Hudl Discoveries #34: OK-Red Pt.2

Welcome back to coverage of the OK-Red. Yesterday, I evaluated seven great players from nearly every OK-Red program. Today, I'll be evaluating six more players from six different schools.   '25 G/T | Andrew Durr | East Kentwood | <a href="https://twitter.com/Andrew_Durr53">@Andrew_Durr53</a>   Andrew is a raw offensive line prospect, but he has a few traits that could carry him to a college offer if he also works his tail off this offseason. He seems to have that aggressiveness that's required as an offensive lineman. Andrew is not afraid of contact and has a few good pancakes where he bench-presses the opposing defender. Moving forward, he needs to work on his footwork and overall agility. He also needs to get better at more complex blocks (pass, reach, etc). I'm confident that when Andrew steps on the field next fall, he'll be a much-improved player.    '25 LB | [player_tooltip player_id='1291319' first='Connor' last='Vanbeek'] | Grand Haven | <a href="https://twitter.com/connorvanbeekk">@connorvanbeekk</a>   Connor was recently covered in an article called <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/04/low-ego-high-output-players/">"Low Ego- High Output players"</a> by our scout Tyler Graham. There, Tyler praises Connor's work ethic and personality. I'll tell you all a secret; work ethic and personality are major factors in recruiting a football player. The majority of colleges are going to put some stock into your personality, and he seems to have an A+ in that category.   Now, for Connor's tape. He's an aggressive, high-effort, and decisive outside linebacker/EDGE rusher. Based on the highlight tape, I'm surprised he was only an all-conference honorable mention. Playing on-ball, Connor has an explosive getoff and reacts very quickly to the run. I'm not sure what his pass rush skills are, but I have no doubt he'll be able to develop a good moveset if he plays on-ball more often. Off-ball, Connor reacts extremely quickly and flies to the football. Against outside runs, he takes good pursuit angles and is reactive and fast enough to make plays sideline-to-sideline. In my view, he looks like a quality Division 3 prospect. As long as he attends some camps this offseason, he'll receive some college attention.    '25 DB | [player_tooltip player_id='899574' first='Ethan' last='Newville'] | Grandville | <a href="https://twitter.com/Ethannewville3">@Ethannewville3</a>   Although his highlight tape is short, Ethan's top plays are as impressive as any DB. He has a couple interceptions showing awesome instincts and fast break on the football. A few other plays show good press-man coverage with solid ball skills to break up the pass. I've seen a few plays with less-than-ideal instincts and footwork, so he could work on consistency this offseason. Hopefully Ethan will be able to get out to come camps this offseason to further showcase his abilities.    '25 S | [player_tooltip player_id='1291324' first='Tai' last='Hescott'] | West Ottawa | <a href="https://twitter.com/hescott_tai?lang=en">@hescott_tai</a>   Tai may be a safety, but his biggest strength and the bulk of his highlight tape deals with stopping the run. He plays like a linebacker as a safety. Where most players at the position play a bit timid against the run, Tai did a great job at attacking the ballcarrier right when he diagnosed the play. On top of that, he's a good and decently hard-hitting tackler. With a tad better reaction time and more highlights vs the pass, he could be a college prospect by the end of next season.    '25 LB | Connor Brintall | Hudsonville | <a href="https://twitter.com/ConnorBrintnall">@ConnorBrintnall</a>   Connor is a very smart linebacker, and he's a breath of fresh air in that regard. He's patient yet not timid. There are so many plays where it looks like it takes him a second to read the play, but the difference between him and other linebackers is that his feet move with his eyes. If he sees a left-side outside zone run developing, he'll keep his eyes in the backfield while moving left, then he'll pounce on the running back once he sees a tacking lane. When he does get blocked, he has decent block-shed ability, but that's an area he can absolutely improve upon. His speed also needs to be worked on, and his patience keeps him from making a lot of sideline-to-sideline plays. He's a high-quality linebacker, but could become a superstar with better play speed and aggression.    '25 G | [player_tooltip player_id='1291328' first='Dawson' last='LaPlante'] | Rockford | <a href="https://twitter.com/dawson_laplante">@dawson_laplante</a>   Dawson has a lot of juice as an interior offensive lineman. In the run and pass game, this guy is a brick wall. He does a great job at staying balanced and absorbing hits from the opposing defender. Dawson's footwork isn't the greatest in the world, but he gets the job done and generally keeps his balance. His run blocking is also quite good, especially when he's able to use his leverage. While just having earned an offer from Hope, I would not be surprised if many more MIAA offers came his way soon.

Welcome back to coverage of the OK-Red. Yesterday, I evaluated seven great players from nearly every OK-Red program. Today, I'll be evaluating six more players from six different schools.