Senior Statement Seasons: 2024's Who Went Out With a Bang

Senior year brings additional motivation for all players, driven by various reasons. Whether it's the prospect of collegiate interest, unfinished business, or the pursuit of titles, players feel compelled to give more than their best effort. During the past season, these seven 2024 graduates stepped up to the occasion, leaving a lasting impact on their programs. Before we transition to the offseason, let's take a moment to reflect on some exceptional players who will be turning in their tassels in May.   [player_tooltip player_id='382139' first='Kobe' last='Cunningham'] | Quarterback | Fordyce   Standing at 6-1 and weighing 210 pounds, [player_tooltip player_id='382139' first='Kobe' last='Cunningham'] boasts an impressive size complemented by a proficient skill set. Beyond his remarkable downfield accuracy, his timing and rhythm with wide receivers are equally noteworthy. Whether executing 3 or 5-step drop backs, Cunningham's movements are fluid and well-coordinated with his receivers' route breaks.   What sets the Red Bug signal caller apart is his ability to maintain vision downfield, even under pressure in the pocket. He excels at buying time with his legs, showcasing both his passing finesse and impressive open-field abilities with his legs. While Cunningham is undoubtedly a passer first, don't be deceived—his incredible 4.5 40 speed highlights his exceptional athleticism.   [player_tooltip player_id='795245' first='Gabe' last='Witt'] | Running Back | Southside   Anytime a running back averages over 9 yards per carry with 20-plus touchdowns, it deserves attention. [player_tooltip player_id='795245' first='Gabe' last='Witt'] (5-11, 195) achieved just that in his senior season with the Southerners. Wrapping up the season with a final stat line of 1,481 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, Witt became a primary concern for opposing defenses.   Witt possesses a well-balanced blend of attributes, showcasing remarkable patience, vision, and open-field speed. His ability to identify cutback lanes and holes forming behind the offensive line is uncanny. As soon as he takes the hand-off, this ball carrier executes precise chop steps at the line of scrimmage and accelerates through any opening, no matter how small. Witt's breakaway speed ranks among the best in the state, living up to the preseason first-team selection by Prep Redzone.   Jlynn Allen | Defensive End | North Little Rock   A true diamond in the 2024 class, Jlynn Allen (6-7, 220) is a force to be reckoned with on the North Little Rock defensive line. Allen stands out as a block-shedding machine, thanks to his freakishly long arms and strong hands. His powerful and quick swim move effortlessly overpowers offensive linemen, and he leverages his incredible length to disrupt ball carriers in the backfield.   The game unfolds at a slow pace for Allen; as you review his footage, it becomes evident that he controls the tempo at the point of attack. Allen exceptionally establishes the boundary, preventing outside runs from breaking containment. Additionally, his length proves advantageous in the passing game, affecting passing lanes even when he isn't directly pressuring the quarterback.   [player_tooltip player_id='968927' first='Wyatt' last='Brown'] | ATH | Perryville   [player_tooltip player_id='968927' first='Wyatt' last='Brown'] (6-0, 195) stands out as a player who thrives in big moments, showcasing his fierceness off the edge of the defense with impressive quickness and fundamental skills at the point of attack. His film highlights a powerful bull-rush technique, charging up and through offensive linemen, swiftly putting them on their heels. Additionally, Brown employs a rapid rip move that proves equally effective. While he lines up on the line, his skill set mirrors that of a linebacker at the next level.   At running back, Brown is equally as explosive and has mastered the jump-cut-until-you-see-daylight method. Upon receiving the hand-off, he quickly identifies the initial hole and adeptly shifts to either side until finding a lane, then charges through with force and intention. Brown stands out as a potential game-changer with his remarkable speed and vision, both in traffic and in the open field.   [player_tooltip player_id='899395' first='Caleb' last='Otieno'] | Defensive Back | Jacksonville   [player_tooltip player_id='899395' first='Caleb' last='Otieno'] (5-8, 155), a leader in the Titans' defensive backfield, brings a punch when delivering hits on the ball. This defender exhibits excellent acceleration out of his back pedal breaks, contributing significantly to the run and short passing game. Otieno displays a keen ability to take precise jumps and angles on short routes beneath the defense. His hip rotations are impressive as he reads receivers, and he has developed quick feet, seamlessly navigating direction changes with impressive speed while tracking his opponents.   [player_tooltip player_id='933314' first='Jeremiah' last='Daniels'] | Defensive Back | Monticello   Discovering a defensive back who excels in both the pass and run game is always valuable. [player_tooltip player_id='933314' first='Jeremiah' last='Daniels'] (6-3, 180) stands out for his impressive performance in the run game. His ability to shed blockers, coupled with his remarkable length, allows him to string plays out and make crucial stops before runs escalate into explosive plays.   Daniels also showcases prowess behind the formation, exhibiting exceptional timing in going after balls in the air, both in deep and middle parts of the field. Receivers face a formidable challenge beating Daniels deep, thanks to his impressive speed and vertical leap, resulting in numerous PBUs and contested catch situations.   Chase Swede | Lineman | Joe T Robinson   Racking up an impressive 50 tackles from the trenches, Chase Swede boasts an exceptional motor on the field. Swede's powerful swim move stands out as one of the best, and he complements it with a quick rip move that allows him to penetrate the interior of the pocket, causing disruption from the middle of the formation.   This 6-5, 250-pound behemoth is a significant presence in the passing game. Particularly on passing downs, Swede strategically positions himself to stay in the face of the opposing quarterback. With his sizable paws in the air, he disrupts vision using his large wingspan, creating a formidable obstacle for the offense.

Senior year brings additional motivation for all players, driven by various reasons. Whether it's the prospect of collegiate interest, unfinished business, or the pursuit of titles, players feel compelled to give more than their best effort. During the past season, these seven 2024 graduates stepped up to the occasion, leaving a lasting impact on their programs. Before we transition to the offseason, let's take a moment to reflect on some exceptional players who will be turning in their tassels in May.