6 Prolific 2024 Recruits Who Can Help Shape A Program

<p>We're continuing to hammer 2024 recruits as we head towards signing day, and today we've got 6 players who can play, made an impact for their programs, and could do the same thing on Saturdays.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1145959' first='Ayden' last='Wells'] - Evansville Reitz - LB - 5'10" 215lbs</h2>   <p>Sometimes I come across the tape of a guy I should have covered a long time ago. I do my best. I really do. I spread around the state, have a system, and tend to think overall I do an "OK" job at finding good players. However, I'm human and sometimes I can miss the big red radar pinging in front of me. However, at last, I've stumbled across Wells. The LB who came in as a sophomore and immediately added some energy to that defense while putting up 106 tackles, 7 TFLs, and 2 sacks. For the next 2 years, he was a leader of the defense. When you watch full games, you can see Wells getting guys lined up, helping make adjustments, and sprinting on and off the field. It's the little things like high effort in subbing that I tend to appreciate. If you understand your role and have no issue coming off the field, hyping the next man up, and sprinting back on like your life depends on it, you're my type of guy. Wells's HUDL is short and to the point. Play after play, down after down, and tackle after tackle. Wells is always right by the ball, even if he's not the one who makes the play. That's also a sign of high IQ and effort, which just keep building the case for Wells. He's good in run support and takes good angles in pursuit. His junior and senior seasons saw him put up 225 tackles, 17 TFLs, 6 sacks, and 2 interceptions. It's guys like Wells who make teams go, and whoever brings him in will get a really good addition.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@Ayden_Wells24</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1145966' first='Daniel' last='Quilliam'] - Plainfield - OL/DL - 6'2" 300lbs</h2>   <p>Wrapping up a solid career playing on both sides of the line, I can't see how Quilliam has been so unnoticed for so long. He's a big dude and certainly seems taller than 6'2", but maybe the length of his arms and legs makes him appear a bit taller. Offensively, he's off the ball decently quick and can get downhill. Sometimes he can keep his pad level a bit high in the running game, but it's nothing major. He can drop back in the passing game and does a good job keeping his hands on the inside. He won't overreach and put himself in a negative position. He does a good job gaining depth and preventing the defender from winning on the outside. He's shown he can handle stunts and pass them off properly as well. Defensively is where he's a bit better in my opinion. He's strong, understands leverage, and knows how to get off blocks. He does a great job clogging the center of the line and forcing them to try bouncing the ball to the outside. While I don't have any stats for him, either way, he's been an effective player on both sides of the ball and has a few intangibles you're looking for. Quilliam's upside is intriguing and he could be a gem for the right program.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@DanielQuilliam2</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='405522' first='Austin' last='Hastings'] - Noblesville - LB - 6'0" 230lbs</h2>   <p>A smart interior linebacker who can help get the rest of your defense set can go a long long way in football. Hastings has been that centerpiece for Noblesville for the past 3 seasons. His Sophomore year was good where he broke onto the scene putting up 87 tackles and showing that he could play Varsity ball. The only thing he did after that was improve across the board. He put up big numbers, developed in the weight room, and began to get a good feel for what he was being asked to do on the field. He's a thicker LB who can come downhill and play the run as well as drop back into coverage. Ideally, flats or something in the mid-level, but knowing he can deflect passes and defend guys is just a bonus. His upperclassman years were very similar to each other. During those 2 seasons, he put up 257 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 5 sacks, broke up 3 passes, picked off 1 ball, and forced 5 fumbles. That's another area where Hastings thrived. He goes after the ball and will strip it out. There's a lot to like about what Hastings offers and the level of production he's had throughout his high school career.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@Ahastings1765</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1145965' first='Ethan' last='French'] - Charlestown - ATH - 6'5" 210lbs</h2>   <p>Big guys who are solid athletes who can run, go up and over defenders, and make spectacular grabs look routine are always the favorite type of players some schools like to bring in. They want that clay that they can mold into whatever they want, and French might just be another one of those valuable and rare pieces of clay. Throughout his high school career, he's primarily lined up outside on the outside. Operating as an X receiver and helping push the ball downfield, but he could be moved towards the inside to help block at TE. Either way, he's shown some good wiggle downfield and as I mentioned a second ago, is great at the contested catch. On his HUDL, one of the first plays is him grabbing a ball off the back of the defender's helmet, staying up, and out-racing 2 guys to the endzone. Again and again, he gives defenses matchup issues on the outside. While he only played in 8 games this year, he still managed to put up 314 yards and 5 TDs. Those aren't massive numbers, but for a team that can't typically spread the ball around, they found ways to get French involved.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@EthanFre24</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='689627' first='Zavyn' last='Slayback'] - Lawrenceburg - DB - 5'9" 170lbs</h2>   <p>We highlighted Slayback last year after he had his breakout year for the Tigers. The only thing he did after that was build upon it this year. No biggy, right? Well, he was already a fairly sound safety who could cover a ton of ground. Now, he's seemingly 1 step ahead and knows where the ball is going. He even got to come into the box some this year and help create pressure. Everywhere he's been on the field, he's produced. Last year, he had 70 tackles, 1 TFL, and 4 INTs. This year, he put up 74 tackles, 3 TFLs, 1 sack, an interception, and recovered 2 fumbles. I know most schools always want the 6'+ DB, but at the same time, you need guys who can play coverage and tackle. Slayback helps get the opposing offense off the field and it doesn't have to be hard. Taking a shot on a player who has a ton of talent, multiple years of production, and is eager to learn can only help your program which is why I will bang the drum for Slayback once again.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@Zavyn_Slayback</strong></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1145967' first='Brett' last='Fuchs'] - Homestead - WR - 5'9" 165lbs</h2>   <p>Some players are just prone to make the big play, and that's all Fuchs has done his entire career. I live right by Fort Wayne and until I came across his tape, I hadn't heard of Fuchs. How? I'm not sure, but it's better late than never. He's been involved in all 3 phases of the game where you can have someone touch the ball. Rushing, receiving, and in the return game. He's incredibly versatile and can move around just about anywhere. I went back and watched his 22-23 tape as well because I saw that every year but that one, he primarily played RB. Why he played receiver quite a bit more as a Junior, I'm not sure, but I'm glad he did. Not only did he catch the ball out of the backfield as a Senior, but showing he knows how to get open and can catch downfield was big. He wasn't afraid of the hit over the middle and would hold onto a ball through contact. His statistical output through his high school career was as follows. 432 rushing yards and 6 TDs as a sophomore with 1 catch for 7 yards. In his junior year, he rushed for 337 yards and 3 TDs while adding the big receiving year. 43 catches, 705 yards, and 2 TDs is what he put up. His senior season saw him go back to running the ball and rarely saw a pass come his way. 213 carries for 1432 yards and 14 TDs. He then added a punt return for a TD and 362 kick return yards. Not including any of the return yards, Fuchs has 2 seasons of over 1000 scrimmage yards from multiple positions. He's shifty and can fly. There's always space for playmakers, and Fuchs should be no different.</p>   <p>Twitter: <strong>@BrettFuchs8</strong></p>

We're continuing to hammer 2024 recruits as we head towards signing day, and today we've got 6 players who can play, made an impact for their programs, and could do the same thing on Saturdays.