Sophomores Who Will Explode as Juniors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Use code Johnson30 for 30% off a PRZ WI subscription</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are deep in the winter, a blizzard is pouring snow outside as we speak, but I have my mind turned towards Fall 2024. After scrolling through the Class of 2026 rankings as well as my list of players I can't wait to get added to the list it became very clear that there are several athletes who I think are going to go crazy this fall as they make the switch to becoming upperclassmen. These kids are going to be athletes who see their responsibilities increase massively, and with it so will the production and the traits will have more chances to shine through on tape. Today we are going to break down the tape of several athletes that I believe are going to make big jumps in their junior season. Let's get started!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1220645' first='James' last='Thomas']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2405","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Oak Creek","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"James has already earned some varsity experience in his young career, but what we saw as a sophomore looks like a small percentage of the high potential that James has. Thomas is a massive 6'4u0022 285 lbs with the required arm length. What is so exciting and has high future looking so bright is the combination of power and athleticism that the plays with. It allows him the ability to win in the trenches or out in space. He is able to close quickly in the run game, make first contact, and has the light feet to be able to mirror and slide to keep on his block. James is also able to get out and run to the second level or along the line, zone blocking. The rising OT is able to generate plenty of powerful from his lower body and heavy hands. Keep an eye on the rising sophomore. He is looking like a need to know athlete.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a1e2c36cd7d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19536566/65171b8af561500b604d8087' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a5d8ee2d2a5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Bryson Schmid","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Wittenberg- Birnamwood","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"We could see a huge breakout performance from the sophomore QB/ATH Bryson Schmid. The 6'1u0022 175 lbs athlete served as the backup QB for W-B, is the leading returning rusher from 2023, and is the second leading tackler. Bryson fits the dual threat that W-B has utilized over recent years. As a runner, Bryson has reliable instincts and vision with the ball. He has the speed to break the game open on any touch. The playmaker is also a dominant return option. We will have to wait and see how the arm is if the time comes for him to take over at QB. Expect to see the sophomore continue his productive play on the defensive side as well with that range. He doesn't shy away from physicality either. Check him out.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a1e2c36ce10"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17778809/654f1be723477505984f7196' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a5d8ee2d423"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["707826"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"There is a lot of touches, receptions, yards, and TDs being left by athletes graduating from Nathan Hale HS. Luke already had a solid season of production as a sophomore, but I am expecting to see him step up and pick up some of the slack. Luke is a dangerous athlete with the ball in his hands and Hale knows it. They got him the ball on returns, through the air, and on the ground. All in scenarios where he could use his agility and acceleration to win in tight spaces. Luke has solid balance and body control for a kid his size. The bigger athlete doesn't shy away from contact either, but I want to see him gain more yards after contact. Luke is a big athlete with agility, speed, and physicality that we could see molded into a next level prospect.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a1e2c36ce5a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17995087/652d486c2347d20738abcd38' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a5d8ee2d4a5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["700031"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"I'm excited for this potential breakout athlete. Josiah didn't see a huge workload in 2023, but the sophomore will be the leading rusher returning in 2024. The 5'8u0022 200 lbs RB demonstrated a well rounded attack with his limited touches. We see the wiggle and elusiveness between the tackles and burst to attack alleys. Josiah was also able to get outside the tackle box and get around the edge with speed. Josiah plays with a low center of gravity as well. Look for plenty of big plays as the 2026 RB sees an uptick in his touches.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a5d8ee2d4fb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17739934/65347847a681080224e20142' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a5d8ee2d519"} /-->