 pressures, 1 pass breakup, 1 blocked kick, and 1 defensive touchdown. Adeoba is taking his game to a new level and is someone who won't be hidden for much longer. His potential is blatant and all over the tape, which has me pretty excited for his long-term potential because he's a guy who could aim for Sundays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@AdeobaIfeoluwa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1002374' first='Max' last='Phenicie'] - Zionsville - DB - 6'2" 190lbs - 2025</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Phenicie may be on the fast track to superstardom with how he's playing and looking so far to start the season. He's not just taken a step of development, but he's turned into the best player on the field seemingly overnight. He's got an elite frame for a defensive back and then has even better range. He's great playing safety because his vision and ability to explode toward the ball is so violent that when he makes contact the defenders almost always fly backward. He's got a great feel for the backend and does a good job keying on the receiver he's guarding or the QB if it's zone. He has a tendency to read the route early and jump it for the ball. There are times when it's like he's running the route for the receiver. Through the first 5 games, he's got 33 tackles, 2 TFLs, and a handful of interceptions, but it's the way he looks. He's a class above most other DBs his age for sure, and he may have a ceiling that takes him beyond Saturdays. He's truly that smooth in the backend, yet is still developing physically which could have him be a LB when it's all said and done. He'd be a pretty explosive LB if you ask my opinion. Phenicie is fun and going to be a name we hear a bunch moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Twitter: <strong>@PhenicieMax</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->