5 Senior Leaders Searching For Their Landing Spots
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Today, we’re looking at 5 more seniors in the 2024 class who are not only leaders for their programs but are still searching for the right program at the next level. All 5 of these guys have produced at a…
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Continue ReadingToday, we’re looking at 5 more seniors in the 2024 class who are not only leaders for their programs but are still searching for the right program at the next level. All 5 of these guys have produced at a high level and been a leader in one way or another for their high school programs.
Landon Holder Landon Holder 5'10" | 150 lbs | DB Castle | 2024 IN – Castle – LB – 5’10” 170lbs
The 2 past seasons for Castle, Holder has helped lockdown the second level of defense. He steadily developed the first 2 years and then had 2 sound seasons back to back to end his career. His upperclassman years were nearly identical, but he had about 15 more solo tackles as a senior. He’s got a good nose for the ball, doesn’t have an issue getting through traffic, and can force ball carriers back inside if he’s not able to get there for the tackle. However, he usually is the one to make the play because of those traits and his decent athletiscm. He’s not the biggest LB by any means, but he’s compact and can pack a punch. I appreciated the fact that anytime he had a chance to help in the running game, he would. Being more of a coverage LB is where I see him going in the future, but he’s certainly capable of playing inside the box. The past 2 years of football has seen Holder put up 149 tackles, 5 TFLs, 1 sack, an interception, and 2 forced fumbles. Holder has been steady and reliable for Castle throughout his career and he could bring that same production to the right defense moving forward.
Twitter: @HolderLandon57
Ryan Zimmerman Ryan Zimmerman 6'6" | 225 lbs | QB Guerin Catholic | 2024 State IN – Guerin Catholic – QB – 6’6″ 215lbs
A 3-year starter who improved every time he stepped out on the field is a good way to describe Zimmerman at first glance. He’s then obviously very tall and towers over the line. While he is tall, he’s also a fantastic athlete and well built. He sort of reminds me of a Christian Abney from the 2023 class. Abney was a great QB in his own right, tall, a great athlete, but struggled to find a home for whatever reason. However, Zimmerman is different in his own ways as well. He’s confident in the pocket, can go through his reads, and make good decisions. His accuracy and completion % improved throughout his high school career as well. His first year starting, accuracy and interceptions were a bit of an issue. After that, he improved his completion % by over 15% and cut way down on interceptions. 50.3%, 10 TD and 7 INT as a freshman to, 66% completion 18 TD and 5 INT as a senior. He also has command over the offense, guys on the field trust him, and he can come through in the clutch in tough games. Going 8-3 as a Senior and having some of the big games he did against top competition was big. Zimmerman is a guy still on the market who quite frankly, shouldn’t be.
Twitter: @RyanZimm30
Tyler Dover Tyler Dover 6'4" | 240 lbs | OL Mt. Vernon | 2024 IN – Mt. Vernon – OL – 6’4″ 235lbs
Dover has been such an important piece for the Mt. Vernon offense since he stepped onto the field a few years ago. Wherever they’ve needed him, he’s been able to plug in and play for them. This year was no different as throughout the regular season he played tackle on the right side. Then had to move to the interior during their playoff run. He’s got a good head on his shoulders and does a good job getting off the ball. I go back and forth on where I liked him better. On the outside, he has the length you want your tackles to have. He’s good on his feet and doesn’t get caught on his heels. He can gain depth and his handplacement is fine. On the interior, he’s much more impactful in the running game. He gets downhill, can move guys out of the way, and has a nice snap when he’s the Center. He is a bit light right now, so when he gets to college putting some weight on in the weight room will be a priority, but it’ll only help finish rounding out his game. I like Dover, what he has to offer, and I’m curious to see where he lands and where they ask him to play.
Twitter: @TylerDover56
Owen Huff Owen Huff 5'11" Greencastle | 2024 IN – Greencastle – ATH – 5’10” 170lbs
There are certain players who help make the football world go round, and Huff is one of them. I love guys like Huff, because they don’t always get all the love they should. For Greencastle, he was the guy who was asked to do a little bit of everything and a lof of some things. He was heavily involved in all 3 phases of the game and it’s pretty clear they couldn’t gameplan without Huff. He was a leading receiver for them and was a high volume guy. 61 catches on the year. Typically, that many catches tells me you know how to get open, find the sticks, and keep the chains moving. That being said, it was 61 catches for 984 receiving yards, and 12 total TDs that he put up this year. But, then he played defense and Special Teams. He added over 400 yards of return yards and then 55 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, a pass deflection, and an interception on the defensive side of the ball. Good eyes, good range, and the ability to run down the ball carrier in the second level really helped Huff throughout his career. Being that active in all 3 phases of the game typically only means you’ll find a spot somewhere and a way onto the field on Saturdays.
Twitter: @OwenHuff2024
Elijah Wagner – Bosse – ATH – 5’11” 165lbs
Some guys are just supreme athletes and it’s best to get the ball in their hands anyway you can. That’s been the MO for Wagner’s high school career and it’s worked out fairly well. Having him play QB let the magic happen more often than not. He has that special running ability in the backfield that just gives defenses fits. When you think you’ve got him dead to rights, he finds a way out. A spin move, teleporting, or making everyone around him go slip and sliding. My favorite part was how much better in the passing game he got this year. He went from 48.6% completion and 1300 yards to 60% completion and 2150 yards through the air. He more than doubled his TD output from 9 to 21 as well. None of that even includes what he did with his legs, which this year was very Lamar like. I wanted to say it earlier, but I didn’t. However, after watching the tape and then seeing his numbers, it’s a bit eye-popping. How this man managed to put up 1670 rushing yards and 20 TDs on the ground as a Senior is beyond me. That’s with the massive jump in his passing game. As a Junior, he only put up 531 rushing yards. He’s as dynamic as they come with the ball in his hands and Wagner is going to make someone a happy camper come signing day.
Twitter: @Elijah_W7