Back 2 Ballin: WR/TE Standouts, Part II

CEDAR FALLS- Back 2 Ballin always bring the heat every year, that is why I am still in full content mode over 2-3 weeks later. If that isn't a sign of the high plethora of talent all in one building, I don't know what is. We unleash our Part II of the WR/TE standouts with three states represented, heavily lead by the great state of Wisconsin, but no doubt, Iowa and South Dakotas showed off plenty of ballers from this tournament. From next-level steals, prospects with upside left to prove, 2027 on the rise, and team motivators that might not show up on the stat sheet, but it was noted by the scouts.   [player_tooltip player_id='933368' first='Nolan' last='Shiplett'], WR/TE, Primetime/Kenosha Bradford, WI 2024 <a href="https://twitter.com/Nshippy10">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/IMG_0525-rotated-crop-481x316-1714617880.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1264517" style="width:318px;height:auto" /></figure>   The 6'4 190 pound WR/TE hybrid showed off plenty of sound skillsets that he will take to the WIAC at UW-Oshkosh next year. In my eyes, the Titans have position flexibility with Nolan, as a target that showed off plenty of pure athleticism at Back 2 Ballin a few weeks back. From the TE position, the upside was shown with his great balance with his footwork around the sidelines which to me point out as a first-down threat on 3rd and 5+ yardage situations. Nolan certainly impressed me with his hands too as one that pretty consistently finished well with his highly-contested catches he made. I'll repeat what I said in Iowa, Oshkosh got a steal out of Kenosha Bradford as Nolan has also great upside to grow out his frame.   [player_tooltip player_id='1336932' first='Sam' last='Aparicio'], WR, Topline Madison/Madison Memorial, WI 2027 <a href="https://twitter.com/samaparicio10">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/IMG_0503-rotated-crop-481x316-1714617990.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1264521" style="width:317px;height:auto" /></figure>   There was not a 2027 wide receiver on Saturday especially that made more splash plays on Saturday with his excellent hands than Madison Memorial's [player_tooltip player_id='1336932' first='Sam' last='Aparicio']. I was intrigued with the way Sam attacked his routes for his size, as he played massively bigger than the measurables would show you. Sam certainly impressed with his football IQ, as his instincts made several plays that from my eyes brought the "wow" factor especially knowing he is just a freshman at the moment. One of a couple Spartans that rose to the occasion at Back 2 Ballin.   Tayvin Laddusaw, WR, SD Elite/Sioux Falls Washington, SD 2026 <a href="https://twitter.com/Tayvinl411">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/04/IMG_5226-rotated-crop-481x316-1714618060.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1264522" style="width:329px;height:auto" /></figure>   Tayvin is a WR that has been on my 2026 radar for a minute, and is one I thought showed off some future promise at Back 2 Ballin a couple weeks ago. He showed off well-versed hands and smooth route-running as he showed off a knack of getting quick separation on his short and intermediate routes. The off-field skillset I liked from Tayvin was how much of a motivator he was during the game I witnessed against a SD 7v7 rival. Although they didn't have the end result they wanted, Tayvin brought the juice to his teammates for the duration of the game I watched.   Brian Walton, WR, Primetime/Kenosha Bradford, WI 2026   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/IMG_0526-rotated-crop-481x316-1714618194.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1264524" style="width:318px;height:auto" /></figure>   Brian was another pass-catching target from Primetime that showed off his catchy upside at Back 2 Ball on Saturday night. Brian has frame to grow out in the weight room, however you couldn't not see the length of his catch radius in his 6'0 145 pound lanky frame. I recall Brian being consistent with his hands, and brought in some hard-fought catches in the game I watched. No tape available yet shows me that upside Brian presented is to be continued over the coming years as he is just getting started.   [player_tooltip player_id='1246757' first='Cade' last='Olberding'], WR, Souljahs/Iowa Falls-Alden, IA 2027 <a href="https://twitter.com/cadeolberding">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/IMG_0537-rotated-crop-481x316-1714618261.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1264530" style="width:325px;height:auto" /></figure>   One of my favorite 2027 wide receivers from Saturday's session at Back 2 Ballin hailed was Iowa Falls-Alden's [player_tooltip player_id='1246757' first='Cade' last='Olberding']. This young man had a high plethora of athleticism he brought to the table every time he brought the ball to his chest for a reception, which was a lot of Saturday as the Souljah's #1 target by far. You can tell that Cade has a sound awareness and with his age, still has plenty of wiggle room to grow. His hands, balance around the edges, and sound vertical in the air are reasons and so on are reasons why I will keep an eye out for Cade over the coming years out of North Iowa.   Manny Lopez-Darden, WR/ATH, Topline/Madison Memorial 2027 <a href="https://twitter.com/mannylopezdarde">Twitter</a>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/IMG_0504-rotated-crop-481x316-1714618350.jpg?w=480" alt="" class="wp-image-1264532" style="width:355px;height:auto" /></figure>   The the second one-two punch at wide receiver for Topline from Madison Memorial was 2027 WR/ATH Manny Lopez-Darden. Manny certainly did not need much space to operate, as this young man brought in a few high-traffic catches that showed off instinctive positioning to give himself the best angle to make the reception on a constant basis. At 5'7 165 pounds, I thought Manny played way outside his measurables a few Saturdays ago and that translated to both sides of the ball. Defensively, Manny showed off that physical ball-tracking with this kid's bread and butter as I thought the skillsets translated smoother to wide receiver however there were splash plays from Manny everywhere which is a credit to his football IQ. It has become a trend, that I find a Madison Memorial pass-catcher at Back 2 Ballin and it continued this year.with [player_tooltip player_id='1336932' first='Sam' last='Aparicio'] and Manny Lopez-Darden in Cedar Falls. I hope that trend continues as someone that calls Madison my hometown.

CEDAR FALLS- Back 2 Ballin always bring the heat every year, that is why I am still in full content mode over 2-3 weeks later. If that isn't a sign of the high plethora of talent all in one building, I don't know what is. We unleash our Part II of the WR/TE standouts with three states represented, heavily lead by the great state of Wisconsin, but no doubt, Iowa and South Dakotas showed off plenty of ballers from this tournament. From next-level steals, prospects with upside left to prove, 2027 on the rise, and team motivators that might not show up on the stat sheet, but it was noted by the scouts.