West Central WI Hidden Gems

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We continue our dive into regions that may be overlooked at times, but have the talent to warrant attention. Today's region is west central WI. Primarily the area of the state between Eau Claire and La Crosse. That area of the state is filled with smaller cities of 10,000 people or less. Despite the lower population we still see noteworthy talent coming from the small schools. Just in the Class of 2025 alone there are several hidden gems that have earned the spotlight of this article. Don't sleep on these kids. They all possess the talent to play at the D2/D3 levels. Let's turn on the tape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["685851"],"_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":"The top player in west central WI is Arcadia's [player_tooltip player_id='685851' first='Trey' last='Lyga']. The junior is an impressive 6'5u0022 220 lbs with easy balance and body control making him a smooth athlete and a tough mismatch to line up against. Trey is a standout at TE and DE. At TE he naturally plugs the ball out of the air, has solid speed to pick up yards after the catch and get downfield before the catch. As a DE/OLB Trey has shown he can handle a lot of responsibilities on the edge. We see him take on blocks and set a strong edge vs the run game. He can play out in the flats chasing down ball carriers or covering that zone. Lyga is a raw prospect, but he is a smooth athlete for his exceptional size, and is versatile. His best football is ahead of him.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661efa6725f79"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13609850/650e6f94da5b000050cdfc0a' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662029c1482a4"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["942603"],"_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":"Tomah HS is starting a streak of fielding impressive ATHs. The one to know for the Class of 2025 is [player_tooltip player_id='942603' first='Alex' last='Boyko']. The 6'1u0022 170 lbs WR/DB possesses a special athletic profile that allows him to dominate in all three phases of the game. On special teams he flashes the field vision and speed to break off big returns. On offense, Alex checks a lot of boxes. We see the quick twitch agility at the line where he is able to get clean releases, even when pressed. That agility pairs with his balance to make him an explosive route runner. At the catch he shows strong hands and the leaping ability to be able to go up and high point it over the DB. That carries over to defense as well. Alex's pure speed after the catch makes him a nightmare to contain. It also gives him the ability to easily turn and run with receivers in man to man coverage. Alex is able to bait QBs into bad throws and then show the recovery speed to make play son the ball. Alex is a very talented and versatile prospect. Check out the tape below.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661efa6726026"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16554967/6535c35b02b14a0a3c309636' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662029c14832c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1120617"],"_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":"Coming in at 6'5u0022 200 lbs, Carter is an imposing outside threat at WR/TE. He thrives in scenarios where he gets to lean on his size advantage. Whether that be jump balls, fades into the endzone, or routes where he can box out DBs when making the catch are all times where he is able to easily create the separation needed to make the catch. Pontius also shows off sufficient speed to be able to get downfield or cross the field and pull away from his opponent while doing so. Carter's soft hands maximize his big catch radius too. The junior is an intriguing prospect out wide. Check out both of his tape clips.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661efa672609a"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/cpontius23/status/1764034639746748451","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/cpontius23/status/1764034639746748451 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["384576"],"_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":"Cornett sits at RB13 overall, and one of the top ball carriers from this region of WI. He has continued to put on size, now standing at 6' 195 lbs. Pairing his junior tape with that improved size has me excited for what is to come. Cameron did most of his damage attacking between the tackles. In those tight quarters he was able to thrive thanks in big part to his instincts for finding the open seams, his burst to top speed, and his power and balance through contact. Over and over we see Cameron pick through the high level of traffic at the line of scrimmage, accelerate through level two, and then finish with power. Cornett is a well balanced back who should continue to be on the rise. Give the tape a watch.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661efa67260fb"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16059900/65d24c6ff5699b107c90203b' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662029c1483f7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["383783"],"_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":"The 6' 200 lbs [player_tooltip player_id='383783' first='Bruce' last='Rezin'] might be best labeled as an ATH. He plays a bit of a LB/box safety hybrid role for Tomah HS and has been an impact payer doing it. Bruce is aggressive and quick to trigger downhill to fill against the run. He has the burst to get to and through gaps with a head of steam that OL can't cut off. He also has the range to be able to run sideline to sideline and chase down ball carriers that get outside contain. The junior is a sound tackler on top of the athleticism too. Bruce does a great job of moving through the front seven and avoiding blocks while also closing on the football. Rezin is a versatile athlete that is going to be on the rise this summer.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661efa6726181"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16345483/6500ae248cd56611d8c14885' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662029c148464"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1209429"],"_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":"Luke is an interesting prospect to scout and project. The 6' 190 lbs QB is a natural athlete and that has allowed him to step into the roles he is needed in an excel. However, when it comes to the next level Baginski might be best viewed as an ATH instead of a pure QB. That is because of what he shows when he keeps the ball on the ground. Luke shows vision and lateral agility to get himself in position to attack lanes and avoid defenders. He also is a powerful athlete who has proven he can lower the shoulder and gain the tough yards after contact. Plus he has solid top end speed for the big plays when he gets into the open field. Those traits open the potential towards RB or I could see him getting interest as a safety with his athleticism, size, and physicality. Luke is well worth a look. The film is below.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661efa67261e5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16187162/652ff65d664bdb0ab4af0452' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662029c1484d2"} /-->