Breakout Stars in the OK-Conference: Pt.3

<p>Welcome to Breakout Pt.3! I'm continuing to comb through the OK Conference, searching for breakout candidates. Over the past few months, I've done my best to search through the Hudl of every OK conference program to find players who could have career seasons in 2024. So, here are seven more breakout candidates that I'm highly excited to cover! </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">'26 LB | [player_tooltip player_id='1290910' first='Callahan' last='Millis'] | Reeths-Puffer | <a href="https://twitter.com/CalMillis">@CalMillis</a></h2>   <p>It's always an amazing accomplishment when you break the Varsity lineup as a sophomore. Oftentimes, underclassmen on Varsity have a few things they are excellent at, while needing improvement in other areas. Callahan is way ahead of the curve in two extremely important areas: reaction time and play speed. When defending the run between the tackles, Callahan shows good read, react, and attack. There isn't much else in his short highlight tape other than inside or off-tackle run-stopping, but I'm still very optimistic about other areas of his game. Next season, Callahan should take a significant step up in a larger role. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">'25 TE | [player_tooltip player_id='1290918' first='Blake' last='Linsley'] | Rockford | <a href="https://twitter.com/Blinsley12">@Blinsley12</a></h2>   <p>I'm very high on the talent of [player_tooltip player_id='1290918' first='Blake' last='Linsley']. He's currently a high-tier GLIAC prospect, but I strongly believe that he deserves D1 opportunities. He has great size for a TE, standing at around 6'5" 225. The situation he's in is also elite. The Rockford offense has Blake running the most pro-style game you'll find anywhere at the High School level. In the receiving game, Blake is asked to attack practically every part of the field. Middle third, sidelines, and just about every route you'd expect a college TE to run. Blake has also shown a ton of great stuff after the catch. He's also an experienced blocker who's asked to do everything you'd expect a college TE to do. A little bit of growth as a blocker and even more prowess as a receiver will leave D1s no choice but to call. Even if he does end up in the GLIAC, I'd expect him to see the field relatively quick. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">'26 LB | [player_tooltip player_id='1251326' first='Elijah' last='Reynolds']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/elijah-reynolds/"></a> | West Ottawa | <a href="https://twitter.com/Elijah_rey6">@Elijah_rey6</a></h2>   <p>Elijah is another underclassman linebacker who showed some great stuff on Varsity. Every single one of his highlights has to do with stopping the run. In that aspect, he shows a lot of promise with some hiccups along the way. Namely, he has more highlights stopping the outside run than most linebackers. Elijah does a good job of scraping past blockers while staying on a steady path to the ballcarrier. He doesn't have elite play speed yet, but a little improvement in play speed would transform him from a good outside run defender to and elite outside run defender. Defending between the tackles is a little different. Although still a strong part of his game, Elijah tends to react a bit slower in those situations. After time in the weight room and a lot more practice + film study, Elijah could be a much-improved linebacker. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">'25 DB | [player_tooltip player_id='899574' first='Ethan' last='Newville']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/ethan-newville/"></a> | Grandville | <a href="https://twitter.com/Ethannewville3">@Ethannewville3</a></h2>   <p>After watching Ethan at the MHSAA Jenison camp, I am very confident that he'll have an improved senior season. I saw a few things at the camp that are impossible to show on film: competitiveness and passion. Ethan is someone who volunteered to go first in several drills, got as many reps as he could in the 1on1 portion, and did his best to go up against the best players at camp. He was able to show off his press coverage abilities, and I think he'd be a lot better if it weren't pajama and helmet season. His actual highlight tape is a bit short, but it showcases other areas of his game that I couldn't see in person. Namely, Ethan has a few amazing interceptions where he jumps a route for a well-timed interception. As an added bonus, Ethan racked up a good amount of RAC after his interceptions. He'll be a watch for all-region at the very least next season, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what Ethan will do this Fall. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">'25 LB | Connor Brintall | Hudsonville | <a href="https://twitter.com/ConnorBrintnall">@ConnorBrintnall</a></h2>   <p>Last season, Connor was already a well-polished linebacker. While a lot of linebackers do a decent job of reading a play then running toward the ballcarrier (without much else), Connor brings added layers of mental and physical skill into the equation. He can shuffle, scrape, and attack like any elite linebacker. His eyes are always in the backfield, and he has good enough play speed that allows him to scrape and pass by potential blockers just out of instinct. Connor has a few areas in which he can improve. First, I'd love to see him put on some more muscle and, in turn, more highlights that show block-shedding or physical prowess. He can also improve on his sideline-to-sideline run stopping. Still, this is a polished linebacker who is an All-State watch this coming season. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">'25 TE/LB/K | [player_tooltip player_id='1291334' first='A.J.' last='Park'] | Jenison | <a href="https://twitter.com/AJ_Park9">@AJ_Park9</a></h2>   <p>AJ is going to be a very fun player to watch this coming season. Last season, he was one of the most versatile athletes in the OK Conference. Better yet, he played well above average in all three phases. As a receiver, he's able to climb the ladder and secure jump balls. He's also physical enough to be an effective blocker and to box out to come down with contested catches. Defensively (LB), he showed good reactivity and play speed. I especially like him as an on-ball EDGE rusher. Lastly, he also served as the team's kicker. There, he's able to boot great 30-45yd field goals in-game. AJ is obviously a very talented athlete, and I hope the new coaching staff is able to utilize him efficiently. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">'26 WR | [player_tooltip player_id='1291351' first='Ron' last='Ferguson'] | West Ottawa | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18021737/Ron-Ferguson">Hudl</a></h2>   <p>A few weeks ago, I evaluated Ron's film on<a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/05/hudl-discoveries-35-ok-red-pt-3/"> Hudl Discoveries</a>. I really like Ron's current foundation, but I'd be lying if I said a few plays didn't frustrate me. Getting it out of the way now, Ron has a few instances of bad vision. The play at 2:23 shows a wide-open lane for him to run through, but instead, he continues running outside until he runs out of room on the sideline. Other than some bad vision, Ron has all the tools needed to become a great slot receiver. He's utilized extremely well and earns a ton of touches every game. Sweeps, screens, slants, middle-third targets. It's obvious that West Ottawa trusts his athleticism and wants Ron to work in the open-field. He just needs more reps and film study to reach that next level, and I really don't think he's far from that "next level." </p>

Welcome to Breakout Pt.3! I'm continuing to comb through the OK Conference, searching for breakout candidates. Over the past few months, I've done my best to search through the Hudl of every OK conference program to find players who could have career seasons in 2024. So, here are seven more breakout candidates that I'm highly excited to cover!