Rising Seniors to Watch in 6A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The largest classification in the State is going to be highly competitive in 2024. Below are 4 rising Seniors to watch this Fall on some of the preseason favorites to make the Benz.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='907884' first='Michael' last='Hastie'] </strong>(Douglas County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's rare to be a standout on both sides of the ball in 6A but Hastie gets it done at Douglas County. The 6'2 220 RB/LB is rated a 3-star by the National services and is the reigning 6-6A Iron Man of the Year. His stat sheet was impressive last year. On offense he averaged close to 10 yards per carry on 50 carries with 5 rushing TDs. He had a season high 101 yards on 7 carries in a win over New Manchester. An absolute beast on defense with 122 TT. He also intercepted 2 passes and ran both back for a TD. He has added a couple handful of offers already with Texas AM, Louisville, and Wake Forest among them. Interesting prospect that at 220 has a lean frame and still room to grow. D1 lock. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/mahone_derrick/status/1733158051140833469","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/mahone_derrick/status/1733158051140833469 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1085689' first='Tomir' last='Bransford']</strong> (Westlake)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'11 RB had a breakout season last year for Westlake garnering a lot of College attention this off season. Physical back that rushed for 630 yards on 96 carries with 9 TDs in '23. Was a highly touted up and coming recruit in the Washington DC Area before making the move to Atlanta 2 years ago. He has that twitch and an explosive first step and combine that with his work ethic in the weight room and you have a heck of a RB. Has good hands out of the backfield. Was Rival MVP last off season. National recruit that will have success at the college level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TomirBransford7/status/1791519616767819964","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/TomirBransford7/status/1791519616767819964 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='338640' first='Zion' last='Johnson']</strong> (Newton)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'9 175 multipurpose back is a guy that has been on Redzone radar for awhile, we have him as the #56 overall player in the 2025 class. Very productive last season scoring 20 TDs with 1800+ total yards. RedZone scout<strong> Connor Jackson</strong> evaluated him last season: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Outstanding contact balance for size. Good center of gravity and stays squared at contact. Can create extension with stiff-arm and recovers nicely after tackle attempts.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Offers playmaking ability as a returner and as a receiver.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Will fit best as a change of pace back with a scheme that gets him ball in space.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zion committed to Cincinnati back in February but that hasn't stopped the offers from rolling in. East Carolina, UNLV, and Indiana added their name to the list just this week. Will be a playmaker at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/20_problemz/status/1721619677787398420","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/20_problemz/status/1721619677787398420 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='706633' first='Jake' last='Thorner']</strong> (Walton)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prototypical LB prospect at 6'3 225. He had a very productive season last year with 144 TT including 83 solo tackles with 11 TFL and an interception for the State Runner Ups. Instinctive LB that is physical and is a throwback old school type guy. College scouts have taken notice this offseason. Thorner has picked up offers from Western Michigan, Georgia State, Ball State and Marshall among others. A candidate for the 6A DPOY in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JakeThorner96/status/1740085291296448735","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/JakeThorner96/status/1740085291296448735 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->