Hudl Discoveries #6 - Capital Area White

Next up on my Hudl Discoveries series is the conclusion of the Capital Area conference. The White houses eight teams, all of which house college prospects. A few teams in particular, are regular state championship contenders. This article will cover ten of the most intriguing new prospects in this league!   '25 DE | [player_tooltip player_id='1290521' first='Van' last='Reed'] | Charlotte | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15648736/Van-Reed">Hudl</a>   First up is [player_tooltip player_id='1290521' first='Van' last='Reed'] from Charlotte. Reed typically lines up as a 3/4 tech. His biggest strength is his good burst off the line and his great physicality. He does his best to have active hands, and has shown some flashes in block shedding. Lastly, he's patient yet hard-hitting as a tackler. He sets his feet to avoid getting juked, and delivers big hits consistently. In order to become a college prospect, Van needs to have a great offseason and perhaps he could attend some offseason camps.    '25 QB | [player_tooltip player_id='837288' first='Christian' last='Powers'] | Charlotte | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15640741/Christian-Powers">Hudl</a>   I love the potential from Charlotte QB [player_tooltip player_id='837288' first='Christian' last='Powers']. Mainly, I really like his quick release and touch on some of his throws. He throws a great ball, gets it out as quickly as he can, and does his best to stand strong in the pocket. All three of those things are admittedly rare for a lesser-known school. His fundamentals from his footwork to throwing mechanics are very inconsistent, but one thing that stays consistent is his quick release. I'd love to see Christian in person sometime this offseason, and he could make a name for himself at some camps.    '26 DT | [player_tooltip player_id='1225715' first='Kaleb' last='Gochenour'] | Eaton Rapids | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16136654/Kaleb-Gochenour">Hudl</a>   Kaleb isn't going to wow you with his size, strength, or speed. But his effort is some of the best I've seen from an interior defensive lineman. Just look at the highlight at 1:01- Kaleb gets double-teamed, the ball is passed out to the flat, then Kaleb gets on his horse and sprints sideline-to-sideline, making an assist on the tackle. That kind of effort is something I rarely see from a defensive tackle. It's not rare for me to dislike a D-Lineman's effort and motor, but this doesn't look like a problem for Kaleb.    '25 TE | [player_tooltip player_id='1186440' first='Carter' last='Starks'] | Ionia | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16388340/Carter-Starks">Hudl</a>   Carter's film is all about blocking, and I love it. He's trusted as a lead blocker on several plays, and it's obvious why. Carter is incredibly physical and works hard to stay on his block and to block through the whistle. He caught a few balls as well, and he could use some work as a receiver. If he commits to playing with the same physicality as he does while blocking while working a bit on contact balance, he could be a bruiser of a receiver.    '25 QB | [player_tooltip player_id='899481' first='Alex' last='Fernandez'] | Lansing Catholic | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16475781/Alex-Fernandez">Hudl</a>   Alex is a very intriguing quarterback prospect. The beginning of his film shows some of his best deep throws. At first, I thought it was another highlight tape of constant bombs without much else. Toward the middle of his film, Alex flashes some good IQ plays and an ability to read the defense. I know it's a highlight film, but I like the zip on the ball and his overall placement. His fundamentals are pretty consistent, and his eyes actively scan the field. I consider IQ to be the most important aspect of a QB prospect, and it's apparent that Alex is not a surface-level quarterback.    '27 WR | [player_tooltip player_id='1233455' first='Conor' last='Gallagher'] | Lansing Catholic | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19743086/Conor-Gallagher">Hudl</a>   Conor is an incredibly raw talent, but it's impressive that he was able to start on Varsity for 15 quarters. His route running is above average for a freshman, and his speed also looks just above average. His JV film shows some open-field ability and athleticism that was not in his Varsity film. He's able to catch the ball on comeback routes, and make a few jukes before he's off to the races. I would assume that Conor will be starting on Varsity all of next season, and I'm excited to see how he improves.    '25 DB | [player_tooltip player_id='899567' first='Jeffrey' last='Hudson'] | Lansing Sexton | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17441127/Jeffrey-Hudson/about">Hudl</a>   Everyone needs a DB, and Jeffrey could be a breakout candidate this offseason. His film shows a lot of very good traits. Against the run and passes to the flat, he's extremely aggressive and reactive. He sometimes plays as more of a outside linebacker, and he's tasked with setting the edge and not letting anyone get outside him. Once a ballcarrier is in his sights, Jeffrey aggressively sheds any block before quickly wrapping up the tackle. He shows that same reactivity and burst in pass coverage, as he has extremely quick closing speed. I would love to see Jeffrey's 40 and 3-cone times, as he looks explosive and agile in his film.    '26 RB | Ethan Schaefer | Olivet | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19795442/Ethan-Schaefer">Hudl</a>   Ethan is a hard runner who has a lot of potential. I don't consider him a college prospect yet, but his hard running style, solid speed, and physicality show his potential. He also flashes good vision and subtle yet effective moves in the open field. He's also a north-south runner and doesn't try to do too much in the open field.    '25 WR | Evan Gross | Portland | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15622141/Evan-Gross">Hudl</a>   A physical yet explosive receiver, Evan has the tools to develop into a great receiver prospect. Once the ball is in Evan's hands, he explodes forward without being afraid to deliver a hit. Although he's not the biggest guy on the field, he runs angrily and earns some extra yards after contact. He's also a willing and physical blocker.    '25 SB/DB | [player_tooltip player_id='591085' first='Barrett' last='Brennan'] | Portland | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15622132/Barrett-Brennan">Hudl</a>   Barrett is a big play waiting to happen. He's the definition of slotback, as he's quick, explosive, and great in the open field. Barrett excels in outside runs, and he explodes upfield while making nicely-timed jukes. There are times when he runs laterally, and it seems to pay off thanks to good vision and athleticism. As a defensive back, he has a few great interceptions that highlight his hands, reaction time, and overall playmaking ability.

Next up on my Hudl Discoveries series is the conclusion of the Capital Area conference. The White houses eight teams, all of which house college prospects. A few teams in particular, are regular state championship contenders. This article will cover ten of the most intriguing new prospects in this league!