2025 Recruiting Hotbed: Verona

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>College coaches are out and about, hitting up schools, building relationships, and extending offers. Each offseason it is fun to look at which schools are getting visited most, and looking at the talent levels within those schools. Without fail there is always a few schools that stand out with the amount of talented athletes and the variance in talent among the group. To highlight those loaded rosters we like to do Recruiting Hotbed articles where we dive into the tape of the top prospects from a certain program. We start the series with a look at Big Eight conference member, Verona.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["382410"],"_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 talent at the top of the 2025 Class in the state of Wisconsin. You won't find a better uncommitted talent than the two way athlete, [player_tooltip player_id='382410' first='Tre' last='Poteat']. The CB/RB/WR/Returner makes an impact all over the field and is a threat to score with every touch. When it comes to projecting the star to the next level, it looks like CB will be his best fit. The 2025 has the tools to welcome WRs to his island and leave them stranded. The athletic tools are all there. He has speed to burn when he needs to turn and run deep with his man. His reactive athleticism to route breaks is excellent, and his balance, agility, and burst allow him to stay glued to his man through those breaks. Tre also does a great job playing the ball, breaking up 7 passes and picking off 3 in 2023. The junior jumps off the tape, even with a lot of talent on the field around him. He is an FBS prospect all day every day.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6647dfe9dbc36"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":" u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16296589/6553b4bd5ca9710b6446a8be' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6647dfe9dbe0b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["383780"],"_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":"Joining the best uncommitted athlete in WI is one of the best uncommitted OL in WI. Dylan is a massive OT prospect with traits to match. He is quick out of his stance and is essentially automatic when it comes to creating positive movement in the trenches. Between his heavy hands and powerful leg drive Dylan is able to repeatedly put opponents on their back or drive them into the second level. The big man is also quickly developing nimble feet and the balance needed to stay square in pass protection. He is patient in his pass set and uses his length to get that initial contact. The arrow continues to point upwards for the Verona OT.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6647dfe9dbeaf"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16285760/65273c27c1242e09dc4e0f47' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6647dfe9dbed6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["383708"],"_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":"For our next standout Verona 2025 we go to the backend of the defense. Safety [player_tooltip player_id='383708' first='Miles' last='Dawkins'] has been a fixture of the Verona defense for a while now. The 6' 195 lbs 2025 plays with great awareness and a high IQ thanks to all his experience. When asked to play a deep half zone we see him read the QB and close on the ball quickly. He is one of those players who always seems to be in the right place at the right time to make a play on the ball because of that awareness and range. Dawkins has also shown that you can have him match up with a slot receiver man to man and be able to stick on them and break up passes. The versatility that Miles brings to the field is so valuable for DCs at the next level. Don't let him go under the radar. Check the film.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6647dfe9dbf2c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16276442/64f55faadfd9e0087c34cb26' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6647dfe9dbf87"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["939590"],"_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":"Next up we have the long, lean OLB for Verona. Braylon is a 6'4u0022 190 lbs prospect that will need time to fill out that frame at the next level, but the athletic side of his game is well worth the look. Braylon is an agile athlete with a nice burst to close on the ball. He has some experience dropping into coverage from the edge position and looks comfortable sliding laterally within his zone. As he gains that size and strength in a college weight room we could see him turn into a very useful chess piece with his play on the edge. Check out the tape of the raw athlete.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6647dfe9dbfda"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16276451/65640f227bd35108408629dc' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6647dfe9dbff8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1209447"],"_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":"Brett is an interesting prospect. He lacks the size that is really needed to win at the LB position at the next level, but that didn't stop him from being First Team All Conference in the Big Eight as a junior and racking up 80+ tackles. The kid has a nose for the football and knows how to get to it. He is aggressive when he triggers downhill and has the quickness to leave no time for the OL to try to work their way to him. Burrs flashes the lateral agility to navigate the trash between the tackles, and he is an effective tackler. Brett won't be for everyone, but D3 programs should definitely look into him as a nickel/LB hybrid athlete.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6647dfe9dc06b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16276473/655266e15ca92e0b84690cec' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6647dfe9dc08a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["685901"],"_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":"Caleb is going to be in position to make a jump from his current spot in the rankings. It look like the 6'3u0022 215 lbs signal caller is in line to take over the starting varsity job and show what he has to offer. I have been able to watch him throw in person and am confident he has the arm to attack every level of the field from the pocket. I look forward to seeing his poise on the big stage and his accuracy against top competition. Caleb is an athlete to definitely keep an eye on as the season begins and at camps this summer.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6647dfe9dc0d9"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["383715"],"_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":"Aidyn is another athlete who made a slight varsity impact in 2023, but looks in position to make a much larger one in 2024. Aidyn made his biggest impact as a blocker downfield. His big frame overpowered DBs. The redzone target also finish with 10 catches for 124 yards and 2 TDs. Keep an eye on the big WR this summer/fall. He has the potential to be another senior season breakout player.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6647dfe9dc148"} /--> <!-- 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":"Rowan Bonifas","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"225","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Verona","_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":"These individual team articles are great because it allows me the chance to find new athletes to get on my own radar. That athlete on Verona is DE/OLB Rowan Bonifas. The 6'3u0022 225 lbs 2025 put together a strong junior season with 45 tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 TFLs. Rowan is a high motor athlete who fights his way into a lot of pressures and plays. We see him make a lot of plays with his stoutness on the edge. Whether it be setting the edge against the run or bull rushing the OT and collapsing the pocket. Rowan has experience all over the line of scrimmage too. We see him anywhere from DT out to stand up edge. I'm excited to see how he comes back and plays this fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6647dfe9dc24e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16285225/65be9a207bd2e10654214d84' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6647dfe9dc273"} /-->