Uncommitted Steals in the Class of 2025

We have reached the end of the summer when it comes to the football calendar here in Wisconsin! All the camps in the surrounding states and within WI have wrapped up. Some more offers have come out, and we have seen several top athletes commit to college programs since the beginning of the month. However, we still have a strong list of seniors that are going to be steals for whichever team adds them to their Classes. So let's go the tape of some of those steals and identify some top targets to recruit before pads are issued next week!    The best available LB in WI, and #3 LB overall, is Marquette's [player_tooltip player_id='384586' first='Mitchell' last='Nigro']. The OLB was a menace off the edge in 2023 on the way to a D1 State Championship. While the talented athlete doesn't have the length for the edge at the next level he does have a great base of traits to play off ball LB while also providing some situational pass rush ability. Nigro has an explosive first step and fluid flexibility so that he can dip underneath OTs. The '25 has very effective speed/range to chase down plays from behind, even if he is lined up out near the slot. Mitchell also does well on the edge against the run. He knows the leverage he needs to maintain to keep the RB inside his containment and can get around blocks to make stops himself. The highly productive OLB is going to put together a great senior season, and needs to be locked in at the top of college recruiting boards as long as he is uncommitted.     One of the state's best passers, [player_tooltip player_id='262094' first='Brady' last='Hilgart'], is still on the open market. The prototypical pocket passer is a poised leader of his offense. They put a lot of trust in him and the senior has always delivered with accuracy and great decision making. The '25 plays with excellent mechanics that start at his feet and end with his quick release. When he is in rhythm, Brady's mechanics are mirror images of each other from throw to throw. His consistency allows him to be a 70% completion percentage passer, and his strong arm sets him apart from the crowd because he can drive the ball on a rope to any level of the field while holding onto that accuracy. Brady is one of the top uncommitted prospects in WI, and he is poised for a big year in his final season.     One of the state's biggest steals among WRs is Homestead's [player_tooltip player_id='1209295' first='Jonah' last='Wenzler']. The 6'5" 205 lbs athlete holds an offer from Lindenwood. Once his senior film starts coming out I have high hopes that we will see other schools join in on the recruitment of him. Jonah has all the size you could want to be a redzone threat and jump ball winner. He also has the soft hands to maximize his large catch radius. Jonah can really cover ground when he gets to open up and use his long strides. However, he also has the balance to be able to make solid route breaks to open up separation. The senior is a big play WR that more teams need to get on.     One of the state's top DL is still on the open market. The 6'5" 245-250 lbs DE holds 4 offers from the D2 level currently, and could add to that list as we get into the season. If Liam can build on what he did as a junior then we are in for a show. Liam is developing a very well balanced skill set on the edge. He can burst off the line with quickness, show good bend or use his hands to defeat blocks on the way to the QB. Shaw also has excellent body control to be able to run sharp loops to the QB. Liam also makes the effort plays, whether that is fighting off blocks or chasing down plays. He clearly has a high motor. His quickness off the line led to a lot of TFLs vs the run in 2023. Liam is a mismatch in the trenches that is going to continue to turn heads this fall.     One of the biggest steals in the trenches, literally and figuratively speaking, is Arrowhead's 6'6" 285 lbs OG [player_tooltip player_id='942617' first='Jacob' last='Gimla']. Jacob doesn't have any reported offers right now, but that could change within the first few weeks of the season. Gimla is about 10-15 lbs heavier than he was as a junior. That is exciting because as a junior Jacob was already putting DLs and LBs on their backs with his overpowering run blocking. Jacob has a strong initial punch when he meets his opponent that gets things flowing in the direction he wants. On top of the power, Gimla brings range to pull and kick out edge defenders or DTs. He turns that movement into power that clears the opponent out of the running lane. Jacob is a sleeper prospect that should create positive buzz this season.     We return to Grafton for another uncommitted 2025 steal. Tommy is a talented RB who holds offers from Sioux Falls, Oshkosh, and Eau Claire. The 6'2" back returns as a 210 lbs athlete, which should play into his playing style perfectly. Tommy plays with patience and vision behind the line of scrimmage. As soon as he finds the lane he is going to hit the 2025 sticks his foot in the ground and attacks the hole. Despite his tall running style, Tommy does a great job of dropping his pads and running behind them in tight quarters. Lutz also surprises with his low center of gravity that keeps him balanced as he runs through or over tackle attempts. To finish out his well rounded game, the physical athlete has the open field speed to create the special, big play. Look for Tommy to pick up where he left off in 2023.     I have a feeling that we could be in for a breakout season from Vincent. He looks like the next man up at WR1 for Milton, and has the tools and skills to deliver impressive results. The 6'2" 180 lbs WR enters the season with an offer from Southwest Minnesota State, so far. The incoming senior has proven to be an effective deep threat. He has a smooth, long strided gate to eat up yards as he gets on top of CBs and tracks down the ball over his shoulder with soft hands. Vincent excels at finding the ball and making quick adjustments to give himself the best chance of catching it. That includes switching shoulders, twisting his body, or leaving the ground to go and get the ball. The bigger WR is a prospect that forces defenses to give him a big cushion. Get ready for a big year from the steal at WR.     The 6'5" 260 lbs DL out of Marquette enters the 2024 season with offers from Eau Claire and Sioux Falls. Cole is another one of these prospects that could see a big wave of recruitment when he gets a couple weeks of film out from his senior season. The big DL shows a versatile skill set in his junior tape. He can take on blocks and hold the line of scrimmage vs the run game while clogging up his gap. He can also win with lateral quickness to defeat one on one blocks and make tackles or create disruption on his own in the backfield. The big man also has shown a lot of versatility in his alignment from NG out to a 5T, and has film of him winning reps at all of them. I'm going to be keeping a close eye on how he has developed this offseason. I recommend coaches at the D2 level do also.     Noah will enter 2024 as one of the top hidden gems in the state. The 6'2" 220 lbs LB holds an offer from Sioux Falls, and I think we see several others jump in that race. The All State, 100+ tackle LB was a force in the middle of the St. Mary's Springs defense in 2023. Noah jumps off the tape because he is arguably the hardest hitting LB returning to WI fields this fall. He delivers hits that kids wake up feeling on Saturday and Sunday. The downhill thumper owns the middle of the defense. He is quick to read run and fills his gap aggressively. The physical athlete also can get out to the sideline in pursuit and cover the zone over the middle of the field in pass protection. Don't sleep on this kid too long. He is going to be a force this fall.     Mikey brings elite length to the CB position with his 6'3" frame and long arms. No doubt that is one of the traits that led to Bemidji State extending him an offer. It will be an intriguing reason for more to join them this fall too. Despite the long frame, Mikey has solid feet and hips to be able to turn and run with receivers in man to man coverage. He transitions out of his backpedal and gets up to speed very quickly, preventing any separation from opening up for the receiver. The incoming senior shows great timing at the catch point too, breaking up passes without drawing interference penalties. Mikey brings fluid movement skills, great length, timing, and a lot of man to man experience to the field. The two sport standout is going to be a steal for a lucky program.

We have reached the end of the summer when it comes to the football calendar here in Wisconsin! All the camps in the surrounding states and within WI have wrapped up. Some more offers have come out, and we have seen several top athletes commit to college programs since the beginning of the month. However, we still have a strong list of seniors that are going to be steals for whichever team adds them to their Classes. So let's go the tape of some of those steals and identify some top targets to recruit before pads are issued next week!