Best of the Best: Level 3 Playoff Performances
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We have narrowed it down to the Final Four of every division. We have also found our two 8 Man State Champion participants this past Friday. The high stakes brought out the best in the top prospects across Wisconsin. Athletes still looking for their next level homes proved to have the talent that should more than turn heads. These athletes are names to know, so read a quick breakdown of the tape, and then make sure to watch it for yourself! Let’s dive into the best of Level 3!
Stats: 10 Tackles, 2 INTs, 1 Pick Six, 4 PBUsrnPatrick is a dominant DB in the 2024 Class that needs far more attention that he has received. Watching the tape, O’Brien looks like a future high end safety prospect. He has a great frame for the position, yet is able to cover ground and run with receivers downfield. PJ is also a high IQ football player. He does a great job of quickly diagnosing plays and putting himself in position to impact the play. The rising senior also has the ball skills to not only break up passes, but also reel in INTs. Patrick has the size, athleticism, ability to play zone or man coverage, and reliable ball skills.
Highlights
Stats: 9 Tackles, 2 SacksrnLaDainian has been a stud in the middle of the Sussex defense. In Level 3 the LB continued to roam from sideline to sideline, filling gaps with aggression and power or spying QBs and chasing them down for sacks. Mielke has a blend of athleticism/power that should attract college coaches. He can fight through blocks in the trenches, and then drop into coverage and show the agility needed to play in space. Mielke has a balanced attack, and has really improved from a year ago. LaDainian continues to trend upwards. Don’t sleep on the senior.
Highlights
Stats: 12 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 SackrnKettle Moraine saw their season come to an end in Level 3, but senior Eli Rife Eli Rife 5’11” | 215 lbs | LB Kettle Moraine | 2024 State WI did what he could to keep his team alive. The OLB put together a lot of tape showing his strength to set the edge against TEs as well as pulling OL. Eli shows good leverage, and the ability to disengage with blocks and make the tackle for little or no gain. Eli also did a good job of stringing plays out and not losing contain. Give the senior LB a look. Tape is below.
Isaac Skemp
Isaac Skemp
Stats: 9 Receptions, 148 Yards, 2 TDsrnOnalaska fell short in Level 3, but it wasn’t from a lack of effort in the passing game. Leading the way on the receiving end was the big target Isaac Skemp. His final tape from the year shows a well rounded game, that should excite the next level. Isaac can get behind the defense, eating up ground with his long strides. The senior also does a good job of using his size to create separation and protect the ball. You can also rely on him to win the 50/50 jump balls. Skemp is blessed with soft hands and a strong ability to track the ball downfield. Isaac is also a talented basketball player. Don’t miss out on the hidden gem.
Tyler Heinle
Tyler Heinle
Stats: 14 Tackles, 1 TFLrnA sophomore new to my radar that needs to be on the radar of college coaches is Grafton LB Tyler Heinle. Heinle is starting to fill out his 6’2″ frame, and as he does the playmaker is going to become a real force in the middle of the defense. He already shows that he has the strength, lateral agility, and hands to be able to consistently take on OL blocks, disengage, and make the tackle. He is a productive blitzer as well. The sophomore is also a proven, reliable tackler one on one. I’m excited to follow the 2026’s career going forward.
Stats: 5 Receptions, 124 Yards, 1 TDrnIt is quick film, but Jay needs to be in the spotlight. The junior is going to be one of the top risers in the Class of 2025 during our next rankings update. He has a long frame, and his tape shows that he has the speed to stretch the field. The big play creator does a good job of adjusting to the ball, and going to get it. The junior is able to run his routes and make catches through contact. Jay has been a key piece to Stoughton’s deep postseason run.
Highlights
Aiden Meador
Aiden Meador
Stats: 38 Carries, 210 Yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT
Aiden is a workhorse back for St. Croix Falls. He can carry the rock between the tackles and out in space. Aiden is a patient back, but once he finds his lane will stick his foot in the ground and attack. Meador is a physical runner who you have to wrap up or he is going to run through your arm tackles. The senior also made plays on defense, flying downhill to stuff the run and playing in coverage and catching an INT.
Stats: 29 Carries, 252 Yards, 4 TDsrnAnother week, another dominant performance from Kewaunee’s lead back. Owen piled up the carries, and the big plays were plentiful as well. I am most impressed by Owen’s vision. He makes so many plays where he is well beyond the line of scrimmage before he is even contacted because he quickly finds lanes and blocks to utilize and sets up defenders so they can’t get to him. Once he hits those open lanes, Carlson has the speed to take any carry to the house. Owen also brings the elusiveness between the tackles to make defenders miss and create space. Owen is at the helm of a dominant rushing attack for Kewaunee. Get eyes on the senior.
Highlights
Other Dominant Performances
- Tommy Novotny Tommy Novotny 5'9" | 170 lbs | RB Milwaukee Marquette | 2026 State WI , RB- Milwaukee Marquette: 12 Carries, 104 Yards, 2 TDs
- Nolan Hall Nolan Hall 6'4" | 190 lbs | WR Kaukauna | 2024 State WI , WR- Kaukauna: 6 Receptions, 118 Yards, 2 TDs
- Brady Kaufman Brady Kaufman 5'11" | 160 lbs | RB Sun Prairie East | 2026 State WI , RB- Sun Prairie East: 17 Carries, 244 Yards, 1 TD
- Landon Nottestad, RB- Badger: 27 Carries, 167 Yards
- Easton Stone Easton Stone 6'3" | 220 lbs | ATH Rice Lake | 2024 State WI , ATH- Rice Lake: 14 Carries, 65 Yards, 6 TDs, 5 Tackles
- Brooks Pernot, DB- Mount Horeb/Barneveld: 16 Tackles
- Christian Collins, RB- Green Bay Notre Dame: 36 Carries, 261 Yards, 3 TDs
- Cal Smith, QB- Baldwin- Woodville: 13/17, 350 yards, 5 TDs, 5 Carries, 32 Yards
- Chase Matthias Chase Matthias 6'0" | 215 lbs | ATH Two Rivers | 2024 State WI , ATH- Two Rivers: 16 Carries, 148 Yards, 2 TDs, 1 Reception, 16 Yards, 14 Tackles
- Trenton Johnson, ATH Grantsburg: 2/6, 27 Yards, 16 Carries, 198 Yards, 4 TDs
- Gavin Leonhardt, ATH- Stratford: 6 Carries, 32 Yards, 1 TD, 4 Receptions, 133 Yards, 3 TDs